Taking a friend to WDW

[torinsmom]

I was hoping that the whole family would agree to a trip to WDW next summer, but it is looking less and less likely. There are always excuses from my sister and BIL. Not enough money, but they seem to find money to go on other trips and to buy things I consider luxuries. Doesn't appeal to them, but the kids are begging to go......

Anyway, if they don't change their mind, I was thinking of letting DS16 invite a friend to go with us. This is a good friend who is polite and comes from a nice family. I am not sure if they would let him go; we have only met five or six times, but if they do, I am wondering how I would divide up what they pay and what I pay.

This was my thought....

I would pay for the condo(he would have his own room or he and DS could share if they want)

I would pay for transportation(driving)

I would ask his parents to provide money for food and souvenirs


So, should I ask them to pay for his ticket? They would be YES tickets, so I could swing it if need be( I am a single mom though and the $ would be helpful to pay for parking and such)

 

[jaminmd]

I was hoping that the whole family would agree to a trip to WDW next summer, but it is looking less and less likely. There are always excuses from my sister and BIL. Not enough money, but they seem to find money to go on other trips and to buy things I consider luxuries. Doesn't appeal to them, but the kids are begging to go......

Anyway, if they don't change their mind, I was thinking of letting DS16 invite a friend to go with us. This is a good friend who is polite and comes from a nice family. I am not sure if they would let him go; we have only met five or six times, but if they do, I am wondering how I would divide up what they pay and what I pay.

This was my thought....

I would pay for the condo(he would have his own room or he and DS could share if they want)

I would pay for transportation(driving)

I would ask his parents to provide money for food and souvenirs


So, should I ask them to pay for his ticket? They would be YES tickets, so I could swing it if need be( I am a single mom though and the $ would be helpful to pay for parking and such)

If it were me, I would start by asking the parents first, just to make sure they're ok with him going with you. Then you can go into who pays for what.

Honestly though, if I were inviting a friend on a trip, I'd pay for it with the exception of their souvenir money.

 

[Acklander]

when ever we've invited other kids on vacation with us we've alway paid for everything (food/housing/transport) except souvenirs. The tickets were expensive but it made the trip so much more fun for DS so we just considered it part of the entertainment expenses.
Now when other families have gone with us, we pay our expenses and they pay their expenses - but that wasn't us inviting them - but more of a "we're going to Disney for Spring Break cause they had a great price in the paper, if you guys can swing it we should stay at the same hotel and fly down on the same plane so the kids can hang" type thing.

 

[cglaura]

If it were me, I would start by asking the parents first, just to make sure they're ok with him going with you. Then you can go into who pays for what.

Honestly though, if I were inviting a friend on a trip, I'd pay for it with the exception of their souvenir money.

This is exactly what I did, but I gave her a $50 gc, then anything over that she had. Her mom was a Disney fan person though and dd's friend had also been before, so they knew what to expect in the way of spending money. I would only expect them to pay for flight/food/tickets/lodging if the parents had asked if they could go...if I invite, I pay. If they offered, however, I would politely decline, then if they insisted, I'd take it.

 

[brenalexacamp]

I would cover the food and lodging- diving down thee-

If someone asked my kiddo to go I would expect to pay for airfare, his tickets, and send him with plenty of money for incidentals, ice cream, souveniers, and I would ask the parents about food- if they were doing the dining plan, I would pay my kid's. if not I would ask the mom what their plans were for dining. I would give the mom an envelope.

 

[okeydokey]

I think if you offer the invitation, you should offer to pay for all but souvenirs.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I will be doing this for the first time this summer. My dd is turning 16 and will be bring 3 friends for 4 nights/5 days to celebrate instead of having a party here at home. I am paying for airfare, tickest (5 day PH through Undercover Tourist) and the QSDP. We will also have one table service "birthday" meal for my daughter. We belong to DVC, so I am using points for a 2 BR unit, so really no "cost" for the trip. I went online and got copies of a medical release form that the parents need to fill out and have notarized just in case it is needed. One of her friends has a severe peanut allergy. I know this is a great undertaking, but I am great friends with all their moms/dads and these three girls are like my daughters so I have no issues with them - they all have been friends since elementary school. Good luck with your trip and know what you are getting into LOL!

 

[Buckalew11]

We did this and we paid for everything except souveniors. Flight, tickets, food, etc. We had a great time and I hope to do again someday! We barely knew the parents, dd and this girl had only known each other for about 7 months but became fast friends and are still best friends now.

Since you are a single mom, though, I think you should do what can and offer that and see what the parents say about the rest. Maybe they can and maybe they can't. Many times people will want their child to have an opportunity to do a trip and if it is with people they trust, and they can contribute $ to the cause, they are all for it. It can't hurt to ask.