I was hoping you would comment Peg110... When I wrote this I should have been more specific I was looking for the total cost for gas. How much do you guys typically spend for gas for your trip?
See my biggest issue is, I have to get the trailer inspected, its my first time really taking a travel trailer anywhere. I have this huge fear of driving and a tire blowing out or something like that as well as I feel like it will take us so much longer to get down there.
We also got this idea to take my younger brother with us to help with the kids. I only thought of AoA because, 1. With DS Autism he needs space to run around in. 2. He loves cars and nemo right now.
But again I feel like I am just again missing out on the fort which will be four years in a row now lol. I know the fort will always be there but I just have dreamed of being there.
someone make up my mind for me lol
Our first trip to the Fort in 2012 was with our Ford F-150 towing our 27 foot TT (Coachman Capri). The truck itself normally (not towing) got about 15 - 18 MPG and upwards of 25 MPG on highway, so I estimated that we'd get about 10 MPG towing (long distance). With approximately 1000 miles one way, and gas prices higher I used an estimate of $5.00 per gallon (that's when gas at home was closing in on $4/gallon). Doing the math
- 1000 Miles @ 10 mpg = 100 gallons
- 100 gallons @ $5.00/gallon = $500 (each way)
So that made my round trip ~ $1000.00.
We "boondock" on our way down (Usually lower Virginia and then again just outside of the Orlando Area) so no camping costs along the way. Comparing to round trip tickets for 4 from Philly to Orlando at anywhere from $1200 - $2500 the drive is an easy choice for us.
Our trip numbers didn't quite pan out like I had hoped. Our F150 got more like 5.5 MPG (Ugh!) although it had no real issues towing. The price of gas however was MUCH lower and on average I want to say we were paying around $2.50 - $3.00/gallon, so it was still not too bad.
While maintenance on the truck wasn't an issue (it was actually fairly new) the TT was a 2005. We had it several times on local trips but this was the first long haul. All you can do is try and make sure it's up to par. Tires will go flat even on new ones. Batteries will die too. Chains break, etc... things happen and you cannot stop it. Common sense things will go a long way. Check the tires, rims, cables, batteries, lights, etc... Having Roadside assistance from AAA or better yet Good Sam (for RVers) is a good idea. We didn't have Good Sam but we didn't need it. I do have it now though. I actually have their insurance for our RV (It was actually the best price too). It's wise to have some extra money just in case there is an issue though. Even if it's a credit card that you don't want to use (maybe it's a high interest rate or whatever). I have also found that while nobody wants an issue in their travel, sometimes, it's those "Issues" that are most memorable and bring on fond memories. Of course not so much when they occur.
We have thought of the AoA in the past when they had Free Dining, but once you add everything up, the Fort (for us) is still a better option.
Flying 3 people from St Louis to MCO = $1205
(I just plugged in a Sat- following Sun flight on Southwest for mid-September)
Flying has never been a realistic option for us. I hate the 17-18 hour drive, but I'd rather have the extra $700-1000 to spend at WDW.
Does the $1205 include a vehicle rental? For us, even if we fly, we want a vehicle while we are there as we do non-disney stuff too. As far as the drive time, the funny thing is, is that we flew once from Philly. Our flight was scheduled for like 8 AM. We ended up going down the night before, staying in a hotel that allowed us to leave our vehicle in their lot during our trip (free of charge) and provided a shuttle to the airport. So there is also added $$$ (slightly more to stay in hotel versus the Long term parking at Philly Airport). You have check-in 2 hours before flight to get through all the security. (if you have excess baggage you have to pay MORE $$$$). Our flight got delayed and we didn't get out until after noon. Meals in the Airport add up to more $$$$, plus limited things to keep you entertained/occupied. Got on the plane, taxied out to the runway - we were like 8th in line.. (ugh) more delay, now stuck on plane. Finally got to MCO. By the time we got the shuttle to get to the Hertz rental place (it's not on the Airport property... We didn't know that ahead of time either), it was 10 PM at night.
So when we drive, we leave the night after work/school to get about 5 - 7 hours on the road (to really get below DC in off hours), and pull over for the night. Then we spend the next day driving almost to the Fort, and pull over for the night (we could make it the whole way but who wants to pay for a full day at the fort to pull in at 9 or 10 pm at night and THEN try and set up). Then we get up early the next morning..... less than 1 hour drive to Fort and check-in.
Plus the drive also has some sight seeing and entertainment on it's own too. Well at least for everyone else. I am stuck doing all the driving.
For us though, the savings are well worth extra time and minor aggravations.
... We live in PA and are towing a 2004 KZ Frontier with our 2014 Dodge ram. We have not taken it out yet and this will be our first trip with her. We have towed before but with other things. 
A lot can happen by Sept. - have my doubts it will go much lower though before starting its upward trend again - roller coaster!
