Drive or fly from Ohio... pros and cons

[Disney8704]

Going by your location and how many people there are, I found round trip ticekts, non-stop from AirTran for the 5 of you including taxes a grand total of $986.50. Its $178 per ticket / roundtrip. Comes out to be $89.00 each way, per person.

We are from Michigan....just outside of Detroit. We are also debating on whether to fly or drive. I have done both..(but only drove to Disney without the kids!) Its about a 24 hour drive from here. (Just about 45 min North of Ohio...if that helps)

I personally would fly. A 2 1/2 hour flight over 24 hours anyday for me. Its more money to fly...right now about $197 roundtrip non-stop on Northwest for us. It's alot of money for the 5 of us.....but worth it to me. If you stay on Disney property you won't need to rent a car. That is what we are doing for the first time.

To drive...we did some investigating and looks like around $500.00 round trip with the gas and hotels there and back and that doesn't include the wear on the car! My kids are 14, 13 and 8. We have taken long road trips with them before (South Carolina and Virginia last year) and they did great....but all that time in the car...is rough. Its not so bad going...but coming home in the car for 24 hours.....SCARY!!!!!!!

So for us...it looks like its about an extra $500.00 or so to fly. That is really not all that bad....to us anyway. Keep checking all the airline carriers.....I do everyday, looking for a deal!!! Good luck....let us know what you decide!

 

[ForeverDance]

Since this is my very first post I guess I should start by saying hi!

DH and I drove down from Ontario Canada last year with DS12 and DD9, and we are doing it again this August. We drive straight through and it's about 24hrs. Even renting a van it's cheaper for us to drive (plus DH hates flying). I don't mind the drive at all. We brought all kinds of games for the kids and also gave DD9 a map so she could track where we were and where the next rest stop was. They did really well and are excited to do it again this year. This year we are going to leave a different time so we can try to catch some of the nice scenery (passed through Tennesse at night but were wide awake for Ohio last year) and we are going to get a portable DVD just to make it that much easier for the kids

 

[becky7953]

Hi all you buckeyes! I would say fly!!!! I hate being in a car that long. If you can afford it fly. check out mousesavers.com for tips on how to get cheaper flights.

 

[maddi]

Since we're in the early stages of planning our very first trip.... we're trying to decide how we're going to get down there.

Trying to figure out how much it would be to drive from Dayton, Ohio. We would drive straight through, stay at a cheapie hotel and then check into our resort the following day. Also...how long is the drive?

If flying... I would need flights for 5. And then possibly a rental car ( and how much is that by the way?).

Pros and cons of driving vs. flying?

Ohhhh Flying is the best. I live 2 hours from Dayton and actually drive to Dayton to fly out. If you watch Kayak, travelaxe, and a few other flight search engines you can pick up tickets extremely cheap out of Dayton or Columbus. Last year, I picked up tixes for $94.00 round trip out of Dayton. It's a lot cheaper and a lot quicker and you won't be losing days driving down and back.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

I didn't realize I could get flights that cheap.

We have a new GMC Envoy XL so we would be fine driving down in that. But it is a gas hog. If it's only going to be a difference of a couple hundered bucks then we will fly.

We are going to stay onsite... just not sure where yet. I was thinking it might be easier to rent a car so we don't have to wait for the busses and such. But I jsut don't know enough about it yet so obviously I need to research it some more.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[smi727]

I'm from Cleveland and my parents used to load my 4 sisters and I in the van almost every summer and drive down. I can honestly say we have some of the best memories from those trips, but I'm sure it took a lot of planning on my parents part. Flying is much more relaxing. Check Airtran out of Akron or USA3000 and Southwest of the Cleveland. Don't rule out Continental either. Also don't be afraid to book one airline on the way down and another on the way back. We're flying down in July and are flying Continental down and Southwest back.

 

[girlsx4]

We are planning on driving from the Dayton Ohio area in September. We did fly in '05, but with a family of 6, the cheapest airfare I can find will be $1100 for all of us.(and we just can't afford it this time) We like long road trips so it shouldn't be too bad. I like that I'll be able to pack more and have more room. You should've seen us when we were in the airport.......4 kids, 1 stroller, 2 kids w/backpacks on, 3 suitcases

 

[girlsx4]

I'd also like to add that you really won't need to rent a car. If you stay onsite the transportation is WONDERFUL!!!

 

[Momof-3]

That is exactly what we paid for using Northwest. $178 a ticket plus taxes per person for a total of $986.50! I used Northwest becuase I liked the times better to fly. Northwest is always non-stop from here. Not a bad deal considering last year we paid $304 a person!

Its more money than us to drive....but no by too much....I am willing to make the sacrifice! My mom flies Airtran.....and she loves it!!!!

Going by your location and how many people there are, I found round trip ticekts, non-stop from AirTran for the 5 of you including taxes a grand total of $986.50. Its $178 per ticket / roundtrip. Comes out to be $89.00 each way, per person.

 

[FamilyGuy]

We have a new GMC Envoy XL so we would be fine driving down in that. But it is a gas hog. If it's only going to be a difference of a couple hundered bucks then we will fly.

WORST WORST case your SUV should manage 16MPG (more like 19-20MPG is not unrealistic). I didn't catch where you were in OH, but the maximum round trip mileage even if you are in northern OH is 2000 miles. So it should take an absolute MAXIMUM of 125 gallons of fuel. @ a per gallon cost of $2.35 (again on the high end), that equals maximum possible fuel expense of $294.00. From there most people will factor in 2 overnight stays (one for the trip down, one for the way up) figure $200.00 total tops. So the absolute maximum cost to drive should be $500.00.

For us, driving from Chicago costs significantly less than $500. Both times we drove down, we stayed overnight once during the drive. Our Odyssey averages mid 20's for MPG. I figure total transportation costs to be around $300 - 325! Best case for us flying would cost ~ $900.00.

The one thing I would say, if cost were equal or close, I would certainly fly. It is more convenient and more efficient, and technically, much safer than driving (no matter how cautious a driver you are). The cost will NEVER be equal or close to equal for us. Perhaps if there were only 2 of us going. But then I could drive my Civic Hybrid which gets 50MPG!

Oh, and lastly, when we flew in 2004, we had a rental and used it alot. Oddly enough, it was not until our most recent trip our family realized that (even though our van was with us), that we actually enjoy using park transportation more than driving - we're on vacation after all! I would not recommend renting a car for the entire stay to anyone. If there are one or two days that you want to be able to drive yourself around (off property that would be) you can rent a car on Disney property quite reasonably...

Enjoy your planning!

 

[pntrdoc]

Since we're in the early stages of planning our very first trip.... we're trying to decide how we're going to get down there.

Trying to figure out how much it would be to drive from Dayton, Ohio. We would drive straight through, stay at a cheapie hotel and then check into our resort the following day. Also...how long is the drive?

If flying... I would need flights for 5. And then possibly a rental car ( and how much is that by the way?).

Pros and cons of driving vs. flying?

I live just south of Dayton and have done both, you can get very good air fare from AirTran if you watch their web site, I have gotten fares as low as 69.00 each way, I have also driven down and driving straight thru takes me about 13-14 hours. If I stop I usually stop around Atlanta and stay there and go on down the second day

 

[Hollybh]

I live in Ohio too. Where are you from? We fly out of Dayton because it's always cheaper than Cincinnati. Airtran has the best rates almost always for us. February is a great time to go and you should be able to find really good rates. We have a Suburban and by the time we spend gas money and a hotel one night and all the meals to get to Orlando, we were about even with flying. We have 4 in our family. Another reason we fly, it is sooo much easier on the kids and you really feel like you are having a vacation when you arent wiped out when you arrive. If you are going to do Disney, its already expensive, you may as well fly and you will be much happier. Where are you staying and how old are your kids? You are in for a real treat.

 

[Hollybh]

oh and I forgot, if you are staying on WDW resort, you do not need a car. You may think you do, but I bet you wont use it once. You can always rent one when you get there.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

We are planning on driving in Nov. for the 3rd time (we live about 1hr north of Dayton). We flew once when we only had 1 DS, but now with 3 driving is much cheaper for us. Last time we left at 2:30 to beat it through Cinn. rush hour. Stopped in Kentucky for a packed picnic, stopped at just about every rest area, drove straight through the night (DH works 12 hour nights so he was good to go after sleeping all day before we left), boys watched movies and slept. We checked in at the Contemporary by 9:30 and ate breakfast at the Concorse Steakhouse, (and the was even after being lost for 1 hr - bad directions) took naps and hit a park in the evening.
This fall we will be doing the samething. But our first day will be our free - no park day.
We like being able to pack without worring about what airline allows, being on are on time and the savings.

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

We're a little west of Cleveland. When we were trying to decide between flying and driving, I found a calculator somewhere on the transportation board here to figure out how much gas would cost. Then I added in the cost of a hotel for one night each way as well as food. I don't have my info with me, but I believe it was somewhere between $500-600.

When Southwest released its flights for our dates I found non-stop flights for about $160 per person. I jumped on them!

We were willing to drive but are much happier to be flying. The kids are good on long trips but DH and I would've been fried by the time we got to WDW! I worry much more about safety on long car trips than I do about flying. This is much better for us.

I'd say run the numbers and decide. Even if it would've been $200-300 more to fly we would still be flying. Our time and sanity are too valuable.

 

[momsoftwins]

not sure where in ohio you are jenmomof3..but i am near dayton and i was looking for the past 3 days for airfare. even thoguht about priceline but found round trip airfare non stop out of indy for 137 with tax and all. so i jumped on it. northwest air is who i booked thru. hope it helps someone

 

[Jenny-momof3]

I'm actually only about 5 minutes from the Dayton airport. So we could have someone drop off us there and we wouldn't have to worry about leaving our car in longterm parking.

My dh is the type that can drive all night with no problem staying awake. I just worry we'll be wiped out by the time we get down there.

We will definitely be staying onsite. And that will be my next big question on here. LOL

If we go beginning of Feb.... when will the flights come out? Do I book really far in advance to get the best deal?

Thank you for your responses... what a warm welcome I have received.

 

[momsoftwins]

i drove donw from springfield (ohio) last dec and thought i was goin to die. the drive home was the worst. so if you can fly fly fly

 

[goofyboyzmom]

We are from Michigan....just outside of Detroit. We are also debating on whether to fly or drive. I have done both..(but only drove to Disney without the kids!) Its about a 24 hour drive from here. (Just about 45 min North of Ohio...if that helps)

I personally would fly. A 2 1/2 hour flight over 24 hours anyday for me. Its more money to fly...right now about $197 roundtrip non-stop on Northwest for us. It's alot of money for the 5 of us.....but worth it to me. If you stay on Disney property you won't need to rent a car. That is what we are doing for the first time.

To drive...we did some investigating and looks like around $500.00 round trip with the gas and hotels there and back and that doesn't include the wear on the car! My kids are 14, 13 and 8. We have taken long road trips with them before (South Carolina and Virginia last year) and they did great....but all that time in the car...is rough. Its not so bad going...but coming home in the car for 24 hours.....SCARY!!!!!!!

So for us...it looks like its about an extra $500.00 or so to fly. That is really not all that bad....to us anyway. Keep checking all the airline carriers.....I do everyday, looking for a deal!!! Good luck....let us know what you decide!

Momof-3:

Where are you from? We live in Livonia and I don't think I could ever manage to be in the car with my family for 20-24 hours. I love them, but...... We are going in November and the cheapest I have found that is on the days that we want is $208 + taxes (NWest). I am sure I will find cheaper closer to it, but can't take the chance.

 

[tinkspark]

My fiance and I have driven down from the west side of cleveland two times. We were able to make it down in 18 hours because I would sleep while he was driving and then we would switch. We didn't have to pay for a hotel this way and it cut down on our driving time because there was no traffic, especially closer to Orlando. A 20 minute drive can take an hour during the day in Orlando. It cost us about 150 for gas

With a family it might be a little harder. It will definitely save you money when you have to get airfaire for 5. However, if the five includes kids... remember they don't like to sit still for very long and can create a very unpleasnt trip. Make sure you have plenty of things to entertain them. You will be taking lots of potty breaks. You will even want to take breaks to get out and stretch their legs. If you do drive through the night that will also help you cut down on these issues because they will be more likely to sleep.

When we arrived at 4am we were able to check in to our room. We also came at a non peak time of the year. If you are planning your trip for when it is busy it is possible you will not be able to check in until 3 pm that day, which also could be a potential problem.