Drive or fly?

[Mustangdi]

I have been thinking about the pros and cons of a
15 hour or more drive to Orlando. I have found
reasonable flights for the last 5 years, but it
is not looking good this year. We are going the
end of Sept. and I still have time to decide
which way to go. I have the National Emerald
Aisle and made a res. as a backup while waiting.
I got a mid-size car for 9 days for a total of
$319.42. My problem is that I am so spoiled by
flying that I dread the thought of driving. Is
there anyone else that is going through this
same annoying problem? I need some positive
thoughts right now for either way, drive or fly?
I will have to do all the driving (taking 9 yr
old grandson) and would have to stop half way and
spend the night. Help!! Thanks

 

[safetymom]

What is "your" time worth? If it is only you driving by the time you get there you will be exhausted. When you compare the cost of the gas and car, tolls, etc. how much are you saving?

I prefer to fly. I can plan to arrive early and spend the day in the parks. Why not just start watching the different web sites and monitor the price of the tickets? That way when you see a deal you can jump on it.

 

[tinaluis]

We have flown in the past and driven in the past and are going to drive for our October, 2003 trip. The deciding factor for us was that, in the past, we have been able to get tickets for $127 each RT from Chicago on SW, and this year we can't touch anything near that, the cheapest we've found is $175 RT, which is a difference of $48 x 5 tickets. Also, we usually stay for about 2 weeks and car rental really adds up for the trip. Even factoring in an overnight stay each way, gas, tolls, wear and tear on our van, time spent driving, etc. we feel we are better off driving. It's not a piece of cake by any means, but it is manageable.

 

[dturner]

I am in the same boat as you are. I'm going at the end of September and have not found any good airfares from Dallas this year and I just bought a new car so we are going to drive this time, three of us (me, DH, and DS (7)). We are going to try and do the trip in one day with only DH driving and I'm thinking "are we really going to be able to do it in one day with DS" (ugh!)? It is a long drive probably the same from where you are and from where I am. Personally, I don't mind sitting in a car for 16 hours when I know I'm going to be at WDW at the end of it. The only thing I can think of to save our sanity is to get DS a screen for his Gamecube so that will entertain him while driving for so long.

The only good thing I can come up with regarding driving is that it will be cheaper than three of us flying and I'm getting gas cards free through mypoints so that makes it even cheaper, by the time the end of September comes along I HOPE to have at least half the gas paid for through mypoints.

Of course, if money were no object, I'd fly in a heartbeat, can't beat that 2-1/2 hour flight vs. a 14-16 hour car ride.

Good luck on whichever method you choose to get to WDW and remember your not the only one out there debating this issue.

 

[BrianD]

We live about 7 hours away, so we drive. But that is about my limit for driving. Any longer and I would be flying. With a 15 hour drive, I would fly, unless you are going to be down there a long time, and have the time to recouperate, because that drive will wear you out. (Or at least it would me)

 

[forever-groovy]

We will drive...abuot 10 hours, more for stopping. I am staying an extra night coming and going just to sleep. I just don't want to spend the money to fly 4 of us there. I have driven ths far before, and while not fun.....I will live...lol

 

[stonesix]

we are leaving this wednesday with 4 children we are driving HELP! lol 17 hrs in the car we will through the night and pray they sleep but the cost of air far for 6 would be alot, we have done 12 hr car rides and been ok but this will be a first we will be there for 12 days so plenty of time to recoop

 

[Kirby]

We have flown once and driven twice. I prefer driving because I like looking at the scenery as we drive along. I feel like I am missing so much if I fly. Besides, my husband is not a big fan of WDW and he wouldn't extend our vacation any more if we flew. We would still stay the same amount of days.

 

[jonemick]

Flying is the way to go if you can find a good rate, which you should be able too. I just flew last week on Delta for $123/rt from Detroit, and have the same tickets on Delta in November for $171/rt. Also, $320 for 9 days is way to much for National (Emerald Club). I just paid $125 for 7 days using the Emerald club and Have a reservation for November (10-days for $171).

Go to the following website for some rental car money saving tips.

WWW.MOUSESAVERS.COM

 

[Belle5]

It seems to me like the more people you have in your car--the more of a bargain it is to drive. Personally, with only 1-4 people I would fly!!! Having a large family (as we do) --it makes much more financial sense to drive. The only times we have flown have been when we get rates like $100 per person. Pretty hard to find deals like that since 9/11! (Also, it costs more for a bigger crew to rent a vehicle for the week. A smaller party can get by with an economy car to rent.)

 

[ceecee]

We're going the end of Sept. too, we don't have enough FF miles for three tickets so this year we'll buy. I couldn't even think of driving, we did it 14 years ago and said never again! I feel like like missing park time just by having a lay over now. We used to hop on a plane and 2 1/2 hrs be there, but now there are no directs out of Dayton. Still 5 hrs beats the drive.

 

[mickeyc]

We have a 21 hour drive from New Jersey to Florida. It takes us day and half to get to Orlando. If the airfares are good we fly and save the three days driving to spend at the resorts. There is an additional cost to fly because we need to rent a car.

If we were to stay more than two week in Florida we would drive because the car rentals at the reduced rates can add up very quickly. There are some companies that will rent late model used cars at reduced rates. At this time we prefer to fly and save the time to spend at the resorts. Good luck!!

 

[TEK224]

I've driven twice before and have said never again. I'd much rather be there in 2 1/2 hours. Since I was the only onee driving, I was beat by the time I got there, and driving home was the worst - no WDW to look forward TO!

I think the only way I'd drive again was if I was taking about 2 weeks off and wanted to stop along the way to see other things.

I'm going again in Sept. There will be 6 of us and I got the airfare for $170 incl. tax and fees. Beets 19 hours in the car with 3 kids!

Terri

 

[Mustangdi]

I am so glad that I posted and got all these good
replies. I realize from what everyone has said that I would not be happy with driving. It would
cut 2 days of our park time and I would be too tired from the drive. I have decided to fly and
will be looking for lower fares. I make a new res.
with National for 7 days for $196.67 for a compact
with a double upgrade. (Ent.coupon) The lady at
National said to check back for better rates in the next 2 months.I did call Budget and Hertz and
both were higher. Wow, what a rough year for planning our WDW trips! Thanks for your ideas. I
will post again if any better deals come around.

 

[disneysteve]

Mustangdi - Let me throw in one more opinion. We've flown many times and we've driven many times. For various reasons, we much prefer to drive (17 hours of travel time from New Jersey). Here are the main reasons.

Everyone says flying takes 2 hours. The flight takes 2 hours but the whole experience takes closer to 8 hours door to door including driving to the airport, checking in, getting through security, claiming baggage, getting rental car, driving to hotel, etc. So the time difference between flying and driving isn't as big as people think.

We can pack anything we want when we drive. No suitcase weight limit or number of bags. Our only limit is what will fit in our van. This also means we can pack a couple of boxes/coolers of food to have in our room and reduce our spending on overpriced snacks when we get there. We always eat breakfast in our room so we pack cereal, pop-tarts, etc. Just have to buy milk and juice when we arrive.

Also, we don't have to worry about making room for purchases on the way home. A couple of years when we flew we had to go to Mailboxes Etc. and ship stuff home.

We don't have to rent a car. That saves additional money.

We teach our daughter (now 7) that the journey is part of the vacation. We've stopped at various spots along the way and gotten fresh peaches in Georgia, boiled peanuts, pecan logs and other local specialties. We've driven past cotton fields and over swampland. We've taken roadside photos at each "Welcome to ..." sign.

Just for the record, I do all the driving. We leave NJ about 8am. We stop about every 3 hours for a break/meal. We usually stop for the nite in S. Carolina between 8 and 9pm. We get back on the road about 8 the next morning and arrive in WDW for a late lunch. Driving does shorten our time in Florida, but it saves a huge amount of money (about $1000 on average) and avoids a lot of hassles dealing with airports and packing. Personally, I don't find the drive that tiring. I'm always ready and raring to go when we get there. As long as you take frequent breaks and stop at a reasonable time for the nite, you shouldn't have a problem.

Have a great trip whichever way you decide to get there. We'll be hitting the road November 1 for our next drive South.

Steve

 

[safetymom]

FYI,

Mustangdi , do you belong to AAA? They offer a great discount with Hertz. Also you should check the car rental websites. Usually the prices on the website are cheaper than you can get by calling the agency.

disneysteve, I prefer to think of my 2 hour trip as 5 hours each way. I travel a lot for business and start the time from when I pull out of my driveway. It is still easier to fly than drive. I can instruct my kids about all sorts of things when flying. I always get a great deal on a car when we fly and this saves wear and tear on my personal car by leaving it home.

When we get to Orlando I stop at the Super Wal Mart and buy groceries so that we can have snacks or breakfast in the room. I use my soft sided cooler as luggage on the way down. My kids love this. We have been so many times I don't have to worry about buying so much I can't fit it in my suitcase.

My kids have seen a lot of America but when I am going to WDW I find it much better to fly.

 

[maggie767]

myself i would rather drive. you see alot and you can stop anytime you want to and get out and stretch your legs. we are renting a 7 passenger van. the grandchildren (teenagers ) will be able to watch movies , they will bring their cd players with them. we will have a lot of fun. we have went this way before, and i don't mind the driving. first of all let me say i will never fly again only because i hate it. but i also have went by train and i didn't mind that but it takes a day and a half to get there the same as a car. if you don't mind flying then go for it, but i'm such a chicken and i won't put myself through that again. we will be leaving here october 17th and will be back the 27th. which ever way you decide to go have a good time.

 

[taylor1293]

We prefer to drive. Mostly because I hate to fly. But also because there is no comparison in cost between flying and driving.

We are 1000 miles away from Orlando and drive straight through with no overnight stops. I find it easier to just get it over with then to stop overnight and take a break somewhere.

It took us 15 1/2 hours to get there this year and 16 hours to get home.

The cheapest airfare I could find for the 5 of us and car rental for 12 days would have been around $1,400.

Our cost of gas for the trip was around $160. That is a savings of over $1200 for just 20 extra hours (total) of our vacation time for travel.

The $1,200 I saved was better spent elsewhere. Like on souvenirs and character meals!!!

Good luck making your decision

Teresa

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by safetymom
Fdisneysteve, I prefer to think of my 2 hour trip as 5 hours each way. I travel a lot for business and start the time from when I pull out of my driveway. It is still easier to fly than drive.

It is definitely faster to fly, but I think "easier" is a more personal determination. For us, its easier to throw everything in the van than to have to pack for air travel. Its easier not to have to trek through airports hauling our luggage.

Driving is definitely a significant time committment, but it saves us about $1000 per trip and we always arrive in a better mood and more relaxed than when we fly. I love to fly - not afraid in the least - but the whole process drains me. I guess its a control thing - I'd rather go on my own schedule at my own pace in my own vehicle.

Definitely a personal decision. We've done it both ways - one of each last year. But I can tell you that when we were sitting in the airport in Nov. waiting for our flight, my wife and I both asked at almost the same time - "Why didn't we drive?" We swore we'd drive next time.

Steve

 

[Banshee]

We are going oct.31st to Nov.8th we wll be leaving on the 29th to drive to disney! We are actually looking forward to the drive!! I ave traveled a lot with my parents. But my DH had never left the state of NJ until he met me!!!! So he is excited! We are driving with our two DS age 7 and age 18 months. We just cant fathom the Idea of flying, we are both chickens!! we are figuring on putting 300.00 dollars aside for the drive. we were told by friends it would be a 22 hour drive? Disneysteve I believe said 17 hours? My hubby and I will take turn's driving. And will be leaving in the afternoon Our DS sleep very well in the car so we are hoping to make good time. think it is a matter of personal preferance, and what you can afford, If you cant find a good deal on tickets try the drive it might be fun!!!!!