Taking your child's friend?

[Kathi OD]

We've invited friends several times.

Four times for our youngest (there is 6 years difference between him and the next older child), when he was 12, 14, 16, & 17. We were very clear about what we expected the parents to pay, which for us was airfare, park tix, and souvenirs.

Once for our oldest (she was 29, wanted to tag along and bring a friend). Both girls paid for everything and just stayed in our room. They were so grateful to not have to pay for a hotel that they each bought us dinner one night.

 

[JeffreyY]

We are doing it this summer. We actually thought the family would come but the parents couldn't take off from work so we are taking their 2 girls who are 15 and have been friends with DD since they were 4. We got them into a YES class so parents are paying for tickets, we aren't sure what to do about the room. Since there are two of them we had to move up to a two bedroom which meant we had to rent points.

I will check with parents, but I planned to let the girls go to the parks themselves (they all take the city bus and subway to get to school so I'm not to worried about them traveling in DW).

 

[lisatx04]

Thank you all for your thoughts and feedback on your experiences. We are still not sure if we will invite DD friend but will make a decision soon.

 

[m3retired]

We didn't take friends along until we only had one son still living at home. At that point we did let the youngest bring a friend. Actually, we started the year the two oldest were in college, even though they all went with us that year. So the first year there was 6 of us and we flew (we must have got some really good rates because I wouldn't even consider it now!) We paid for everything, except the friend's personal spending money.

Most times he just brought one friend. One year, we brought 2 of his friends. We drove, and paid for everything.

We always put a credit card on the room key, and had the DP. Once the boys were 15, we let them do what they wanted--staying on property I wasn't worried (I wouldn't have allowed that if we were off property). For most dinners, we all ate together, but the boys did great managing their DP. And they put way less on the CC than I would ever have thought. I"m pretty sure the first year they put NOTHING on it, it was such a new idea they were scared of it I think!

And for the record--they also spent more time with us than I thought teenaged boys would choose to do. It was kind of heartwarming.

 

[disneymotherof3]

We're taking one of our oldest DD's friends with us on our trip this summer. Our DD is graduating this year and we thought she would enjoy having a friend come along (she's not going to want to hang out with us or her younger siblings). Don't get me wrong.......she loves us all dearly, but she's 18. We're taking care of all the accomodations and the park tickets. The girl's parents are paying for the plane ticket and her food (DDP).

 

[chiclet]

We're taking DD15's friend with us on our trip 4/3-4/10. The girls are always together either at our home or hers so I think it will be fine. Her friend's parents are paying for her airfare and park pass as well as giving her spending money for souvenirs, etc. We will pay for meals. We usually eat breakfast in the room with the exception of one or two times at a restaurant, and have TS meals at dinner. DD has been allowed to go off by herself in the same park we are in so we will allow them to do this.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I have taken several of DD's friends with us to Florida. One friend was an absolute joy, the second was lots of fun, the third one(at 20) spent so much time on the phone with her mom that she never talked to us! Other dd's friend spent over an hour putting on her make-up every day, and one friend was the guest from H***! We came back to the room once, and found her having sex with a boy from our home town! What child would ever think this was appropriate behavior as the guest of someone?? We paid for the room and food, but had the guest pay for their own airfare and park tickets.

 

[BabsBunny]

I think she will have a ball!

We took our two boys (15 and 17), their 14 year old cousin and the 17 year old's GF last August. We stayed at OKW HH. It was one of my favorite trips. The kids did late EMH and slept in later, so we just kept in touch by text and met up at parks and for a few meals. Having been so many times, I think it was fun for the kids to do WDW through the eyes of someone who hasn't.

The friends paid for their airfare and spending money. We paid for their hoppers. My kids had charging privileges and were told to make sure their guests got food and drinks on the card, but I think the guests paid for a lot of their own food. We also had a well-stocked refridgerator.

 

[murphy t]

We usually travelled with friends who have 3 boys around my son's age so bringing a friend was never an issue. But we did take a friend twice and it worked out great. Paid for everything except his spending money, but did pay for a special ornament for him to bring home for his family. Like others mentioned we were willing to let them go off on their own sometimes, but for the most part they wanted to hang with us! I never knew we were so much fun!! Both trips were great ( one strictly Disney & one split Disney/Universal Hard Rock Hotel)
Murphy

 

[papertraveller]

We are taking DD's BFF this summer. Her parents are paying airfare and park tickets; she is paying for her souvenirs; we'll cover everything else.

She's a good kid with nice manners. And now I learn that she's only flown once before and is nervous; gets carsick easily (we're going to Vero Beach for a few days first); and when she's in lines for a long time she always has to pee!!

Ah well. We'll "borrow" the bags from the plane in case carsickness appears, and try to optimize our use of Fast Passes as best possible.

Truthfully, we are having fun planning her first trip to WDW. We picked up an autograph book and luggage tag for her on our last trip, and we'll put together a fun travel kit to help acquaint her with all the great fun to come.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

We are letting our DD 15 and DS 14 take friends with them this year. We have basically told the parents that we would cover all food to and from WDW as well as the room of course. We have only asked them to pay for tickets and contribute to the groceries for the week. We do most of meals in the villa with the exception of an occasional lunch in the park. We did tell them that all snacks in the parks would be their responsibility and told them to plan on around $15 per day to cover these things. If we go out to a meal for dinner we will pay for that.
We are going to let the four kids be on their on in the parks but they have to be in the same park we are in and together as a group. After dark we will probably pull them in a little closer to us. If it takes a bus, monorail or boat to get to an adult has to be with them. Waterparks are off limits without adult supervision. This is our first trip with 4 teenagers so I am not sure if we are being reasonable but it is what it is.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We have done it 2x.

We always offer to pay for all expenses except souvenirs.

The first time DS13 asked his BF11 and DD9 brought a friend also 9. The older boys were allowed to go and explore on their own as long as they stayed in the same park as we were. DS is a WDW expert, so we didn't worry about them getting lost and they had a cell phone. I didn't allow the 9 year olds out of my sight.

That summer DD9 and I went back while the boys were doing a boy scout high adventure trip. She brought another 9 year old friend, and once again, they weren't out of my sight.

On the first trip, we paid everything for the BF11, however the 9 year old friend has a family who is financially better off than we are and they insisted on paying for his airline ticket, WDW ticket and sent money for his food. We accepted, but did not expect anything.

Last year DS16's band played at WDW during Spring Break. After the majority of the band kids went home on the bus, DS came to stay with us at OKW. He actually met up with some of his friends in the parks in the evenings after we went back to OKW. Due to his knowledge of WDW, he was allowed to ride the bus to the park, hand out with this friends, and ride the bus back by himself. He did have his cell phone with him and kept in constant contact with us.

I think it depends on how things work for you, but it has worked well for us. I am thinking about taking DD13 back again this summer. We have done one summer trip with a friend, and one just the two of us, I am not sure if she will bring anyone this year or not, but I can't really afford to add a 3rd this time since we are also paying for the boys to go to Philmont Scout Ranch at the same time (and DS17 will start college in August).

 

[lisatx04]

Just wanted to give an update. We decided to take DD friend with us. I spoke to her parents first, then told the girls when they were together. Their reaction would be the perfect commercial for Disney! They are so excited.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. It is going to be a great trip!

 

[mdsd8700]

Just wanted to give an update. We decided to take DD friend with us. I spoke to her parents first, then told the girls when they were together. Their reaction would be the perfect commercial for Disney! They are so excited.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. It is going to be a great trip!

So glad that it worked out you could take DD friend. It really was a great experience for us and we will definately be doing it again. Very cool that you told them together and they were so exicited. I am sure they are counting down the days!! Enjoy