Fly or drive, value or moderate

[jjarman]

Our next trip is not for nearly 2 years but I am starting to save my money now as that is the only way I can manage it. Last trip, this past March, DS14 and I drove. The drive down was not that bad but going back was a nightmare. I swore next time I would fly. Well, I got to thinking more about it and the money it would take for us to fly would pay or an extra night or two at Pop (which we love) or either to bump me up to a moderate. We have stayed at POFQ and loved it but truthfully we don’t spend that much time in the room. I thought I would get your opinions here. Would you fly saving headaches and gaining a few more hours in the parks or drive and stay longer or at a nicer resort?

 

[bigbabyblues]

Fly and stay value. Especially if you've stayed at Pop and liked it, I'd much prefer to fly. We flew last year and stayed at Movies, this year we're driving (from Ohio) and staying value, but at least we get to go!

 

[kandeebunny]

We ALWAYS drive...I hate flying, but I also like the drive it's fun! The worst part of our drive is the first 10 hours...NH to Mass to CT to NY to NJ through to DC thats usually all the traffic we run in to.

 

[MomofKatie]

We like to drive... by the time you drive to the airport, find a place to park, get your luggage and your selves to the terminal, check in, go through security, get to the gate, sit and wait for the (probably delayed) plane, taxi, make your connecting flight, land, get your luggage, get the rental car (or ME bus), and get to the resort, you probably could have driven from Mississippi.

Seriously, I'd rather have an extra day or two at Disney than fly, but I don't really think flying is all that convenient or hassle-free.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

I would drive and stay a few more days at the POP (or other value). Since you don't stay in the room much, it's better to get more days in than to stay in a mod. Driving down is usually great because you are excited to be going to WDW, but the drive back is always a drag. We usually always drive unless we are going for 3 days or less.

 

[MEK]

as much as 10 months ahead of time. It is true that if you search everyday, you can find deals. Searching every day let me locate $488/4 people Nonstop from PHL to MCO at end of August. Keep a list of favorite sites for searching - Kayak.com, hotwire, 1800cheapseats, cheapfares.com, ect. Don't forget to check the airline's sites as well. Sometimes the best deals are directly from the airline. Like last fall - $160 per person PHL to DEN booked directly through American Airlines. When there is a sale like that it only lasts 24-72 hours, so book fast.

My husband keeps wanting to drive to Florida, but personally I can't think of anything worse. I spend 8-10 hours a week in the car commuting. I will do anything to avoid driving on vacation. I would rather have the cheaper room and fly, than vice-versa. That's just my opinion.

Set a target fare for your airfare. If you can't find that rate then you could always opt to drive. Good luck!

P.S. Also - sign up for Ding if SWA is one of your local carriers.

____________________________________________

Can't wait to eat my way through Disney 8/2005

 

[jjarman]

We like to drive... by the time you drive to the airport, find a place to park, get your luggage and your selves to the terminal, check in, go through security, get to the gate, sit and wait for the (probably delayed) plane, taxi, make your connecting flight, land, get your luggage, get the rental car (or ME bus), and get to the resort, you probably could have driven from Mississippi.

Seriously, I'd rather have an extra day or two at Disney than fly, but I don't really think flying is all that convenient or hassle-free.

That is my whole argument with myself. We live 2 hours away from the airport, get there one hour early, 2 hour flight, 1 hour to get to the resort (if we are lucky) versus 9 hours to drive. That is only 3 hours difference. But...our drive back home in March took us 13 hours to get home. Traffic was the worst I have ever seen with multiple accidents, traffic backed up for miles, turning around in the median of the interstate to get to a 2 lane highway to try and get around the accidents. It was a nightmare and I love to drive.

 

[mplsmom1]

I live too far away to consider driving

I'd say it's a toss-up on that. As to Value/Moderate - I'd always stay at value and save that difference towards all the other disney costs. The room just isn't worth it IMO

Good luck planning your trip. I'm not going anytime soon

 

[yusinskas]

We always drive. I think I would miss the road trip if I decided to fly. South of the Border has become part of the Disney tradition for us. I would only fly if I was going solo, because it's just to far for one person to drive alone. Of course, I would never stay at a value, even if I did fly. :>

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

We are flying for our first time in July, only because we got fantastic rates for DM and Dbrother. DM would have been the only one driving,(yep, I'm 16 and have yet to get my license ) and that'd be too stressful on her driving from Indy!
We're anxious cause that means we won't have to have that dreadful drive home that seems like it lasts for HOURS! As wierd as it does sound, we LOVE the road trip down though! It's kind of like a part of the whole trip!
But let me tell you... I"M NERVOUS!!
Hope you enjoy your trip!!

 

[funshipm174]

You couldn't pay me to drive from N.J. to Disney! Nothing beats flying. That 20 or so hours of driving is an extra day at Disney. I only live 20 minutes from our airport and there is rarely any extensive delays at EWR. FLY BABY FLY!


ARRGGGHHH!!

 

[Christopher Robin 26]

Move to Florida and go whenever you want. We moved to Florida last Sept. from NY became annual passholders and have been 5 times already.
It's great being able to escape to Disney when it's only a 1 1/2 hour drive away.

 

[scorp111]

Move to Florida and go whenever you want. We moved to Florida last Sept. from NY became annual passholders and have been 5 times already.
It's great being able to escape to Disney when it's only a 1 1/2 hour drive away.

We are moving to NC.... at least it will cut our distance in half....


We became AP holders last year. and my DW and DD are on their 4th trip, and we will make another trip in September. For them it will be 5 trips in one year from Canada... (it will be my 4th). We have obviously flown every time.

From NJ, I think I would definitely try to fly...

Value vs. Moderate? It depends on : How much money is a factor, how much time you will spend in your room, & how important you find "extras" in your daily life.


I have stayed Mod, Value, & Deluxe all within the past year. For me, Deluxe was better due to location (just a boat ride from MK-WL). Value & Mod were about the same, so it would all depend on the exact deal. But in September, we are spending 5 nights at OKW, and the other 2 at POP. Money wasn't the issue, I just figured for just the two nights, why pay extra? Plus I liked POP in December of last year....

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I say drive and go for the Mod. I see that you are from Mississippi. I am from Louisiana and I don't think the drive is that bad.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Fly and stay value. You will be happier you flew down, and you will be just as comfortable in POP.

 

[Lou-Ann]

MY HUBBY FLEW FOR 26 YRS AND YOU COULD NOT PAY HIM TO FLY NOW WITH ALL THE AIRPORT HASSLES. He feels much more in control in our own car and we make the trip 2 times a yr from TEXAS......Talk about a lot of miles. Our total gas cost last week was $200. That would have paid for only one ticket if that. We then would have spnt an additional $200 at least for a rental as we like to see other sites as well. One of the perks of this is we get extra trips down and we get to see areas we might like to retire in as well. Apparently you have never spent 5 hrs tied up in Dallas airport or been rerouted or this question would be answered. We have had more bad flights than we could tell you and have 62,000 free unused miles that we give to our kids rather than deal with the hassle.

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

 

[FINFAN]

DRIVE/VALUE/2 EXTRA NIGHTS...
Heck, that's our plan for next summer and we have a 19-20 hour drive. Yeah, it stinks...but ya gotta love the "control" factor of not being locked into Airfare. In your case, it probably kills almost as much time to fly figuring in the early arrival, and we loved ASMU, trying for POP next summer. We have stayed 3 deluxes. WL, CR, Dolphin... and 1 mod CBR and ASMU...to us, the mod was not really that much different from the value, and the food courts at the Values are SO much better variety wise. Go, have fun, ENJOY!


Pam

 

[TammySB]

We will be leaving for our 4th trip to WDW, and each time we have driven. Last summer I drove us straight to Orlando. Took us 16 hours but we made it and will be driving straight thru this time!! I enjoy the drive. As far as value versus mods, I've never stayed at a value, we have always stayed at CBR. I dont have anything negative to say about the values, its just that the theme does not appeal to us. Whatever you decide hope you have a safe trip!!

 

[Piglet42]

It would all depend on where you live, how long the drive is, and how good of a deal you can get on a flight. We live in Southern Indiana and both Delta and SW have good direct flights from Louisville. Take 2 hours. Don't think I would ever be able to drive, 14 hours compared to 2, big difference. Even last year when we had to change our flight coming home due to Hurricane Jeanne, he ended up with a double connection, total time was still only about 5-6 hours. Yet, it all still depends on your personal preference. I don't think the drive there would be very bad, considering how excited you would be, but he drive back woud be awful.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Fly.

We've taken 11 trips to WDW. We drove twice and have flown the rest. The problem with driving is that you are tired when you get there, tired when you get home, and you spend 30+ hours in the car when you could be spending them having fun.

The most we've ever paid flying is $150 each RT (WAS - MCO) $450.00

Using the government reimbursement rate of .365/mile which covers gas and wear and tear on the car -1800 miles RT x .365 = $657.00 and that doesn't include hotels there and back and the 2 extra days of food.