Taking friends and relatives

[Havana]

When you have friends or another family stay in your DVC Villa with you, do you ask them to chip in a cost per point to help cover the larger accomodations that are needed?

 

[CMOORE185]

We do not. We consider them our guests. Our guests usually try to compensate us in some way though, usually a meal or two.

 

[bytheblood]

We are going in December and my in-laws are coming along as well. We are booked for 10 nights. They are paying for 6 of their nights and we are covering the other 4.

I do not see anything wrong with asking them to cover some of the finances for their stay. Surely they would pay a lot more if they were paying out of pocket. Also, that is using up points that would cover another stay for you and you are still paying the dues.

 

[kenny]

We took my parents 2 years ago and planning on taking my whole family (14) next year. We aren't asking for anything. They are our guests. My thinking was we initiated the trip so it is our treat.

When my parents came they bought a few meals and I am sure the rest of my family will do the same next year but no one is obligated to do anything.

 

[com_op_2000]

We do not. We consider them our guests. Our guests usually try to compensate us in some way though, usually a meal or two.

Ditto.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

When we bought into DVC we said we would treat our "regulars" once each and we have now down that. We have 2 sets of friends we go to WDW regularly and we also treated my dh's sister and her entire family (including nephew's girlfriend). We also have let our teen kids invite friends on trips and didn't charge them anything (even paid for their tickets).

So now moving forward, we will either "charge" for those friends/family to stay with us (I'm thinking like $8/point or like a flat fee of $125/night) or they will have to take care of making their own accommodations and we'll meet them at the parks.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It's our home, they are our guests.

The only exception is my DSis. Just as for our Cape May NJ home, which we bought with my DSis, she does own some points and pays the MF's on those.

Bobbi

 

[nyck]

With me it depends. I usually never charge anyone, but then we all start fighting about it once we are there because they see how nice it and want to pay something. I am lucky and have really good friends. So I will let them buy a dinner or 2, or I just tell them to give $100 a piece. Which is still a deal since they have their own rooms and bathrooms. (I usually get a 2 bedroom dedicated if there are 4 of us so we have plenty of space)

 

[jodifla]

We do not. We consider them our guests. Our guests usually try to compensate us in some way though, usually a meal or two.

This, exactly.

 

[Pakey]

No. My husband and I have over 500 points and we bought them to share. In May, my daughter in law's family is using a bunch of them to do their own grand gathering.

I would allow guests to treat me to dinner if they offered but I don't expect it and it hasn't happened often. I doubt most of our guests even understand that we had to pay anything; they probably think we own the condo as often as we go.

 

[cvjw]

We have been lucky enough to invite several sets of family members to join us at different times. We ask for no reimbursement - we are just happy that they chose to come to Disney with us. They do generally pay for a few meals, or the tips if we are on the dining plan. I think sharing Disney vacations with friends/family makes the vacations better!

 

[nyck]

LOL. Everyone I take knows exactly how DVC works since I am always talking about it. I really should just move to Orlando and be a DVC sales girl. 2 of them have bought their own courtsey of listening to me talk about it

 

[Inkmahm]

No, we don't ask for any payment for the points. We also end up paying for most of the meals for everyone. What we don't pay for is the park admission tickets and the airfare for family to get there.

 

[dzorn]

No the room has always been on me so far. They do pick up their ticket and dining plan if needed.

Denise in MI

 

[jpmom]

What nice people you are!

When we have invited family down, we don't ask or take any $$$.

However, on two separate occasions, our friends have joined us and we booked a two bedroom as opposed to a 1-BR or Studio. Our friends insisted that they kick in something, as they realized we would not book this size unit for just the four of us. I calculated the point difference and they gave us $8 per point.

This was just the easiest way to deal with this - as we didn't worry about who would pay for what the rest of the trip. Get it done in the beginning and enjoy the trip!

 

[DHar]

We have been lucky enough to invite several sets of family members to join us at different times. We ask for no reimbursement - we are just happy that they chose to come to Disney with us. They do generally pay for a few meals, or the tips if we are on the dining plan. I think sharing Disney vacations with friends/family makes the vacations better!

the more the merrier..that's what we do..atleast 8 of us have gone at all times and it makes it easier for some of the family that couldnt have afforded it otherwise

 

[Disney Princess]

We do not ask for anything. We've taken my parents and we are taking the in-laws in May. When my parents came, they offered us several nice things during the trip to say thanks. We don't know if/what my in-laws will do, but we don't expect anything. We feel very blessed to have DVC, and sharing is part of the joy for us.

I also know that every situation, family, and friendship is different. If others do get compensation, we find nothing wrong with that. This is just our personal way of dealing with this situation.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

When you have friends or another family stay in your DVC Villa with you, do you ask them to chip in a cost per point to help cover the larger accomodations that are needed?

For us it depends on the situation and who is coming with us....sometimes we are able to treat everyone....othertimes we have family members who invite themselves....so we come up with a price if they want to go..lol.....but it honestly depends on the situation each time we go with friends or family

 

[bumbershoot]

We've just taken the one (big) trip so far, and we started with our family there in a 2 bedroom. We didn't charge them. They bought us breakfast at Crystal Palace (the only TS we did while they were with us) and as we were saying our tearful goodbyes as they left, my cousin's husband ran back from the car and pressed two disney watches (that his friend sent with him in case I wanted to buy them, as I was going to but forgot about them) into my hand as thanks. And even though those watches weren't going to have a big charge, it meant quite a bit.

We don't have enough points, and we aren't selfless enough, to do such a trip every time. So these trips will be rare, and we might not treat any other group of people! But it worked out pretty well.

I am, however, hoping that they choose to buy in, since they've already taken a tour.

 

[TosaTrio]

Great Topic!

We have a family trip coming up this July- 11 of us. I have offered my DVC for the rooms (a 2BR and Studio for 5 nights and GV for 4 nights); My brother will cover the cost of air and park tickets for his family (6 of them); He is insisting he pay us what it would cost if we didnt have points; I have told him we would figure something out closer to the trip however, I DO NOT want to take any money since we bought DVC just for this reason...

We will see where the compromise ends up...If he insists maybe I will have him pick up the cost of our parents park tickets so they do not have to buy them...

I am just excited to have our whole family back at Disney for another vacation and in a GV on top of it! I cannot justify booking a GV for DH, DD and I alone