Can't decide between Driving, flying,or train.

[jondvl]

We are planning a trip for May sometime or August. We can't decide which way to go to get there. Driving will be the cheapest, but DW does not like driving on major highways so I would be the only one driving. Also I had back surgery 2years ago and it still gives me problems when I sit to drive for to long so we would make lots of stops for me and the kids. If we take a train down it would be about $400 cheaper then flying(I checked it against other dates because our dates are not released yet). The only problem with flying is we would have to get to our resort. Does WDW offer anything from the train station? What other options would I have from the train station? I would think a taxi would be costly. As for flying, I think it would be better to be able to get there in around 2 hours instead of spending that time on the road or in a train. I think cost is going to be what decides this for us, so if you can give any suggestions,They will be greatly appreciated.

thanks
John

 

[NJBILL]

We are planning a trip for May sometime or August. We can't decide which way to go to get there. Driving will be the cheapest, but DW does not like driving on major highways so I would be the only one driving. Also I had back surgery 2years ago and it still gives me problems when I sit to drive for to long so we would make lots of stops for me and the kids. If we take a train down it would be about $400 cheaper then flying(I checked it against other dates because our dates are not released yet). The only problem with flying is we would have to get to our resort. Does WDW offer anything from the train station? What other options would I have from the train station? I would think a taxi would be costly. As for flying, I think it would be better to be able to get there in around 2 hours instead of spending that time on the road or in a train. I think cost is going to be what decides this for us, so if you can give any suggestions,They will be greatly appreciated.

thanks
John

We have taken the train seven times from NJ to Florida/WDW. The train can be very ecomomical if you book early. Prices get more expensive as the train fills up. You can either exit in Orlando or Kissimmee and grab a taxi/shuttle service for about $40-$50. It is about a 15 minute ride to Disney. Our kids like the train, and time moves pretty quickly, especially if it's your first time. Train is relaxing..

 

[NJBILL]

I say drive it. It is such an easy drive & always seems to go by fast. We are driving down for the 3rd time from MA. I don't like dealing with the TSA morons who like to act as if they are god. Also my wife has no interest in going thru the body scanners where they can see everything. Especially since the governement admitted the pictures were being stored & not deleted like they first told everyone.

No screening on train, Just show conductor your id once you are in your seat.

You can also save 20% OFF AMTRAK FARES

http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/index.cfm?searchCategory=transportation

 

[Cherinva]

I haven't driven to WDW in years. The flight for us is only 2 hours (providing we get a non stop)..I enjoy it so much more, and for me the cost of the airline tickets is worth it to me, virus the drive time...plus I don't like driving in Florida... I like using the ME and Disney Transportation...no parking fees, no traffic...just relax and enjoy the trip. What ever you decide, I wish you a wonderful vacation.

 

[sharadoc]

We are planning a trip for May sometime or August. We can't decide which way to go to get there. Driving will be the cheapest, but DW does not like driving on major highways so I would be the only one driving. Also I had back surgery 2years ago and it still gives me problems when I sit to drive for to long so we would make lots of stops for me and the kids. If we take a train down it would be about $400 cheaper then flying(I checked it against other dates because our dates are not released yet). The only problem with flying is we would have to get to our resort. Does WDW offer anything from the train station? What other options would I have from the train station? I would think a taxi would be costly. As for flying, I think it would be better to be able to get there in around 2 hours instead of spending that time on the road or in a train. I think cost is going to be what decides this for us, so if you can give any suggestions,They will be greatly appreciated.

thanks
John

Hi, almost neighbor!

Does your DW drive on roads like 222 or 422 ever? Once you get into North Carolina, the drive on 95 is really easy. The highway is usually 2 lanes in each direction and are separated by a large grassy median, so you're just going along with traffic and don't really see oncoming traffic at all.

As far as time driving vs. flying we don't think it takes 2 hours to fly vs. 2 days to fly for these reasons: You have to drive to the airport. From your location, not sure where you'd go but it would be at least an hour to 2 hours depending on time of day. Then the 2 hours you have to get there ahead of your flight time for security. Plus 2 hours to fly, 1 to 1.5 hours to get to Magical express and drive to WDW from Orlando Airport. That's 7 to 7-5 hours. Plus you're limited by what you can take with you, baggage fees, trapped by someone else's schedule, etc. Depending on your flight time, you arrive at Disney exhausted or too late to do anything but check in and sleep.

For us, we can drive 10-11 hours the first day, sleep in South Carolina then drive to WDW the next day in 5 hours or so.

We love the freedom the drive gives us, but of course, it's everyone's individual taste and preference that determines what they do. Our round trip driving cost is around $400 for four of us, plus we have our van at WDW so we are totally free to go wherever whenever we want to.

DH will NEVER fly again - we have done is 6 times and will be doing our seventh in December. Kids do fine because they know what to expect.

 

[Vijoge]

Can't decide between Driving, flying,or train.
John

We've done all three. If there was a direct train from here (Chicago) to FL I doubt we'd ever travel any other way. As it is now, we have to go CHI-NYP/WAS-ORLANDO, and it's a two day trip. I love taking the train, but from the midwest it eats up too much of my vacation time.

 

[Mary T in PA]

We have flown many times. For us, it's a 2hr flight from Pit to MCO. It does get us down to DIsney quickly, but there is so much hassle involved with flying.

Last year, we did the drive for the first time, and we had smooth sailing down to Disney as I95 wasn't that busy and the weather was great - we did the entire trip down in one day. We found a hotel in the Downtown Disney area because we got in a day early so we couldn't get into our resort... got up the next morning and walked around DtD until we could check into our resort.

Our length of stay is what determines whether we fly or drive. I did like the drive last year - we did take 2 days to come home though because we got a late start out of Disney on check out day. I'm in western PA, so we head towards Breezewood, getting onto I95 near the Beltway. It took us about 17-18hrs to drive. For us, we have a 2 1/2 -3hr drive over to Pitt and usually stay in the airport hotel the nite before we fly out. So our time of travel is about the same when comparing flying vs driving.

If you are considering driving.. check out this other Dis thread. This thread really helped us when we decided to cancel our plane tickets and drive last year. We now have our hotel and restaurant stops figured out and alot of people drive exclusively, so they know where the best stops are at when driving the I95 corridor.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2507731

Good luck with your travel decision... no matter which you decide to travel, you are still going to Disney!

 

[car55]

I have done the trip to Disney all three ways mentioned. I used to like flying but lost my disire to fly. I have driven once. It went ok but took about thirty three hours (from Connecticut) with an overnight stop in South Carolina. I have taken the train five times now and prefer this to all of them. My vacation starts the moment I get into my little roomette. The meals are good,and I arrive rested and relaxed. the atmosphere on the train is good and I have met many people going to Disney World. I really enjoy running into them in the parks. I always get a sleeper. It is comfortable and meals are included. I love taking the train to WDW.

 

[nytimez]

I've never taken the train, but I've driven and flown countless times. I prefer driving. Once you're out of northern Virginia the drive is a pleasure. When we drive, I do all the driving -- and I've also had my share of back problems.

And for the record, I also don't like the fact that the TSA could be storing the body scans.