Can't decide on mode....long

[la79al]

DH has raised the budget for our trip a little bit, pending having our taxes done. All along with the planning for this trip, I had counted on taking the kids down via Amtrak with DH flying down and meeting us on our first day of WDW. Well once DH started talking about the trip, he said we were all flying. Then he lowered the budget on me and I decided that I would rather spend the money on the actual trip and just have all of us drive down in DHs large SUV. As I said, he has again raised the budget, while I have managed to lower the cost trip a bit. So given my new budget and the new trip cost, we can afford to fly again. But now I am not sure that I want to. I have gotten a million travel activities for the kids. I made DH take an extra day off work to recover. I have made lists of food and extras to pack. I have made ADRs and tentative park plans around the travel time. And I really don't think there will be much time saved with flying. Here's my theory on that--DRIVING--I take off the Friday before our trip and pack and sleep all day. We leave around 6 that evening, drive straight through. We should arrive around 9ish Saturday morning, exhausted but at WDW! Then on the next Saturday (departure day) we would spend some time at the parks, then head to a family members house to spend the night before heading home in the morning. Arrive home Sunday night, have off Monday to recover. --FLYING--I go to work as usual on Friday before our trip. We all (or at least I) stay up until midnight doing last minute packing and getting ready to go. Best case scenario we get a 7am flight so we still have to leave our house no later than 3:30. A 2 hour flight gets us off the plane around 9:30, wait for ME, resort by 11. Already 2 hours later than driving and almost as exhausted (none of us sleep on the plane). The next Saturday we would still do a little time at the parks, then deal with renting a car to go to familys house to spend the night, leave the next day to return the rental car and fly home. Still have off Monday to recover.
As you can see, the time is pretty much the same either way but flying is much more expensive. The kids will sleep better sitting in the car all night than getting to bed late and getting up early at home. Judging from last trip, I won't sleep anywhere. So I guess my mind is made up, help me convince DH.

 

[cranbiz]

You are going to get many different opinions. None of them will be wrong. I can see a lot of posters telling you to fly, and others will say drive.

I have done it both ways. I prefer to fly IF it is cost effective. If I cant fly for less than the cost of driving (or at least within $50-100) then I'll drive. Now factor in the cost of a rental car if you plan on other activities off property.

Flying is USUALLY easier, therefore, it's USUALLY less stressful. It is USUALLY faster. (USUALLY in caps - 95% of the time the statement is true, I have had the 5% whare I wished I had driven between flight delays, equipment delays, cancellations, etc.)

I have done the drive between MA and FL more times than I can count. For last minute travel, for larger families, for mid sized families going to venues off site, it can't be beat price wise. It will take longer and provide more stress. If done right, the apparent time is the same (meaning using "dead" time to travel).

If you and the family can tolerate a long drive and you have planned for some rest periods after the drive down and back, then drive. It sounds like you will save money. Use the extra in the budget for a really nice meal or extra souvineers.

The important thing is to do what you feel comfortable with.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Have you done the drive before? If not, let me tell you - it is one LONG and BORING ride! We've done the drive twice from NJ and both times I said I would never do it again! If you can afford to fly, it is so much nicer to get there in 2 hours. As far as the activities, the kids will have plenty of opportunities to use them - in the airport, on the plane, maybe smaller ones for waiting in long attraction lines, etc. So, I'm sorry I can't help you convince DH - given the choice, I would fly every time! Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've been to WDW many different ways, started out driving back in 1977 and its 1164 miles from home to WDW. Back then it was fun, hardly any traffic, stayed on the ocean first night after driving straight through, and then an hour to WDW. Throw in some more drives, 3 flights and many Amtrak trips and I'm okay with the train. I'm not opposed to flying but it stress me out to no end, just as well stay home than fly for me, even to Disney. Driving anymore is a hassle, drove a couple years back, waited to long to book train and drove to get there. Wasn't like it was back in the late 70's early 80's. Way too much traffic and semis, whole trip we seem to be in a semi race, behind and in front of us, stopped for the night on way down, too stressful to drive straight through. Been taking Amtrak since then one or two trips a year. Train is 27 hours, on a good trip, but relaxing and comfy. We board first train at 3 am to DC and then board second train around 4pm to head south. We usually get a roomette for the DC to Kissimmee leg, small room but meals included and peace and privacy, wife likes the linen dining car, and we arrive in Kissimmee around noon. Not too bad, cost us around 450.00 round trip for the both of us, about equal money as driving but no stress.

I would like the thought of flying 2 hours max but my mind and spirit says, no, some can fly but to me no. As long as Amtrak is running, guess we're train travelers, up in age now that driving again would be nuts unless we snagged a ride with the kids, but they like flying and usually meet us there.

Either option, the travel should be as good as the stay, no stress, so we like the train.

 

[dougsmom98]

I think flying is safer overall. Although you will be tired, it is a different kind of tired from flying and getting up early than the tired you feel from being exhausted from driving. Yes, you will get up early to fly, and maybe you can't sleep on the plane, but you can close your eyes. You can also let your guard down and not worry about directions. You get to sit with your spouse and children and have a conversation and you can look them in the eye and not through the rear view mirror. The furthest we have to drive with our kids is usually 5.5 hours and by the time we get there, the car is trashed and everyone is cranky. If you have the budget and can get the flights, I would do it. It is just my opinion though.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I say fly. You will have the chance to walk on the plane to the bathroom without making stops. After only a 5-6 hour drive everyone is uncomfortable and cranky, and the car is a mess from toys and snacks. Even though you would get there about the same time, that Friday night you'd be sleeping in your bed, instead of trading off driving! That's HUGE! I think you'll sleep better in your own bed even waking up early, than driving all night long. So you might arive tired, but not as tired as if you had driven. Plus as mentioned, flying is stress free. You don't have to worry about getting mad at the person that cut you off, traffic jams, potty breaks, rude drivers.... you just show up at the airport, play a game while you wait, and relax on the plane!

 

[Evil Princess]

Personally this is a no brainer.

Flying means more vacation time actually vacationing, rather than sitting in a car traveling. The drive is LONG, I only did it because I was moving down there for a few months and needed a car. Never before did I drive, and never again will I drive.

the ride is long and tires you out, even with an overnight stay. Anyone sitting in a car for that long is going to be exhausted and antsy. Chances are, your first day at WDW you're not going to be up to speed.

I cannot stand driving down to Florida. After about 17 trips under my belt, and only one of them being driving, my opinion is pretty set.

 

[Pembo]

We've driven and flown. IF all your flight times work out and you have no delays flying is faster. However you can take more "stuff", driving is more relaxed and you are on your own schedule.

I don't mind the drive from Ohio to FL. We like all the scenery changes and seeing those Palm Trees for the first time is just awesome.

 

[CarolA]

I am from the school that driving overnight if you are NOT a nightshift person is dangerous. (And I am now putting my flameproof suit on, but facts support that "drowsy driving" is dangerous. I used to post the links but got PMs calling me names that can't be printed here)

I would seriously consider the fact that you and DH are going to have to stay awake ALL night while your kids sleep. Unless you are a nightshift worker you aren't going to "sleep" all day before hand. So when you arrive you are wasted.....

 

[cbrfan]

When we were working I also had to figure in the lost wages from taking the extra days off to travel and recover. We had to allow for 2 days on either end. The majority of the time flying came out cheaper. And I agree that the "tired from getting up early and flying" is a WHOLE lot different than "tired from driving straight through and don't know which end is up." Put me on a plane any old day!