DVCers do you drive or fly?

[WDWFERN]

Just wondering how many of you choose to drive vs. fly to the world. Prior to DVC our family of 4 always flew as we are about 1,000 miles away and don't mind not having a car there. Now that we are new members and anticipate yearly trips, I am considering if in the long run it makes more sense for us to start driving despite the long distance to save on years of airfare. Thanks for the input!

[christa112]

I honestly have no idea how many miles MA to WDW is but it is way too many in my opinion. I would never drive 2 days to get to WDW. My time and sanity is worth every penny that I spend to fly.

[TisBit]

We generally fly, but last year we drove because we were going with some friends that have a large family and flying just wasn't worth it. It takes us about a day and half to drive...could do it in one very long day, but not really worth it in my opinion.

[bwvBound]

I voted Fly as related to WDW ... but of course, we drive to DL.

[backyardponder]

The cost of driving from the Chicago area is usually much higher than flying. Gas for 2,400 miles, 2 nights hotel (one night each way), meals on the road, wear and tear on the car all add up.

Of course, flying has expenses too...getting to the airport and parking (unless someone drives us), renting a car occasionally at WDW, luggage charges if I'm not flying SW.

[Crystal_27]

We are lucky enough to live "only" 8 hours from Disney, so we drive. Although we don't usually drive while we are at the parks (we utilize Disney's transportation), it is a nice option to have the car available if we need it. Also, we live about an hour from the airport, so in the amount of time it takes to drive to the airport, wait through security, take the flight, and get on ME to our resort, we've already got half the drive tackled. :thumbsup2

[TIGGERmetoo]

We almost always fly. Only exception will be later this month. Can't find decent airfare so we are going to drive it in 1 and 1/2 days. It will be a very long 1st day so we are leaving on Friday instead of our normal Saturday. I'm not really looking foward to the driving part but we already have our airline tickets for our September trip.

[FreezinRafiki]

The cost of driving from the Chicago area is usually much higher than flying. Gas for 2,400 miles, 2 nights hotel (one night each way), meals on the road, wear and tear on the car all add up.

Of course, flying has expenses too...getting to the airport and parking (unless someone drives us), renting a car occasionally at WDW, luggage charges if I'm not flying SW.

For us, it's the opposite, As a family of 4 to purchase airline tickets and pay someone to watch our dogs far out weights what we pay to drive and leave the pooches with relatives in FL. Then again, we drive straight through and pack several meals, so there is no hotel cost and we're only buying one meal each way.

[Deb & Bill]

We always drive. We flew one time and our plane was six hours late leaving our hometown. Then we missed the connecting flight. I think we ultimately were about 8 hours late arriving. Our local airport is a lot more expensive than larger ones. And we are at least three hours from a larger airport. So we might as well drive the distance. It takes us about 14 hours to drive.

[bobbiwoz]

I think we're around 16-18 hours away. We'll drive when we have 4 or more weeks to spend. That's about 2 years away. For now, we fly.
Bobbi:goodvibes

[bluslag]

We have done both and we are coming from Michigan. Last year we drove and had so much fun. We are driving again this year and I just love the fact that I can put all I want in the car. I usually have everything I need when we drive. We bring water, groc, beach towels, more than one luggage, strollers, and anything else I want. This year and last my husband and I drive down for a week alone and then the kids join us for a week. We usually take everything they need too. Last year they flew but this year they are driving because they have to buy tickets for there little ones. Can't wait hope we have great weather. Looks like it has been cold all winter!!

[katmittens]

We always drive, which is about an 18-20 hour drive depending on traffic, weather, etc. I have it down on how to pack, what to pack, etc. I think I would not know what to do if I flew. I could never pack for it. We have been driving for about 20 years and we make about 2-3 trips per year. Our kids still come with us ages 25 and 22 and don't mind the drive. They never were a problem, when they were younger, they took, games, coloring books, then went to video games and movies and homework when we went during the school year. Now they are adults so they read or sleep or listen to music and still watch movies. Some of our best times have been on the road. We have had so many laughs:rotfl2::rotfl2: We have always had a mini van so it has been great. We are on our 5th mini van in 20 years. Next year I am due for a new car and I am thinking of not getting a van:banana:, since kids may not be going with us all the time, and when they do they may have to fly due to jobs.
I guess it depends on your family and your finances. I don't like to fly so I guess we never started.

[kdepot]

I voted Fly as driving 2 days each way vrs cheap flights from Providence RI on SWA

[Checkers]

We usually fly but we have driven a few times. My DH has stated that he will never drive to WDW again but I really don't mind the drive down, it's the drive back that kills me!

[rentayenta]

I can't vote because we do both. We drive to California and we fly to Florida.

[jarestel]

As a change of pace from the whole airport/flying stuff, we drove down and back 2 weeks ago. I don't see any reason to do it again, at least not from NH. The cost savings was minimal, less than $300 vs. buying 4 airline tickets, and it takes way too much time. Though it did also save us another $300 by not having to rent a car in Florida.

Still, the monetary savings compared to the time required to drive (2 days down, 2 days back) just doesn't seem like a good trade-off to me. So, back to flying it is for us from now on.

[jimmar6419]

We drive from Texas each time. We really have it figured out now. We do it in one day and that is half the fun. Well, maybe not half the fun, but we love it. We have an ongoing scavenger hunt. We bring a unlabeled map of the US. The team that gets the most license plates gets a Yoohoo drink. :banana:

[5forDiz]

We've been driving since 1994 growing from a family of 4 to 5 ( and sometimes we take another family member or 2 along ). We need to have a car in Florida because DH has many family members who live in Daytona & Palm Beach area and we visit them in addition to WDW. Our kids have always been fine with the drive even when they were very young and we always treated the drive to/from as part of the vacation experience. If we fly we have to rent a car & we'd stay couple extra nights in Florida then so staying in hotels for drive to/from isn't really an extra expense to us and we don't count meals to be part of a driving expense because we have to eat meals each day anyhow whether we are on the road or not.

Usually we try to stay overnight(or longer) on HHI either at DVC resort or one of the oceanfront resorts and that works really well for us & it's something we all look forward too as much as WDW. Sometimes when we drive home we even will stop overnight in Washington DC after HHI to see some sights and make the vacation last a bit longer.

:goodvibes

[FOXFIELDZOO]

WITH ALL 8 OF US, IT WOULD COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FLY, SO 18 HOURS OF DRIVING IS WORTH IT.:thumbsup2

[Starr W.]

Our rule of thumb,

will drive to vaction location if we can get there in 8 hrs or less.

Over that we fly and if the flight is over 5-6 hours, we're up in business/1st class.

[BrentR]

We have never driven to WDW but your question got me thinking so I mapquested it. It is 2482 miles (one way) for us to drive. I think we will stick to flying!!!

[Paulie656]

We come from Long Island, NY and have driven twice a year for the past five years. My wife has an unhealthy :rolleyes1 fear of flying so we have always driven. On the way home last year in February, our normal 19 hour return trip took well over 24 hours due to the weather.

I finally convinced my wife to fly this year, so we did :banana:

Even though we typically spend about 350.00 round trip in gas and flying was a bit over 1600.00 for the four of us (our son was a lap passenger) it was well worth it to hear "Welcome to Orlando" only three hours after getting on the plane.

[FOXFIELDZOO]

We drive, My DH would rather fly ,but a family of 8 would be far too much $ to do that ,I love to drive and do most of the driving ,there is so much to see on the way down ,I think It's also good to show the kids the U.S. and how different it looks in other states ,we on leaving 2 days before Disney ,stop off half way and spend the night and get to Florida a day before we check in ,that way we can sleep good the night before.there are fun games for the car you can play with the kids ,however I find the ride down is always better than the ride back :)

[FOXFIELDZOO]

we drive, my dh would rather fly ,but a family of 8 would be far too much $ to do that ,i love to drive and do most of the driving ,there is so much to see on the way down ,i think it's also good to show the kids the u.s. And how different it looks in other states ,we on leaving 2 days before disney ,stop off half way and spend the night and get to florida a day before we check in ,that way we can sleep good the night before.there are fun games for the car you can play with the kids ,however i find the ride down is always better than the ride back :)

sorry for the double post ,didn't know my dh posted lol

[hsmamato2]

it costs us less to fly from Ct than to drive for 4 people- we look for specials- gas is expensive-plus we factor in the extra days off work dh would need,the cost is always cheaper to fly

[WDWFERN]

Thanks all, I am enjoying everyone's responses and am definetly considering a driving trial run for our next trip this fall. I should also have mentioned this idea has been more appealing after missing our plane home out of Orlando on our last trip due to a foodcourt delay and getting caught up in a longer than usual security line. As if leaving "the world" isn't depressing enough! :confused3Needless to say DH, especially was not thrilled (granted he was the one lugging a myriad of souveniers/carryons while sprinting for the gate only to be told our seats had been given away to stand by passengers) and vowed our next trip would be a driving one. I am looking to make the best of the long journey and maybe save some money along the way!:thumbsup2

[DisDaydreamer]

We sort of drive. We are fortunate to have the Amtrak Auto Train in Virginia so we drive about 90 minutes to the train station in Lorton and put our car on it. We stay in a "roomette" usually. The train leaves at 4pm and you get a great dinner with wine, we watch the on-board movie, go to bed, and arrive in Sanford (Orlando) at around 8 am. The cost is greater, but you have to factor in the savings in gas, car rental, and you get to pack EVERYTHING you need in your car. Plus we love the train.

[Sandisw]

We drive every time since it is a 22 hour drive from Syracuse. We did it straight through once (left at 10:00 pm) and managed since we couldn't wait to get there.

However, the drive back (and we stopped one night) was horrible as after about 6 or 7 hours, I am so done with being in a car and just want to be home.

That was the last time and told my DH that flying was the only way. Now we have a direct flight to MCO which is just under 3 hours--no matter how expensive, that is the way we will go!!!

[lagunn]

We would love to be able to drive..

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

We're about a 24-hour drive away from the World, so flying is a much better option for us. It only takes about 2 1/2 hours by plane...a much better proposition!

[DizGirl20]

I am not a big fan of flying but I can't imagine driving from New Jersey. Maybe some day when we retire, I would like to take our time and make it a nice drive with stops along the way. As long as we have kids I can't see ever driving!

[tinkerfan1]

We're about 550 miles away and we drive. I like have the convenience of a car if I want it (although we never use it) and I also like being able to bring things home with us. Plus, I'm scared of flying!

[entropy63]

I have done both. I prefer to fly, but driving is just as fun. It takes me 19 hours straight through from Broken Arrow OK, to AKV. That includes a stop for dinner in Tupulo MS.

This time we are driving to Dallas, about 3.5 hours and flying from there. I got round trip tickets for 219 per person which was just too good of a deal to pass up.

[DiznyDi]

We fly. Maybe one day when we retire we'll drive, but not now.

[NARM Forever]

This will be our third time driving (24 hours drive), the advantage is that we get to see friends in NC. Last time we drove, we all got sick just before we came back so it was a really hard drive. We've also flown a couple of times but find the taxes from Canada really bump the flight price up.

NARM

[delaneyc52]

We always fly....same airline (Jet Blue!!) out of the same little airport in Newburgh NY and always get a great price -- this time 189 round trip each. We only do that because of time constraints and the price is right. However, I can't wait for retirement so that we can take a leisurely drive down and back!

[BWV2001]

We've done it both ways. Currently, our local airport has very few flights to Orlando and we haven't lucked into any great rates. When we have flown, we've had to drive 2 hours to the nearest major airport, arrive approx. 2 hours early, flight time is 1.5 or so hours, and trip from airport to hotel is about another 1/2 hour. So we are only saving approximately 7 hours, and we are spending anywhere from 1000 to 1600 to fly (for the 5 of us). Until we can fly out of our local airport for a reasonable fare, we'll probably continue to drive.

[photobob]

We are 540 miles away 8-9 hours by car so we always drive. The trip home no doubt sure feels longer.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Flying for us is a really dumb thing to do.

To get decent rates...we have to drive 3 hours to get to Atlanta, arrive at the airport 2 hours early, another 2 hours in the airplane, another hour for Magical Express. We could be in Ocala after we do all that!!!

Unfortunately, DH loves flying and begs and begs to fly to Disney. I've given in twice. :confused3

[quirty30]

We only started going to Disney after several years of vacationing in the FL panhandle. I'm a single mom and the drive from Chicago was just getting to be too much for me as the only driver. So we fly to Orlando now; at least until the kids are both over 16 :)

[buzz5985]

I didn't vote since our family does both. If we have a short trip planned to WDW - less than 7 days - we fly. But if we have a longer trip planned - we drive. The longer trips tend to have multiple destinations involved. An example would be our long trip in the summer of 2008 - Washington DC, WDW, HHI, visit Sister in VA then home. Our recent 2009 5 day trip to WDW - flew. No plans for this year (yet), but 2011 planning on VB, WDW and HHI - so that will be a driving vacation.

So it depends on what plans we have. But our family does enjoy the drive We have fun. I grew up with driving vacations - I want my DS to have the same experiences.

[JasonDVC]

We fly because airfare is reasonable and there are planty of non-stops out of Providence. One day, when the kids are older, we would like to drive and make stops in DC and HHI along the way. Make it a slow 2 week vacation. We'll see. :thumbsup2

[corpcomp]

We only have enough time for a five day visit. My wife is an NICU nurse and cannot get off more than that at any one time. So driving from CT would take 2 days down and 2 days back (1200 miles each way) and leave us no time for vacation. We fly on JetBlue and my DS 14 can watch TV the whole way down.

We do drive to our vacation house in the OBX as that is only 500 miles (soon to be 440 when the new OBX bridge is finished)

I also really like landing at MCO, so much cleaner than JFK / LGA. You really feel like you are on vacation landing there. Downside is when we fly back and land in NY, we really know we are no longer on vacation.

[colonialtinker]

We drive although 1 of us :rolleyes1 looks for any excuse possible to fly. For a change in May we are going to take the auto train, first train ride for all of us. The drives take 13 - 14 hours depending on stops.

[liznboys]

We live an 8-8.5 hour drive away, so driving is for us. :thumbsup2

[Granny]

We also live almost exactly 1,000 miles from Orlando and drive every time. It is 17 hours including the time change and we do it in one day. With the four of us, flying would cost many hundreds of dollars more and we'd end up renting a car when we are there since we always go off-site for some dining and to visit Sea World, etc.

As others have mentioned, it makes packing really easy since we are not cramped for luggage space and we save on not needing an Owners Locker. :)

[twinklebug]

Single mom/only driver here, I'd need to break up the trip into at least 2 days each way & that means more time which I don't have.
So, We always fly, for 3 people it's about the same price as driving rt from Boston/Providence to Orlando. Some day I will drive and have a leisurely last day at Disney & no pressure to catch a flight. Maybe this summer. It'd be nice to be able to buy and bring home a mickey balloon too. :rotfl:

[DopeyDave]

We almost always fly from Pennsylvania. Once in awhile we'll drive, just to remind us why we fly!!

I actually drove it once, by myself, without a map!! Most people ask, "Didn't you get lost?" I say "No, it's only two roads... I-95 and I-4!"

[TagsMissy]

we come from the west coast of Canada so we definitely fly! I don't want to imagine that drive!

[Meriweather]

I voted fly since your post said to the "World"
Way to far to drive from WA....and will also be when we make the final move to AZ.

We also fly to DLR from WA, but will try the drive from AZ

[Uncleromulus]

Fly. BUt ONLY because it gets us to WDW in 2 hours instead of 17.
Otherwise I HATE everything about flying, the airport , the security, etc etc.
It's a gigantic pain. But it's FAST.

[Redbunny]

We have flown and are planning on flying in December. It would only be about 26 hours to drive, but that long in the care with my wonderful girls asking every 5 minutes if we are there yet is definitely not worth the savings. The 1 1/2 hour drive to the Dallas airport is long enough in a car with them and slow driving husband:)

[Toonpies]

I'd love to drive, but the Atlantic gets in the way. So it's 2 flights there and 2 flights back.

[JenSop]

Even though we drove last year, my vote was to fly! I hated the drive from PA. (My trip report link at the bottom of my post tells all about it. It was terrible!) Most trips we've always flown.

[kristenrice]

I can't vote....we do both:lmao:.

When we go in the summer and can get flights for $150 R/T, we fly.

When we go over Easter and airfare is $500 R/T, we drive.

I definitely prefer to fly, but it is also fun to take a few days and drive through places we don't normally get to see.

If I *had* to vote, I would say "fly", but it is based solely on cost. If I can save $500 or more by driving, we'll drive.

[pinnocchiosdad]

We take SWA from Islip Long Island. One day we would like to drive and stop at HHI or VB.

[dianeschlicht]

It's about a 30 hour drive, so of course we fly.

[z28wiz]

We are leaving from NEPA PA, and our twin boys will be about 2 weeks shy of their 3 yr bday. We are planning to leave at night around bed time for them and maybe drive for two hours then stop get gas and so on, then hopefully they sleep through. We are staying at Hilton Head the following night to break up the trip then head to WDW in the am. We shall see. We always flew before they were born, but we think it may be to much on a plane that young.

[lilosurf11]

I've flown to WDW only twice I believe. All the other times, we have driven. I like flying because it's convenient and I get there quicker. But I do like driving because it's fun to spend time with my family and watch movies and look at the scenery. :cool1:

[Princess&CowboyMommy]

We're about 1100 miles from Disney (we live near Austin, TX), but we always drive. We're about 18 1/2-19 hours away, but we save a ton by driving instead of paying for plane tickets for 4 people. Plus, I'm one of those who is afraid of flying (too many very scary flights in my 20s).

That being said - my kids probably know the geography of the south along I-10 better than any of the kids in their class, lol! We talk about state capitals, traditions of major towns - all kinds of stuff - on the road. In down time, the kids watch a movie or play their game boys. We also get to meet all kinds of great new folks and try new hotels/restaurants along the way. (Although my kids are absolutely insisting to go back to the Drury in Lafayette because they loved the manager there so much :lmao: ).

Once we get there - we obviously have our car - which is a huge plus for grocery store runs, going to play mini-golf, going to DTD, getting to Ohana for dinner (yum!), etc.

Ya, I know it takes longer to get to Disney - a lot longer. But, I'm with the people that I love most in the world and I love just spending time alone with them. For me, the drive there and less so back, is part of focussing 100% on family time :lovestruc

(And yes - my 5 year-old does spend a lot of the trip asking if "we're there yet," but he also starts asking about a month after we get back when we're going again - so I hear it for 10-11 months before we even get on the road :rotfl: I've learned to tune it out ;) )

[dianeschlicht]

If I was only 1100 miles, I would drive too. I drive from Minnesota to Philly every year, and that's about the distance it is. Not a big deal at all, but it would take me twice as long to drive from here to Orlando, and while we have done it 2 or 3 times, I don't enjoy it at all! That's why we always fly to Disney. We do enough driving to dog shows, and if I drive, it doesn't seem like a vacation.

[babbalooey]

Fear of flying keeps me grounded but being in VA I can make it there in 11-12 hrs., so it's not so bad. As new DVC members, my daughter and I will be taking 2-3 trips per year so even if I could fly it would be cost prohibitive. Next month is our first DVC trip...we'll leave Easter morning and be there, hopefully, in time for our Easter dinner reservation...

[jpeka65844]

Don't think we would ever drive. DH and I drive compact cars and will most likely keep it that way for the rest of our lives. If we were to drive our family of four, we'd have to rent a mini-van or SUV. Kind of defeats the purpose.

We've talked about flying to Atlanta and then driving to WDW with our friends who live there.

And someday, we'll rent a car in Orlando and venture off-property to eat, shop, and visit Harry Potter World.

DH also travels with work and we always have tons of free airline tix and car rental points. Another perk!!

[Ron from Michigan]

We always fly. We have drivin once and that was once too much. It is way to long a drive. Why drive when I can fly and be there in 4 hrs.

[Anal Annie]

We drove it straight thru ONCE a LONG time ago. Will never do that again. We fly because it's about a 14 hour drive from where we live and including travel time to the airport we can fly in less than 5 hours. Driving is either one VERY LONG day each way or it's a day & 1/2 with a hotel on the road. This also means less time actually spent AT WDW if we add travel days to either end. Last year we were able to get most all of our round trip flights for $150 or less (and we're only 3 people) so I think that's worth it by the time you add in the hotel & meals on the road for 2 days. We use DME so we have no other costs to worry about. Flying also makes it easier to go 2-3 times a year and slip in long weekends.

We're driving to HHI this summer which I think is probably about 10 hours for us...that's pretty much my limit for driving...but since there's no good airport to fly into right there we figured we may as well drive. Also part of the point of booking HHI this year was to cut some costs...I still think we'll likely spend $250 or so on gas depending where the prices are hovering in August.

[dvc_john]

When I was working and went for a week at a time, I always flew.

Now that I'm retired and go for extended stays that include SW Florida as well as Orlando, I drive. I also spend the winter in Florida (2 to 3 months) so I drive. Car rental prices for extended stays can be pretty expensive.

I do admit that I'm getting awfully tired of I-75, and have been finding alternate routes the last few times.

[krikiter]

I'd love to drive, but the Atlantic gets in the way. So it's 2 flights there and 2 flights back.

Best response yet. Stoopid ocean, all gettin' in the way...

[circhead]

I always drove when my kids were younger we are a family of 5 and I'd rather spend the airfare in Disney than give it to the airlines.

I fly occassionally now, but still prefer driving because I like to resort hop and I like the convenience of having my car. I can also easily go grocery shopping. When my kids were younger the driving was more tiresome because for many of the trips I was the only driver and I always drive straight through from NY - 1120 miles. Now that my kids are older, if they come with me there are more drivers so being able to switch off gives me a break.

I can't stand not having a car in Disney so I figure the cost of airfare from one of the 3 major NY airports more than pays my driving expenses and I don't have the added cost of the rental car.

[FourM's]

I would love to be able to drive but I don't think we could live any further away and still be in the continental US. (Washington State) So we always make the 6 hour flight from Seattle to Orlando. Its soo worth it!

[culli]

FLy and even with a family of 6 flying is cheaper. We get our tiks under $200 roundtrip direct plus the overall time savings adds up. If tik prices start climbing we may have to consider driving but that just sounds scarry:scared1:

[myDISboards]

We flew twice and ever since drive at least once each year to central florida.

I used to access this favorite website for I-95 exit services from Maine to Florida at http://www.i95exitguide.com/

For the last 3 years, I drove straight in 16-17 hours including bio-breaks and meals with 07 Odyssey mini-van with factory GPS/entertainment and it needed $100 gas each way.

I usually leave at 6-7pm Sat (to avoid traffic around Woodrow Wilson Bridge in VA/MD) and arrive in central florida 11-12noon Sun. I always rested well before 6-7pm Sat.

The money we saved in airfares bought us a lot of souvenirs and DDP.

[WolfpackFan]

Though we have flown a couple of times in the past, we mostly drive now. It's 10 hours door to door driving. But we've gotten so we like to drive to Savannah which is halfway there on day 1. Then on day 2 we drive on to WDW. Last trip we stayed the night before at the Hampton Inn - Lake Buena Vista. That way we can check in our DVC resort early the next day and go ahead and hit a park, knowing our room probably won't be ready. I think we'll do the same thing for our trip this October.

[musical2]

I usually do a combination of taking the Auto Train to Sanford, FL then driving the rest of the way. There was no option for this so I didn't vote.

[schewy]

Living just north of Atlanta,Ga we always drive. A plus is we don't have to fight the crowds using the transportation for the resorts at the end of the day. We just hop in our car and we are anywhere on the property within minutes. I even have learned shortcuts by exploring around the property. I have even accidently entered restricted areas by driving down roads not properly closed while exploring.

[LSchrow]

fly only
i can usually get flights around $100 each way, so unless there's a lot of ppl(we're normally 2-4 ppl), driving isn't a big enough cost saver :confused3
i just can't bring myself to spend so much of my vaca getting to/fro my destination (we do rent a car at wdw for groceries and outlet runs)

[Judique]

We drive almost exclusively. It is 870 miles from our house and we usually stop either at HHI or Savannah for our first night. We use hotel reward points to get a room or we use DVC points or cash to stay at Disney's HH. If we stay at Disney's HH, we often do a couple of nights. My credit cards also gives Visa cash cards as a reward so I often use these for gas. I just ordered $150 of them so gas is on the card so to speak. We leave on March 24th for an 11 night trip. (Navy Federal reward cards for anyone interested.)

I could get cheap flights out of my area as there are 3 major airports within 45 min to an hour of me, and everybody flies to Orlando pretty much, but I've gotten into a pattern and I kind of enjoy it. I also have 5 weeks vacation with my job and just about every holiday known paid - so time is never an issue. And sometimes I book a trip and add on days when I get there - but that's not as easy now - BWV fills up and stays filled.

I love to drive and I can stop anywhere I feel like. We then have our car at Disney, which is what I consider the biggest perk. I like to explore, shop and I usually drive to the parks - even DHS when I stay at BWV. (After waiting almost an hour in January for the boat after Fantasmic I'll remember to drive if seeing Fantasmic again!)

[dvc at last !]

We fly. In a few years when we have more time a driving trip would be ok.
Then we could drive to DD's in DC and even use the autotrain or
stop in HHI overnite. Till then flying us for us !

:cool1:

[Ctsplaysinrain]

We do both.. We live in AZ. During the summer, my kids and I do a 6 week or so roadtrip to/from the East coast. Disney is just part of this trip . Overall, we average around 6,000-8,000 miles. For other trips through the year, we fly as we usually don't have any extra days to waste. They tend to be a 2-3 day Mommy escape trip and about 7 days in early december as part of a chess tournament my son participates in. We have gone to DL twice now since we have been members ( june 2009.) When the whole family went, we drove- only about a 8 hour drive. When I went alone, I flew- I don't like driving in So Cal.

[tidefan]

We drive. It is about 8.5 hours from Shelby County, AL (south Birmingham suburbs) to WDW and only about 9 to Port Canaveral (many advantages to driving to a cruise...).

We take Hwy 280 to Columbus, GA (take the by-pass 80/185 around) then through Albany to Tifton, where we hit I-75 and take it the rest of the way in...

[HsvTeacher]

We drive, because it's only about a nine/ten-hour drive. However, AirTran just announced nonstop flights from Huntsville to Orlando, so we may be flying more often now. :thumbsup2

[cpdwiz]

We have always flown. This time driving. Leaving on a Friday morning @3:00am and hoping to make HHI by around 7pm...then sleep and leave saturday morning and make wdw around 12-1pm. We plan on $400 gas for the truck and we have a cap so we can bring and buy everything without worries. In October the 2 of us will fly southwest again

[DVCGeek]

For WDW trips we fly (to MCO) and use Magical Express. In the past we did non-stop Continental flights from CLE (Cleveland Hopkins), but the last three trips we've flown direct on Airtran out of CAK (Akron-Canton) and it was a LOT cheaper! :thumbsup2 We live in the suburbs between the two airports, so we can easily chase the best fares. :goodvibes

For DL, when we went in Nov. 2008 we flew nonstop to LAX on Continental from CLE and got a rental car there. We are likely to do the same for our Oct. 2010 trip (our first VGC stay!) but I haven't booked airfare just yet...

[JWG]

Fly.
It's 1,304 miles (1,310 now on Delta) from MSP to MCO.
If we were to drive, it'd be about 22-24 hours of actual drive time. That's two very LONG days (12+ hours) in a car.

3 hours on a plane is much better.

[edk35]

We fly. We drove once from MD about 7 years ago and decided to fly from that point forward. However I think if we ever did drive it, we would probably stop at HHI for a couple of days to break the trip up.

[jpolak]

2.5 hours on a plane wins over 24 hrs in a car everytime.

[gillep]

Fly!!! I just couldn't stand being in a car for 14 hours knowing that I could have flown there and been at WDW in under 2:sad2:

[maryloubsw]

Just wondering how many of you choose to drive vs. fly to the world. Prior to DVC our family of 4 always flew as we are about 1,000 miles away and don't mind not having a car there. Now that we are new members and anticipate yearly trips, I am considering if in the long run it makes more sense for us to start driving despite the long distance to save on years of airfare. Thanks for the input!

I have a 5 and 2 year old so its easier to fly, but once the 2 year old is older I wouldn't mind driving. Although, we live in PA so itsbasically a 2 day drive, and I wouldn't want to lose that time in DW!

[twinklebug]

Prices on SWA went up by about $30 over the weekend for our upcoming summer trip. If a good Ding! comes along we'll be flying, but if not driving is in the plans. It's shame as this trip would put me over into earning a free flight through credits - I always get so close but not quite.

Driving has a few bonuses: See the country (show the kids Charleston & see the cousins, some 'real' farms, the capital), Meet people, Leave Disney as late as we want, even hang out at a park all day & DS will love that he can finally buy a 'big toy' to bring home. (& the kiddo in me really wants a mickey balloon :rotfl:) Although I've been asked many times, bringing home fireworks are not in the plans as they're not legal here in MA (I did note however that even Walmart in FL sells sparklers and those are my favorites)

[DiznyMagic]

Every time we have gone we have flown and that has limited the amount of time we have gone back :-( . It would take us about 2 days or so plus hotel expenses so either way we are too far to experience the magic often...

[Harlemgirl720]

I used to fly. 2.5 hours but since my son all of a sudden doesn't want to fly, we take the Amtrak from NYC. Its around 23 hours. Don't mind. Load up on snacks, DVD players, movies, laptop and Ipod and we are good to go.:thumbsup2

[dmoore22]

We drive. We live 964 miles from WDW. The nearest airport is a 2 hour drive. Cost wise for our family of 8 it is much cheaper to drive. The family really enjoys the Civil War and Cherokee Nation sites along the way plus the scenery near the Smoky Mountains. Perhaps someday flying will be in our future, when we become empty nesters.

[loveswdw]

ALWAYS fly. 16 hours in a car with 2 kids? No savings there on my sanity or my pocketbook. If you're lucky, you can scrouge up a deal on airfare. We are flying NS RT from LEX to MCO in June for $605+ for the 4 of us. We couldn't drive that cheaply. So far, the most we've paid for airfare is around $1200 for the 4 of us but I wouldn't pay much more than that. We'd just not go probably.

2 hours on the plane vs. 16 hours in the car...no question about it for us. FLY.

[DenLo]

Once we retired vacation days were not a premium anymore so we now drive. It takes 16 hours which we usually split 11 - 5 in order to have lunch at WDW on day two. Then we shop at Downtown Disney stay at a nonDVC resort (Holiday Inn on Hotel Plaza Blvd. this last week) and checked into our DVC resort (BLT) for 7 nights and then back to the Hotel Plaza Blvd. resort to save points since we have to leave early in the morning for the drive home.

[PinkTink63]

There is no way I'm driving over 3,000 miles one way!! That is precious Disney time wasted in a car!:goodvibes

[bwvBound]

There is no way I'm driving over 3,000 miles one way!! So flying to WDW is out ... how about the shorter trip to DLR?

Edited: I'm thinking it is still easier to fly PDX<->LAX/SNA or nearby?

[PinkTink63]

So flying to WDW is out ... how about the shorter trip to DLR?

Edited: I'm thinking it is still easier to fly PDX<->LAX/SNA or nearby?

We fly to both. We have driven to DL a few times, but still prefer to fly.

[Nikisha421]

I dislike just about every aspect of driving...especially from NY to Orlando...too much driving that routw when I was a kid...so we always fly :smile:

[DVCGeek]

Oh, forgot to mention- took a Grayhound bus from OH to Orlando once. HATED it and cashed in the return ticket and bought the cheapest I could find to fly back because the money just didn't seem to matter relative to 30 hours on a bus!!! I also drove down with a group of people split across 2 cars in 2004 IIRC; that was a long drive. I sorta' blocked both of those out. Also used to drive when i was a kid growing up, but my parents usually split the trip up into two days driving I think. We started flying most of the time while I was still in school; might have been as far back as junior-high or late grade-school! :thumbsup2

[ShuisFan584]

No way would I ever drive! It would be a good 20+ hour drive from NJ to Disney. Even Boston which is only a 4 hour drive I had to fly to. I don't have the patience to sit in a car that long.

[southtexasmom]

We have always flown but for our upcoming trip in July we are driving for the first time. Our oldest is graduating from high school in May and he says this will be his last trip to Disney for a long time so I decided to drive to make the vacation last as long as possible.

[stitchsgrandpa]

We drive! It takes about 9 hours to drive from our home and we found it to be a relaxed drive. We did fly once it took us 12 hours an a lot of stress & baggage cost was to much to handle. My DW loves her shopping so we need room to bring things back home.

[homesick187]

We drive. 20 to 22 hours depending on traffic and weather. Straight through both ways. We try to take turns but I usually end up driving until i just can't anymore.