Drive or Fly Help Me Decide

[Johnfish]

Hi all!!

I am driving my self crazy with this question. I am leavng on 8/12 and returning on 8/21. I'll be the only one driving as it is just my son (15) and I who are going.

If I drive I can take the company car and the company pays for the gas.

If I fly it would cost 220 pp from Richmond (the most expensive airport to fly from and to in the US) Or 150 from Norfolk (but will have the expense of a limo to get there). The rental car in Fla would cost about 200.

I can afford the plane and rental car but it just seems like a lot of money.

If I drive I would leave early (4am) on 8/12 and hope to be there by 5-6pm
I have to work the day before (12hr shift).

My big concern is being wiped out the next couple days from the drive and not being able to enjoy myself.

So the question is should I try to drive and save the money or fly and not worry about being wiped out?

Please help me make the decision.

Thanks


John

 

[momof2minnies]

I am thinking about the same thing but I believe the ride down would be so exciting, the anticipation, that you would not be wiped out. The ride home is another story- that I dread!

 

[Tina]

I would be concerned with being the only driver. I've driven twice from Northern VA. The first time, we drove straight through, switching off between me & my sister every 2 -3 hours. It was very rough. By South Carolina, my eyes were bugging out of my head. I got very tired. The 2nd time we drove, we stopped overnight in South Carolina (Hampton Inn in Santee) and it was a much more manageble ride. I'd never go straight through again.

 

[CarolynNC]

I've made the trip from North Carolina several times as the lone driver. My son's dad used to prohibit him from flying. Now that he's old enough to convince his dad, we fly.

I've made several trips where I can only describe myself as a road menace. Fatigue becomes an issue on I-95. I find myself falling asleep as I near Orlando. The trip back is worse. It takes me several days to get over the trip.

We've even taken the train several times and I prefer that to driving. I don't sleep as well as I do at home but usually get enough sleep and arrive ready to hit the parks!

Now I plan far enough ahead, I'm flexible with my dates and I find great airfares. My time and my son's life is worth soooo much more than any savings I realize from driving.

I do like to drive down once in a while but will never do it as the lone driver again. I only do it if we have multiple people going and have some pressing need for a car.

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

Carolyn

 

[crzy4dsny]

I have driven to Disney twice. The first time I drove straight through from Long Island. It was 18 1/2 hour trip and I did all the driving. We left at 2:00 am and arrived around 8:20 pm.

The next day we got up for early entry and I was fine. I didn't feel tired at all. I normally get up at 3:15 am and usually get about 5 hours sleep per night.

If you are going to arrive at 5 or 6 you will be fine. Just get some dinner, relax, and go to bed early.

 

[tci1212]

We are driving down on 8/14/4. I am the only one that drives we leave early in the morning and drive straight thru. In Feb we left at 9:00 am and got there at 1:30 am. We used to fly but the last several trips we decided to drive . I don't think you will be wiped out for a couple of days, maybe just the next morning, a little extra sleepy. But once in DW tiredness seems to disappear!

 

[mgilmer]

I have done both. I have driven from near Nashville (12 hours each way) and flown (1 1/2 hours each way). I don't mind driving in general, but I would NEVER drive to Disney again if I can fly (and I hate flying). The ability to arrive at Disney refreshed is worth every penny. And I love getting back home without needing an additional day or two to get over the trip.

Mike

 

[manning]

Fly..... A 12 hour work shift is working against you. If you fall asleep behind the wheel you won't know it until you hit something. Think about it. Do you know when you fall asleep in bed? It has happened to me. Next thing I know I'm hitting a snow drift along the side of the road. Didn't even know I feel asleep!!!!!

Keep that 15 yr old safe. Fly or stop overnight.

 

[Chicago526]

A 12 hour work shift and then 14 plus hours on the road?

Fly. You'll have more time in WDW and you won't be wiped out, or worse, wraped around a tree somewhere in Georgia.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

We drove, twice....and that was two times too many! I will never drive again! I vote to fly!

 

[zurgswife]

FLY

 

[frazzled one]

I enjoy making the 1200-mile drive to Disney, and I hate to fly. But in your case, Johnfish, I'd spend the money to fly, even though your cost would be higher and the details aren't all that convenient. Being the only driver is tough, and working 12 hours the day before will make it even tougher.

It sounds as if you have 9 vacation days to play with. Would you consider driving part way, possibly to northern Georgia, and spending the night? There are lots of inexpensive hotels along 95, and you can arrive early at WDW on 8/13 feeling soooo much better than if you'd driven straight through. Have a great time!

 

[puffkin]

Fly. If you are concerned about costs and are only doing Disney, just use the Mears shuttles instead of renting a car. I can't even drive 3 hours without getting tired, so I can't even begin to imagine driving all day after working 12 hours the day before. I just wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I agree with the prevailing sentiment here: Fly baby, Fly!
Either that or teleport

We tend to stay on site, even if it's at the All Stars (tho we prefer AKL in an ideal world), since that way we don't need to drive when we're down there either, just let the nice folks in the Purple Pants chauffeur us around. If you do fly, and are staying on site, I have some spare Mears coupons which will save you a bit getting to and from the airport; PM me if you want one, and I'll pop one in the mail.

Arrive rested and ready to go! And most of all, Have a great trip!

 

[disneymom3]

OH MY! This is a first! I don't think I have ever voted this way, but I say.....FLY! I have three kids and the 5of us would fly from Mpls to Orlando--you are looking at about $1200-$1500 right there. With your expenses, FLY!

 

[Johnfish]

Thanks for all the great replys!!

It looks like I should have started a pole It also looks like the majority say to fly. I am leaning more and more in this direction.

I routinely drive to the outer banks (3 to 4 hour drive) after work or the next morning and find I am getting sleepy after about 2 hrs. I love to drive but I think 12 hours is going to be just too much.

As for the rental car... We are going to be at disney for 5 days then universal for 2 and 1 day at seaworld. Thanks for the offer on the Mears coupons Pumpkinboy, but I personally prefer to have my own means of transportation so I will most likely rent a car. I will probably use the Disney transportation while on site but want the freedom to go outside the world.

Now I just have to figure out how to get the best fairs and rental rates.

John