DH drives me crazy! No pun intended!

[sorul82?]

Ok, so it's not that long of a trip!! I am seeking input as to why some of you drive to WDW, and why others choose to fly. Now, before the big DUH comes out of someone's mouth, I'm not asking those of you who live in the UK!

I want to details! Like, we are taking a day trip to visit Aunt EulaMae, or we pack too much junk to fly! And I want to hear from those who fly because you must get to the mouse ASAP!

Why am I being so nosy you ask? Well, with gas prices approaching the cost for us to fly, I am trying to make that decision. I have made my own list of pros and cons, but surely my fellow DISers have much more advice to offer. After all, you all are wise beyond your ears! Again, no pun intended!!

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

Well, let me start out by saying I really should probably drive. I live outside of Knoxville TN so it's only about a 12 hour drive but......

1. I don't like to drive in heavy rain.. last time we drove it rained on us terribly from the FL line on ( I know this is a really, really flimsy excuse).

2. I have become lazy in my old age. When I go on vacation I like to let other people do all the work.

3. I like to get there as quick as possible.... we leave at 7am and I'm at the park in 31/2 hours..... that still amazes me.

4. Flying saves two whole days of my vacation time. I won't cut my disney time so I would have to take two more days off.

5. I really feel like I am treating myself when I fly.

With that said... I would drive if it meant not going otherwise. But under no circumstances would I drive 24-30 hours like some do. My hat is off to you folks!!!! I would have to save up until I could fly under those circumstances.

 

[MAGGIED]

Well for us it is a matter of sanity....take both up coming trips

1. Trip next week is with two 13 year old boys and my mom, who because of an illness can't bend her leg. Not much fun in the car - the 24 hour driving straight thru would be to much for her - our airline tickets were $125.60 (total) for each of us - flying direct - arriving in 3 hours

2. Our February trip is with a 14 year old , and two 17 year old girls, again driving 24 hours striaght would put me over the edge...are we there yet, he touched me, not to mention we would have to rent a van as our largest car is an Impala (approx cost $500), and we would be driving thru the snow in the Northeast.... our tickets for that flight - direct again - arriving in 3 hours are $226 each.

Seems like a win win situation for me....

 

[sorul82?]

I am leaning more and more towards flying. If we go by car, I have to do all the driving. It's a matter of safety! My hubby can't drive and he makes me sick! No, really!! I get motion sicknesses and the way he drives...... He also can't multi-task. Wherever his eyes go, his hand turns. When he changes lanes, I have to ask, "did you mean to change lanes?" One day I was trying to explain rumble strips to the kids. One pipes up and says is that what makes the loud sound when daddy drives?

Ok folks, keep 'em comin'!

 

[MAGGIED]

I am with you - I would be so stressed out by the time we hit Pennsylvania the way my husband drives - and I am sure he would say the same about me...lets just say I am not a great passanger...its a good thing they lock the cockpit or I might be yelling at the pilot to - because I also am arfraid of flying....sounds like I have a transportation phobia

 

[Mousema]

I fly because you are so tired when you drive. It's about 18 - 20 hours for us and that's too much. We tend to stop every 2 hours or so if I'm with my DS it's for food and with DM for a bathroom break.

No, we'll fly and be there in 3 1/2 hours.

 

[CarolA]

I fly becasue I am spoiled... (At least I am also honest about it)

Anything over four hours just drives me insane... I want to be there already!

Plus I normally go solo so while the 7-8 hour drive doesn't sound bad it would just be me in the car. Also, while some folks from ATL do it, I could not do it for my "short" let's just run away to Disney trips....

(However, in order to do short trips I have realized I probably have to drive to Birminham to catch SW. Yes, I realize it's the wrong direction, but I drive it just about every week so I have that strech of interstate down!)


My other concern is that I would on the road to Disney with those folks who haven't slept in 30 hours because "We can drive straight through" Sorry, they won't EVER convince me that they are being safe, responsible drivers... Driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk.

 

[Rafikifan]

We've flown and we have driven the 14-15 hours to WDW. We much prefer to fly. If we drive we have to stop at some point or we will all kill one another. Then you have to stop, check in to a motel which is probably overpriced if it's close to a main highway, then drag some stuff in, drag it back out in the morning and do the same thing on the return trip home. We could have driven somewhat cheaper than flying on our trip last month but by the time we figured out the cost of gas , motel, food on the road for an extra 2 days, wear and tear on our vehicle, and an extra 2 days boarding our dog, it wasn't too much more and it was soooo much easier.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

#1 - with 4 in the family, I'm pretty sure it's still cheaper to drive (even with the price of gas, food along the way, etc.)

#2 - for some odd reason, we actually prefer to drive (I know it takes way longer - we're coming from northern NJ), but we still like the stops along the way (In a previous post I think I've mentioned Crackerbarrels and Waffle Houses!) I just consider the day to drive down and the day to drive back as part of our vacation. We check-in to the CBR on August 13, and check-out on August 20. As far as I'm concerned, we're on vacation from August 12 through August 21.

#3 - LOVE to have the car at WDW. Even though we never leave the world the entire time we are there, there's something liberating about having our family car right there for us whenever we want it.

#4 - I really don't like to fly (kinda scared). But my family knows I will do it, and if anyone really felt strongly (especially the DH who does almost ALL of the driving), I would definitely suck it up and hop on the plane.

So far, this is our fifth trip to WDW, and we've driven 4 times. The first time was when the kids were 3 and 4, and we went with other family members and flying just seemed the way to go. The kids are 15 and 16 now, and they really don't have a problem with the drive. (OK - for this trip, our DD is flying down with her Aunt and meeting us there - but that just makes more room in the car for the 3 of us!!!)

I'm with the poster above who thinks she might have a "transportation" phobia - DH definitely has a heavy foot, and I'm a little white-knuckled during the ride. But still, all things considered, we're definitely just a driving kind of family.

 

[K9pal]

We've done both many times, we're flying this year. It's about a 15 hour trip for us, and that's tough to do all in one day. So, if we spend the night on the road that adds 2 days to the total trip, plus 2 more nights of lodging, plus meals on the road. If we drive straight thru, we're pretty wiped out the following day. But I have family in Ocala and it's nice to be able to stop and visit for a few days.

On the other hand, the way people drive these days makes me more nervous than ever before. And the cost of gas, plus the wear and tear on the car, makes flying seem more reasonable than ever. But we also usually go in September, so if there's a hurricane (God forbid) it's a bit tough if you've got non-refundable flights. We were in WDW on 9/11 and had flown, sure wish we had a car and could have driven home - had to wait until flights began again to get out.

 

[pepe of ohio]

The why for us as to not driving anymore is, stress. Way too many cars and trucks on the super slab. It's 1150 miles for us one way, and we have driven many a times. Straight through, to save on a hotel, and in a hurry to get there. Pain driving home, too long, usually about 19 hours and the depression of leaving WDW. We've flown a few times, not to my liking, won't fly again and have become Amtrak fans for about 10 years now. Not really fond of the time length, 26 hours, but the convenience of relaxing, no driving, no trucks, no getting lost, no looking for cheap gas just adds up to a nice vacation. Way too stressful to get me near a plane, would be nice, 2 hours and all but there are some people that just can not fly, I'm one. Second best bet for us to get to the World is the train. Thirty years ago, driving was an adventure, now its like a car race, no rules or justification of courtesy, just go as fast as you can, in a train I can still see some of American, something you can't do at 30,000 feet.

 

[mrsmagic]

We live about 21 hours away by car, and we fly. Driving on the way there isn't so bad because you are excited to get there, but then you spend your vacation dreading the ride home.

We figured we would save $600-700 by driving instead flying/renting a car (we are staying off-property), but we would also take 2+ days away from Disney, and spend them in the car instead. Plus, in January I would rather be in an airport due to weather delays than creeping down the highway in a snowstorm.

My kids are 8, 6, and 3, and 42+ hours in the car isn't so much a vacation for me!

 

[TigerKat]

We've always driven in the past, about a twelve hour drive. It's not that bad, but we decided to fly this year because:
1. DS is SIXTEEN and DH & I don't need that much up close and personal time with him in his own world
2. The gas prices are a big factor
3. We are tired of spending two days of our vacation DRIVING!

So we'll be spoiled after this year and will probably never drive again. We've done enough driving (evacuating) during hurricane season!!!!

 

[clkelley]

It's 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other for us.

For our big family trips, we plan those well enough in advance, that we can usually transfer over the Diners' Club points and fly either Delta FF miles, or Southwest RR.

If those aren't available, we watch like crazy for the direct flight out of Huntsville to go cheap.

If we have to layover in Atlanta to get the fares low, or drive to B'ham or Nashville to get the fares low, we just drive. (We will drive to Bham or Nashville for a free ticket).

It's a 11-12 hour drive for us. (I can do it solo in 10 1/2). Even with the direct flight from Huntsville, it is still usually 5 hours door to door.

Also, the other thing, that is pushing us toward driving more, is that our direct flights are moving more and more toward the middle of the day.

The "evening" flight is at 4:30 in the afternoon. It used to be at 6:30. We could work a full day, then fly out at night.

The "morning" flight is at 10:15 in the morning. (11:15 Orlando time), so we don't get there till 1:00 in the afternoon. (It used to be at 9:00)

By driving, we can hit the road at 5:30 after work, stop South of Atlanta, then back on the road at 6:00 in the morning, and still get there by 1:00 in the afternoon.

Also, the direct flight from Orlando going home has moved to 3:30 in the afternoon. (It used to be at 5:45pm) Yuck!!!

So, it "just depends" for us.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I drive or take the Amtrak AutoTrain, which is the train from Lorton Virginia (near Washington) to Sanford, Florida (near Orlando). I usually go solo, so with the cost of gas plus a hotel, it is almost cheaper to take the train nowadays! I never have flown to Disney, probably more because I hardly ever flown in my life and not "used" to it. Growing up, my parents never took us on planes. I flew a couple of times as a younger adult, and found out the hard way that I get sick badly on planes (those little bags aren't big enough!). So if I flew, I would waste that day throwing up and feeling awful anyways. So I always drive or take the train, and like another said, I LOVE having my own car at Disney.

 

[miss missy]

24 hour drive or 3 hour flight? I want all the Dis time I can get so I am flying!

 

[maddhatir]

i have always hated to fly- but i did it. but a few years back i just really got scared (not even sure why- i just didnt want to fly anymore) so we drove to disney a few times. sure it was a haul- but i thought- well at least i feel safe on the ground (what was i thinking?!) DH would do most of the driving- i would help around VA where 95 gets less crowded and i would go until maybe south carolina. we could cram everything into the car too which was great- especially in december when you just are not sure if you will need your winter coat- leave it in the trunk. but on the way back!? being stuck in the washington DC traffic on a sunday afternoon was the worst! i swore to dh, while sitting in traffic that we do not have to drive again- and the last 2 times to disney we flew! (even did mexico a few times!)

all i do now is pop 2 ativan and you can fly me to the moon for all i care- i just get very mellow and relaxed.

the end.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Ok, so it's not that long of a trip!! I am seeking input as to why some of you drive to WDW, and why others choose to fly. Now, before the big DUH comes out of someone's mouth, I'm not asking those of you who live in the UK!

I want to details! Like, we are taking a day trip to visit Aunt EulaMae, or we pack too much junk to fly! And I want to hear from those who fly because you must get to the mouse ASAP!

Why am I being so nosy you ask? Well, with gas prices approaching the cost for us to fly, I am trying to make that decision. I have made my own list of pros and cons, but surely my fellow DISers have much more advice to offer. After all, you all are wise beyond your ears! Again, no pun intended!!

We used to drive from Raleigh to WDW, but after Southwest came to RDU, it just doesn't pay. The most we've spent is $49/one-way/pp, and last Jan., we caught a Ding for $24/one-way/pp Plus, it's only an hour and a half flight into MCO, and with free DME at the other end, !!
Delta occasionally offers "deals" too. We're using them at $98/RT/pp for this year's F & W trip.

 

[klmall]

We've flown all but one time when we had some extra days to allow for driving. We will probably never drive again until DH and I are retired and can sightsee along the way breaking the 18 hour trip into 5 - 7 days.

Now that gas is more expensive that just gives us another reason to fly!

We added up the costs the time we drove (2002) and counting the night in a motel, the gas, car preventative maintenance, and the meals for three people it equaled the car rental and one person's airfare on Southwest.

So we figured that if we found decent airfare (under $200 a person), and didn't rent a car this trip (use Disney's ME and busses which we like anyway) we would do okay $$$wise! This is only a 7 day, 6 night trip so we need every minute with the Mouse!

And while the drive down was exciting we found the drive back even with two drivers very tiring and depressing!

 

[sorul82?]

Maddhatir: Why do I get excited everytime you post something?