Drive or fly from KC with 2 little ones

[amydew51]

We have a trip booked with free dining for the last week of Sept. We were planning on driving down, taking 2 days each way. We were planning on stopping at Clearwater for 2 days first, then head to WDW. Flights were over 1600 and just too expensive.
But now..Southwest has made it that we can fly all of us for 800 dollars. We were budgeting 500 just for gas/driving. We have a 2 and 5 year old. But then we have to rely on the bus transportation the whole time at Caribbean Beach (we were planning to drive to Ohana for breakfast, Hollywood Studios, AK).
And we will have to rent a car for a day or two. I am not sure that we would do 2 days in Clearwater then.

My kids have never traveled. I am just thinking there will so much to pack, we should just drive. Stroller/diapers/clothes/food. Am I crazy? Should we fly?

 

[momof3ds]

For 800, I would fly.

 

[Wood Nymph]

It is a really long drive from Kansas City to Orlando, especially with a 2 and 5 year old. With the extra costs for food and hotel, plus dealing with kids in a car for hours and hours, and the hassle of getting in and out of car seats, dragging luggage into hotel rooms, changing diapers in gas station bathrooms - flying for $800 becomes pretty attractive.

Southwest has free baggage check, too.