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

[Launchpad11B]

This is an awesome thing you're doing dpuck. Good for you. I hope you have a great time. Good luck.

 

[alebisi]

Try also to find out allergies, etc etc, you never know and if you are prepared it sure won't happen anything

 

[dpuck1998]

Good idea Mindy, He is coming over this weekend and I'm going to call right now and see if he wants to spend the night!

I have all his allergy info and a letter from grandma already in case of any emergencies. My wife is good at all that stuff so she is taking care of it. Thanks guys for all the insight. This is why I posted...I knew I'd get nothing but help!!

 

[farmboy]

First of all I just wanna say what a wonderful gift this will be not only for that boy but your own son. Now this is not advice from my experience,we have never done the disney dining plan, but if I'm correct everyone in the same room has to share the same plan....I think, I'm sure others might know better here... just wanted to help. Hope you all have a wonderful trip sounds fun!

 

[Stroller Boy]

I'm pretty sure it's been said a million time on this thread, but you're doing a great thing! These are the kinds of things that a kid will keep with them for a lifetime. Real life changing kinda stuff My family wasn't exactly well off when I was young, thus the reason why I didn't get to Disney till I was in High School. Needless to say, I had friends whos parents never hesitated to invite me along on some of their more pricey vacations. Great experiences and I'll never forget the inclusiveness and generosity! Kind of a "pay it forward" thing I suppose as I'd do this in a heartbeat when my kids are older and want to bring a friend.

Good luck!

 

[dpuck1998]

I'm pretty sure it's been said a million time on this thread, but you're doing a great thing! These are the kinds of things that a kid will keep with them for a lifetime. Real life changing kinda stuff My family wasn't exactly well off when I was young, thus the reason why I didn't get to Disney till I was in High School. Needless to say, I had friends whos parents never hesitated to invite me along on some of their more pricey vacations. Great experiences and I'll never forget the inclusiveness and generosity! Kind of a "pay it forward" thing I suppose as I'd do this in a heartbeat when my kids are older and want to bring a friend.

Good luck!

Thanks stroller boy, other than being an eagles fan you seem like a decent guy

 

[Stroller Boy]

Thanks stroller boy, other than being an eagles fan you seem like a decent guy

Geez, the Eagles-fan part of me was the only thing decent! LOL Contrary to popular belief, ALL Eagles fans don't boo...well...everything.. Just Santa Claus!

Best of luck with your trip ;-) We'll be thinkin' about ya.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

How'd the sleepover go?

 

[crazydisneyman]

dpuck1998, you guys are awesome to do this.

I believe you will get so much more out of this trip than the boys.

We just bought DVC so that we could take people down to Disney who couldn't afford to go. We are taking the extended family next year, and I can tell you that we couldn't wait to tell the adults about it. It absolutely made our day to tell them over Memorial Day. All of the adults are telling the kids for Christmas. I will be more excited for Christmas Day than the kids will be.

Anyway, I think that you have planned this out very well. This is still a lower crowd level time of year, so if the ADRs don't work, then you might be able to find something last minute. Maybe. Hey, they can't hit you.

I am looking forward to hearing about your trip. I remember when I was younger and we could not travel because we did not have alot of money. My scout troop leader planned these two week trips out west each year to visit the great national parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Mesa Verde, etc). The experiences will last a lifetime, and I could never thank those adults enough for the sacrifices that they made for us to be able to go. I agree with others, that this is life changing, especially to someone who will appreciate it like this boy. Have a great time!

 

[dpuck1998]

How'd the sleepover go?

It went great Mindy. The boys (my two and friend) played all day and fell asleep watching Pirates. Friend called home once just to say goodnight and they all camped out in the living room. However they were all up at 6 am 1 week to go!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

It went great Mindy. The boys (my two and friend) played all day and fell asleep watching Pirates. Friend called home once just to say goodnight and they all camped out in the living room. However they were all up at 6 am 1 week to go!

Fantastic! I look forward to a trip report!

 

[Boardwalker]

Just a suggestion, dpuck, check with your airline as to what you legally need for ID for your guest.
Our favorite airline asked for copies of a birth certificates when we took a bunch of dd's friends to Florida....
Some airlines and/or airports get pickier than others, but better to be prepared...

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Sounds like you are doing a wonderful thing and you definitely deserve all the kudos you are getting. My only reservation, slight as it might be, is I think you need to have a talk with your son about jumping to conclusions and inviting people without your knowledge. You mentioned in your post that this is your son's "best buddie right now". My only concern is that the next time you're going, your son will think it's okay to invite a friend, and your son's friends will all be vying for his attention so they can go next time. Please don't think I'm trying to rain on your SpectroMagic, but I'd be a little upset with my daughter if she went ahead and invited someone without my approval first.

 

[dpuck1998]

Sounds like you are doing a wonderful thing and you definitely deserve all the kudos you are getting. My only reservation, slight as it might be, is I think you need to have a talk with your son about jumping to conclusions and inviting people without your knowledge. You mentioned in your post that this is your son's "best buddie right now". My only concern is that the next time you're going, your son will think it's okay to invite a friend, and your son's friends will all be vying for his attention so they can go next time. Please don't think I'm trying to rain on your SpectroMagic, but I'd be a little upset with my daughter if she went ahead and invited someone without my approval first.

Believe me...we had THAT TALK! In fact he was in tears when I was giving him the lecture. Hes really a sweet kid and it was just a misunderstanding, so that is a lot of the reason that we went ahead with it. If I thought he/they were trying to manipulate me then he wouldn't be going.

 

[alebisi]

Believe me...we had THAT TALK! In fact he was in tears when I was giving him the lecture. Hes really a sweet kid and it was just a misunderstanding, so that is a lot of the reason that we went ahead with it. If I thought he/they were trying to manipulate me then he wouldn't be going.

I bet your kid has just a big heart but is not like because he is a good kid you have to spend for every trip one extra sit, I think you did well on talking to him but I think is a good thing that your kid is willing to help others, that's so cute, BTW you HAVE to do a trip report we are all waiting, ...don't forget to.....have a magical and unforgetable trip!
P.S. I remember when my folks used to invite one friend of mine that also lived with her grandma to some of our trips, I will never forget it (I am also only child so immagine my joy to have someone my age with me when I was 8 or 10), so years later remember that your kid will have this beautiful memories, and be sure he has a generous father and mother that cares about him and his happiness.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Believe me...we had THAT TALK! In fact he was in tears when I was giving him the lecture. Hes really a sweet kid and it was just a misunderstanding, so that is a lot of the reason that we went ahead with it. If I thought he/they were trying to manipulate me then he wouldn't be going.

I didn't mean to insinuate that he was manipulating you, and hope you didn't take it that way. I'd hate to see his other friends manipulate him in the future because they think they'll get a free trip to Disney. Can't imagine how he became such a sweet kid, kind and thoughtful. Must come from your wife's side? Again, I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing and I'm sure your son's friend and grandma will be eternally grateful. Enjoy your trip and please let us know how it goes. I'm sure there will be quite a few joyful and happy tears shed on this trip and we'd all like to be a small part of that.

 

[dpuck1998]

I didn't mean to insinuate that he was manipulating you, and hope you didn't take it that way. I'd hate to see his other friends manipulate him in the future because they think they'll get a free trip to Disney. Can't imagine how he became such a sweet kid, kind and thoughtful. Must come from your wife's side? Again, I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing and I'm sure your son's friend and grandma will be eternally grateful. Enjoy your trip and please let us know how it goes. I'm sure there will be quite a few joyful and happy tears shed on this trip and we'd all like to be a small part of that.

No worries, I didn't take it that way at all. I was just responding to that fact that I did clear things up so he didn't make that mistake in the future. More so he didn't invite someone and we hurt their feelings because we couldn't take them. I've got a good one in my eldest child, its the middle one I worry about

 

[dpuck1998]

A small disappointment today. I was only able to add 1 person to 1 of my ressies. The rest I'll just have to show up and hope we can manage. If not then I guess we'll just be eating a lot of CS meals or spliting up our group. Wish me luck! We leave in just under 4 days.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Just a suggestion, dpuck, check with your airline as to what you legally need for ID for your guest. Our favorite airline asked for copies of a birth certificates when we took a bunch of dd's friends to Florida.... Some airlines and/or airports get pickier than others, but better to be prepared...

Really? I didn't know it varied from airline to airline or airport.

I take my nieces to Disney, I thought I'd need a birth certificate or something, when I called to find out I was told rather snottily that, no I wouldn't need anything like this because they are not a policing agency! This was Continental, but I've stopped bringing BC copies because I never was asked for them. Good to know I might be at some point though.

 

[dpuck1998]

Really? I didn't know it varied from airline to airline or airport.

I take my nieces to Disney, I thought I'd need a birth certificate or something, when I called to find out I was told rather snottily that, no I wouldn't need anything like this because they are not a policing agency! This was Continental, but I've stopped bringing BC copies because I never was asked for them. Good to know I might be at some point though.

I called my airlines today and they told me that same, a little nicer though. I won't need anything as long as we are flying in the US. I'm glad I checked however, because you never know.