Drive vs. Fly With Southwest?

[F4disneyfan]

we're already booked at POP for the 23-31 so I'd hate to lose a day by just going on the 24th. Our biggest worry isnt the driving its the weather we'll be driving in.. ie:snow/freezing rain. If we could be lucky enough to have no snow nor rain during the drive.. we'll be sailing lol
Binky what resort are you going to be going to?

We have only once hit any sort of bad weather driving in Dec and we go every Dec. in 03 we hit some ice on the bridges in Ohio and that was it other than some rain in GA but that was minimal. It has generally been smooth sailing all the way along clear roads very uneventfull in the traffic aspect.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Exactly Digs we stop in Valdosta and stay at the Fairfield inn and usually get the room for 49 bucks this past Dec we stayed at the comfort inn for 35.00 and it also had free b fast. We love getting to Valdosta usually arriving around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and if the pool at the hotel is open letting the kids have a swim then making some dinner or even just going to the Applebees that is right next to the hotels. This gives the kids a night to unwind and relax after the drive to that point and we get to sleep in a bed (not that the wife and I really care honestly) then everyone one is perfectly rested for the Short drive to the World the next morning. We also have our great tradition of stopping at the Florida welcome centre for our OJ and the customary Disney propaganda and any new maps for around the area and for the Merritt Island area as we always take a day trip out there to see the birds and alligators etc.

As they say....'Life is about the journey'......I think it is nice you have traditions and it sounds like it makes for a fun trip!

 

[F4disneyfan]

As they say....'Life is about the journey'......I think it is nice you have traditions and it sounds like it makes for a fun trip!

It does make the trip that much more fun. We asked the kids if they wanted to fly next time down and it was a resounding no. They love all the little things we do even as small as stopping at specific gas stations along the way. It then starts the stories of remember last time or remember when we were here in, those kinds of things and honestly that just makes the trip so much better. the kids couldn't imagine going to Florida any other way we also make a stop in Gainesville at the rest area on the I75 and our oldest always takes a picture of the watch out for snakes sign, and we always walk out on the lookout that overlooks what was an orange grove and farmers fields it really is all part of the journey. For our family the adventure begins the minute we get in the car to leave.

 

[digskat]

Same here F4disney, we had to stop in the town of Anna, and take a picture of my daughter pointing at the water tower, since Anna is her best friend's name. We stay at the same hotel on the way back each year, because of their themed kids suites. The drive is part of the experience, the kids do a count down as they enter each state.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Same here F4disney, we had to stop in the town of Anna, and take a picture of my daughter pointing at the water tower, since Anna is her best friend's name. We stay at the same hotel on the way back each year, because of their themed kids suites. The drive is part of the experience, the kids do a count down as they enter each state.

LOL sounds like our oldest she has a book that she keeps track of the states and all the things she remembers from them. We also do a paper chain to countdown each day up to the day we leave and at certain intervals in the chain we have Disney activities to do like a Disney meal or Disney movie night etc.

 

[digskat]

we start movie night about 1 month before departure, and have new movies/cartoons for the ride down and back. I am getting excited at the thought of our next trip, 136 more days.

 

[debbiet1]

I have a question about the portable dvd players and driving down. Is it worth getting one/two for the kids for the drive? I've heard that some kids dont feel good after watching it for awhile.

 

[digskat]

I can only speak for my kids, but they have never had a problem with them. We have used one on 3 Disney trips, and several other long drives. Friends also have them, and enjoy peaceful drives.

 

[debbiet1]

we were lucky I guess you'd say last time.. our teenage daughter decided to sleep most of the way. Plus with having the van they each get their own seat so no arguing

 

[F4disneyfan]

we start movie night about 1 month before departure, and have new movies/cartoons for the ride down and back. I am getting excited at the thought of our next trip, 136 more days.

Nice only 136 days we are at 143 days and counting. Our van has the DVD player built in and the kids all have their own DVD players. Funny thing is they have only used the one in the van about 10 times in 3 years. They only watch one movie on the drive down and one on the way home. They prefer to colour or read or play games rather than watch movies. They use their portable ones at home if someone else is using the TV and they want to watch something else otherwise they stay in their boxes in the closet.

 

[Scornelius]

Last year we drove down, from Windsor to Orlando. We had a lot of time off work and side trips we wanted to make, so the drive was part of the adventure. This year we're flying down out of Buffalo, and though we got stuck with really cruddy prices on SW, it's still almost $1500 cheaper than flying West Jet out of Toronto!
We debated driving this time, but really just don't have the time to enjoy it. I will miss being able to bring back lots of gifts and groceries that we can't find here in Canada. This year I'm bringing an extra suitcase to hold all the rice crispy mickey heads---I mean gifts for friends and loved ones.

 

[debbiet1]

Well the one thing with us driving is my husband gets laid off every winter for a couple of months so we have the extra time, (it just gets taken off his unemployment which sucks) Are there any stores like walmart and grocery stores close to Disney?

 

[F4disneyfan]

Well the one thing with us driving is my husband gets laid off every winter for a couple of months so we have the extra time, (it just gets taken off his unemployment which sucks) Are there any stores like walmart and grocery stores close to Disney?

Lots of grocery stores around Disney there is a Super Wal Mart just down from the crossroads centre to the right, a Winn Dixie just down the other way to the left plus the Publix by little lake Brian.