What to do....UPDATED!! 7-11 w/photos

[dpuck1998]

This is going to be a mess trying to explain, but here goes.

We are heading to Disney in 10 days. My 3rd grade DS has a friend at school who is his best buddie right now. He isn't very well off and lives with grandma. He is a great kid, smarter than a whip and super nice/well behaved. We take him to movies and on short trips (not overnight) etc. Well, a few days ago I mentioned to my 9yo DS that maybe sometime we can take him to Disney. The next day DS asks his friend if he wants to goto Disney with us...in 10 days! He asks his grandma who gives the okay and now I have two 9yos that are super excited to goto Disney together! Talk about scramble. I have a 1bd villa so we can fit in the room, but I have all my dining in order. Do you think I can just show up and add him to each meal? I doubt I could redo all my ADRs and add 1 person. We also have Hoop-D booked and CRT. Financially, we can afford the plane ticket and we have park tickets from past trips to use. Its only a 5 night trip so food shouldn't be too bad. We have the dining plan for us, so I guess I would have to add him to the dining plan or pay cash. I'm really torn, I'd love to take him and I think I can make it happen if I move fast and go with the flow. The crazy planner in me just about exploded though...thoughts??

 

[corky441]

WOW!!!!!!! I exploded just reading it... but how can you not take him, right?

You're a real trooper - good luck with it all.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I think that's great. He'd love it! Sounds like a well behaved, deserving child who probably won't get to go any other way. You'll be making memories for this kid that will last FOREVER! If you can do it, I say, good for you!

 

[Ashlander]

I love hearing stories like this and it really moves me that you are going to do this. I know you may not get all the ADR's you currently have, but this is something that little boy will treasure forever.

 

[halliesmommy01]

That is so awesome of you. I hope when my children get a little older I can spread the magic just like you are doing.

Becky

 

[WaltD4Me]

I would take him in a minute! It will be such an experience for him AND you son! They will have a blast! I think it's a wonderful thing to do!!!!
If you have the room and the means, what is a little more planning?

How many people were going originally? I'm sure if you made ADR's for five, it won't be that big of a deal if now the party is six. More of a problem if there were 4 of you and now there is five. I would show up at my ADR's and when they say "Yes, your reservation is for four." Play dumb and say "Oh no, I made the reservation for 5 people."

On a side note. Not to be a joy killer or be scary or anything, but I take my nieces to Disney with me and I always bring a notarized letter from my sister giving me permission to seek medical attention for my nieces, JUST IN CASE along with a copy of their insurance card. NEVER had to use it, but is good to have when travelling with children not your own.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I'm crossing my fingers that you can make this happen! If it doesn't work out...well at least you tried. (PS: I bet I know two 9yr olds that think you're just about the greatest guy ever!)

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think this is truly wonderful if you can pull it off.

You have been given great advice already and I'll add mine.

If there are currently only three of you going and you have ADRs for a party of three, you can assume that there are very few tables at Disney that accommodate only three people. Most often a party of three would get a four top. That solves that issue

If you run into any resistance at any location, I would be absolutely 100% truthful in regards to why you asking to accommodate an extra guest. I can not imagine anyone, anywhere turning you away after hearing about your generousity.

Again....I think this is awesome.

Kevin

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I would try to make it happen too. I would think the only places you would have to worry about an extra are Hoop de Doo and CRT call and see if you can add one, I would also explain the situation to them. If they have you set for a 4 top and you have 3 that is OK but if you have 4 and are uping to 5 that could be a problem. We had to go from 3 to 4 and it didnt matter but the CM told me going from 4 to 5 would matter because you need a different size table. Make sense. Have fun. What you are doing is really incredible for that child.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I just wanted to be another person to say HOORAY! It's so nice of you to do this for the little guy and I'm sure that he will NEVER forget it (and neither will your son)! The only thing I ask is that you post a trip report when you get back! I only wish that we all could be there the first time that little guy sees MK!

 

[RFrank9504]

Ok first off-kudos to you-that is really nice. We did the same thing last month for my DD 6's BFF. I am sure his nana isnt sending him empty handed either way even a little is a great gesture. Bring an air mattress. Buy a pass for as many days as you'll be there at the park ticket counter. Dont say anything at the hotel-I doubt they'll even notice. Each kids meal is like $8.00 or $12.99 for a buffet-not really a big budget biter. And just tell yourself that your doing this as an act of kindness. They are going to have so much fun-and the pics you take will speak for themselves. Ours do! Have an awesome time. And you might actually "save" yourself some money b/c with the extra kid you'll find yourself buying less souvenirs-i know i told my kids-we're bringing your friend-don't ask for anything extra-and they didnt!

 

[LilGMom]

I applaude you in even considering pulling this off on such short notice.

If you have the means, can afford to do so I say go for it. That little boy and your DS will treasure the trip that much more and you will forever be a hero to both. I agree with calling WDW to see if you can add him to your ADRs and explain the situation.

I'm such a sap for this sort of stuff and will admit that I got "Pixie Dust" in my eye which caused them to water up when I read your post.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[Jennygt]

This is such a wonderful story! How exciting for ds and his friend! I am sure that it will all work out at the restaurants as Kevin said. You have to post a trip report with some pics of the kids, this is definatly good karma!

 

[cyberbox2]

In true Disney fashion this is a wonderful opportunity to really impact a young/impressionable person’s life. It the budget is there, I say go for it!

Any inconvenience you may experience while at WDW will be far out weighed by the great feelings you will have when you see how this trip affects another’s life.

I hope if in the same situation I would do the same thing.

 

[wishspirit]

WOW!

You are super mom!!

That is so wonderful what you're doing! I bet your son will love you for it!

 

[wilde_oscar]

go for it... you'll not regret it.

 

[mommyceratops]

WOW! I work at a school and nice 3rd grade boys?! No there are some...

If you can afford to do it, do it!

2 years ago when we went, my MIL and Nephew decided to go 2 weeks before we left. I had to change all our ressies. Now we were a party of 5 going up to 7.

I had trouble switching our ressies, but I remember the woman telling me it all had to do with the tables.

Being a table of 5 we could go to 6 no problem...a table of 7 was hard. So I switched the ones we had to eat at and cancelled some.

Most places were great. If you have time you can call and try to change ressies, and would feel better go ahead..Or wait to you get there and If they give you a hard time just ask if the 9 year old can stay with you while the family goes in and eats!

Kudos on being that welcome to a family friend!

 

[Northern_Julie]

I think that would be an amazing thing.
Seeing Disney through a childs eyes for the first time is special.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

WOW!

You are super mom!!

That is so wonderful what you're doing! I bet your son will love you for it!

Nope...he's a super dad! (But I'll bet there's a super mom involved with this too.)

 

[ADP]

This is great of you to share the Disney spirit! Truly wonderful!

I'm in agreement with what Kevin said. In most cases a table of 3 is sat at a table that can accommodate 4 people. I've had to add a person to an ADR before and it was never a problem. They've always accommodated us.

Good luck and have a blast!