Drive or fly?

[kerplop]

First post (woo!), but basically I've come in search of some advice or some opinions about options on our first trip to WDW. DP and I are planning on a trip in December for a week and everything is planned except how to get there! We are both fairly large (I am 6'0" about 350lbs and her 5'10" and about 275lbs - though we are both dieting/exercising for our trip) and are worried about flying.

Obviously Southwest would be our first choice for that since they do have a Customer of Size refund on a second seat and as we all know if you fly another airline there is no guarantee that you'll get 3 seats together even with getting to pick your seat. The price for 3 seats roundtrip on Southwest is $1,171 with the possibility that $390 of it will be refunded if the flights don't oversell. We would also have to rent a car to/from the airport because we don't have/need a car and that adds another $50 (cheaper than $40 each way for a shuttle). The total to fly is about $830 if we get our 3rd seat refunded.

Our other option is to drive, since we live about 900 miles away from WDW and we like driving okay. We would need to rent a car for 11 days and the total for that is $398. We would also need to buy gas, which gasbuddy.com tells me will cost about $315 (minus $100 because we have $100 in Shell gas gift cards). There would also be the cost of staying two nights in a hotel along the way since we really can't imagine driving 16 hours at a shot. So I figure for a cheapish motel that'd be about $150 extra and then we'd need 4 days of food, which if we budgeted $15 a meal adds up to about $200 for the trip there and back. Add this all up and our total to drive is about $965.


Conclusion: Most of the cons about flying are purely emotional. Neither of us really like to fly and as a person of size, we're worried about being embarrassed or somehow split up anyway. I'd also be concerned that the extra seat wouldn't be refunded because the flight is full. Driving is going to make us more tired when we get there since neither of us are used to driving much at home. 8 hours for two days straight is a lot of time in the car (and we're not even little kids!). DP would also have to take two more days of vacation time, which essentially puts us out a couple hundred dollars in theory. Plus there are a lot of things that could go wrong on a drive of that length, car-wise.

Anyway my question for you Dis-ers is WWYD (what would you do?)?

 

[Smile&Nod]

It doesn't necessarily save money, but if you live anywhere near DC have you considered the auto train? I only ask because that is my favorite way to get to Orlando - non-stop overnight from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL! Cost really is not bad if you don't get a sleeper - especially if you might have to pay for the third seat - they feed you and you have your car when you get there. The other advantage is you don't have to watch what you pack as much as flying....just a thought. If you aren't anywhere near DC then this might not be such a good option but...my daughter and I love it!

 

[kerplop]

It doesn't necessarily save money, but if you live anywhere near DC have you considered the auto train? I only ask because that is my favorite way to get to Orlando - non-stop overnight from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL! Cost really is not bad if you don't get a sleeper - especially if you might have to pay for the third seat - they feed you and you have your car when you get there. The other advantage is you don't have to watch what you pack as much as flying....just a thought. If you aren't anywhere near DC then this might not be such a good option but...my daughter and I love it!

Unfortunately we live west of WDW in Texas, but that would be an amazing idea otherwise! Thank you though

 

[Smile&Nod]

oh well, it was worth a try! I don't particularly like to fly so would most likely be driving if the train were not an option - the other thing is do you have a train station nearby that would allow you to take a regular train to Orlando? There is a station in downtown ... whatever works out, welcome to the DIS!

 

[kerplop]

Oh man I haven't taken a train trip since I was a kid, but I'm pretty sure there's a train station here that goes east. Not sure if you can get to WDW on it though but it's worth researching. Thanks again!

 

[ccgirl]

First post (woo!), but basically I've come in search of some advice or some opinions about options on our first trip to WDW. DP and I are planning on a trip in December for a week and everything is planned except how to get there! We are both fairly large (I am 6'0" about 350lbs and her 5'10" and about 275lbs - though we are both dieting/exercising for our trip) and are worried about flying.

Obviously Southwest would be our first choice for that since they do have a Customer of Size refund on a second seat and as we all know if you fly another airline there is no guarantee that you'll get 3 seats together even with getting to pick your seat. The price for 3 seats roundtrip on Southwest is $1,171 with the possibility that $390 of it will be refunded if the flights don't oversell. We would also have to rent a car to/from the airport because we don't have/need a car and that adds another $50 (cheaper than $40 each way for a shuttle). The total to fly is about $830 if we get our 3rd seat refunded.

Our other option is to drive, since we live about 900 miles away from WDW and we like driving okay. We would need to rent a car for 11 days and the total for that is $398. We would also need to buy gas, which gasbuddy.com tells me will cost about $315 (minus $100 because we have $100 in Shell gas gift cards). There would also be the cost of staying two nights in a hotel along the way since we really can't imagine driving 16 hours at a shot. So I figure for a cheapish motel that'd be about $150 extra and then we'd need 4 days of food, which if we budgeted $15 a meal adds up to about $200 for the trip there and back. Add this all up and our total to drive is about $965.


Conclusion: Most of the cons about flying are purely emotional. Neither of us really like to fly and as a person of size, we're worried about being embarrassed or somehow split up anyway. I'd also be concerned that the extra seat wouldn't be refunded because the flight is full. Driving is going to make us more tired when we get there since neither of us are used to driving much at home. 8 hours for two days straight is a lot of time in the car (and we're not even little kids!). DP would also have to take two more days of vacation time, which essentially puts us out a couple hundred dollars in theory. Plus there are a lot of things that could go wrong on a drive of that length, car-wise.

Anyway my question for you Dis-ers is WWYD (what would you do?)?

Just wanted to say that we just drove 16 hours with 2 children (3, and 8) and did not stay overnight anywhere. We ate breakfast then left. We stopped for lunch and a potty break. Stopped a few hours later for another potty break, then for dinner. Got home around midnight. We took turns driving every 4 hours. Worked out great. We were debating flying our next trip or driving they did so well. I would definitely do a 16 hour drive again. Not having to worry about what I was carrying on a plane was great. Given that every SW flight I have been on to Orlando has been sold out, I would drive.

 

[PosadaGirl519]

Have done it both ways from Long Island. IMHO, drive. As great as the internal transportation is in WDW, nothing beats the convenience of having a car there. Not only will you save at least an hour a day of travel time (waiting for those busses can be disenchanting) but you can go to Walmart or Publix and get supplies there: water, beer, snacks etc. and save a bundle of $$$. Normally, 2 bottles of water in WDW costs about the same as a case from the supermarket.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and i fly SW out of New Orleans. I am 5'4" and 226#, he is 5"7" and 275#, his Brother is 6'1" and 290#. DH and I have always been able to sit togther. Our last flight was on a Sunday and the flight was packed--but we were glad we flew.

Sounds like flying with three seats is the easiest physically....and that is what vacation is all about. We are excercising more regularly too to increas our endurance for the Parks.

I can understand your hesitation about flying as a person of size. I had those exact same feelings when going to the AKV pool everyday. I wore an appropriate new bathing suit for my delicate shape, new cover-up, had my toenails painted, blah, blah blah. Once I got in the water it was the best part of our trip last May. I spent 2 hours everyday just walking around in the pool, watching everyone else, and RELAXING. It was well worth the pain getting out of my cover-up to walk 20 feet from my chair and feel like everyone was watching.

I think you would feel like that too, when you landed in Orlando 2 hours later ready for vacation. If the only thing you are worried about is seating then I would buy the extra seat and EBCI to make sure we got priority check in. DH and I had it for that Sunday trip and it was well worth it--he has to sit on the ailse seat. And hey if you get that money back--all the better--if you don't Oh well--you are in Disney 2 hours after leaving the airport. DH and I never use ME, we pay over $100 to be picked up from the airport when we could walk a few steps and have it for free....

But as DH told me last year, " please let me just have my towncar, it is the only thing I really ask for on the trip". He was right and it is always worth starting with that little bit of luxury.

So I say, fly, be free, let your heart soar through the skies to your Happy Place.

 

[ToddyLu]

Everyone is different but tryiing to navigate in a car around WDW is just not fun to me. When you go to the MK, you have to go through the gate, park, get on a tram to the TTC, then take the boat or monorail to the MK gate. The Disney bus drops you off right at the gate--badda bing! Did we have to wait sometimes for a bus--yep--is it every time we go somewhere?-- in the 11 times we have been since 2002, I bet we have had to wait over 20 minutes twice each trip--with one of those times being at park closing which is understandable. We NEVER use a car.

WDW is huge and there is no way to express how big until you actually experience it. Our trip from AKV to MK is at least 15 minutes--and that is going straight to the gate and NEVER leaving the Disney property.

 

[ToddyLu]

Why not just go to the ariport and talk to a SW rep and see what they say, just to make you and DP feel better about the whole experience. Maybe that would help . Dont they have seats behind the scenes for you to try out, before actually flying?? I would also ask about the belt extensions and then purchase one if they did not have one I was comfy with....then also purchase EBCI.

 

[kerplop]

Thanks for all the replies you guys! Great to get some input since I've been hemming and hawing over this for a few weeks now.

Unfortunately the airport is a long way out from where we are, about 45 minutes drive away and we don't have a car (personal choice) so it might be a bit out of reach in that regard. I'm not sure what SW's policy is about preboarding because last time I flew I got an extra seat and they told me I had to preboard. But I was alone and obviously this time DP would be with me as well. Would she board with me or would she need EBCI? I guess I should be asking SW that not you fine folks, but it's worth a shot.

Honestly I would feel more comfortable driving, but only for the first day. Then I would be anxious to BE THERE and I can't imagine driving two days home. Talk about exhausted! I think the flying is looking more attractive, but I just want to make sure that the two of us will be happy and comfortable with that option.

Does anyone have any opinions about the WDW transportation without a car? Is there anywhere to pick up breakfast stuff or will we be eating 3 meals a day in the world? Mostly I'm trying to add/subtract from the ole budget here.

 

[ToddyLu]

OK now you've gone and done it---opened a huge can of worms here. Everyone has their own take on Dsiney Transportation. As folks of size DH and I are perfectly happy to leave the drive to them and to get us closer to that gate. Now it is more difficult to stand there on a cold night in Dec waiting after the park closes. But DH and I accept it as part of the experience and we let them do all the driving. We have only used our car once to eat at the Cali Grill one night in 2004.

I would just bring my own food stuff if I was driving and then pack a few things if flying. The stores in each resort sell food stuff, milk, bread, sandwich meat, cinnamon buns, etc. There is also a Hess station across the street from DTD. So you could make a quick stop and pick up some stuff then head back to catch a bus. The servings/portion sizes at WDW are really good so I think you guys might could share the combo lunches of burger and fries. You can also have groceries delivered to your resort via Garden Grocer or We go Shop. You have to be there to accept delivery but if the room isn't ready when you arrive then Bell Services will hold it for you and even keep things cold if needed.

You can find all the menus and most of the pricing at Allears.

 

[ToddyLu]

Have you considered the Disney Dinning Plan? Are you staying on property? We just added it for my parents reservation and it was about $640 for the seven night trip. Which for some folks is cheap. DH and I have always made it worth our while.

 

[kerplop]

LOL I had no idea it was a controversy! So my apologies for anyone who gets bent out of shape about it

Anyway we are planning on buying the QSDP mainly for budgeting reasons. I like to know what to expect, you know? Plus that style of dining is more our style since we didn't want to plan around ADR. Basically the only meal consideration was breakfast as we need a high fiber meal once a day at least! I just wanted to make sure if we didn't have a rental car we'd be a-okay to get around to the parks and everything. I don't mind waiting so much, we're both Pooh sized but we're pretty darned sturdy

 

[ccgirl]

LOL I had no idea it was a controversy! So my apologies for anyone who gets bent out of shape about it

Anyway we are planning on buying the QSDP mainly for budgeting reasons. I like to know what to expect, you know? Plus that style of dining is more our style since we didn't want to plan around ADR. Basically the only meal consideration was breakfast as we need a high fiber meal once a day at least! I just wanted to make sure if we didn't have a rental car we'd be a-okay to get around to the parks and everything. I don't mind waiting so much, we're both Pooh sized but we're pretty darned sturdy

Nobody is out of shape about it. By that poster mentioning opening a can of worms, they were referring to the fact there are strong opinions, both positive and negative about WDW transportation. Personally, I am on the negative side. My experience is that it was always quicker to drive my own car. I don't like waiting for a bus to have to stand holding my child while juggling a stroller then making stops at several other resorts before getting to mine. As you will find out, some people don't mind it. I like being on my own schedule with a guaranteed seat and found driving around WDW to be a piece of cake. One time we were at DHS and had reservations at DTD at T-Rex. Took us 1 1/2 hours to get there via WDW transportation. Had we had our own car it would have taken 10 minutes. Now, we always rent a car.

 

[kwdw]

First post (woo!), but basically I've come in search of some advice or some opinions about options on our first trip to WDW. DP and I are planning on a trip in December for a week and everything is planned except how to get there! We are both fairly large (I am 6'0" about 350lbs and her 5'10" and about 275lbs - though we are both dieting/exercising for our trip) and are worried about flying.

Obviously Southwest would be our first choice for that since they do have a Customer of Size refund on a second seat and as we all know if you fly another airline there is no guarantee that you'll get 3 seats together even with getting to pick your seat. The price for 3 seats roundtrip on Southwest is $1,171 with the possibility that $390 of it will be refunded if the flights don't oversell. We would also have to rent a car to/from the airport because we don't have/need a car and that adds another $50 (cheaper than $40 each way for a shuttle). The total to fly is about $830 if we get our 3rd seat refunded.

Our other option is to drive, since we live about 900 miles away from WDW and we like driving okay. We would need to rent a car for 11 days and the total for that is $398. We would also need to buy gas, which gasbuddy.com tells me will cost about $315 (minus $100 because we have $100 in Shell gas gift cards). There would also be the cost of staying two nights in a hotel along the way since we really can't imagine driving 16 hours at a shot. So I figure for a cheapish motel that'd be about $150 extra and then we'd need 4 days of food, which if we budgeted $15 a meal adds up to about $200 for the trip there and back. Add this all up and our total to drive is about $965.


Conclusion: Most of the cons about flying are purely emotional. Neither of us really like to fly and as a person of size, we're worried about being embarrassed or somehow split up anyway. I'd also be concerned that the extra seat wouldn't be refunded because the flight is full. Driving is going to make us more tired when we get there since neither of us are used to driving much at home. 8 hours for two days straight is a lot of time in the car (and we're not even little kids!). DP would also have to take two more days of vacation time, which essentially puts us out a couple hundred dollars in theory. Plus there are a lot of things that could go wrong on a drive of that length, car-wise.

Anyway my question for you Dis-ers is WWYD (what would you do?)?

Going back to the original question - I'd suggest driving. I'm doing the 16 hour drive this fall to Disney - and I do plan to stop overnight on the way there and home. We can't do more than about 12 hours.

My plan is this:
1) Day one - bring food from home for snacks/lunch. Drive about 11 hours, stop at a hotel for <$80. Dinner - fast food (for us - probably 4-7 dollars for each of us)
2) Day two - breakfast - I usually buy an iced mocha on the road at a McD's or Starbucks and we typically bring fruit/yogurt/Pop-Tarts or the like from home. Eat snacks in the car for lunch. Get to Disney by early afternoon!
3) DISNEY!
4) First day drive home - just going to go 4-6 hours and stay at hotel <80 per night. Probably have character breakfast or lunch to end the Disney experience - that's part of the Disney budget - not the getting there budget! (LOL) Dinner - depends on what we do for lunch and exactly when we leave - but we have the flexibility to decide the last day because there is not flight to catch and we don't intend to drive too far.
5) Finish the rest of the drive home in misery..... probably taking a couple hours longer than necessary because we keep stopping because we don't want to get home. Arrive home WAY TOO late. It will be no fun and a long day. But we know that.
6) Go to work the next day and mourn..... and attempt to climb out of the back-log of emails...

If I got a good deal on a SW ticket - we could fly for a bit less. But the benefit of having the car at Disney is pretty high for us. We can bring cheap snacks/water, get off property if needed, etc. We do a blend of driving to the parks and taking the bus (we usually bus to MK, but drive to all the other places because we find it saves time). Saves some stress in packing because we know if we forgot something we can always just go get it (and not pay on-site prices).

It's also a fairly long day if we fly. 30 minutes to the airport - 2 hours in advance of flight - 2+ hours flight. Getting all the way over to the Magical Express, waiting for that, and waiting to get dropped off. That's still a several hour trip. That type of travel is also stressful in its own way.

Anyway - that's my two cents.

 

[almondthomas]

If you want to visit any place then you can decide that you visit that place by vehicle or book by flight.You have decide how to visit your favorite place.I think drive a car and visit our place is the best.