2 young dd's... we were driving... maybe we can fly?

[mommy2paris]

We normally fly from BWI to MCO when visiting Disney.
Prices were really high this year, so we had pretty much decided to drive, and had started our "travel" planning...


Now, I have noticed a drop in air fare, and we have a few more options...

1.Original plan of driving our vehicle of choice $583 in gas, approx $140 for hotel there & back. (Not sure of tolls, so I won't figure that in...) = $723

2. Driving our smaller vehicle, not 1st choice, but better on gas $350 & $140 for hotels. =$490

3. Current prices on Southwest, for 4 tickets $708, rental car $160 = $868

4. Purchase only 3 tickest now on Southwest, as youngest dd is under 2. $531 & $160 for rental car = $691.

Purchasing only the 3 tickets leaves us a few options... Hoping for a ding between now & then, and we can use the credits to put towards her ticket, or hope for an available seat that she can use. I did speak to a southwest agent yesterday, and was told that we can still have her as a lap baby, board with her car seat, and use it if there are available seats. If not, they will gate check it for us, along with our stroller.
It is not likely that we will be taking another trip in the next 12 months, and in the past we have lost our credits, b/c they did not get used in time.

Worst case scenario, flight is full, no ding, and she is in our laps. Has anyone done this with a 22 month old? How did it go?

I know that this can be a heated topic, and I wasn't trying to start an upset discussion,lol. I was just wondering if you guys were in our shoes, what looks like the best option.

Thanks for your help!

(I posted this on the transportation board as well, but I was thinking I might get some more input from people who have done it both ways with little ones!)

 

[imthatgirl]

i would soooo fly!!! but i think i would get the 4 seats. im not a big fan of cramped spaces so id want the child in her own seat.
i also think you should look around at car prices. $160 is high for a rental. well, what kind of car are you getting and for how many days? i think for 4 people you could get a compact. but i guess the number of days makes a difference.
we were there last month and got a full size for 7 days with car seat and all the fees and it cost us $144.

 

[mommy2paris]

Thanks! I'm leaning towards flying also.
Our rental car is for 8 days, full size, with walmart discount code & $25 coupon.
We definetely need the full size as I want 4 doors, we have 2 large car seats, and a double stroller that must fit in the trunk.
The price feels high for me too... several weeks ago it was over $200 though, and now includes that new "facility charge".
I'm hoping the price drops some as it gets closer. Last year, the same car was just under $100 for us for 8 days.

 

[Darcy03231]

With those numbers I would definintely fly and get 4 seats. Think about having to hold a 22 mo on you lap if you hit turbulence. I wouldn't want to do it!

 

[aschlau]

I did speak to a southwest agent yesterday, and was told that we can still have her as a lap baby, board with her car seat, and use it if there are available seats. If not, they will gate check it for us, along with our stroller.


Worst case scenario, flight is full, no ding, and she is in our laps. Has anyone done this with a 22 month old? How did it go?

QUOTE]


I DO that all the time. I count on the fact that Southwest is rarely full and have been able to bring her car seat on %75 of the time. We fly a lot so every little bit helps when is comes to travel expenses. That's one of the main reasons we fly southwest..atleast until she turns 2 in December then we will fly any airline. I do normally fly by myself with my daughter and have no other children. I dont know if I had 2 kids I would do the same... it would depend on well the other one flies.

Hope this helps!

 

[mommy2paris]

Thanks!
We are also on a budget, and every $ helps!
It will be myself, dh, dd 3yr 10months, and dd 1yr 10months.
They have both flown before and did pretty well.
Our last flight they were both ticketed, and stayed in their car seats the entire flight.

Our oldest dd's 1st flight, we flew with her as a lap child. One leg of the trip we were able to use an extra seat w/car seat, free of charge. Coming home, the flight was full, and we held her. Luckily, she slept in our lap almost the entire way home!

 

[Captain_Hook]

We were in the same position (driving v. flying) and we finally decided to fly. The decision was basically made because SWA finally released the $78 one-way fares from BWI to MCO.

Just a thought -- do you really need to rent a car? I don't know if you planned on doing alot off property, but if not, you could save that money and just take magical express......

 

[abdmom]

Definitely fly. It's safer than driving.