Driving vs. Flying

[TwistGrl101]

For those of you who live far, what are the pros/cons of driving vs. flying down to Disney World.

We always fly (we live in NJ), but it costs $1500 for our family. I just couldn't imagine driving 18 hours with 3 little kids, plus DH gets carsick.

Thoughts?

 

[dvczerfs]

sounds like you should fly. if you got someone who gets cars sick, that makes for a looooooooooooooooong, unhappy trip.

 

[ain0004]

We were highly considering doing this for our upcoming trip. Thankfully we were able to get decent airfare. The plan was to drive mostly during the night and arrive at a hotel at DTD the day/night before. We planned on bring DVD players and Nintendo DS games. I did all the pros and cons of driving and driving is my last resort end of story. Did you look into taking a train? I know they can take long, but you don't have the stress of driving.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We were highly considering doing this for our upcoming trip. Thankfully we were able to get decent airfare. The plan was to drive mostly during the night and arrive at a hotel at DTD the day/night before. We planned on bring DVD players and Nintendo DS games. I did all the pros and cons of driving and driving is my last resort end of story. Did you look into taking a train? I know they can take long, but you don't have the stress of driving.

We've been taking the train for at least 15 years.....used to drive back in the 80's and 90's but the road got too long and stressful.....we're in northeastern Ohio and it's a 1100 mile road trip...used to do it straight thru....those days are over....we board the train, stretch out in our seats and enjoy the trip...walk to the restrooms, dining car, club car, you don't have to be seated......for us, round trip for 2 adults...runs 450.00......no overnight motel just rolling along all night..sleepers are alot more expensive but not necessary for a one night trip......by the way, I don't fly...

 

[geniegirl]

We always drive and its about 18 hours for us as well. We leave after work and drive through the night non-stop so the kids will sleep most of the way. On the way home we leave in the morning and stop mid way home for the night. Its much harder as we are tired and the kids are up for more of the trip.

I think it depends on the age of the kids, if the adults can rest in the car so they can make the drive and the condition of the car.

For the 1st time we are flying because of the infant doesnt do as well on long drives and we also scored a great rate for flights out of DC instead of our house. Plus we have somwhere to leave our car so we luck out on airport parking.

THis year flights cost us $598 for 4 plus lap infant and we est gas would be about $350 plus 1 hotel night ...... This way we dont have to deal with a crying baby.

 

[disny_luvr]

If you can afford it, fly. I'm not a fan of flying but I hate driving long distances. Last summer we drove to Myrtle Beach, about a 10 hour drive with stops and such, and I hated every minute of it. I told DH on that trip that we'll never drive to Florida. (I did drive to Florida twice when I was younger and I don't remember it being much fun, especially the drive home when you have nothing to look forward to.)

Last night I booked our flight for our June trip. We are flying out of our local airport (about 15 mins. from our house). I can leave my house at 11:45 and be landing in MCO by 4:15. You can't beat that.

 

[donnaf516]

We drove for the first time last summer and to tell you the truth, it's really wasn't bad at all. We left at about 7pm and drove straight through (of course with some food & potty breaks) arriving @ 1pm. DD4, DS9, DN(11,14) slept most of the way so driving through the night worked best for DH & I. On the way back we split it up into 2 days.

That being said we stayed for 11 nights. I don't think I would do it if we were staying for any less time. For our upcoming trip in February it will only be me, DH, DD & DS and we're staying for a week so we decided to fly. But I'm really considering driving again in August. I enjoy setting our own schedule and having our car with us. If I can find an excellent airfare, maybe we'll fly but otherwise it's a road trip.

 

[lovin'fl]

When we 1st went to Disney (2003), we lived in NC and drove down 4 times from there (from 2003-2007)...it wasn't bad (about 9 hours) and that's why we bought DVC points...we planned to go once a year. In Sept of 2007 we moved back to MD. Since then, we've driven down to FL 3 times for Disney and also 4 times for cruises (about a 14 hour drive). We are going to Disney for Christmas and it's the 1st time flying and using ME. It will be nice to go to airport and dump luggage, take a 2 1/2 hour flight and be there...not seeing luggage until it's in our room. The ease of flying/ME will be very nice. But, we do like to have our car down there. We may feel kind of trapped or stuck without having our wheels (and no way will we pay all that $$ to rent a car to use maybe once). We got a great deal on airfare, but it can be pricey for our family of 5. Usually, when we way paying $1250-1500 to fly versus driving (with 1 night in hotel) for about $600...we always jump on driving...and then we do the drive and vow never to do it again.

 

[sam_gordon]

Driving
Pros
Cheaper
You have your car (there are benefits there)
The drive can be entertaining

Cons
Time
Wear and tear on your car
Cooped up with family for extended periods (don't take this the wrong way)

Flying
Pros
Length of trip
Les stress (for some people)

Cons
Cost
Have to rely on others for transportation (or rent a car... adding cost)
At the mercy of airlines (weather/equipment delays, bumps, etc)

 

[autismgoesdisney]

We flew last August with our 7, 5 and 3 year old. I have to tell you, it wasn't bad. On the way down, we left earlier than we expected because of the hurricane. We were on the road by 9 am. We stopped for lunch and dinner and then the kids slept. We got to Jacksonville by midnight and slept at my sister in law's house. The next morning we went to disney.

On the way home, we left Epcot at 2 pm. We stopped to pick up my mother in law at a rest area, and then stopped for dinner. The kids slept until 7 amish. We got home at about 8 am (after dropping mother in law off).

The ride home was tough. But the kids were really really good both ways. I would do it again in a heartbeat. We are a family of five and airfare is just too much money.

however, we are going mid week to mid week in September 2012 and are going to fly only because we don't want to waste school/work days on driving.