Driving or flying from Ontario....

[domesticdiva]

This will be our second trip to Disney, the first time we flew and we are thinking of driving this time, are we crazy? I think that the flight prices are crazy and I'm not sure how far in advance you can book flights through Ding and whether or not it would be that much more cost effective in the end. What have you all done and how did it go for you?

 

[Amps]

Right now you can get $64 flights out of Buffalo. I think when you consider the price of gas and all the extra time, I would definately fly.

 

[ottawamom]

I second the flying advice. It's way cheaper to fly out of the States. We are driving 5 hours from Ottawa to go to Albany and catch Southwest flights from there. I got $59 each way when they opened up. There are five of us flying so our flights totaled under $700 all taxes in. Even with a night in a hotel the night before its a lot cheaper than flights from Ottawa.

I don't know when you are thinking of going but make your other arrangements and wait for your dates to open up. If you book them right away you should be able to get the flights you want.(check out the transportation board for more info)

There are other discount airlines you could look into as well.

 

[F4disneyfan]

We love to drive and a family of 5 soon to be 6 it is way way cheaper for us to drive not to mention the fact that the kids all love the drive down as do the wife and I.

 

[trivial]

Flying out of Toronto is expensive. We drove an hour to Buffalo and flew to Orlando; it cost us $350 round-trip for my wife and I (we used SouthWest one way, and JetBlue for the other... both were great; especially JetBlue). Because we were travelling at a slow time of year (January), we waited until about a month before our trip to book, when the fares were low.

With driving, there are several negatives (for me, anyways): 4-6 days of driving sucks (2-3 days each way), plus the extra meal and hotel expenses, gas, vehicle wear-and-tear, tolls, and possibly parking fees. I don't view having a car at Disney as being an advantage either, unless you're staying at an isolated Disney resort (such as Saratoga Springs and Old Key West, I hear). We relied entirely on Disney's transportation and were very happy with it.

 

[hockey mom]

We are a family of 5 and it is cheaper to fly than drive. I usually pay around $500 us for 5 flights.

Not having to hear "are we there yet" PRICELESS

 

[momto1disneyfan]

We have been to disney 4 times before. Twice we flew and Twice we drove. This year we are driving. My DS15 and Dh would rather drive then fly. Personally it doesnt cost us that much to drive. We live in Waterloo Ontario and with Stops it will take us any where from 24 - 27hrs. We drive straight though changing drives and we also stop at on of the rest stops along the way for about 2hr sleep. Only cost for us is gas and food. Approximately $425 us. That is also giving us about $90 extra incase gas increase by the time we leave. That way you have a car in disney if you want to get around other than using the disney buses. Check out AAA gas calculator. It will calculate how much gas will cost you withing the states. If you need it posted, let me know.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Not having to hear "are we there yet" PRICELESS

Oh do I agree with this one!!

I just booked our flights for August and we managed to get under $700 return for 4 of us. We originally WERE going to drive but when we figured out hotels, gas, wear and tear on the car, and the extra vacation days we wouldn't have for another time we chose to fly!!

 

[F4disneyfan]

Oh do I agree with this one!!

I just booked our flights for August and we managed to get under $700 return for 4 of us. We originally WERE going to drive but when we figured out hotels, gas, wear and tear on the car, and the extra vacation days we wouldn't have for another time we chose to fly!!

LOl I love the wear and tear on the car part for us it is of no concern we lease our van so everything is covered we have a factory warranty until our lease is up so that part is of no concern to our family. Not to mention in over 2 years that we have had the van and 2 trips to Disney and back we are still under our alloted mileage for the 2 years by almost 3000 kilometers. As for the time taken driving for our family that is all part of our adventure and our holiday our holiday starts the second we get in teh car to head out on the road. Our cost in Dec was 225.00 US with the cost of a hotel stop on the way down we never stop on the way home so that was gas and snacks (not to many) and a hotel. We always bring our electric cooler for drinks and snacks etc in the car and it also eliminates the cost of breakfast and lunch as we pack cold cuts and egg salad and juice boxes etc. We also bring a travel kettle so the wife can make a cup of tea and the kids can have oatmeal in the morning when we stop at the GA welcome centre the first morning of our drive.

 

[mama_scraps]

How do you find such cheap rates to fly? Can you request seating all together (our dd is 4) or is it basically left over seats that could be located anywhere? Thank you!

 

[trivial]

With JetBlue, you are presented with a map of all the seats on your flight, so you can see which seats are taken and which are available. When we flew with SouthWest, there is no reserving of seats ahead of time, but as long as your family boards together, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[A&CsMom]

We drive and we love it. My DH does not like to fly at all, and we stay offsite in a villa so we need our vehicle. We bring everything we want to with us and again back home, no worries about space. It works for us, but I actually love to fly so I can see other people's point. It is really down to personal preference, as I think if you are persistent, you can usually get a deal on flights out of Buffalo.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. Since our two DD's are now teens, we love the drive. March 1st we left at 3 am, pushed the drive, and stayed at a great Comfort Inn. First time ever, with only stopped one night. We were even able to do a few stops both days for extra shopping while Dh and DD 18 had a rest.

 

[canron]

i would fly,,we used to drive ,but have been flying out of buff for 7 to 8 years 3 to 4 times a year it so cheap..we just cam e back on mar, 2 and booked for may 19 to 24 for a get away as soon as we got home..got the ding for $54.00 each way,,it will cost you that to drive from kitchener to the boarder to cross,,we go 3 to 4 times a year some times just for 4 days to get away,,but we have annuall passes so we donnt have to pay for hoppers ecery time we go,,my wife got 5 trips in 1 year on hers we rent a car got a dodge caliber last trip for $120.00 us for the week and just got the same thing for $130..us for the 5 days,,in may 2 years ago we got a ding got $21.00 each way in feb..we went for 5 days..the flight out of toronto was $585.00 for 1..we got it for $110.us for both rond trip..

 

[dsneygirl]

We have flown the last 3 or 4 times but are driving this time. We are making several stops along the way and are taking our bikes. This will be the first time driving with DS so it will be an adventure for sure but we're looking forward to it.

 

[canron]

if you got ding it just came up $50.00 each way ,,,if yuo havent got ding get it going you will save alot of $$$$$$$$