Drive or fly

[cndmama05]

I'm not sure this is the right forum for this question but i'll try anyways. We are a family of 4 with 2 little ones ages 5 and 15 months at the time of travel. We are looking for do a trip down to florida as cheap as possible. The trip including travel days has to be 12 days or less. We are travelling from timmins ontario. We drive a lot so thats why we are even considering a road trip.

Options:
1. drive all the way with our SUV
Pros: our own vehicle can pack as much as we want (great with little ones), cheaper and more flexible with stops
Cons: the loooong drive

2. drive to either YYZ or BUF and fly from there
Pros: have enough aeroplan points to fly from yyz but nervous about flying with kids (delays, stuck on tarmac, kids getting sick on plane, etc)
Cons: quicker, will have to rent a van at MCO

3. fly to YYZ then rent a van and drive from there
Pros: have enough points to fly to YYZ, flexible (can stop along the way down to orlando)
Cons: not really saving any money with hotels and food and gas


I'm leaning towards option 3 just so we can get a taste of what it's like flying with kids and the flight would be paid for by points and that part of the trip would be the worst of the drive anyway.

Thanks for reading my long post. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

 

[mort1331]

My thoughts are if your flying, then fly the whole way. I know how long Timmins is, but. Driving will be very cheap in comparison. For us from just north of TO it was $250us for food and gas, RETURN. Now we drive nonstop approx. 24hours. Ours are now 5 and 9 and have done the drive when they were young. If we are going in the march break time we normally drive, just don't want the headache of flight cancelations. And I have no issues driving in snow. For our fall trips we sometimes fly. Depends how many are coming.
Renting a van from YYZ and driving down has its own issues. One big one is the crossing the border, not all sites let you and the cost sometimes is crazy.
Luck has our sides with our kids, they are great in a car and on planes. They have done the 24hour in car, and 11 hour in plane(Greece), so we always base ours on how much time we have for vacation and costs.
Sorry no right answer.

 

[Average Joes]

As I'm sure you know you only have to pay for 3 flights. 15 month old can sit on your lap. You factor in the extra hotels, gas and wear on your vehicle there is very little savings driving rather than flying at least from Buffalo. They have those park/sleep deals so you can drive up the night before and fly out early. The savings here would be more for the rental when you get there. At least using the $200-$250/person with luggage that it usually costs us from Detroit plus $100 for 1 night hotel/parking.

We flew with a 12 month old who got a bad stomach bug at Disney that was going around. Bathroom changes several times. I think I would rather deal with that on a plane than a really long drive. We had to take her to the hospital a couple times and my wife is a nurse. I still would not hesitate to fly. As far as delays go I book with a carrier that has multiple flights that day. If there is a problem they have more flexibility to get you there. If there is a delay due to the weather then think how bad it would be driving in bad weather.

 

[mshanson3121]

I disagree that there will be little savings. There will still be significant savings driving the whole way vs. flying especially when you remember you have to rent a car.

If money is the main concern, driving will be cheapest hands down.

But you have to factor time - you'll lose an extra day day driving there and back, so that only gives you 8 days there vs. 10.

I would not do B or C. You're spending more money for basically nothing - you'll still be driving a chunk of the way, plus have the added hassle of dealing with airports, potential delays, rental cars, lugging car seats etc...

I would fly the entire way or drive the entire way.

 

[Roobear77]

A couple of questions that will sway my vote...

Are you staying onsite? If you are, usually there is little reason to rent a vehicle.

If you are not, and need to rent, why a minivan? If there are only 4 of you a car should do fine, which is cheaper.

I think that a lot of parents (in the past this included me) worry about flying with their kids unnecessarily. It's relatively easy, and a short flight. The first couple of times they are usually so enthralled with what is happening that it goes great. Lots of snacks, new toys or access to electronics they usually don't get access too and before you know it you are there. If they cry, well, kids cry. On a flight to Orlando they wont be the only kids and even if they cry they won't be the only ones.

 

[starvenger]

If you are not, and need to rent, why a minivan? If there are only 4 of you a car should do fine, which is cheaper.

I get why you want a minivan - with the 15mo, you're probably bringing a bit of stuff, and the minivan affords a lot of room for that stuff. When we travel with my MiL (so 5 people) we've gone the minivan route, but now that my kids are old enough to use a booster (no back) when we travel, we will likely be downgrading to a mid/full size car, or just road tripping to wherever.

As @Roobear77 mentioned a car should be fine. Get a mid-to full size car and there should still be enough room for the stuff (and the kids too). Don't forget that there will be space under the kids' feet to store things. If you want a bit more peace of mind you could get a compact SUV. But of course it all comes down to price. If you can find an acceptable price for the class of vehicle you want, book it - you can usually cancel later at no charge.

One thing I did want to ask the OP - I take it there are no fixed miles flights you can get from Timmins to Orlando? You would still have to clear customs in Toronto (both ways I believe) but at least it would reduce your total travel time to something like 10-11 hours (I'm assuming a 2-3 hour layover in Toronto here, plus driving to wherever you are staying in Orlando/Kissimmee).

 

[Momto2minniemice]

Do what your heart tells you! You know your family best and what is best for the kids. My girls are well traveled but even long flights drive me a bit crazy at times and the stress can be bad for you and the kids. If you do fly the airline will send the seats for free if you check them at the check in counter. But a road trip could be cool too! I wish you the best of luck either way you arrive! As long as your destination is Disney the it all will be a happy ending!

 

[McMonsters]

I have flown to Orlando with three kids by myself and I'm doing it again in a few weeks. 6,5 and 2 are the ages and we have a stop over in Atlanta. Our last trip was a nightmare, all 4 legs of our trip had delays, just all around bad luck. We sat on the tarmac for 1 hour leaving our local airport, barely made our connection, on the flight home sat on the tarmac for 2 hours, missed our connection and had to stay at a hotel overnight, luckily the attendants were amazing and it worked out. Lesson learned, book flights in the AM or early afternoon to avoid getting stuck. Our drive is only 9 hours but with the kids and being the only driver it ends up being 12+. I rent a car when we get to Orlando airport since trying to navigate the bus system with 3 kids and a stroller is too much for me plus wait times for the Magical Express can be unpredictable, not something I want to do at lunch time with 3 kids after flying all morning. I do bring our car seat/ mifolds to save money and I stalk the car rental sites to get a good deal. We order diapers, liquids (shampoo, etc so we don't need to fly with them) and food from Garden Grocer so that I don't waste an afternoon at the grocery store, most would argue that this is not needed with a rental but navigating the grocery store, especially one we are unfamiliar with is tough and takes forever with the kids by myself. This trip I'm toying with trying to do carry on only and not check anything, still on the fence about that one. But all of this is to make it easier on me while taking the kids when hubs is deployed. I've done it all and find my favorite is flying because its less stress on me and all the action keeps the kids occupied. We also have severe food allergies that make things more complicated but make it work, anything to get us to Disney

 

[starvenger]

I have flown to Orlando with three kids by myself and I'm doing it again in a few weeks. 6,5 and 2 are the ages and we have a stop over in Atlanta. Our last trip was a nightmare, all 4 legs of our trip had delays, just all around bad luck.

I've been through ATL exactly once (ACA -> ATL -> YYZ). Hated it. Definitely on my list of "airports to avoid connecting through" along with ORD and LAX, but there might be some international travel bias at play here. YYZ would be on that list as well, but since I live in the GTA it's servicable for me.

 

[ottawamom]

I have flown to Orlando with three kids by myself and I'm doing it again in a few weeks. 6,5 and 2 are the ages and we have a stop over in Atlanta. Our last trip was a nightmare, all 4 legs of our trip had delays, just all around bad luck. We sat on the tarmac for 1 hour leaving our local airport, barely made our connection, on the flight home sat on the tarmac for 2 hours, missed our connection and had to stay at a hotel overnight, luckily the attendants were amazing and it worked out. Lesson learned, book flights in the AM or early afternoon to avoid getting stuck. Our drive is only 9 hours but with the kids and being the only driver it ends up being 12+. I rent a car when we get to Orlando airport since trying to navigate the bus system with 3 kids and a stroller is too much for me plus wait times for the Magical Express can be unpredictable, not something I want to do at lunch time with 3 kids after flying all morning. I do bring our car seat/ mifolds to save money and I stalk the car rental sites to get a good deal. We order diapers, liquids (shampoo, etc so we don't need to fly with them) and food from Garden Grocer so that I don't waste an afternoon at the grocery store, most would argue that this is not needed with a rental but navigating the grocery store, especially one we are unfamiliar with is tough and takes forever with the kids by myself. This trip I'm toying with trying to do carry on only and not check anything, still on the fence about that one. But all of this is to make it easier on me while taking the kids when hubs is deployed. I've done it all and find my favorite is flying because its less stress on me and all the action keeps the kids occupied. We also have severe food allergies that make things more complicated but make it work, anything to get us to Disney

I have three boys (now all grown up) and we traveled with them on planes when they were young (we still do). I have got to say that you deserve a medal for doing all of that on your own. It must be the military training. My hat goes off to you.

OP, fly. It so much more civilized and if it isn't you'll be there sooner.

 

[mshanson3121]

OP, fly. It so much more civilized and if it isn't you'll be there sooner.

We absolutely loved the drive there, had a lot of fun, made great memories, were able to stop and see stuff along the way and the children were as good as gold. I certainly would not call flying more "civilized".

The drive home, has the potential to be harder however since you're all tired. That said, I had it built up in my mind that our drive home was a horrendous experience, but DH has reminded me more than once, that it actually really wasn't that bad. It just seemed worse than it was because I was sick and in pain. The children were really good until about the last 5-6 hours (and who doesn't get tired driving through Maine? Most. Boring. Highway. EVER.), and I'd far rather be stuck with tired kids in a car where we're able to stop and get out and stretch our legs, get a snack etc..., crank up the radio to drown out their whining (lol) and there's no one around us to bother, than be stuck on an airplane with overtired kids that have nowhere to go and lots of people to bother.

 

[hardis5]

IMHO it is either option 1 to save $ but spend a few extra days on either side driving or fly all the way and rent while down there. Connecting flights with AC are not outrageous from Timmins (I was surprised looking at) and then in 6-10 hours with a YYZ connecting flight and you are in Orlando.

Option 2 in Driving 7-9 hours to Toronto or Buffalo I'd not think would save you a ton of $ in the prices I saw flying from Timmins and knowing the $ from Buffalo, Toronto (we've as well done Detroit and Cleveland before). The only thing I do not know but assume from Timmins being a small market, the price is the price and you'd likely not see the same air price fluctuations seen from YYZ or BUF they being larger markets with more competition.

Options 3, I think you'd be surprised the small price difference in flying the entire way (unless a peak period) and a rental can be found relatively cheap in FLA if hunting for and re-booking when lower rental rates come up.

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

I drove twice to Florida this year - once in Dec/Jan and again in June. I had my little guy who was 3 and then 3 1/2 and he was golden the whole way. I had flow the prior year and I found that at 2 he was not good on a plane - can't sit still, unsettled etc. We took lots of music and just drove drove drove and guess what? Its not bad at all. I should mention we live in Ottawa. The drive down the US eastern seaboard is not like driving home to the Maritimes through Quebec and endless endless New Brunswick where its just trees and forest and nothing. In the US once you get even into Pennsylvania its just offramps, mall etc the whole way. You can pretty much stop and stretch you legs whenever.

That said - your younger child might find sitting that long tough and its actually not recommended to sit that long in a car seat. I might be inclined to fly, however that will not make it the cheap trip you want. Gas in the US is so cheap its not even a cost factor (even with the exchange its shockingly cheap) but flying it just getting pricier....

 

[Uncranky Donald]

I have flown to Orlando with three kids by myself and I'm doing it again in a few weeks. 6,5 and 2 are the ages and we have a stop over in Atlanta. Our last trip was a nightmare, all 4 legs of our trip had delays, just all around bad luck. We sat on the tarmac for 1 hour leaving our local airport, barely made our connection, on the flight home sat on the tarmac for 2 hours, missed our connection and had to stay at a hotel overnight, luckily the attendants were amazing and it worked out. Lesson learned, book flights in the AM or early afternoon to avoid getting stuck. Our drive is only 9 hours but with the kids and being the only driver it ends up being 12+. I rent a car when we get to Orlando airport since trying to navigate the bus system with 3 kids and a stroller is too much for me plus wait times for the Magical Express can be unpredictable, not something I want to do at lunch time with 3 kids after flying all morning. I do bring our car seat/ mifolds to save money and I stalk the car rental sites to get a good deal. We order diapers, liquids (shampoo, etc so we don't need to fly with them) and food from Garden Grocer so that I don't waste an afternoon at the grocery store, most would argue that this is not needed with a rental but navigating the grocery store, especially one we are unfamiliar with is tough and takes forever with the kids by myself. This trip I'm toying with trying to do carry on only and not check anything, still on the fence about that one. But all of this is to make it easier on me while taking the kids when hubs is deployed. I've done it all and find my favorite is flying because its less stress on me and all the action keeps the kids occupied. We also have severe food allergies that make things more complicated but make it work, anything to get us to Disney

This is some serious Goddess action!! Brava!!! That is Motherly love & Disney dedication at its finest , doing what you gotta do to get your family to the mouse

 

[mshanson3121]

In the US once you get even into Pennsylvania its just offramps, mall etc the whole way. You can pretty much stop and stretch you legs whenever.

That said - your younger child might find sitting that long tough and its actually not recommended to sit that long in a car seat. I might be inclined to fly, however that will not make it the cheap trip you want. Gas in the US is so cheap its not even a cost factor (even with the exchange its shockingly cheap) but flying it just getting pricier....

Yes, there were so many places to stop, lots of really nice rest stops, too. (We did the 81 to 77 route). We packed picnic lunches, brought a football and soccer ball with us, and every time we stopped (whether to eat, get gas, bathroom etc), we'd get out and play soccer or football. Even just 10-15 minutes of running, playing, really helped break it up, and also gave us parents a little energy pick me up, too. We also stopped and toured the caves in Shenandoah, too, which was really nice. Though granted we also had more time than the OP in Florida, so if we were on a time crunch we probably wouldn't have.

 

[McMonsters]

I have three boys (now all grown up) and we traveled with them on planes when they were young (we still do). I have got to say that you deserve a medal for doing all of that on your own. It must be the military training. My hat goes off to you.

OP, fly. It so much more civilized and if it isn't you'll be there sooner.

This is some serious Goddess action!! Brava!!! That is Motherly love & Disney dedication at its finest , doing what you gotta do to get your family to the mouse

You guys are too sweet! Truthfully its all I know, better than sitting at home. It took a few years to get comfortable and I'm still learning, hence the flights! We homeschool so it makes it easier to pick up and go. I do love the mouse, especially how "normal" they make us feel with the food allergies we have been blessed with, only place we have found that is safe!