Drive VS. Fly from MD... with a Twist

[cometdad2010]

Ok, this is the classic "drive or fly?" thread...

...but COVID has thrown a wrench into our plans.

My wife and I will be traveling with our two-year old son (2YO as of 9/5/21) and 11-year-old daughter. We're meeting my in-laws and their family down there and all staying at AKL Kidani. We're coming from MD, around Baltimore.

Our original plan was to fly. We booked Wanna Get Away fares on Southwest. BUT, with the COVID metrics, and the fact that both our kids can't get a vaccine yet (save the vaccine debates for later, please) -- the scales are slowly tipping towards driving. To add to this, my son REFUSES to wear a mask for any length of time. We're hoping we can convince him, but that just makes the plan ride that much less appealing...

I'm wondering if it's worth it, now, to cancel the flights, get the $690 or so in flight credit from Southwest for a later date, cancel the rental car, stroller rental, and all that... and just drive our minivan down. We could take an extra few days to stop along the way... time off work isn't a problem.

Any suggestions from someone else with a stubborn two-year-old? He's our biggest concern at this point.

Thanks!

 

[NYCgrrl]

…, my son REFUSES to wear a mask for any length of time. We're hoping we can convince him, but that just makes the plan ride that much less appealing...


Any suggestions from someone else with a stubborn two-year-old? He's our biggest concern at this point.

Thanks!

A recent NYT article on teaching your child to wear a mask:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/...ildren-masks-fear.html?searchResultPosition=9
HTH and GL.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I'd drive if your child will not wear a mask. You want to have certainty that you can arrive and depart the destination. Right now, you won't have that on the airplane b/c Southwest's willingness to "look the other way" on little kid masks is crew dependent, with some uber-strict and some not.

If nothing else, if someone in your family catches Covid, it will also give you a way to drive straight thru and get home for quarantine.

 

[katyjeka]

We usually fly from Pennyslvania however this year we are driving our minivan down. We've priced car rentals and refuse to pay the crazy prices!!! My parents are retired and live by Tampa so we've made the trip many times. We've learned little tricks for keeping little ones busy on a long car trip. Crayola wonders, movies, and frequent stops at rest areas to run off some energy are life savers. We played toddler bingo which was a huge hit when they were little. We flew to Denver in May and enjoyed every part of the trip but the flight. We had no issue wearing masks(although my kids are not 2)but I was very uncomfortable with our girls using the restrooms. For some reason if a public restroom is within sight our youngest has to visit it. Finding a table to eat was also hard as people were hanging out at tables(the only place where masks could be removed) with a drink so that they could get a break from the masks. I can't help with any advice for getting a 2 year old to wear one as I don't know many two years old that can be made to do much, I know our girls had minds of their owns at two and yes they were stubborn!!!!!!! I would find a hotel with a great pool on the way down. It's a great way to burn up some energy. We have neighbors who drive to Sarasota yearly and they leave late at night so that the kids sleep most of the trip. I personally hate to drive at night but it works for them. Whether flying or driving have a great trip.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We're drivers. Live in GA and it's about a 7 hour drive for us. That is only stopping for drive thru to eat and gas and a bathroom break once or twice. We also drive from GA to NJ once or twice a year and that's a 17 hour plus drive. We usually do it over 2 days but have done it many times in one. We just did the GA/NJ drive in July and I must say it's the most road construction we've ever come across. Several in every state. The back up traffic was horrible. If you drive, make sure you use a driving APP, you'll need it. We like having our own car, it has helped in the past to get to ADR's on time. I've heard rental car prices are insane, so that savings would be nice. If I had littles that couldn't be vaccinated yet, I'd be driving. Not flyiing.

 

[cometdad2010]

A recent NYT article on teaching your child to wear a mask:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/...ildren-masks-fear.html?searchResultPosition=9
HTH and GL.

Thanks! I've done a lot of research, but I hadn't seen that one.

We discussed it last night and I think we're firmly settled on driving down. BUT -- as long as we cancel the flight, rental car, and stroller at least 48 hours prior to departure, we lose nothing -- so the door is still open at this point.

 

[cometdad2010]

We usually fly from Pennyslvania however this year we are driving our minivan down. We've priced car rentals and refuse to pay the crazy prices!!! My parents are retired and live by Tampa so we've made the trip many times. We've learned little tricks for keeping little ones busy on a long car trip. Crayola wonders, movies, and frequent stops at rest areas to run off some energy are life savers. We played toddler bingo which was a huge hit when they were little. We flew to Denver in May and enjoyed every part of the trip but the flight. We had no issue wearing masks(although my kids are not 2)but I was very uncomfortable with our girls using the restrooms. For some reason if a public restroom is within sight our youngest has to visit it. Finding a table to eat was also hard as people were hanging out at tables(the only place where masks could be removed) with a drink so that they could get a break from the masks. I can't help with any advice for getting a 2 year old to wear one as I don't know many two years old that can be made to do much, I know our girls had minds of their owns at two and yes they were stubborn!!!!!!! I would find a hotel with a great pool on the way down. It's a great way to burn up some energy. We have neighbors who drive to Sarasota yearly and they leave late at night so that the kids sleep most of the trip. I personally hate to drive at night but it works for them. Whether flying or driving have a great trip.

With you there. I think we'll be doing the minivan too! Car rentals are crazy. Through my company, with National, I was able to do the Executive Aisle at MCO for about $500 for our trip, which isn't bad. But it's still a savings we can add if we're driving ourselves.

 

[katyjeka]

We go for 2 weeks and the cheapest we can find is 1400.00. Sorry, but no!!!

 

[Rory607]

Normally we don’t drive to Disney because it’s far for us. We like to be fresh and ready to go when we arrive. But I would drive in your situation without a second thought. Get the flight credit. We still have credits from spring break 2020 and it’s kind of fun to know we have plane tickets already there for a future trip.

 

[sponica]

For me, I'd drive. I'd be too stressed about the kiddo not wearing the mask in the airport/plane to enjoy anything.

 

[trishie30]

I would suggest driving as well, and I would take the 81 route instead of 95. We're in NJ and we drive regularly (I have two in my family who hate to fly), and we've done both 95 and 81 and found 81 to be far more pleasant. We generally leave around 2 am, get the kids up and send them right out to the car and go, and we can be in Orlando in 18 hours with quick stops for gas, food and bathrooms. We started driving when my daughter was 5 weeks old and have driven probably 20 times since then (she is now 16). An earlier poster mentioned taking things to distract the kids, and I found that crayons (triangular shaped ones that don't roll off the tray), color wonder markers and paper, those mats they draw on with a pen that you refill with water, movies, etc., can keep them distracted for a couple of hours at a time so you can eat up some miles. Good luck, be safe and have fun! Disney is magical anytime, but especially with a younger child!

 

[Blondie58]

Ok, this is the classic "drive or fly?" thread...

...but COVID has thrown a wrench into our plans.

My wife and I will be traveling with our two-year old son (2YO as of 9/5/21) and 11-year-old daughter. We're meeting my in-laws and their family down there and all staying at AKL Kidani. We're coming from MD, around Baltimore.

Our original plan was to fly. We booked Wanna Get Away fares on Southwest. BUT, with the COVID metrics, and the fact that both our kids can't get a vaccine yet (save the vaccine debates for later, please) -- the scales are slowly tipping towards driving. To add to this, my son REFUSES to wear a mask for any length of time. We're hoping we can convince him, but that just makes the plan ride that much less appealing...

I'm wondering if it's worth it, now, to cancel the flights, get the $690 or so in flight credit from Southwest for a later date, cancel the rental car, stroller rental, and all that... and just drive our minivan down. We could take an extra few days to stop along the way... time off work isn't a problem.

Any suggestions from someone else with a stubborn two-year-old? He's our biggest concern at this point.

Thanks!

I think you have answered your own questions and concerns through your post. It sounds like driving this trip is the way to go. Why be miserable and have to make the little one wear the mask? I know some littles are fine with them but others are not. Same with adults.

 

[Cheburashka]

Agree with a PP that you answered your own question in the original post. You have a child who refuses to wear a mask, and masks are required on planes. That alone is reason to drive, instead.

 

[CouponGirl]

I’m obviously in the minority (or maybe the only person ), but I would attempt to fly...

Depending on how much time you have until your trip I would continue to work on getting him to wear a mask. You’re going to run into the same issues at Disney where he’s going to need to be wearing a mask if you plan to do anything inside.

Personally my family would be completely miserable after that long of a drive, but you know yours so that might not be an issue. The hours of potential misery at the airport and flight are better than the days of misery for us .

Our planned trip to Disney (that didn’t happen) is actually how we ended up getting our stubborn little one to wear a mask. The trip would have taken place during a time when masks were required everywhere. Because he was so stubborn I thought I’d have to cancel the entire trip on the account of him not wearing a mask. Since we had already been talking about the trip, once masks were required we talked about how he would have to wear a mask if he wanted to go. And he wanted to go. So he slowly started to wear it. And then we would let him do certain activities he really enjoyed only if he wore one (to get him used to it). Now if he’s overtired that all goes out the window along with everything else!

Another thing we did is allow him stroller breaks where he could take it off if he has the rain cover all the way down. Ours covers him completely where you wouldn’t know if he’s wearing it or not and if doesn’t bother him to have to closed if he’s preoccupied doing something. I know you said you plan to rent a stroller, but that might be an option if you have one like that and don’t mind gate checking it.

If you do end up canceling, remember you only have a limited amount of time to use your flight credit and the amount can only be used for the person named on the ticket.

Whatever you decide, I hope your family has a wonderful time!

 

[erin1715]

I was in your EXACT situation about 3 weeks ago. We have a 2-year-old who also refuses to wear a mask, had SW flights booked with points and a rental car reserved. I did so much research about how kids were treated on planes if they wouldn’t wear a mask, and I got mixed results from some saying they didn’t even question the child to other extremes where a flight attendant was right ON top of them making sure the mask was on.
Ultimately, we decided to make the long drive from NY. We spread it out into three days/two nights. I spent more money driving than if we had flown. My daughter was fantastic in the car with a bazillion activities, movies, iPad games. But it was long and I didn’t realize how exhausted we were when we got to Disney. I don’t want to drive again for a looooong time. I’m not sure I would have done it again given the situation of the parks right now, and still requiring masks.
Also, while the official rule is 2 and older need to mask indoors while at Disney, my daughter never wore a mask and nobody ever said a word. I saw other children her age with no masks too. Yep, I said it.

 

[brockash]

Ok, this is the classic "drive or fly?" thread...

...but COVID has thrown a wrench into our plans.

My wife and I will be traveling with our two-year old son (2YO as of 9/5/21) and 11-year-old daughter. We're meeting my in-laws and their family down there and all staying at AKL Kidani. We're coming from MD, around Baltimore.

Our original plan was to fly. We booked Wanna Get Away fares on Southwest. BUT, with the COVID metrics, and the fact that both our kids can't get a vaccine yet (save the vaccine debates for later, please) -- the scales are slowly tipping towards driving. To add to this, my son REFUSES to wear a mask for any length of time. We're hoping we can convince him, but that just makes the plan ride that much less appealing...

I'm wondering if it's worth it, now, to cancel the flights, get the $690 or so in flight credit from Southwest for a later date, cancel the rental car, stroller rental, and all that... and just drive our minivan down. We could take an extra few days to stop along the way... time off work isn't a problem.

Any suggestions from someone else with a stubborn two-year-old? He's our biggest concern at this point.

Thanks!

Us personally. we'd fly, but if time off isn't an issue and you're going to rent a car anyways and you seem more comfortable driving, then you might as well drive...assuming you will for sure use that $690 credit before they expire.

The covid thing would not be a consideration...you're going to Disney...the flight is no more risky than that.

 

[katyjeka]

We have been flying and driving with our girls for years and we enjoy both. I guess we are lucky as our girls have always loved a car trip. Our family is so busy that a car trip is a great way to reconnect with a lot of time to visit, sing, and spend time with each other without the "world" bothering us!!! It's great to have time with each other without phone calls(we have a rule, no phones in the car...firefighter in the family and we've heard too many horrible stories)and distractions that are so easily are part of life. Flying is quicker and for many easier but it can also be so hectic. We live by a very small airport(Arnold Palmer Regional)and if Spirit cancels a flight, which they often do, we are stranded for at least a day or two.

 

[RogueX]

Personally, I would drive. I'll also through in this one other factor as to why I would drive...look at the number of flights that have been canceled or delayed by Southwest.

 

[Dis-Dad]

Ok, this is the classic "drive or fly?" thread...

...but COVID has thrown a wrench into our plans.

My wife and I will be traveling with our two-year old son (2YO as of 9/5/21) and 11-year-old daughter. We're meeting my in-laws and their family down there and all staying at AKL Kidani. We're coming from MD, around Baltimore.

Our original plan was to fly. We booked Wanna Get Away fares on Southwest. BUT, with the COVID metrics, and the fact that both our kids can't get a vaccine yet (save the vaccine debates for later, please) -- the scales are slowly tipping towards driving. To add to this, my son REFUSES to wear a mask for any length of time. We're hoping we can convince him, but that just makes the plan ride that much less appealing...

I'm wondering if it's worth it, now, to cancel the flights, get the $690 or so in flight credit from Southwest for a later date, cancel the rental car, stroller rental, and all that... and just drive our minivan down. We could take an extra few days to stop along the way... time off work isn't a problem.

Any suggestions from someone else with a stubborn two-year-old? He's our biggest concern at this point.

Thanks!

We have done the drive from MD a few times in last year with a 2 and 5 yo.

Tips: drive overnight after dinner. Our kids mostly slept since it was nighttime. We drove once during the day and that was NO fun.

We didn’t want to take our daughter in restrooms on the way so we got playtex disposable potties from Amazon. We didn’t use them but good to have.

Other than that, we packed a cooler full of snacks, charged the iPads, and it went just fine.

We also enjoyed having a car to run to a store or avoid bus transport. And honestly, getting our kids to and through the airport and to be quiet on a 2.5 hour flight was not the easiest. When you factor in flight time (if on schedule), arriving 1.5-2 hours early, and driving to/from airport it came out to about half the drive time to Disney. Adding in cost savings, safety, and flexibility about when we can leave and where we can go when there, diving became a good option for us.

 

[Dakota731]

We always fly since I’d rather have a two year old fuss a little on a short plane ride than 18 hours in a car. But everyone knows their own child and what works for them. For what it’s worth we flew two trips this summer and flight attendants on SWA were very accommodating with our two year old.