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??? 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!

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!

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
try not to fly out of ATL unless you are going to Hawaii

I am from Alpharetta

 

[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

 

[lenshanem]

Katie - that was pretty dang funny!!!

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

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.