Tips for Bringing BFF

[Poppins2010]

We're planning a fall trip for 2 adults, teen son and son's buddy. Does anyone have suggestions for bringing a non family member? Perhaps having his family pay for airline ticket, and we cover the rest? Or maybe his family picks up his park ticket? Or if we invite, is the cost on us? What has everyone else done?

 

[SillyFamily]

We have always paid for all expenses if we invite a buddy to come with us. On the other hand whenever I was taken as a buddy my mom always sent me with money so that I could pay anything that took cash on the trip and they offered to cover my expenses (though it was never accepted).

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

If I were to invite a kid I would be prepared to pay all of the kid's expenses. If the parent wants to offer something, you can decide at that point what you want them to pay.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think if you invite, you should be ready to pay. But hopefully the other family will offer to contribute and then you can mention what would be helpful.

 

[francie57]

When our kids were teens and we invited friends to come with us we paid for everything. They brought their own spending money. Back in those days the dining plan was great - it included appy/dinner/dessert/and tip and 3 meals per day. Since we stay in the villas, the 2 bedroom villa was the same price when bringing the friends as it was when it was just 4 of us. We did always make sure to have a copy of their medical insurance card and a notorized note saying we could make any decisions, if necessary, since they were under 18.

 

[jaw101465]

we have always talked to the parents before we invite anyone - we have always had the friend's family pay for airline/train ticket, we pay for food/lodging/ticket.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would invite with the expectation that you will pay. If they offer to help pay part, I think that would be fine. I would also talk with the parents about behavior and freedom expectations and be sure you have a sign and notarized consent to treat form in case he needs medical treatment.

 

[WDWFan06]

My best friends family took me to wdw with them once when I was younger. We went during free dining. So my parents paid for the airline ticket plus some other expenses and the parents of the friends took off a huge amount of my tickets/hotel expenses. My parents sent me with souvenir money as well. The other parents also paid for a lot of my extra miscellaneous things. It's probably best to talk to the family and decide from there.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I got taken on several nice vacations by my BFF's family when I was a kid, including DLR. Our moms were good friends, and her family knew that they had a lot more money than my family. Her family paid for everything (except spending money). I probably wouldn't have been able to go if my parents had to pay, and the other family knew it and offered to pay. VERY generous and very appreciated!!

I think it depends on your relationship with the family, and it's ok to ask them to pay for a portion if you explain it up front. If it were for a non-Disney trip (no park ticket) that we were driving on, we would just pay for everything (hotel, food, etc).

Or if I could afford it easily, I might just look to pay, but if it's a stretch than I think it's ok to discuss this with the parents. For Disney, I might approach the parents and explain, we would love to have your son join us. We would be able to pay for the food, hotel, etc., if you were able/willing to pay for the park pass (or air fare, etc.) and spending money. I think whatever your offer is , is ok as long as it is clear from the start.

I think it is important for you to speak directly to the parents first, not your son to their son, because if they dont want him to go, it's better handled between adults.

 

[luvsJack]

We are taking dd's bff in June. We will pay for the room and dining plan. Her parents are paying for her park tickets and any spending money she wants/needs for souvenirs and food items outside the dp. We will also pay all travel expenses but we are driving.

 

[Poppins2010]

Seems to be a lot of different strategies out there. I agree that communication at the onset is key here. Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Bluestars]

We have let our kids brings friends with them on trips and have paid their way, except for spending money. The parents have always offered to pay though. When they mentioned money, I would just say that if they would like to send them with some spending money, that would be all they needed.

If you aren't able to cover the entire cost of the trip, then I think you should mention it up front when you give the invitation. That way everything is clear and there are no misunderstandings of expectations.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

All expenses except for souvenirs and snack foods that are not a set meal.

 

[dayvewc]

When I've "invited" others on my trips, I always phrase it that "I have extra room if you want to come along, but I'm not a 'sugar daddy'. You'll have to be able to pitch in."

Then, if they are interested, we can sit down and determine what the costs will be and what is doable.

Granted, I don't normally take kids with me (outside my nephews, in which case I have the conversation with my sister and BiL). So probably a bit different. But normally boils down to: I pay the room, they pay their tickets and gas, we split meals, and souvenirs are personal.

 

[Networth]

As you invited I would expect to pay for lodging & admission. Food and souvenirs I would feel should be up to the child's parents. The kid would be eating either way.

But to be honest while growing up my siblings and myself would take friends on some vacations and my parents would cover everything because we were well off. So I guess it really comes down to personal circumstances.

 

[Miskey]

When we've taken friends, they paid for their own park tickets, and I took care of the rest. We drove, but if we would have flown, I would have expected them to pay for their own airline ticket.

 

[goofydad621]

We are taking our DD BFF with us in three weeks, we invited and we are paying all costs, staying in a 2 bedroom villa at AKL so no extra cost for room and we will eat most meals in room anyway. She is working for her own spending money but we will still help her with that were we can, due to health constraints the her family does not have the extra to spend that way. I figure we are paying it forward, allot of nice folks have done very nice things for us when times were hard for us.

Goofydad621

 

[Huff]

We've done this both ways. We offered to take a tweens daughter but said we could do so only if parents helped with expenses. We really couldn't afford to any other way. They paid for airfare and tickets ($700 total at the time). We paid for food, souvenirs and everything else.

Our 2nd time we could afford expenses and paid for everything for our niece. We have a trip planned for end of this month and we are again taking our niece and will pay for everything.

I do not see a problem with offering to take someone if they can help with expenses if funds are tight. Otherwise we cover everything ourselves.

 

[MichelleVW]

My girls have brought college friends with us. Up front they knew that they would be responsible for their own airfare and park ticket and Most food. I would cover the room since we stayed off site and rented a townhouse we had plenty of room. I would pay for all the food we ate in the townhouse and usually ended up at least paying for one or two meals in the park. We get military tickets so the park tickets are cheaper and we've always seemed to find pretty cheap airfare for them.

Communication is the key..they also know up front that they WILL be getting up early at being at rope drop lol!

 

[Ds4angels]

Just wanted to add if the BFF is under 18 you'll need a notarized letter for medical emergencies and the medical insurance card.(just in case)