Fly or Drive? What To Do?

[Disney8704]

OK this is getting WAY outta hand. Gotta go through security with no shoes on, cant take any type of liquids on board. As it is it takes us 2 hrs just to get to the airport. Flying is starting to become more and more of a hassle then driving. We can make it there in 16 1/2 hrs. Not including stopping for gas and food. But then again thats AAA times, and my hubby, well he can probably make it in 14 hrs But if we take 2 days to get there or leave here between 4 and 5am we can get there a day early and like stay at one of the hotels in DTD or even one of the All Stars for that 1 night. Sure we maybe tired, but we can always sleep in some and actually get to AKL earlier that morning then we would have if we flew. If we fly we wont get to the resort till between 12 and 1pm, when we can get to the resort probably by 10am. Which means more time at parks and we can even eat breakfast there that morning like at The Mara instead of getting airport breakfast food. Only downfall is, it will cost a lil more like $200 more to drive then fly (as long as gas prices isnt more then $3), so I really dunno what to do. Should we fly or drive?

 

[schlepsnort]

We, ok I am considering this option as well. Not so much the inconvenience, but fear.
I don't want my entire family decimated for someone elses religious beliefs.
Still crunching the #'s and I guess we will wait and see what is happening. But who's to say that the a.m. we go to the airport something else like today won't happen?
yeah, it takes only 3 hours by plane but...I don't know.

 

[safetymom]

You are still safer flying than driving.

 

[sue1013]

Taking off your shoes and not being able to carry liquids on board does not compare to a 14 hrs drive. I always fly out of Newark and have always since 9-11 had to take my shoes off takes about 30 seconds. I guess I just don't understand your thoughts.

 

[schlepsnort]

Statistically, yes it is safer to fly than drive. And we aren't making our decision based on 'inconvenience' by the new security measures. But I also already get vigarously patted down everytime I fly due to the fact I have metal hips and they always set off the alarms. For me it is really embarrassing to have to explain to my kids who are now old enough to notice this what is going on and why they do this to mommy.
Now I am afraid with security checkpoints becoming more and more stringent (for very good reason) that my searches will also become worse and more degrading for me (this is a personal reason and not all may share this).
Also I am going to be fearful of everyone else on that plane. There is no one 'face' of a terrorist. Lately the news has been full of reports of how now there are more and more home grown Terrorists who are part of Al-Quieda (sp?). So who knows if the person next to you has 'other plans'. Today just made it crystal clear that the threat isn't even near under control, this so called war has just made us a bigger target for a terrorist regime that is growing larger and more technically savvy.
I'm not saying that we will never fly again, or that we were ever safe. Just todays events I think scared a lot of people and many of us are reacting on pure adrenaline, emotions, and memories of 9/11.
But at the same time on 9/11 it was just me and DH, now it is all of us, 3 kiddos that I am thinking of. I think that I might just make myself feel better and we will drive. Besides, this way we can see some more of America!

 

[seven dwarfs]

After today we are driving. We were watching the prices but to us it is just not worth it. We have six kids under 6 so the whole taking the shoes off etc....Been there done it don't want to do it again. There is more time then just three hours in flying. You have to get there, get checked in, wait to board, get there, get off....security will slow all of this down. Well, anyway for us it will be easier to drive. By the way we are only 1 hour from dover! I am not so much worried about safety as just the red tape. Good luck with what you deside!

 

[CarolA]

For some of you, the terrorist won.....

If you change your life, that may be the right decision, but no matter what it means they won. They forced you to live in fear of them, that gives them the power.

Personally, I think that the next attack won't be on an airplane. I was re-reading Tom Clancy's novel this weekend where the terrorists attack the shoppers in suburban malls, it's not that far fetched......

 

[schlepsnort]

I don't care about 'win' or 'lose'
I care about those three little boys whose pics are on my siggy. And THAT is what will make my decision.

 

[CarolA]

I don't care about 'win' or 'lose'
I care about those three little boys whose pics are on my siggy. And THAT is what will make my decision.

I said it might be the right decsion for you.
However, I was driving home for Birmingham tonight and saw not ONE but TWO accidents that could easily have been fatal...

Food for thought.... I am still convinced that flying is safer. Airplanes don't share the road with drunks and 18 wheelers.

 

[Hef4545]

We usually drive but this trip, I convinced my DH to fly this trip. Rates were great. He has never been crazy about flying. The last time we got him on a plane, I think he dropped 20 pounds sweating.

This type of news and the media coverage with increased delays at airport only adds to his anxiety.

Saying that the terrorist have won based on the fact that people decide not to fly or become frightened is not a fair statement. If we had no choices at all, then I think we could say the terrorist have won. But, we are all free to choose.

It is whatever works best for us in the end. For me, I'm happy no matter how I get there. The trip itself is a tradition with our little stops and stayover and I actually was going to miss it. If it makes DH feel better to drive, I'm good with that.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

We're trying to decide what to do too.

We drove to WDW in 2000, 2001 and 2002. It takes us about 16 hours. In 2003 & 2004 we flew down on ATA (loved them but they don't fly out of Indy anymore).

I bought airfare for our October trip last December (on Delta-paid $535 for all 3 tickets).

But, I'm leaning towards driving instead as is DH. I just DO NOT like to fly and white-knuckle it the entire flight (even with Xanax!). I was that way before the terrorist attacks. And, it just seems like it is going to be such a hassle at the airport. But I know statistically flying is safer than driving and it is nice getting there in 2 hours instead of 16 hours.

Fly ... Drive ... Fly ... Drive .... ugh ..... we leave in 10 weeks so we still have time to decide what to do.

Debbie

 

[TyRy]

I've never been a good flyer, but have still done it to get to the World. I originally wanted to drive for our Sept trip, but then after listening to DH deceided to possibly fly. HOWEVER, while I was changing my mind, so was DH. He said we had not done a big road trip since our honeymoon in early 02 (no way was he making me fly that soon after 9/11 - he said the stress of the wedding was enought for me LOL.) So now we are driving from the Chicago area. He did look at me yesterday am and just shook his head, as he knew what I was going to say - I'm glad we are driving.

I know it will take longer, but more than anything I do not want the hassels. I was more thinking of hurricanes backing airports up, but this will just add to it. We will commando it down - leaving after work on a Thursday, getting through IL and stop for the night. And then drive the rest of the way the next day. Coming home we'll probably take two full days, and pull off to see small things here and there.

Ty

 

[RoseNJ]

We decided to drive this year, not because of terrorists, but because of the flexibility and the enjoyment of the trip and stopping along the way. (no kids this trip, of course). We figured for airfare for 2, and renting a car when arriving, nothing big, we were not that much more expensive driving. With more than 2 people, depending on airfares, it can even be cheaper. It takes us 1 hour to drive to PHL, arriving 2 hours before the flight (now maybe more), 2 1/2 hours flying, at least an hour to clear MCO, picking up the rental car. I will fly to Disneyworld again, I'm sure, I am glad I'm not flying any time soon.

 

[toocooltobeMom]

Driving to WDW has became part of the whole vacation for us. Mostly because we enjoy the drive, while we save hundreds of $$ driving rather than flying 4 people.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think it's a safety issue. The hastle of packing and the long lines in the airports makes driving a better alternative for guests who can drive in under a day. Particularly if the guest had to pick a less than optimum flight time in order to get a discounted fare.

 

[sk!mom]

Our rule of thumb is that if we can get somewhere in one day (1- 12 hours) of driving - we drive. If it's longer than that -we fly. We fly from a small regional airport and always have to go to a larger airport to change planes so flying is never quick for us although security at our home airport is pretty painless since they deal with so few people. A truly long line is impossible.

 

[sk!mom]

But I also already get vigarously patted down everytime I fly due to the fact I have metal hips and they always set off the alarms. For me it is really embarrassing to have to explain to my kids who are now old enough to notice this what is going on and why they do this to mommy.

I have also been patted down many times- darn underwires. I felt that this was a learning experience for my DD and was not embarrassed at all. My DD has flown often though so she sees people patted down everytime just not always one of us. This summer she got to see her brother and her 13 year old cousin patted down.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I would have to rent a car and it would cost 400 more to drive than fly. However we are going on a cruise and will be bringing back alcholol purchased on board. It comes in cardboard boxes no padding. Does anyone think that the cruise ships might come up with a way to ship it home from the port? I really wouldn't want Captain Morgan all over my clothes. We're using car transport to airport so no acess to shipping ourselves.

 

[disneymom3]

For some of you, the terrorist won.....

If you change your life, that may be the right decision, but no matter what it means they won. They forced you to live in fear of them, that gives them the power.

Personally, I think that the next attack won't be on an airplane. I was re-reading Tom Clancy's novel this weekend where the terrorists attack the shoppers in suburban malls, it's not that far fetched......

For most people who are considering driving I really think it is more about the hassle than the fear. DH and I are flying in Sept but for several years now we have been driving after two very long days (down and back) on ATA. (Funny that someone else loves them because we will NEVER fly them again. Not even for free.) At any rate though, if it would cost LESS to fly, I would have a hard time justifying it. For us, we rarely get airfare even close to the $200 mark and there are 5 of us. So the airfare alone we are looking at a min of $1250. Driving even with a night on the road is cheaper. The kids like it by now too.

 

[madge]

we're likely driving, but it has nothing to do with what happened this week. As of today, it's more than twice as expensive to fly than it was last year. Unless something changes with that, we will drive.

our drive is 13 hours. if we fly, we're looking at approx. 6 hours of travel time (2 hours to get to the airport, 2 hour flight, arrive at the airport 2 hours early) and then it's another hour from the time we land (getting off the plane, stopping for a potty break, picking up our bags, and driving to WDW). So 7 hours total from the time we leave our house until we reach WDW. So, driving 13 hours isn't much worse, LOL.

I'd much rather fly... no doubt about it.