DD2 fly 4hrs or drive 12hrs?

[ImissToad]

Your opinion. i have never flown and neither has my 2 yr old. Should we fly 4hrs or just make the 12 hr drive?


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[canadakath]

Fly!!! I may be biased, since my kids have been on planes going cross country since they were 8 weeks old to see family - but think about it from your two year old's POV. Would you rather be strapped into a car seat for 12 hours (and yes I know you can stop, but it's LONG) or on a plane where at least you can wiggle and maybe walk a bit?

Keys to success when travelling with a young one on a plane - SNACKS, SNACKS and more SNACKS
Don't forget things to do when you can't use electronic devices. Colour Wonder books are great, or my boys loved making "pictures" with stickers - I would buy a bunch that they hadn't seen before for the trip.

At 2 you don't have to buy a seat and keep them on your lap, but if you are flying solo with your child it can be awfully cramped (I've done it - not fun).

 

[Alesia]

No question - fly.

 

[kerplop]

I drove 16 hours last year and we have no kids. I am now firmly in the FLY camp.

 

[goofy4tink]

Flying is so simple. Just bring something to occupy her for those four hours. At the airport, she will be able to get up and move around..so that shouldn't be an issue. And once you get through security, you will be able to get her what she needs to drink/eat..then take it on the plane with you.

 

[littleelf]

Is there any way you can get a more direct flight? You didn't say where you live, but I live about 21 hours away by car (upstate NY), but there is a non-stop Southwest flight that takes 2 hours, 45 minutes. A 4 hour flight seems long compared to a 12 hour drive.

Keep in mind, with flying, you also have to add in lots of waiting time in the airport, just getting through some of the larger airports with a 2 year old could make driving more appealing.

Our in-laws live 7 hours away by car. When we had one child, flying (about an hour flight) was totally worth it. As she got older and we added a second child, flying became more expensive and not worth it. Once they're past the infant stage where you spend half the drive with your hand contorted behind you holding a baby hand, driving becomes easier.

So, no clear answer here, but just some thoughts from my experience!

 

[a742246]

Is there any way you can get a more direct flight? You didn't say where you live, but I live about 21 hours away by car (upstate NY), but there is a non-stop Southwest flight that takes 2 hours, 45 minutes. A 4 hour flight seems long compared to a 12 hour drive.

Keep in mind, with flying, you also have to add in lots of waiting time in the airport, just getting through some of the larger airports with a 2 year old could make driving more appealing.

Our in-laws live 7 hours away by car. When we had one child, flying (about an hour flight) was totally worth it. As she got older and we added a second child, flying became more expensive and not worth it. Once they're past the infant stage where you spend half the drive with your hand contorted behind you holding a baby hand, driving becomes easier.

So, no clear answer here, but just some thoughts from my experience!

Excellent points.

 

[taitai]

How does a 12 hour drive equate to a 4 hour flight. Should be closer to 90 minutes, correct? What am I missing?

 

[sam_gordon]

How does a 12 hour drive equate to a 4 hour flight. Should be closer to 90 minutes, correct? What am I missing?

Connections maybe? WDW is about 12-13 hours from where I live. But if we fly, there's no direct flights that work for us, and it's two 90 minute legs +~45 minute layover... 4 hours.

Or, depending on where OP is, maybe there's a time change they're not taking into account.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Connections maybe? WDW is about 12-13 hours from where I live. But if we fly, there's no direct flights that work for us, and it's two 90 minute legs +~45 minute layover... 4 hours.

Or, depending on where OP is, maybe there's a time change they're not taking into account.

Assuming this is the case, I don't think flying is a slam dunk.

Your four hour flight probably does not include travel time to the airport...let's say 30 minutes.

It does not include time actually in the airport...let's say 90 minutes (and most people will say that's not enough time to go through security).

And it does not include travel time from the airport to your resort. Assuming ME is used, that's another 60 to 90 minutes.

Your four hour flight is now 7 1/2 hours. Not much less than if you actually drove.

And it could be worst. Assuming a tight 45 minute connection, if your first plane is late, you might be rushing through the second airport with a two year old. And still not make the second flight.

It's a close call. If it was just me and a two-year old, I may fly. After about 7 or 8 hours, a solo driver may need an overnight rest. However, if there are multiple drivers, I'd drive.

 

[CPT Tripss]

add in the drive to the airport, the two hours early you need to be at the airport, the flight time, the hour or more to get from the gate to the out door of the airport with your bags and the time to get to your hotel. How much time have you really saved? How much airline, rental car, parking, TSA, taxi/shuttle aggevation have you experienced? Then decide whether it's worth the extra $$$. I'd drive.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Fly. That way you can relax & not have to deal with traffic. YOu will get there quicker and have more time to enjoy your vacation. After spending 12 hours driving you will be tired and need to rest but if you are flying you won't be so tired.

Plus what if you hit bad weather or a traffic backup while driving that means more time spent in the car. Does the 12 hours include potty stops? If not then factor in more time added to your drive time. What if your car breaks down. I just read someone trip report and they had car trouble had to spend a night in a hotel because the part needed to fix their car was out of stock. Plus they had to put their trust in a mechanic they knew nothing about!!!!

Just take some new toys with you to keep your DD entertained on the flight.

If I were you I would take the DME to your resort that way you don't have to deal with collecting your luggage and moving about the airport with a 2 yr old. Disney will deliver your luggage to your room for you! Then rent a car at Disneys car care center. Alamo will even pick you up at your resort and take you to their rental office.

 

[francie57]

Agree with others fly. We just took a short trip to Disney and there was a little girl on the plane that was no older than 2 and she was great. Her parents were prepared, had snacks, they found a harness online that acted much like the straps on a car seat so she was secure in the seat. They had in Ipad with Disney movies on it and she was occupied the entire time. If you prepare you will be okay - gate check a stroller so you have that available at the airport while you wait. Our kids are in their 20s now but they have been flying since they were a year old and its the best way to get some where.

 

[ImissToad]

Wow. thanks for all the suggestions. We live in Baton Rouge and there are no direct flights. I should have mentioned that there will be 3 of us. Can't forget mom!


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[GranddadTom]

Flying is not as glamorous as you might imagine it is. In fact, it’s work (and expensive) and, in the long run, doesn’t save you all that much time. My daughter and her family lived in Orlando for seven years (which was great for me – a big Disney fan!) and so my wife and I made many trips to Orlando while she was there. We are almost 200 miles further away from Disney World than you are. For us the drive was 12 hours and 30 minutes plus or minus 30 minutes assuming we timed Washington, D.C. traffic correctly (which we always did) and only made short stops every two hours. When we flew, we always took a direct flight out of Baltimore Airport. Our door-to-door flying time (if our daughter picked us up at the Orlando Airport) and if everything when perfectly was 6 hours. The average was more like 7 hours and there was one time that I don’t want to talk about – very long! The plus for flying is that, for us, it was over 5 hours quicker. The plus for driving is that it doesn’t cost as much (we always do it in one day), we have a car when we get there, packing is easier (we can even bring fingernails clippers with us if we drive!) and we can leave when we want. Admittedly we have a car that is reliable so we don’t have to be concerned whether it will make it to WDW or not. My vote, if you have a reliable car, would be for the three of you to drive.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Flying is not as glamorous as you might imagine it is. In fact, it’s work (and expensive) and, in the long run, doesn’t save you all that much time.

Yup, and with a 2-year-old I'd assume potty training or just barely done with that. So, that could be a real hassle on the plane unless you're willing to just strap on the diapers & let accidents happen.

 

[kenny]

Fly.

My 2 DD's have been on flights from 5 months old and up. Oldest is now 8 and youngest is 3.

Flight from NY is just under 3 hrs so with "airport time" easily 4 hrs from when we get to airport in NY to when we leave in FL.

Have been on the plane with potty training child and not that big of a deal. This coming from a 6'2 Dad that took them to bathroom on the plane.

Not sure about your child but there is NO WAY my kids were sitting in a car for 12 hours and even less of a chance I was sitting with them in a car for 12 hours!

4 hours at the airport is nothing. Yes you have to get there early but take your DD for a walk while you wait for your flight. That way she can get rid of some energy before. Flight itself does not sound like it will be long so she should be able to sit through it easily.

Plus the airport/plane ride will be a new experience which captures their attention.

And most importantly, 4 hrs on plane gives you more time at Disney!

 

[ghtx]

add in the drive to the airport, the two hours early you need to be at the airport, the flight time, the hour or more to get from the gate to the out door of the airport with your bags and the time to get to your hotel. How much time have you really saved? How much airline, rental car, parking, TSA, taxi/shuttle aggevation have you experienced? Then decide whether it's worth the extra $$$. I'd drive.

But let's also not forget that "12 hour drive" can similarly be stretched out, with bathroom or diaper change breaks (2-year-olds take a lot of those), food breaks, etc. What you really want to know is how long from when you leave your house until you pull into your resort parking lot.

 

[Alesia]

Yup, and with a 2-year-old I'd assume potty training or just barely done with that. So, that could be a real hassle on the plane unless you're willing to just strap on the diapers & let accidents happen.

It's not picnic on the interstate either. I would rather be on a plane (where there actually is a bathroom) instead of the road (where there might not be on for quite a few miles) when they tell you that they have to go NOW.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I would drive and not think twice about it.

A 12 hour drive would cost around $200 RT in fuel. It's 13 hours each way for us and we just spent $185 in an SUV. Comparable flights were nearly $900 plus baggage fees. We also would have parked at the airport for another $64, travel to and from the airport, 2 hours early each way, then the trip from the Orlando Airport to Disney itself. The total cost to fly was over 1K, not worth it to save 4 hours each way once security line time, etc is figured in.

We saved more by taking snacks/food and we can take things in our SUV that aren't allowed on planes.