What age to let your kids bring friends?

[BelleDVC]

I am wondering at what age you start letting your child bring friends... I"m trying to figure out how much points I"ll need in the future, becuase I think this will me a 2BR for us instead of our usual studio or 1BR.

Advice please, BelleDVC

 

[js]

Although my dd's bff usually goes away with us, the first time she came with us to Disney was when they were both in 8th grade.
We own DVC and a 3 bedroom at OLCC in Orlando so the girls stayed in one room, my ds stayed in another with my mother and my dh and I stayed in another room.
I definaley would get the extra bedroom for the kids. They will need their own space and you will too.
Have fun!

 

[Donna M]

My kids were in high school when friends joined us. We might have started in jr high. I wanted to know the child really well and make sure I had no problems with discipline or wild behavior. It worked out really well.

 

[Brian Noble]

My kids can bring someone when they pay for their own trips, or are engaged/married. For me, family vacations are for family.

Bah humbug!

 

[AirGoofy]

My kids can bring someone when they pay for their own trips, or are engaged/married. For me, family vacations are for family. Bah humbug!

I agree with you all the way, except I might not go for the engaged thing. WDW are family trips and only the family is going.

 

[bom_noite]

I believe we started when they were in 8th grade? So, maybe 14 years old?

I agree with the other poster - I would never allow a "wild" kid go with us. You should know the other kid and their family well before attempting it.

I think one of the bigger questions is finances and how you plan to approach it. Our approach has always been: We will pay for your food, transportation (as we drive to WDW) and room (of course). I have even gone so far as to pay for a boat rental. In essence, my approach has been: If we invited you, then, you should be treated as a family member and have the same advantage to participate in all the same activities my child will.

Where I do draw the line is tickets and folding money for souvenirs. We tell the other family in advance: "We plan to go to the following parks, we will use park-hoppers, etc., etc. and it will cost $$$.$$. Also, we would suggest your child brings $$.$$ for souvenirs / gifts / extra's they may want to opt for, etc."

All the kids we have taken have loved it! What is real fun is that we have been able to take a few kids that family's could never afford a blow-out WDW vacation. It is always great when you take a young one to enjoy WDW for the first time!

 

[bonrea]

My DD just turned 7 at the end of Oct (09) and we took a friends 6 year old DD with us and the two of them had a blast. My DH and I had a great time too because our DD had a play mate. The friends DF (Disney Family) has been friend with us for years and their DD was just itching to go.

I guess it all depends on the situation for each person and the family they go with.

We too take friends and neighbors, whole families sometimes, just because they can't afford it and we love having them with us. We are just (3) DH, DW, & DD and it can be boring if we just go by ourselves all the time.

 

[BelleDVC]

We had been trying to get 5th / 6th grade friends, but other parents have been hesitant....

Sounds like we may have been jumping the gun, and 8th grade may be easier on everyone.

Thanks, Belle

 

[Hunclemarco]

We have no kids, but have many kids at our home throuought the week. As far as bringing them to disney, I'd allow a child to come with us if they know how to respect others and their surroundings, listen to direction, and have a "happy-go-lucky", appreciative attitude in life. Anyone that doesn't fit that description would be in my opinion difficult to handle on a trip that is 1164 miles from our house.
We would cover accommodations and food. Tickets, other food, and souvineers would be the responsibility of the child's family. Now, being Huncle, er um Uncle, we do spend quite a bit on the kids that are with us too...but that's us.

We've tried to bring a few 14-15 year olds with us, but their parents don't feel comfortable with the distance between NY and Fla. I understand that, and can't disagree with the parents, but it doesn't mean that my wife and i like it.

Guess we're the odd ones wanting to bring other friends/families with us. We've had 3 vacations thus far with groups that number in the teens, and have had an excellent time each time.

 

[alamode]

I'm a widowed dad with a 8 year old and twin 6 year olds. The thought of taking any more kids with me is terrifying.

 

[bom_noite]

We had been trying to get 5th / 6th grade friends, but other parents have been hesitant....

Sounds like we may have been jumping the gun, and 8th grade may be easier on everyone.

Thanks, Belle

Hesitant - I would say I would not be hesitant. Personally, the only thing I worry about at that age is have they ever been away from Mom/Dad before? That is tough the first time - but - kids are much more advanced then when we are kids.....

For us - when our kids where that age we could not afford a WDW vacation - let alone bringing anyone with us.

I really think it go's back to really knowing the kid you are dealing with well. And, even with that you will find you will only really get to know them when you are together for a week.

You may experiment taking the kid(s) in question along on a long weekend getaway before you make the ultimate plunge.....

 

[bonrea]

I'm a widowed dad with a 8 year old and twin 6 year olds. The thought of taking any more kids with me is terrifying.

I see your point on this one. If you see our tickers showing that we would be at WDW at the same time send me a private message. We would love to hook up and help out with the kiddies and have some fun together.

I can't imagine what you are dealing with in the loss of your DW. I pray that you are blessed.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We tried to bring our oldest daughter's friend in August and her parents were not up for the idea since she was only 11.

We have plans for a trip when Lauren is in 8th grade and one of her friends will join us. Her parent's have already said it's fine! Let's just hope that since they are typical middle school girls that they are still friends by 8th grade! haha

 

[GoofItUp]

I started thinking about who of my DS's friends might go with us as soon as we bought DVC -- and my kids are 3 & 1! However, if/when we do invite friends it must be a child I know well and probably someone who's family I know well, too. Best scenario would be that the family could just all come with us. (We like to travel with others, though, which not all people enjoy.) I'm not sure what age I'll be ready to try it, but figure I'll know when I get there.

As a sidenote, I also completely understand those who say vacations are for family only. There will be times when I insist on that, too. And, I don't ever see myself inviting girlfriends. I'm afraid that would be a stress in my vacation that I just wouldn't need.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We have 2 daughters and never brought friends until our oldest got married. Then we let the younger bring a friend since her best friend now brought a hubby LOL

 

[madthemouse]

My daughter began taking a friend when she was 13.

 

[missy2217]

My kids can bring someone when they pay for their own trips, or are engaged/married. For me, family vacations are for family.

Bah humbug!

ditto

 

[momx2]

Okay, here's my question for those who let their kids bring friends when they have siblings along. My girls are 12 and 8 (soon to be 9). They are as close as most sisters that age...fighting most of the time, but my youngest thinks her older sister is the best and my oldest would kill someone if they hurt her sister. They seem to play well in the pool together sometimes, but then DD 12 does the teen thing and wants to just lay out, listen to her ITouch and look cool, thus ignoring her little sis.

We have talked about bringing DD 12 a friend, but I am afraid my DD 8 will feel left out. Has anyone done that and how has it worked?

 

[Rpsemont]

We let DD (14) bring a friend when we went for the marathon last Jan. It was a short trip, but the friends parents had to agree to let her miss a couple days of school.
I have considered it at other times, but often my BIL travels with us, and increasing travellers to 5 brings on a new set of problems. At 4 people, we can always squeeze into one room (we carry an air mattress with us) And many times we go involve missed days from school, which I find is more difficult for older kids, and often not allowed by their parents.
When we did it last year, we paid for plane, room , food. Guest had to buy their own ticket and have spending money. (the plane ticket I actually purchased through SWA credits on our flights)
FWIW, we hang onto our F&W wrist strap gift cards. So we loaded up two of the cards with $50 each and gave them to the girls to get snacks or whatever they wanted. - Better that than a room key, because it maximizes the $ to be spent.
I made it clear to the other girls mother, that we may let them go on their own around the parks (as long as we were in the same park or resort area) Since our home resort is BWV, they could go to EP or DHS and long as they told us they were going.
It was great fun having a new set of eyes with us.

We have talked about bringing DD 12 a friend, but I am afraid my DD 8 will feel left out.

momx2, I only have one, but I think you'd be better off letting the 8yo have a friend then the 12yo. We have friends we visit in FL that have a 13 yo daughter. My DD just turned 15. Sometimes they get along, and sometimes my DD would rather be alone than play with "such a kid" Unless you're planning to entertain the 8 yo full time, I would not suggest bringing a friend for the 12yo JMHO
Too bad you can't bring a friend for both!

 

[gracelrm]

I have three children - DD16, DS 13 and DS9. I've often thought that we'd start letting our DD bring along a friend - since she's the only girl - however, I know that they'd want to be out on their own a lot and then I'd have two teenaged girls to worry about instead of one! My two sons do not really get along very well so I think allowing one of them to bring someone would be a big problem. I think we've decided that family trips will remain family trips without bringing along extras until we're at the point where we are just bringing one child - and then we'll think about letting him bring a friend.

I do think when we travel to HH or VB - I might consider bringing along others - since the vacation is different than a parks vacation. Especially if DD had a early rising, perky morning friend that we could take that could get her out of bed!!!!