Atlanta and other short hop DVC'ers

[doubletrouble_vb]

Do you ever choose flying or bus over driving? If so how does it work for you.

[bongo59]

double if i lived in tampa i would figure out how to fly to orlando..........i am a flyer always...........and i hate driving anywhere over 15 minutes..........i do however rent cars when i am down there because much like flying it is more convienent and saves us a ton of time while down there

[Lesley]

We could get reasonable airfares from Columbia with Independence Air.....but we still prefer to drive as those reasonable fares add up when you need 5 tickets. Dh and I did discuss the possibility of flying if just the two of us were to go to WDW....but we also think the 6-7 hour drive alone together and having a car at WDW would be very nice...so we'd probably drive even then.

[kweaver]

Are you kidding? Have you ever been to Hartsfield (ooops...Hartsfield-Jackson airport)? What a nightmare.

Flying =
~10 min Let DH load car

~10 min Reload car yourself so that everything will fit.

~45 min Drive to airport (non rush hour).

~20 min Park the car. Pay $50 for your new van to sit in the elements and get scratched by some idiot. You still have to take the shuttle to the airport.

~30 min Check bags...line for skycap is 10 deep. Inside lines are longer. Pray that the skycap puts the right stickers on your luggage (BTDT). Airport police are screaming at everyone. Be careful...they WILL *take you down* if you are rude back to them!

~ 0 min Get boarding passes...holy cow, you remembered to print them at home! Voila! Ooops! The little guy colored all over them in the car. Detour: 15 min

~30 min Go through the dreaded security line. Two adults, three kids, 5 carry ons, one jogging stroller. Must go to the *special* line because of the stroller. This is a bonus though...only 30 min instead of 45! Ooops, stroller set off a red flag, so Mom must go behind the curtain to get "wanded". Add additional 10 minutes

~30 min (if you are lucky!) Wait at gate. Chase kids around terminal. Try to get them to stop licking the windows as they watch the planes outside. Make two trips to the snack bar, one to the newsstand and two trips to the restroom (but never actually get to use the restroom yourself...which means you will have to go on the plane...ewwww!).

~30 min Board plane. Gate check stroller. Sit at gate for 15 min. The pilot comes over the PA with his cheery voice to let you know that we are number 22 in line for takeoff. Add 15 min. Plus side: Kids are mesmerized by the plane. They actually sit still and stare out the window. Use anti bacterial wipes on all surfaces. You don't want to get sick at Disney, right? DH looks at you like you're nuts and declines a wipe.

~70 min (I'm guessing here) Fly to Orlando. Apologize profusely to the people in front of you after your 4yo kicks their seat for the 13th time. You make a mental note to bring duct tape on next flight, but then wonder whether you will be flagged as a potential terrorist if you actually use it. Kids spill Sprite all over your (white) shorts. Vow to never let them drink anything ever again. Buy yourself an adult beverage and keep repeating "I will make it through this".

~5 min Deplane. Find your now mangled stroller at the gate check. Argue with the attendent about reimbursing your loss. Give up and put on a happy face, you're in Florida!

~30 min Find baggage claim and look for bags. Pull boys off the conveyor. Watch every kid in the immediate area to make sure they don't stick their fingers in there. Watch every black suitcase that comes out. Never find yours. You know the one. It has the little purple strap on it from the luggage tag that broke 4 years ago. Make mental note to buy neon orange luggage next time. Wait at the baggage counter until the black bag shows up with all of the golf clubs. ???

~60min Get in the towncar. Everything's cool because you got a good recommendation. Kids break the power windows because they are fighting over the buttons. You have a grocery stop, but you make the mistake of sending DH in for it and he gets stuck in the beer aisle. You beg the driver to stop at at Target so you can buy a new stroller! He'll do it and it will cost the equivalent of one nice dinner for five at WDW. You cringe and do it anyway!

~You finally arrive at the resort, you walk hand in hand with DH to check in. Life is good! You so exhausted that you miss the entire first day. You come down with a stomach virus on day two...and wonder where it came from. Then you remember holding hands with your non-wiping DH, bacteria and all!

Driving = 7 hours in a van, cooler full of snacks between the seats, bag of bribery presents in Mom's lap, XM radio for the adults, your entire kids DVD collection in the bin, wireless headphones for each of the kids (with about 14 extra packages of batteries). Two gas/potty breaks and we're at the resort! Downside = no adult beverages! ;)

I'll take it any day!

[Disneyaholic]

Katie:

I know you live in Cobb County too -- how the heck do you make it to Orlando in SEVEN hours??? :worship: If that were us, we'd have to factor in at least another two hours for all the times we'd be sure to get stopped for speeding! ;)

For us, if it's just DH and me, we will usually fly -- just easier. When we're able to take the kids with us (less often because of school schedules and activities!) we'll drive.

[CarolA]

I was howling at Katie. As a single person I fly every week (and lately most of that has been to Hartsfield) I guess kids are the big difference, because my experience is that I would fly ANY day over drive.

[spiceycat]

Katie - I am with you.

I use to fly - SW (my favorite), Delta, AA, NW (the only one to allow my cats in the cabin with me - and boy does that cost)

but I really prefer to drive -it is a control thing in my case.

When I drive I have total control. When I fly someone else is in control....

it take me anywhere from 9 to 12 hours to drive to OKW. the difference rest stops - for my mother and Spicey. If Spicey gets out of the car that means at least a 20 min stop. do that 8 times. Plus the meals.

I now try to leave when they are both asleep - like between midnight and 4 am - and I get there quicker. Around 10 hours. Mother can't stop me for any meals until breakfast around 9 am.

[kweaver]

7 hours...I let DH drive! It might be a bit over 7 hours...but I'm sure it was pretty close to that last time. We are usually up very early and out the door. I'm not even going to bring up that police/speed/ticket thing...because I might jinx us for next time! Sometimes we stop for lunch...but I get tired of paying for food that the kids don't eat (for whatever reason). Most of the time I pack some sandwiches and fruit in the car. The kids and I always make homemade cookies so they know they have a treat. Oh yeah...no bribe presents here either...I'm the mean mom! :smooth:

FWIW...my kids are actually pretty amazing little travelers. I took them across the country to WA State by myself this summer (I wanted an extended stay to visit family and DH came out for a week to join us...darned lack of vacation time). I dreaded that whole scenario posted above...and to my surprise they did great! Unfortunately, I was completely sick of my family by the end of the FIRST week! :rolleyes1 :eek:

I do avoid Hartsfield, if I can. I understand the security and everything...just think it can be done much better. I waited in the security line for over 45 min in December. It does take us almost as long to drive to the aiport, check in, wait for the flight, fly to Orlando, claim the bags, get the rental car, get to the resort.

The cost does add up...even at $113 (plus taxes and junk fees) per ticket. We'd want a rental car on top of that. I just can't justify it.

[lllovell]

We live in Jonesboro (pretty close to next door to the airport for those that dont know Atlanta) and it is STILL too much of a hassle to fly for us all when you factor in time and expense. 4 tickets X $$$ is still a lot even when Airtran/Delta get into a "we are cheaper" battle. Then a rental car (or transportation costs). Then the time to get from the airport to the hotel, etc.

It takes us about 7 hours to get back from WDW, closer to 6 to get down. We are more tired on the way back and I tend to stop at a more full service restaurant to give everyone a road break. This next trip (woohoo! 8 days) we are going to pack the car the night before, slip the boys in to the car about 5 am in their jammies and plan on being AT the parks by noon :).

I will let you know how it goes lol

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

I live in Newnan (45 miles south of Atlanta). We've always driven and can make it in 7 to 7.50 hours...with one stop for gas, stretching, in Valdosta. Since my son is 16, he can now help drive and it is an easy trip I would like to fly down sometime - maybe when I take a solo trip down the road.

[Tooneric]

We flew for the first few trips on Southwest. No assigned seating with kids too old to get you on the plane first, but too young to be brave enough to sit alone made for a couple of stressful trips. The trip from doorstep to doorstep was about 6 hours, considering parking, security, etc.

Now we drive - around 10 hours in a Suburban for 4 of us. It takes longer but we save a bit of money and don't have all the airport hassles. Plus we are starting to use our car while we're there sometimes. And we bring more stuff. I'm not sure that's a plus!

[bongo59]

toon.........i just noticed youre from the big easy........we are coming down the weekend before fat tuesday and are leaving on the lundi gras for a cruise with 30 family members who live in new orleans too............i think we will hit ernst cafe for bacchus!!!!

[debbiedoo]

Are you kidding? Have you ever been to Hartsfield (ooops...Hartsfield-Jackson airport)? What a nightmare.

Flying =
~10 min Let DH load car

~10 min Reload car yourself so that everything will fit.

~45 min Drive to airport (non rush hour).

~20 min Park the car. Pay $50 for your new van to sit in the elements and get scratched by some idiot. You still have to take the shuttle to the airport.

~30 min Check bags...line for skycap is 10 deep. Inside lines are longer. Pray that the skycap puts the right stickers on your luggage (BTDT). Airport police are screaming at everyone. Be careful...they WILL *take you down* if you are rude back to them!

~ 0 min Get boarding passes...holy cow, you remembered to print them at home! Voila! Ooops! The little guy colored all over them in the car. Detour: 15 min

~30 min Go through the dreaded security line. Two adults, three kids, 5 carry ons, one jogging stroller. Must go to the *special* line because of the stroller. This is a bonus though...only 30 min instead of 45! Ooops, stroller set off a red flag, so Mom must go behind the curtain to get "wanded". Add additional 10 minutes

~30 min (if you are lucky!) Wait at gate. Chase kids around terminal. Try to get them to stop licking the windows as they watch the planes outside. Make two trips to the snack bar, one to the newsstand and two trips to the restroom (but never actually get to use the restroom yourself...which means you will have to go on the plane...ewwww!).

~30 min Board plane. Gate check stroller. Sit at gate for 15 min. The pilot comes over the PA with his cheery voice to let you know that we are number 22 in line for takeoff. Add 15 min. Plus side: Kids are mesmerized by the plane. They actually sit still and stare out the window. Use anti bacterial wipes on all surfaces. You don't want to get sick at Disney, right? DH looks at you like you're nuts and declines a wipe.

~70 min (I'm guessing here) Fly to Orlando. Apologize profusely to the people in front of you after your 4yo kicks their seat for the 13th time. You make a mental note to bring duct tape on next flight, but then wonder whether you will be flagged as a potential terrorist if you actually use it. Kids spill Sprite all over your (white) shorts. Vow to never let them drink anything ever again. Buy yourself an adult beverage and keep repeating "I will make it through this".

~5 min Deplane. Find your now mangled stroller at the gate check. Argue with the attendent about reimbursing your loss. Give up and put on a happy face, you're in Florida!

~30 min Find baggage claim and look for bags. Pull boys off the conveyor. Watch every kid in the immediate area to make sure they don't stick their fingers in there. Watch every black suitcase that comes out. Never find yours. You know the one. It has the little purple strap on it from the luggage tag that broke 4 years ago. Make mental note to buy neon orange luggage next time. Wait at the baggage counter until the black bag shows up with all of the golf clubs. ???

~60min Get in the towncar. Everything's cool because you got a good recommendation. Kids break the power windows because they are fighting over the buttons. You have a grocery stop, but you make the mistake of sending DH in for it and he gets stuck in the beer aisle. You beg the driver to stop at at Target so you can buy a new stroller! He'll do it and it will cost the equivalent of one nice dinner for five at WDW. You cringe and do it anyway!

~You finally arrive at the resort, you walk hand in hand with DH to check in. Life is good! You so exhausted that you miss the entire first day. You come down with a stomach virus on day two...and wonder where it came from. Then you remember holding hands with your non-wiping DH, bacteria and all!

Driving = 7 hours in a van, cooler full of snacks between the seats, bag of bribery presents in Mom's lap, XM radio for the adults, your entire kids DVD collection in the bin, wireless headphones for each of the kids (with about 14 extra packages of batteries). Two gas/potty breaks and we're at the resort! Downside = no adult beverages! ;)

I'll take it any day!




I love your post. . . and you are to a "T"!!!! you made me laugh :rotfl2:
try not to fly out of ATL :rotfl2: unless you are going to Hawaii :sunny:

I am from Alpharetta :wave2:

[ksoehrlein]

Katie -- your post cracked me up. Too true! We are about 11 hours away by car and have yet to fly in to WDW. In fact, we haven't been brave enough to fly anywhere with 2 children. The last time we flew somewhere else with DD (she was 3 at the time, I think), we said "Never again!"

Even when I'm the only adult, we drive. Flying as the only adult is so much scarier than just about anything that could happen on the road (accidents nonwithstanding). People without small kids just don't get that and are always stunned that I don't agree when they say how much easier it would have been to fly!

[Kewz1]

We live in Huntsville, AL and it takes us about 11 hours. The weird part is we drive north to Chattanooga first and then go south on 75 -- that gets us to Atlanta in aout 3 hours instead of the usual 4 or so.

We prefer driving because we like to have our own car. Also, we take my dog to my parents instead of kenneling her. Driving just works better for us.

Kristen :earsgirl:

[lenshanem]

Katie - that was pretty dang funny!!! :rotfl:

I agree with everything you say. It really isn't worth it and by the time you add up everything you mentioned you really wouldn't be coming that much on top anyway.

We flew to Orlando numerous times before kids and 9/11 and it was rather quick. But, those days are long gone...

[lsutigger2]

Drive or fly is determined by how many days we'll be at WDW.

For trips of 8-9 days nights we usually drive. We're about 11-12 hours away. Then we have the car to use while there.

For shorter trips, don't want to "waste" a day driving so we fly and rent a car. DH wouldn't know what to do without one.

[BuzzandWoody]

Even if the fares were low, and still not cheaper than flying time saved isn't significant enough.
Gotta love the xm radio, dvd player and sandwhiches on the way. We enjoy seeing the signs on the way down. We know we're getting closer!

Just fill up with gas way before you get to the FL line. What's up with the high prices down there. What a rip
We live between Atl and Athens. Takes us bout 7 hours, avg.

For those going spring break week, wave if you see us in our orange avalanche, mickey ears anteana topper

[lllovell]

Florida doesn't have a state income tax, simply a sales tax on just about everything (which seems fair in some lights when you think about the fact that only people that are "using" are getting taxed, etc. but it has flaws too.)

We always fill up before the line as well and honestly, the Hess stations on property are usually reasonably priced compared to what you will find right off property (which surprised me lol).

[Dean]

We live in Huntsville, AL and it takes us about 11 hours. The weird part is we drive north to Chattanooga first and then go south on 75 -- that gets us to Atlanta in aout 3 hours instead of the usual 4 or so.

We prefer driving because we like to have our own car. Also, we take my dog to my parents instead of kenneling her. Driving just works better for us.

Kristen :earsgirl:I would think both the easiest and quickest way from Huntsville to Orlando to be South on 65, 231 to I 10, somewhere around 9-9.5 hours driving time depending on specifics. LIkely a full hour savings over going through Atlanta even if you don't hit rush hour in ATL or Macon and a lot less stressful.

[kellydizfan]

I would love to live that close to drive - we are looking at moving to GA over the summer before our kids start school - I would drive everytime as the cost for 5 of us would not pay! Gas prices are still cheaper in Orlando than here in NY - sometimes not by much but still cheaper.

[WithDisneySpirit]

Huntsville is not in the path of I65, Decatur is. It takes us at least an hour and a half to get to H'ville from Birmingham and that is by way of I65. They still might save a little time that way, but it sounds like they drive to drop their dog somewhere too :confused3 My DH maintains that we save time by going to Atlanta first too. It doesn't save miles but there are less lights and two lane.

Lisa :flower:

[Dean]

Huntsville is not in the path of I65, Decatur is. It takes us at least an hour and a half to get to H'ville from Birmingham and that is by way of I65. They still might save a little time that way, but it sounds like they drive to drop their dog somewhere too :confused3 My DH maintains that we save time by going to Atlanta first too. It doesn't save miles but there are less lights and two lane.

Lisa :flower:I guess it depends on where you start in Huntsville but I can confirm that one can drive to Orlando in 9.5 hours and be very reasonable with the speed limits going the route I mentioned. But you have to know how to get through Montgomery to make it work. I'd do almost anything to avoid driving through ATL during anything that resembles rush hour.

[Tooneric]

toon.........i just noticed youre from the big easy........we are coming down the weekend before fat tuesday and are leaving on the lundi gras for a cruise with 30 family members who live in new orleans too............i think we will hit ernst cafe for bacchus!!!!

That sounds like fun! I'm looking out of my 10th floor window at a beautiful cruise ship right now. I know of quite a few people from here who take cruises during Mardi Gras, and quite a few like me that do WDW.

Ernst Cafe is a great spot for Bacchus. We'll be gone by then, but will be parading this weekend. DS is marching in his first parade Sunday. And I get to chaperone the band since DW is nervous about her 13yo baby in a parade.

[kweaver]

Katie - that was pretty dang funny!!! :rotfl:

I agree with everything you say. It really isn't worth it and by the time you add up everything you mentioned you really wouldn't be coming that much on top anyway.

We flew to Orlando numerous times before kids and 9/11 and it was rather quick. But, those days are long gone...

If it's just the two of us, we usually fly. When that happens, it's usually business for DH...so his ticket (and sometimes mine) is paid for...so it's a no brainer.

We enjoy having all of that time in the car to talk...life is so busy the rest of the time!

[Lesley]

Katie, your post is exactly how we feel about flying with the kids! LOL

I find it really weird that it takes the same amount of time or longer to get to WDW from Atlanta as it does from Columbia. I guess easy access to I95 makes it fast for us.

[lenshanem]

Good thing we leave next weekend instead of this one with all the ice on the roads!

[deerh]

Hi,
We always drive to Orlando and live in Roswell/Woodstock area. It takes us 7.5-8hrs to drive. Our kids are older (15),(11), so we put them in the Expedition with the DVD player with LOTS of movies, and it is like they are NOT there!! My 15 year old listens to music, sleeps, so it is not a problem.

When the kids were younger, we flew almost all the time, (I can remeber when RT air to MCO was $88!!!) Those days are long gone, and it is too expensive to fly now, as the air is $150+RT now!! That is $600 we can use at WDW!!!

DeerH

[mckryan]

I live in Newnan (45 miles south of Atlanta). We've always driven and can make it in 7 to 7.50 hours...with one stop for gas, stretching, in Valdosta. Since my son is 16, he can now help drive and it is an easy trip I would like to fly down sometime - maybe when I take a solo trip down the road.

Do you drive a small 4 door car? I live in Newnan, too, and I saw a car with a DVC license plate on the front! I have a DVC sticker on the back window of my Yukon.

How do you go to FL? The last time we went 16 over to 75, and it was much easier than going around 285 to 75.

[Kewz1]

I would think both the easiest and quickest way from Huntsville to Orlando to be South on 65, 231 to I 10, somewhere around 9-9.5 hours driving time depending on specifics. LIkely a full hour savings over going through Atlanta even if you don't hit rush hour in ATL or Macon and a lot less stressful.

We've tried it that way and it was not quicker. We've actually tried a few ways and straight down 75 through Atlanta works quickest for us. You do have to time the rush hour thing though. Thanks!

Kristen :earsgirl:

[cinderminnie]

We also live in the Atlanta area in Woodstock and I can soooo relate to Katie's post on flying with children. Flew to AZ at Thanksgiving with DD 7, DD 2, DH, DM, and DF. Four words - NOT FUN! Never again! :crowded:
We have drove each time to WDW and will continue to do so thru the years because of the control of leaving on or off time (dh is always 15-30 min late), being together, watching our favorite Disney DVDs on the DVD player, listening to Disney music ("welcome to our family time") and it just fits our schedule. We leave early in the morning and we are there by check in time. We then head to Downtown Disney to eat at Fulton Crab House and shop at the World of Disney. Finish with ice cream and head back to room to snooze. The traveling of 6.5-7 hours is worth it to get to see that magical place, I think.

[Disneyaholic]

WOW!!! I am seeing a lot of Atlanta-area DIS-ers on here that I don't know if I've ever seen before! (Or at least not realized that they're from the Atlanta area...)

What ever happened to the DISmeet we were thinking about for after the first of the year??? Anybody game????

[lenshanem]

I'd go to a meet. :sunny:

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

We are from NC & drive! We split it into 2 days. I'm in wheelchair & its easier to take our van.

Allison

[debbiedoo]

Would love to meet up!! Now that the holidays are over. .. . .where would we all like to meet?????

[poohj80]

We live in Huntsville, AL and it takes us about 11 hours.
Hey Neighbor! Do we need to have a Rocket City DVC meet? ;)

We usually drive too (even though we now have direct flights to Orlando) and it usually takes us 9.5-10 hours. 7 hours from Atlanta sounds about right depending on road construction on I-75 south of Atlanta.

I would think both the easiest and quickest way from Huntsville to Orlando to be South on 65, 231 to I 10, somewhere around 9-9.5 hours driving time depending on specifics.

Actually Dean, that is even longer than Kristen's way. We go HWY 431 south to I-20 then over to Atlanta and take the bypass to I-75. It only takes us 3 hours to Atlanta this way.

I also have to echo the wonders of technology as XM Radio and portable DVD players make any drive SO much easier!

[Kewz1]

[QUOTE=poohj80]Hey Neighbor! Do we need to have a Rocket City DVC meet? ;)


That would be fun! Are there any other northern AL DVCers?? We could always go over and crash the Atlanta meet! :earboy2:

Kristen :earsgirl:

[poohj80]

That would be fun! Are there any other northern AL DVCers??
There's at least one other in town as she works across the hall from me and is the reason we became members in the first place. ;)

[doubletrouble_vb]

Glad to see my thread is yielding some side benefits. I can see where traveling with two or more people it just wouldn't be cost effective to fly. However with just me it takes somewhere between 6.5 and 7 hours. I can drive five hours on my own easily (did it a lot from North Jersey to Vermont) but the extra 2 hours especially in daylight is a bit of a killer.

I've never had a problem navigating Hartsfield...especially once I figured out I can just take MARTA to the airport. But I guess I can see that flying would only save me an hour or two. Plus its annoying that it costs the same to fly to MCO from ATL as it does from EWR.

Oh I tried the leave at 4AM get to Disney by Noon thing. It left me somewhat out of it once I got there and checked in etc. I'll probably do it again while I've got an AP but won't waste a days pass that way in the future.

Sooo...any bus people? I'm surprised no one has come up with an Express bus from Atlanta to Disney. There were plenty of those from NYMetro up to various ski resorts or down to Atlantic City.

Maybe I should go into that business....the Pixie Dust Express.

[lllovell]

I would LOVE to be able to ride on a bus straight from somewhere in Atlanta all the way down. That is one of my concerns about flying as well - transportation to Disney itself. I know they have the new program in place (starting with the celebration) where you can get from the airport to WDW free along with your luggage, but right now, it would cost a lot of my family of 4 to get there.

We are also spoiled by the fact that we have ALWAYS had our car on property. I am sure I could get by without it, but it is just so much nicer to me to hop in the car and jump from the hotels to the parks (with possibly the exception of MK - but for now, we HAVE to ride the monorail or my sons flip OUT). Its a bit of a hike from the bus terminals as it is, so I am not sure you are saving all that much and I NEVER have to wait to walk out of the hotel and get into my car.