What to consider when bringing friends?

[Jajone]

E are in the very early stages of considering bringing my DD and 2-3 friends to WDW for her 16th birthday. What things do I need to consider/be mindful of when doing this!

 

[disneymomoftwins]

Get a temporary medical power of attorney and a copy of their medical ins cards

 

[DCbride]

Be very clear on what you will pay for and what the friends need $ for. We always picked up room and food and their parents we very happy with flight and tickets. Plus, spending money. Also, have a plan about if/when the kids are allowed to go off by themselves and let the other parents know how much freedom you are giving the kids.

 

[doxnal]

Organize well and make sure everyone's expectations are very clearly defined within the group.

We brought a late teens babysitter with us on our trip and it was disastrous. She'd always behaved reasonably in previous professional contexts, but something about Disney World triggered a reversion to very immature behaviors that seriously impaired our vacation. We regretted not writing a more formal contract and requiring a partial bond.

Obviously, the context in our case was different, but I think it's still important to establish protocols and expectations for fundamental behaviors and purposes (i.e., "please remember this is an event to celebrate DING's birthday"), and more specific occurrences like touring, dispute resolution, etc. Travel can be high stress and even people you know well can exhibit unexpected behaviors.

Also, don't rely on cell phones for managing split groups. The networks are busy at WDW and occasionally wig out. The park is loud and calls are easily missed over the clamor of the crowd. We found ourselves wanting walkie-talkies. Fallback meeting places and contact methods are important to establish.

 

[JessM]

My parents always let me bring a friend along on our Disney trips while I was in middle and high school.

Make sure you really know the friend you are taking. Is she going to be a whiner? Want to sleep late when you get up early? Not be smart enough to wear proper clothing/shoes and complain all day? Are they going to fight the whole trip? Some friends have worked out better than others for me, sometimes my closest friends were my worst travel companions. Make sure the friend with jive with your family for the trip.

Layout ground rules before you go. Make sure you know who is paying for what and what the expectations are on vacation. Who's paying for hotel, tickets, that mickey bar, etc. Are you guys going to all stay together or split up. We would normally have the parents of my friends over for dinner to go over money, the vacation plan, etc.

My parents also had the parents of the friend write them a note to allow them to make any medical decisions for the week. They also always took along the friend's medical insurance card.

I normally had a great time with my friends on vacation and I was SO thankful to my parents for allowing me to have one come along.

 

[blessedby3]

We have taken our kids friends numerous times.
We always get a copy of their ins and rx card and a note from the parent authorizing us to seek treatment.
We also lay out ahead of time what we are paying for and what the child needs to have money for.
We will only take certain friends (that wouldn't drive DH and I crazy...lol) and have never had any issues.
On our 2011 trip, we let DD21 take a friend, DS16 take a friend and DD12 had her best friend (that had moved to FL) meet up with us for a few days. It was a great trip and everyone had fun. Thankfully they offered free dining so that was easy as far as meals go.
Our kids love to have their friends with them at WDW. DD15 will have her best friend meet up with us again when we head back in June.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I wouldn't take two friends....if there is a group of three teen girls, there is a good chance for arguing, hurt feelings, and one feeling left out.

 

[blessedby3]

I wouldn't take two friends....if there is a group of three teen girls, there is a good chance for arguing, hurt feelings, and one feeling left out.

I agree with that. I didnt notice that the OP put 2-3 friends. We only let our kids bring 1 friend at at time

 

[Jajone]

I agree with that. I didnt notice that the OP put 2-3 friends. We only let our kids bring 1 friend at at time

Just to clarify. This will be a trip for her 16th bday with just DD, her friends and me to supervise.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I still would only take one, but definitely would take an even number of girls. A lot of rides seat two together, leaving one to ride alone (not a huge deal unless it is always the same one and feelings get hurt when one feels left out).