Another fly or drive question...

[Aggiegrl]

Airfare is too expensive right now from DFW to MCO. We will have two 11 month olds, a 2.5 year old, and three adults traveling. Will be spending 6 nights at WDW.

I have two options that work out to be within $100 of each other (gas, tolls, baggage fees included).

1) Rent minivan from airport (45 minutes from home). Drive Dallas to WDW, one night in a hotel on the way there/back. Possible stop at Pensacola Beach.

2) Fly to Tampa on Spirit. 11 month olds would be lap babies ($350 more for seats). Tote 3 carseats, double stroller, and single stroller. Rent minivan, drive to WDW.

 

[goofy4tink]

Only you can decide what your time is worth. You are going to have to tote all that stuff either way. Not sure how long the flight is from DFW to Tampa, but 11 mo old kids are squirmy.

If you plan on adding in a fun stop along the way, in addition to WDW, then renting the car for the whole trip may be your best bet. But, it does take off 4 days of vacation for the drive there and back.

 

[seashoreCM]

Be sure to check for geographical restrictions before renting a car near home to drive to Disney. Could you drive your own car?

At your distance, driving can be your ace up your sleeve if fares don't go on sale or you miss the fare sale.

 

[Butterbunkins]

Be sure that you get unlimited miles out of state on that minivan. What I typically find is that anything larger than a full size car only has unlimited miles within the state.

Also check around for lower priced rentals. By me there are higher rates to rent near the airport due to convenience of air travelers, but I save a lot of money just renting in the suburbs near me. And I don't have to deal with the airport.

 

[Aggiegrl]

Be sure to check for geographical restrictions before renting a car near home to drive to Disney. Could you drive your own car?

At your distance, driving can be your ace up your sleeve if fares don't go on sale or you miss the fare sale.

Driving our own would be too tight on space with grandma coming. Someone would be in the front center bench seat in a truck. We really need a minivan to be comfortable.

This is with the sale fares. I'm getting ~$150 a person with Spirit to Tampa, no way we'll beat that! Airtran has been pulled from DFW, Southwest doesn't fly direct because of the Wright Ammendment, and American Airlines is just terrible. When Airtran pulled out their fares when from $200-250 to $350-500. Plus, they won't allow us to gate check a double stroller.

We flew Spirit in March to MCO and had one minor issue with customer service, but that could happen with any airline these days.

 

[Aggiegrl]

Be sure that you get unlimited miles out of state on that minivan. What I typically find is that anything larger than a full size car only has unlimited miles within the state.

Also check around for lower priced rentals. By me there are higher rates to rent near the airport due to convenience of air travelers, but I save a lot of money just renting in the suburbs near me. And I don't have to deal with the airport.

Can anyone tell me how to tell if there are geographical restrictions. I see it listed when I price an Enterprise rental, but not on National. It just lists the reservation as "unlimited miles."

I'm been feverishly checking rental prices. Right now with National I'm getting $475 for 10 days at the airport with the KLM and $ off coupon. Budget neighborhood is $480 with Costco code.

ETA-Sorry for not multi-quoting in one reply.

 

[lmbcdb]

Airfare is too expensive right now from DFW to MCO. We will have two 11 month olds, a 2.5 year old, and three adults traveling. Will be spending 6 nights at WDW.

I have two options that work out to be within $100 of each other (gas, tolls, baggage fees included).

1) Rent minivan from airport (45 minutes from home). Drive Dallas to WDW, one night in a hotel on the way there/back. Possible stop at Pensacola Beach.

2) Fly to Tampa on Spirit. 11 month olds would be lap babies ($350 more for seats). Tote 3 carseats, double stroller, and single stroller. Rent minivan, drive to WDW.

When are you going? Do you have time to watch Spirit for awhile? We are going in September from DFW. I watched them for about a month and signed up for their emails to watch fares from DFW. They emailed me about a 2 day special they were running and I got 4 seats, round trip to Orlando for $640. I had to join the Fare Club, but that $59 is included in the $640 I paid!

We drove on our second trip from Denton, stopping 1 night each way. (it was Christmas week, no airfares under $1400) Cost ended up being $600. Both trips were fine and free of tragedy, but I won't do it again. Way too wearing on you. I don't see how people drive straight through. End of the trip was the worst - having to leave DW and sit in the car for two days. Big downer.

If you have time to watch Spirit for awhile, I would. That or fly to Tampa. Dealing with the kids on your laps for a few hours (2 1/2?) is worth the trade off of driving that far. I would get one of those cheap luggage roller things and strap the car seats to them with bungee cords to roll through the airport. (they are like mini dollies). Also, I would bet good money there are shuttles from Tampa airport to DW. (like the super shuttle we have here?)

My kids were older (3 and 8) when we drove. I can't imagine doing it with 11 month olds. Just driving to Houston was a nightmare at that age.

 

[Aggiegrl]

When are you going? Do you have time to watch Spirit for awhile? We are going in September from DFW. I watched them for about a month and signed up for their emails to watch fares from DFW. They emailed me about a 2 day special they were running and I got 4 seats, round trip to Orlando for $640. I had to join the Fare Club, but that $59 is included in the $640 I paid!

We drove on our second trip from Denton, stopping 1 night each way. (it was Christmas week, no airfares under $1400) Cost ended up being $600. Both trips were fine and free of tragedy, but I won't do it again. Way too wearing on you. I don't see how people drive straight through. End of the trip was the worst - having to leave DW and sit in the car for two days. Big downer.

If you have time to watch Spirit for awhile, I would. That or fly to Tampa. Dealing with the kids on your laps for a few hours (2 1/2?) is worth the trade off of driving that far. I would get one of those cheap luggage roller things and strap the car seats to them with bungee cords to roll through the airport. (they are like mini dollies). Also, I would bet good money there are shuttles from Tampa airport to DW. (like the super shuttle we have here?)

My kids were older (3 and 8) when we drove. I can't imagine doing it with 11 month olds. Just driving to Houston was a nightmare at that age.

We're going the last week of September. Tampa is $68 each way right now, MCO is $119. I think we really need a car once there, so I don't see a whole lot of difference between the two airports.

Two babies means twice as much food, diapers, and wipes so being able to go to Walmart is almost necessary. We took my older child when he was 11 months and I remember the logistics of packing stuff and grocery delivery. We've always been Magical Express people but after a 2 hour arrival trip with a 2 year old in March, I've soured on it.

My kids are pretty good in the car (right now ) at 2-3 hour distances. I've never tried anything further.

 

[ccgirl]

Airfare is too expensive right now from DFW to MCO. We will have two 11 month olds, a 2.5 year old, and three adults traveling. Will be spending 6 nights at WDW.

I have two options that work out to be within $100 of each other (gas, tolls, baggage fees included).

1) Rent minivan from airport (45 minutes from home). Drive Dallas to WDW, one night in a hotel on the way there/back. Possible stop at Pensacola Beach.

2) Fly to Tampa on Spirit. 11 month olds would be lap babies ($350 more for seats). Tote 3 carseats, double stroller, and single stroller. Rent minivan, drive to WDW.

Keep in mind the fees Spirit charges. You even have to pay for a carryon, drinks on board etc. I believe they charge seat fees as well. Include all those fees in your total price.

 

[lmbcdb]

Keep in mind the fees Spirit charges. You even have to pay for a carryon, drinks on board etc. I believe they charge seat fees as well. Include all those fees in your total price.

Each person gets a personal item free - i.e. bag that can fit under the seat, diaper bag, etc. The seat fees are if you pick your seats. I just pay for two - $6 each or so, so that the 4yo can sit with an adult.

 

[lmbcdb]

We're going the last week of September. Tampa is $68 each way right now, MCO is $119. I think we really need a car once there, so I don't see a whole lot of difference between the two airports.

Two babies means twice as much food, diapers, and wipes so being able to go to Walmart is almost necessary. We took my older child when he was 11 months and I remember the logistics of packing stuff and grocery delivery. We've always been Magical Express people but after a 2 hour arrival trip with a 2 year old in March, I've soured on it.

My kids are pretty good in the car (right now ) at 2-3 hour distances. I've never tried anything further.

Have you thought about shipping to your resort? (diapers, wipes, baby food) We've never done it, but there are hundreds of threads out there about people who do.

We were going the last week of September, too, but I changed it to the 17th - 25th because of the fares. It's by the return date - Spirit is charging $19.78 for return flights on the 25th and 26th. (Fare Club)

 

[Aggiegrl]

Have you thought about shipping to your resort? (diapers, wipes, baby food) We've never done it, but there are hundreds of threads out there about people who do.

We were going the last week of September, too, but I changed it to the 17th - 25th because of the fares. It's by the return date - Spirit is charging $19.78 for return flights on the 25th and 26th. (Fare Club)

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it. I just looked and it looks like the return flight to DFW is always at 8:40 PM? I think we'll have to stick with Tampa and a noon return flight. My kids are "early to bed" types and a late flight is just asking for a meltdown.

 

[lmbcdb]

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it. I just looked and it looks like the return flight to DFW is always at 8:40 PM? I think we'll have to stick with Tampa and a noon return flight. My kids are "early to bed" types and a late flight is just asking for a meltdown.

No problem. Let me know what you figure out!

 

[lmbcdb]

Can't find a smiley that's a jealous face! I just saw that you are staying at AoA! Did you get free dining, too? I REALLY REALLY want to stay there, but we are going for 8 days and just can't find/justify the extra $1000. But, we are only 4 people compared to your 6. Seems like it will be perfect for your family!

 

[Aggiegrl]

Can't find a smiley that's a jealous face! I just saw that you are staying at AoA! Did you get free dining, too? I REALLY REALLY want to stay there, but we are going for 8 days and just can't find/justify the extra $1000. But, we are only 4 people compared to your 6. Seems like it will be perfect for your family!

It does seem perfect for us...we're very excited for AoA! Normally we'd rent points and get a villa, but this works out cheaper for us and AoA seems like it will be great for our kids.

My parents are traveling with us as well and he is retired military. The military rate is getting us 30% off at AoA. We'll also be using the military salute tickets. Since they are only 4 days, we'll have some extra resort time too...perfect for AoA's pool and splash area.

 

[lmbcdb]

Awesome deals! Maybe your dad could adopt me.