How would you feel about this? Inviting extended family member to travel with us.

HHMcG · Mar 28, 2019

My immediate family (DH, kids (13, 11 & 8) and I) have a trip tentatively planned for Aug 20-28. We are staying in a Family Suite with free dining. Since the suite can accommodate 6, I thought about inviting our niece (12) to come with us. (We've stayed in the suites before, we've traveled with DN before, we are comfortable with this.) I would ask her parents to cover the cost of her park ticket and we would handle flight, room and food.
I haven't spoken to them yet since the trip is still tentative.

Then Galaxy's Edge opening was announced and I added on 2 days at Boardwalk so we would be in walking distance. Obvious problem is now DN can't stay with us. I thought about extending our stay in the Family Suite but I selfishly want to be within walking distance to DHS. And I know DH would refuse to change our plans to accommodate her. He would say we just shouldn't invite her.

But I would still like to include her. Would it be rude to invite her but send her home on a flight when we originally planned to return?

This would all be spelled out when we extend the invitation. But knowing my DN and DSIL there might be hurt feelings that we aren't accommodating her for our entire trip. They may decline the invitation because DN might not feel comfortable fly home as an unaccompanied minor (she hasn't traveled too much) and then may be upset that she had to say no.

Any other options I've not considered?

I guess I'm just thinking out loud now.

Kathryndisney · Mar 28, 2019

I wouldn’t send her home on a flight by herself. If staying at the same hotel throughout isn’t an option, you could invite your niece and SIL and that way they could both go (even if they can only afford a value hotel, you can still meet up in the parks). If it’s not an option for both to go or to stay at the same hotel, I wouldn’t invite her as it is a bit rude to make her fly back by herself.

_Kristi_ · Mar 28, 2019

I can't imagine inviting her if you plan to send her before GE opens. I think the hype before it opens will be pretty strong and she will likely feel really left out if she has to leave before the grand reveal. I also think orchestrating her flight home would be pretty inconvenient mid trip. She would need an adult to help her board the flight and I can't see her parents wanting her to fly alone. Bring her next time if she can't stay the whole trip.

sponica · Mar 28, 2019

I wouldn't invite her, it just feels weird. Hey you can join us for part of the trip, but not the whole trip.

And how would she get to the airport by herself?

mjkacmom · Mar 28, 2019

I believe at least United charges mandatory fees for up to 15 year old, $150 each way. Plus, someone would need to go with her to the airport and wait until she boarded.

siren0119 · Mar 28, 2019

I would not extend an invitation with the intent of excluding her from part of the vacation. Either she is along for the whole trip or she isn't. ESPECIALLY if you would have to put her on a plane home by herself. It's wonderful that you want to include her, but it should be for all of the trip if the invitation is being extended.

Ensusieasm · Mar 28, 2019

HHMcG said:
My immediate family (DH, kids (13, 11 & 8) and I) have a trip tentatively planned for Aug 20-28. We are staying in a Family Suite with free dining. Since the suite can accommodate 6, I thought about inviting our niece (12) to come with us. (We've stayed in the suites before, we've traveled with DN before, we are comfortable with this.) I would ask her parents to cover the cost of her park ticket and we would handle flight, room and food.
I haven't spoken to them yet since the trip is still tentative.

Then Galaxy's Edge opening was announced and I added on 2 days at Boardwalk so we would be in walking distance. Obvious problem is now DN can't stay with us. I thought about extending our stay in the Family Suite but I selfishly want to be within walking distance to DHS. And I know DH would refuse to change our plans to accommodate her. He would say we just shouldn't invite her.

But I would still like to include her. Would it be rude to invite her but send her home on a flight when we originally planned to return?

This would all be spelled out when we extend the invitation. But knowing my DN and DSIL there might be hurt feelings that we aren't accommodating her for our entire trip. They may decline the invitation because DN might not feel comfortable fly home as an unaccompanied minor (she hasn't traveled too much) and then may be upset that she had to say no.

Any other options I've not considered?

I guess I'm just thinking out loud now.

No, I would surely not invite her under these circumstances.
By the way, do you know about the change made for getting fast passes for a split stay that went into effect this month? You will have two separate 60 day fast pass windows for this split stay.

LongLiveRafiki · Mar 28, 2019

Would you consider switching from Boardwalk to a Deluxe room (fits 6) at Beach Club? Is that still within walking distance to HS?

tinkerjo · Mar 28, 2019

I agree with everyone else. A child that has not traveled much would probably be scared flying by herself but she is old enough to have her feelings hurt if you send her home 3/4 into your vacation. It is wonderful and very generous that you want to invite her, we have done the same over the years, but if you are sold on your current plan I wouldn’t. It will save hurt feelings. Let me add though with 5 in your party there will always be someone riding alone. Having DN will make it an even 6 so everyone has a ride buddy.

QueenIsabella · Mar 28, 2019

Another vote for "don't invite her". The logistics of getting her home on a separate flight are just too much, and if I were her parent, I would not be comfortable with her flying by herself. That goes double and triple if she would have to change planes at some point.

I think your heart is in the right place, this just won't work out. Perhaps you could invite her on a future trip, where you plan for her from the beginning. Or you could invite her and her mom, as a PP suggested.

DisneyWishes14 · Mar 28, 2019

LongLiveRafiki said:
Would you consider switching from Boardwalk to a Deluxe room (fits 6) at Beach Club? Is that still within walking distance to HS?

I second this idea. There are also deluxe rooms at BWI and 2-bedroom villas at BWV and BCV that would accommodate all of you. I would also suggest calling the Swan/Dolphin and pricing out 2-bedroom executive and grand suites there. You would need to pay for transportation back to the airport if you stay at S/D, but we have gotten 2-bedroom suites there for around $700 a night including taxes and resort fees.

Personally, I would not invite her unless you can include her for the entire trip.

siestakeys04 · Mar 28, 2019

I just wouldn’t invite her your heart is in the right place. Unless you continue to stay in the suite then it couldn’t work.

MainMom · Mar 28, 2019

Nope, would not invite her.

Mackenzie Click-Mickelson · Mar 28, 2019

I think it's different if you invited her for the whole trip but she was unable to stay the whole trip.

That's not the same as inviting her for only part of the trip.

So no I wouldn't invite her.

Maybe keep her in mind for a different non-Disney trip in the future or maybe plan a day trip with her in the future someone closeby or maybe invite her for some other activity closeby to where you live as some sort of special thing you do with her.

HHMcG · Mar 29, 2019

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was grasping at straws to try to get DN another Disney trip.

Nancyg56 · Mar 30, 2019

HHMcG said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was grasping at straws to try to get DN another Disney trip.

You can’t have it both ways here. A child who is only welcome for the first part of a vacation but then sent home alone before it ends will have hurt feelings.

I want to address your split stay though. No matter where you choose, please remember that your fp will open and close based on each individual reservation. If I was planning that trip I would pick a resort and stay put so I had a longer fp option

Chuck S · Mar 31, 2019

WHy not just extend in the family suites? They won't be within walking distance BUT you will be connected via the new skyliner gondola system, it should be up and running by the time SWGE opens at WDW.

Wild4Walt · Mar 31, 2019

I agree, if you don't plan to keep her for the whole trip then I wouldn't invite her. If for no other reason, she'd then be flying home as an unaccompanied minor - costs more and I'd feel responsible for her. If something happened and we were with her, I'd carry that with me forever. Better to wait until another trip.

CapeCodTenor · Apr 1, 2019

I agree, don't invite her.

paisleys · Apr 1, 2019

Do not invite. All of the potential hurt feelings and workarounds will ruin your family's excitement.

How would you feel about this? Inviting extended family member to travel with us.

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