Would you help out...

[Sammy]

If the circumstances were right, then probably yes. If it was something like a stranger begging on an internet forum, the answer would be an emphatic "no".

 

[MIGrandma]

Nope, if they need "donations" so they can go, they don't need to go. They can't afford it and their money would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[MM27]

If it was a family member and I wanted them to come with me, then yes I would pay or contribute to their trip. If anyone else asked, I would say NO. I have donated to Make a Wish and Give Kids the World but I don't look at those as people that can't afford to go. Totally different situation.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I voted no, but in reality, I would help a close friend or family member if there were some special circumstance, like EdiePA described.

We also prefer to give money to organized charities, and a wish-granting charity is one of them.

 

[disney1990]

I answered depends because there is not enough information to give a definitive answer. We have taken our adult children many times; I would definitely help a Make a Wish child go (because my granddaughter was previously one). And, depending on the circumstances, I would help our friends too.

 

[Colleen27]

It would depend on who and why. We don't have a whole lot to give and prefer to donate to basic-needs charities, so if it was a stranger or aquaintance I wouldn't unless it was a wish-trip sort of situation. But family or close friends is something else entirely. We paid for my mom to join us on a couple of trips back when all her time and money were wrapped up in caring for my grandmother, because she really needed the break. And we'd like to do the same for BIL & his son should the opportunity ever arise, because they've got a tough time of it financially and medically and probably will never be able to do a trip like that on their own.

 

[Goofyluver]

Ummmm, no.

All my Disney charity money goes to me.

 

[buffettgirl]

Nope.

Yep, I did, but it was under special circumstances. Friends of ours, with three children, had made plans to drive to Florida and to spend a part of their vacation at Disney. Unfortunately, prior to their trip, their car broke down and the Disney ticket money went to fixing the car. They discussed it with their children and had decided to still go, but not "do" Disney. We anonymously stepped in to fund their tickets. They were so deserving of the break -- they didn't do big family vacations and I feel that no one should have to ask their child to give up that dream.

I loved hearing their stories when they got home and we received a wonderful thank you note.

In that situation, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Edie

not to go off track, but if you did it anonymously, how did they send you a thank you note?

 

[rie'smom]

If I had the extra money and it was someone who I care about, I would.

No, my charitable giving goes to places that need money for NEEDS, not wants. Disney is definately a WANT.

You can do both, we do.

For the last 8 years we've taken at least 1 and up to 3 of my daughter's friends as our guests- tickets, room, food, and flights. A few of the girls had never been and a few more had only been as young children. It's a lot of fun. Whenever one of them sees me, they always talk about how much they enjoyed their trips.

We've also let people use our DVC pts for trips.

 

[Jennasis]

Well Make-A-Wish does just that don't they?

So, Yes...yes I would, and I have, for both complete strangers and for family.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

It depends on the situation.

Do I know the person? Do I like/love them? I will not give a free trip to someone I don't know since there are too many people (on this board and off) who make up sob stories just to get people to give them money. The exception to this would be a donation to Make-A-Wish or similar reputable company.

Is the person able to take care of their day to day lives? I have never understood people taking relatives and friends on expensive vacations when they can't even get by day to day. I would much rather spend my money helping them get back on their feet instead of putting them into a situation that could make it even worse.

 

[bookgirl]

My best friend and her family----in a heart beat, I know they work really hard to pay for everyday and I would have no problem funding something FUN!

My nephews---probably not, my brother makes about 4X my salary.


But I put depends because I would help if I thought they deserved it, and I knew them personally.

 

[Jennasis]

And let me be clear...I haven't funded anyone in total, but I have chipped in.

 

[JVelasquez]

Same here!

No, unless there were special circumstances such as a terminally ill child, etc. I prefer to donate what very little extra I may have left to a few charities i support.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

It depends on the situation.

Do I know the person? Do I like/love them? I will not give a free trip to someone I don't know since there are too many people (on this board and off) who make up sob stories just to get people to give them money. The exception to this would be a donation to Make-A-Wish or similar reputable company.

Is the person able to take care of their day to day lives? I have never understood people taking relatives and friends on expensive vacations when they can't even get by day to day. I would much rather spend my money helping them get back on their feet instead of putting them into a situation that could make it even worse.

I don't get it. How can people be so naive?

I think paying for family is completely fine. I'm speaking of complete strangers. People you've never meet. Make A Wish is different. I would totally give for a sick child to go. I'm speaking of a few stories here that I have read and other places. I scratch my head wondering how or why people would assist those who aren't assisting themselves but somehow want to go to Disney.

 

[rie'smom]

I don't get it. How can people be so naive?

I think paying for family is completely fine. I'm speaking of complete strangers. People you've never meet. Make A Wish is different. I would totally give for a sick child to go. I'm speaking of a few stories here that I have read and other places. I scratch my head wondering how or why people would assist those who aren't assisting themselves but somehow want to go to Disney.

If someone here or on another internet site asked for money, no. A few years ago I bought 4 MVMCP tickets for the Friday night before Thanksgiving. My brother and his fiancee moved up the date of their wedding and it was on that date. There were no MVMCP on any of our other dates so I posted asking if anyone wanted the tickets for their trip. Someone wanted them and said she was taking her kids and would love them so I sent the tickets. A few days later I was on ebay looking for a MVMCP shirt because we get one every year. Guess what I saw? Yes, the DIS poster had them listed for sale. How did I know it was the same person? Because her ebay name was the same as their DIS name and the town they were shipping the tickets from was the same as the town where I mailed them.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

If someone here or on another internet site asked for money, no. A few years ago I bought 4 MVMCP tickets for the Friday night before Thanksgiving. My brother and his fiancee moved up the date of their wedding and it was on that date. There were no MVMCP on any of our other dates so I posted asking if anyone wanted the tickets for their trip. Someone wanted them and said she was taking her kids and would love them so I sent the tickets. A few days later I was on ebay looking for a MVMCP shirt because we get one every year. Guess what I saw? Yes, the DIS poster had them listed for sale. How did I know it was the same person? Because her ebay name was the same as their DIS name and the town they were shipping the tickets from was the same as the town where I mailed them.

That's awful!

 

[rie'smom]

That's awful!

I was very disappointed.

 

[Planogirl]

There are people out there who will take advantage of course. But there are also people who won't. The problem is telling the difference.

I would help if I felt confident that the people really needed help to do something and seemed to have their needs met already. At least I would if I could.

 

[goofyernmost]

if they can't afford it, I would have to assume they have other obligations that need to be met prior, so no.

I have to agree with this...not because I'm looking down at them but because Disney is definitely a "frill". Priorities are important and if they have to wait a little while to get there, well, there's nothing wrong with that. I was 35 before I could afford to bring my family to WDW. It was carefully budgeted and carefully monitored. We told the kids that we didn't have money for a lot of extras and that we all had to watch our spending.

Not a problem...we did it, within budget and everyone had a great time. In fact, I think we had a better time knowing that we had worked to make it good. Nothing was donated and therefore we owed no one. JMHO!

Make a Wish...I donate to all the time. In fact, I ask that, if possible, the money be used to take a kid to WDW. I am not steadfast on that request as I know that other places are asked for and should be given, it's just that I like WDW and want everyone to share that.