Driving vs. Flying

[GatorChris]

YEah, I'm worried about my toddlers ears on the flight, for sure. But for us, the only other option, driving, would add 4-6 extra days to our trip. And we just can't do that...unless we only want 2 days in the parks (no thanks.)

Ears! One of the things that I don't miss about flying to FL this year. All of our kids had troubles on that flight to MCO. Lots of screaming and crying and other passengers very unhappy. Another bonus to just driving to Disneyland.

 

[Geemo]

Hey neighbor, I'm 20 minutes north of Salem.

What time of the year will you be traveling?

Winter is about the only time I wouldn't want to make the trek down and up I-5. The last time we drove was for an October visit. The laptop for DVD's and headphones kept the grandkids entertained the whole way. They refer to it as an 8 movie drive.

Since you don't mind the road time and having the GCH as a reward, I say go for it!!

The first time we stayed at the GCH, I swear we had the farthest room from the elevators. The walk from the lobby to our room seemed farther than the lobby to the main park entrances.

From that visit I learned to make a request for a room close to the elevators. The view isn't always the best, but it sure saves on my feet.

Enjoy your planning and have a safe trip.

Geemo

PS
If you do decide to fly and are concerned with ear problems, get a pair of "Ear-Planes". They have them in children's size. I had the Parson's drugstore in Canby,OR order them for me. One of my DGD's has problems with ears and flying.

 

[starshine514]

So, we've done quite a bit of traveling with our girls. Our general rule is that if we can make the drive in one day, we drive. Otherwise, we fly if we can afford it (we drove to Houston from Tucson over Thanksgiving a few years back b/c $500+ a person wasn't affordable for us).

My 7 year old and I both have ear issues when flying. I have figured out a way of holding my nose and blowing hard that pops them (I do this the entire descent) and I buy the kid-size Earplanes for my DD7. Earplanes are special earplugs that minimize the pressure on your ears. Another thing that helps is clearing out their sinuses as best you can (allergy medicine helps. I give my DD7 Sudafed, because it dries her out so well, but I think a 4 year old is too young for that. So, maybe Benadryl...). The other remedies (chewing gum, etc) have never worked for me, but may work f the ear issues are minor.

As far as driving goes, a 4 yr old will likely be fine with it, as long as you bring along things to entertain. DVD player, books, drawing stuff, small toys, tablet, snacks. We started driving to Disneyland when DD7 was 4, and I don't think she had issues with the drive by that age (she did have issues for other trips when she was only 2, though). 4 is a great age for road trips.

 

[Indiana Scott]

A good old fashioned road trip is something every family should do at least once. It has both the good and bad sides but is a great experience overall.
We don't do it anymore because the time is just too expensive to take off and I'd rather spend our vacation time in the parks.

 

[LalaCoop]

We drove when we moved from WI to Portland last year with our (then) almost 2year old. Not horrible, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. Every child is different, but for her 2 hours in the car, max really slowed the progress. We'd drive for two hours, stop for 20minutes to an hour, drive two more, stop, etc. She dreaded getting back into the car.
Now that she's a year older she's better, but after 3 1/2 hours she wants out. She also refuses to pee in a pull up or diaper, so if we're traveling more than an hour away the mini toilet training potty goes with us. I imagine we're quite a sight on the side of the road . I love road trips, but with the great deals we're able to find between PDX and SNA, flying a no brainer. Do you have an Alaska Air CC? The $119 companion fare is pretty great, and when you open it you get a bonus 25,000 miles. Using the two together we paid $350 round trip for three seat for our trip next week. If you figure in round trip fuel, hotel accommodations on the road for 2 extra nights, extra meals for 4 days (2down, 2back up), plus the 4 additional days time it would take, vs 5 flight hours total, my vote goes for flying.
We'll definitely do road trips, but not likely until our youngest is 5 or 6.
Decongestants taken between 1-2 hours prior to boarding will help tremendously with sinus pressure pain. Dum drums help a lot, too. We fly with a mega container of ear plugs (around $10 at Target), and pass them out to anyone in our seating vicinity preflight, "Just in Case." 99% of people are very understanding, especially if you're open and honest up front (ie, Hey folks, this is little Mikies first flight and I have NO idea how he's going to do, we appreciate your patience and understanding. Now, who wants FREE earplugs!?).
I guess I'd rather have to comfort my kids for 2 1/2 hours than have to say, "In six hours we'll be there, please stop crying."

 

[jadelsp]

So many people so close. Thank you all for the advice and opinions. I am looking into the Alaska cc as I have heard that can help save some $. We are still weighing the options and I am still going back and forth. Lots of things to think about. My small child does not mind the car or public restrooms. I would want to give him lots of breaks and that will add time to an already long trip. His sinus and ear issues are a bit more serious then a decongestent or the other "normal" tricks will take care of and I am still waiting for his ENT to give the word that he is able to fly, so that is also a factor for us. I am stuck on the 2 1/2 hours and we are there part of this. You guys have all been so helpful Thank you.

 

[tvguy]

6 hours drive, 400 miles for me. I drove it 6 times before I met my wife, and 3 times in the 32 years we've been married. DW and kids instituted a rule, if it is over 3 hours by car or 200 miles, we fly. So I am out voted. Fly out at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon as a matter of fact.

 

[Lyn-CA]

Another consideration when deciding whether to drive is the weather.

DH had the good fortune of driving down last Monday in great sunny weather. I, on the other hand, with my "Why does this always happen to me-Donald Duck life," had the misfortune of driving home to the Bay Area yesterday afternoon in the rain. It was a miserable drive home, to say the least.

Like tvguy, I prefer to fly if the destination is over 4 hours.

Since we ran out of SWA points, we drove this last time. But, after yesterday's ordeal, we're flying from now on. We're now accumulating free Jet Blue points with their Amex offer.

 

[poohboysmom]

I'd love to turn our trip into a road trip, but hubby doesn't want to drive over the Rockies to get there

 

[MillauFr]

I prefer to fly. Far safer. Driving is too risky in my opinion.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'd love to turn our trip into a road trip, but hubby doesn't want to drive over the Rockies to get there

We've drive Nebraska to California and back. Driving through the mountains is so pretty. Though it's a bit trickier in the Winter. We did do it in March once. I enjoyed the September and October trips more.

 

[jadelsp]

Decision has been made, though not by me, ENT said no go on the flying until after his next sinus surgery so if we want to go we must drive. I am okay with that but may need to now change our dates. We were looking at going the end of January and the weather over the passes can be hit and miss so may need to change to late April or Early May. Not for sure on the change yet as we have driven it in January several times and had better weather then our March drive but the weather has been so unpredictable. Thank you again for all your help.