Drive or Fly from Long Island?

[AlwaysEeyore]

We are going 9/5 to 9/10 to WDW. We are trying to figure out if it's easier to drive or would flying be better. We have a DD who will be 2-1/2 at the time of trip. We will be bring her stroller from home. I think it will be easier to drive because we can bring the stroller, a cooler and other bulky things and leave them in the SUV. I think I will buy a portable DVD for the trip, I'm just worried because she can't last for 3 hours in the car to NJ without throwing a fit. We would be stopping for the night also.

I just think flying is to much of a hassle with all the kid stuff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[frannn]

We considered driving, but feel it would take time away from our trip. I think I heard WDW is about 17-18 hours away from here, more if you stop for a break. If you take 2 days to drive to WDW, and 2 days to drive back, thats 4 days off from work that would mostly be spent on the road. If my DH drove, he would want to spend a bunch of time relaxing in the room on arrival day (even with a mid trip break). We took DD1 in Oct by plane, and it was definetly not fun lugging all her stuff on and off the plane, but for us, better than driving. We gate checked her stroller (airlines broke it on the way back), and brought her car seat on the plane. We had a big diaper bag and carryon, and camera bag all on the plane with us. The rest of the luggage was checked (3 large bags). We did not have the flexibilty of bringing everything we wanted, and had to abide by the weight regulations of the airlines. Upon arrival, we had to deal with baggage pick up, and then picking up the rental car. So, I guess I am providing an arguement for both choices....it really depends on your DD's temperment in the car and how much time you get off work. If we had unlimited time, I would want to drive, and stop periodically to see things along the way, visit relatives in GA, etc.
Sorry if I haven't helped...

 

[abeyst]

Flying is the only way to go! It may seem like it's easier to drive, but if you make a list of pros and cons for driving and flying, I bet you'll find flying is better. And it will give you a reason to limit some of the stuff you're taking-you'll need room to bring some stuff home!! Big bonus: flying gives you more time to do things at home, and more time at Disney!

We've been taking our DS(5) since he was 1, and DD(1) went for the first time last October, and we fly every time. Yes, we flew with 2 kids! Believe it or not, it was easy. We had 2 carry-ons. One with some snacks and toys, the other with the camcorder and misc items. Oh yeah, DS brought his backpack, too, but he carried that. And we had an umbroller. So that's 3 bags and a stroller. We don't use a car seat on the plane and have the town car company bring one with them for my DD. They also help with the luggage at baggage claim. We stop at the grocery store on the way to the hotel to pick up what we need so we don't have to pack them, and go to the hotel and check in and let the bell staff take the luggage (and groceries). It's really not that much to have to deal with, if you're up for it. I highly HIGHLY recommend it.

3 hours on a plane vs. 2 days in a car? I don't have the patience!

If you decide on the plane ride and need help planning just let me know!

 

[TerriBelle]

We fly with 3 kids - our DD has been flying since 1 and her twin brothers started at 2. The boys were a little restless when they were 2 but it was only for 3 hours! I can't imagine what they would have been like in a car. We stay on site and use a limo service from the airport that includes a grocery stop.

 

[eeyore&mine]

We will also be at the POP from 9/3 to 9/10. We are driving from Richland Pa. (1 hour outside of Philadelphia) We have done this many times before. I feel driving is more easy with children. Although flying is faster, the time in the car is always so much fun for my family. Our first drive was when my now 10 year old was only 3. Before we left I bought silly little toys, books and treats that keep her attention. ( gave her something new every couple of hours) She survived a 13 hour car ride the second leg of our trip. (with a couple of potty and food stops only)!!!
Have a great time, like I need to tell someone that who is going to Disney!

 

[rileyroosmom]

We are flying from LI in May with my daughter who just turned 3 and two sons 7 and 10. We too thought about driving (last summer we drove to Jacksonville, FL) Driving is hard with kids IMO and when we sat down and figured out the price, flying wasn't that much more expensive. We are flying out of McArthur on Southwest for $175 each, non stop. With the price of gas these days, hotel for the night and pit stops and all the whining and fidgeting around flying won hands down. It won't be bad, as others have said, pack a bag with juice box, snacks little toys (coloring books, colorforms, magnadootles etc), gate check the stroller and if you get a car service, they have car seats and a grocery stop. The flight is only 2 1/2 hours, much better than 2 days! Good luck in your decision.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Another vote for flying. Our ds are older 16,14 and 12. Just do southwest from islip. You can preboard, gate check the stroller, park your car or get a service., we use classic out of bohemia. very reliable. We use tiffany towncar in orlando. They give you a 20 min. grocery stop and provide car seats upon request. (Berkley Edwards is their best driver, ask for him) Bring a collapsible cooler. Our kids also drive us crazy and barely make it during a 3 hour trip to nj. If you drive on the LIE every day, you all deserve a break.

 

[oogieboogie]

For us, we're 16 hours away, and we usually drive. One reason is because we all like to bring our own pillows, with me needing my body pillow, and we bring other things too.

I don't really want to drive and DH wants to fly, but I keep thinking about the savings I get by driving and how I can apply more of that into spending at WDW, driving wins hands down everytime.

Call me cheap, but I'd rather apply $700-$1000 to nice sit down meals, souvenirs, longer vacation time. So far we've had pretty good driving conditions (knock on wood). Having a TV/VCR, lots of games, and lots of stops along the way sure helps. It also helps that my kids love sleeping in hotels (especially if they have free breakfast!)

In your case though, since you stated you have an SUV, I would calculate how much it would cost to fill the tank, how much you're going to bring with you, ie, can you trim down what you don't need or can you get some of the items when you're there if you decide to fly?

Have you thought about transportation when you're there? That should figure in to your decision.

 

[lindaso]

Another Long Islander checking in with a vote for flying. You should be able to get a cheap fare from Southwest out of Islip or JetBlue or Song out of JFK. I agree that the cost should be comparable and the time you will save is priceless. Flying with baby stuff isn't SO bad. You gate check the stroller and bring the carseat on the plane for your DD. To get through the airport, carry your DD and put the carseat on the stroller with the diaper bag and carry-ons.

We always rent a car from National which is right outside the terminal. We stop at Target on the way and stock up on essentials (I never pack diapers and always buy at the destination). I have a collapsible cooler that packs in the suitcase on the way down and we use it to pack stuff in for the way home and we just check it.

 

[tyandbash]

Hi,

I am thinking about driving to Orlando from Westchester in NY, so about the same difference. We have always flown though, so it would be a new experience. I don't dislike flying and we have 3 kids. We flew last Dec and our kids were 6,5, and 13months. We have actually done this with our small dog too! It is crazy but a short flight and with everyone buckled in, it is okay. We are flying again this summer, but I was thinking about driving next February. I think we could save a lot of money. We have always rented a car too, though we are trying a limo service this summer. But even that is expensive. My dh is totally against the idea, I'm thinking it could be fun. We have friends and relatives in DC (for a lunch break) and GA for an overnight stop. My guess is, we will end up flying. But, I'm still considering it.

 

[riopooh]

We've flown once and driven once - both have advantages and disadvantages! We drove last year but we were away for two & a half weeks - we left at three am, stayed one night in NC and got to Disney by 2 the next day - in time for a terrific t-storm - thank goodness we weren't driving (or flying) in it. We flew before that - we were delayed 3 hrs on the ground & my DS (then 5) spent most of the time kicking the chair in front of him (I didn't notice!)(in my defense, I was pregnant & exhausted). Luckily, the annoyed gentleman in front of him ended up being an old college buddy of my DH!

Given your tight time frame, I would definitely fly - it will be worth every extra penny!

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

You have all been very helpful. We think we may drive this trip. This way we can say we at least tried it. I didn't realize so many Long Islanders were on this board. I've lived in Yaphank my entire life and the only other place I can imagine living is WDW.

Thanks again!!

 

[mom of five]

Hi, Long Island! I'm 5hrs. north of you in Plattsburgh, NY. Mom, Dad and 5 kids drove last March in a rented motorhome and camped at FW. We are driving again this Oct. We just can't afford 7 airfares. We are just driving down in the van this time. The trip is part of the adventure!