1st DVC Stay: Fly or Drive - Help me Decide!

[Judique]

We are so excited to have recently become DVC members and have booked a split stay (which we've never done before) with 4 nights at BCV 1Bdr followed by 4 nights at OKW 1Bdr in May. We will be going from a Sat to Sun.

While we have been to Orlando several times over the last 20 years, we've never flown and have always driven the 8.5-9 hours from AL. I am contemplating flying but having a hard time selling my husband on it! To me, the pros would be being less tired after taking a direct flight, saving $ due to rising gas prices, and less stress in general due to driving (due to thunderstorms/tornadoes, etc.).

My husband is concerned about no more ME, packing bigger items like an air mattress if we fly, and getting delayed/cancelled flights. He also likes having a car when we're at Disney in case we want to drive instead of taking buses.
I should also mention we are a party of 4 with 2 sons - 1 in college and 1 in high school, so no strollers for us. We are taking an air mattress so that our sons don't have to sleep in the same bed at BCV.

Any advice/thoughts I haven't considered? TIA!!

Congratulations and Welcome Home!

Your drive is really a piece of cake for many people and one where you don't really save 'that much' time by flying. Your husband is on it and has the correct mindset for your situation. I 'wish' my trip was in the 500 mile range! Once it starts to climb to 12-14 hours, then flying is probably not cheaper, but preferable time wise.

However, throw in a holiday week, or weekend and all bets are off! Both air travel and road travel can fail you then.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[AdamsMum]

I've a 24 hour drive away. We used to drive every time (with an overnight stay on route). Then I went from we to I (marriage broke up; kids grew up), and I think it's a bit risky to drive that distance alone. If I could drive, I would. The convenience of having my own car is huge for me: shopping/dining off site, ability to go to the beach or other activities, drive to a store for beer/wine. We didn't use our car to drive to the parks very often, Disney transportation is pretty good, and as others have said, no parking lot trams. Also I've stayed at Old Key West, and regretted not having a car. Even a rental car causes me stress. My own car is much preferable.

 

[FinallyFL]

I vote drive. I just flew today and was stuck for 2.5 hours next to someone who spent the entire flight coughing. I am fully vaccinated but it was still uncomfortable. I plan to cancel my Christmas flights and just drive between D.C. and Orlando.

 

[eandt]

I've a 24 hour drive away. We used to drive every time (with an overnight stay on route). Then I went from we to I (marriage broke up; kids grew up), and I think it's a bit risky to drive that distance alone. If I could drive, I would. The convenience of having my own car is huge for me: shopping/dining off site, ability to go to the beach or other activities, drive to a store for beer/wine. We didn't use our car to drive to the parks very often, Disney transportation is pretty good, and as others have said, no parking lot trams. Also I've stayed at Old Key West, and regretted not having a car. Even a rental car causes me stress. My own car is much preferable.

We are 16 hours away and drive. Sometimes we make a stop but most times we just do it straight through. We take a lot of stuff (I prepare for virtually every cicumstance) but the thing that saves the most money and makes it worth it to me is that you can bring your own water, snacks, and booze. We don't cook on vacation but if we did that would make it even more beneficial. On our trip a few weeks ago we took more than 100 bottles of water, a case of beer/seltzers, several bottles of liquor/mixers/garnishes for cocktails, plus various snack foods. Not much of it made the return trip home. Still spent a bunch on food/drink but being able to bring what we wanted definitely reduced our bar bill significantly.

 

[Artemis Fowl]

We are 16 hours away and drive. Sometimes we make a stop but most times we just do it straight through. We take a lot of stuff (I prepare for virtually every cicumstance) but the thing that saves the most money and makes it worth it to me is that you can bring your own water, snacks, and booze. We don't cook on vacation but if we did that would make it even more beneficial. On our trip a few weeks ago we took more than 100 bottles of water, a case of beer/seltzers, several bottles of liquor/mixers/garnishes for cocktails, plus various snack foods. Not much of it made the return trip home. Still spent a bunch on food/drink but being able to bring what we wanted definitely reduced our bar bill significantly.

I'm about as far of a drive as you and sounds like I'd pack the same stuff. I struggle with deciding to lose 2-1/2 days of the vacation driving. I've got enough points to book a DVC stay for a Saturday through the following Sunday and I have a hard time deciding to lose a 1-1/4 days on both ends to drive. How long are your trips? Are you retired?
I don't mind the driving and while I don't like spending $1500 (plus another $150 to get from MCO to WDW) for my family of four to have round trip airfare I can afford it. Does losing that time factor into your decision?

 

[eandt]

I'm about as far of a drive as you and sounds like I'd pack the same stuff. I struggle with deciding to lose 2-1/2 days of the vacation driving. I've got enough points to book a DVC stay for a Saturday through the following Sunday and I have a hard time deciding to lose a 1-1/4 days on both ends to drive. How long are your trips? Are you retired?
I don't mind the driving and while I don't like spending $1500 (plus another $150 to get from MCO to WDW) for my family of four to have round trip airfare I can afford it. Does losing that time factor into your decision?

We have driven more than 30 times over the past 25 years or so, one year we drove down 4 times. We did this with 2 kids on most trips starting when they were toddlers, as they got older they would usually each bring a friend. I used to drive it straight through and time it to just check in at our Disney hotel (we just recently bought into DVC) but now we just wing it. We drive as far as we feel comfortable doing which sometimes is still the whole way to Lake Buena Vista but if not we just find a quality hotel at an easy off/on exit and pick the drive up the next AM. This past trip we had planned to stop in SC/GA but felt good and kept going and we actually were able to pick up a value studio at AKL for the night on the way. I don't recall ever stopping on the way home but perhaps we have on a trip or two idk. Having the car to take what you want or go get what you may need is invaluable to me.

 

[eandt]

Duplicate

 

[Artemis Fowl]

We have driven more than 30 times over the past 25 years or so, one year we drove down 4 times. We did this with 2 kids on most trips starting when they were toddlers, as they got older they would usually each bring a friend. I used to drive it straight through and time it to just check in at our Disney hotel (we just recently bought into DVC) but now we just wing it. We drive as far as we feel comfortable doing which sometimes is still the whole way to Lake Buena Vista but if not we just find a quality hotel at an easy off/on exit and pick the drive up the next AM. This past trip we had planned to stop in SC/GA but felt good and kept going and we actually were able to pick up a value studio at AKL for the night on the way. I don't recall ever stopping on the way home but perhaps we have on a trip or two idk. Having the car to take what you want or go get what you may need is invaluable to me.

And how many days are your typical stays?

 

[eandt]

And how many days are your typical stays?

We actually stay on property 6-8 nights so with travel we are away from home 7-9 days.

 

[AdamsMum]

Any advice/thoughts I haven't considered? TIA!!

For me, I'd do the drive. We used to drive 22-24 hours. It was long but the value of having my own car on site was worth it. We could have flown and rented a car but I'm always worried about damages to the rental. I really like having a car to shop and dine off site. Sometimes I need a break from the Disney bubble. I mostly use the Disney transportation to do stuff onsite. Also in my own car I don't need to worry about stuff fitting into my luggage. You can always cram something into a corner of the car.