Fly or Drive?

[MillbrookMom]

Just curious how many of you in southern Ontario Drive down and how many people fly (and from where?)

 

[highland3]

We flew last year. We drove about two hours to Syracuse and stayed overnight then flew out the next morning. Flights were about 1/2 of what we would have paid out of Ottawa.

Next trip (not until 2008 ) I'm hoping to drive down. It'll be cheaper and we can go for two weeks (2 days down, 10 days there, 2 days back).

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

We drive straight through with 3 small kids. We live near Hamilton and go by way of Buffulo. Flew once when our oldest 2 were 2 & 1. Never again. At least not until they can carry thier own stuff. We found it very stressful and believe it or not much more exhausting for the kids. At least in the car, they could sleep when ever, watch movies, make noise and we could stop when ever. We leave our home around lunch and usually arrive in Disney in the morning between 8 & 10.
Lisa

 

[hipmaman]

Can't stand the thought of being on the road for 24 hrs (give or take). Even if we break it up into 2 days, it's still too much. I always figure time is money and if my saving by driving is not more than my time earning money at work for the same amount of time I need to drive, then I'll fly

But in general, I'm a very restless road-traveller (train, bus or car). We'll fly in less than 3 wks from Toronto Pearson. I have flown to S. California from Buffalo before and would do it again, if the price from Pearson is unreasonable.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi from Paris, Ontario. Now that our two DDs are teens (13 & 17) we love driving down. We give our selves a couple nights rest on the way, do some shopping on the way, that gives DH time to rest too.I have the I-75 book on my lap the whole time and love it.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Fly - first 2 trips were just dh and I and I was so restless for that long drive I couldn't imagine doing it with kids.... and dh makes me do the driving in the US Keep in mind I'm the lady that is scared to drive on the 427/401 and am already having panic attacks about having to drive from Pearson at 10:30pm to Guelph with just myself and 2 boys after our flight in from Calgary (anyone want to come pick me up?? )

Last time it was out of Toronto and this time it will most likely be Buffalo unless I can get a really good price to fly from Toronto or Hamilton

 

[tink&cinderella]

Mmmm interesting question-I debate this every time we go.


So far I have flown 4 times and have driven 3 times.

Usually when I go with just one of my kids I fly. I dh and my other daugther come we drive.

We did fly altogether once out of Buffalo and hated it - the waiting, the luggage, stroller, all those people, then retrieving the luggate yuck and the immigration and customs thing was a pain the a.. so we make it the start of the vacation as soon as we leave the house.

Kids love to drive and watch movies, game boy, colouring, stickers etc. We usually stay over at a hotel one night. During March Break we made it to Beckley and had left around 9:00 a.m. from Ajax, (east of Toronto). Another time we had made it to Charlotte but we had left at 2:00 a.m. and were on the go for about 16 hours.

I think I preferred leaving in the early morning hours.

We get to Disney by the end of the second day around dinner time.

We have debated driving straight through but if we got there in the morning we figure we would be exhausted and the kids would be ready to go go go- so we feel there is no advantage to that.

The cost down for us was $200 for gas and $100.00 for hotel - I admit I won't just stay anywhere - the country inn and suites and Hampton or Red Roof inn are my favourite

On the way back we stay over two nights and try to stay over at the outlet mall in Pennsylvania and shop

We drive a Ford Freestyle and had good usage of gas considering this vehicle is an SUV/van crossover ( 10.6 litres per 100 km)

Take care and good luck

Denise

 

[Disneyof3]

Driven the past 3 years. Tooo much money with a family of 5.

 

[hipmaman]

Dh and I have 2 kids (almost 5 and 6.5 yrs old). We fly with gear --sometimes 2 single strollers instead of a double, definitely 2 carseats on plane, each person with a bag/backpack and kids have lunch bags for snacks, etc. and we have a system going for air-travel. So we are used to it.

I rather put up with the wait at the airport, the stroller(s), installing/uninstalling the carseat(s) on the plane, the check-in, the luggage collection, etc. than driving Just one lazy slug when it comes to driving

Seriously, I admire people who can drive long distance. So hats off to all of you for driving.

 

[OntFamily]

For us (3) it is pretty much the same cost to fly as drive (two nights hotel, + gas). Plus, we get to Disney faster by flying (out of BUF).

Though, with each trip, we relook at the costs. We're going again at the end of Sept (Free Dining !!) and if the cost is close, we'll fly.

 

[hockey mom]

We prefer to fly out of Buffalo. With some of the great rates I have been getting lately is is cheaper to fly my family family of 5 than to drive. By the time you factor in gas, food on the road, hotel nights and wear and tear on vehicle.

 

[SnowWhite]

We are pretty much equal on flying and driving. If we were to fly now it would definately be out of buffalo. The last times we have flown it was out of toronto but now is just too expensive to do so. I don't mind the drive as I always do it in 24 hours from Peterborough. Once we hit the magic the tiredness just disappears.

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[Rubbertops]

I have driven down 4 times and flown out of Toronto 3 times. I think the next time we go we will fly out of Buffalo. Driving down is okay but it is such a bummer on the way back. And a headache with the kids!

Are we there yet?

 

[cslittle999]

We drive. It's about 21 hours door to door and we do the trip over two days. We find it a good family time.

 

[princess aurora]

We fly with kids, with friends and kids, with kids and grandparents! We fly out of Buffalo only about 1.5 hrs from us!
We do not find the airport/luggage thing that much of a hassle even with a stroller but we are good packers.

hipmaman - just curious but why do you bring your car seats on the plane?

 

[CharlesTD]

We drive there is truly no better way to go to WDW and our crew of 5 just loves it. They have flown but prefer the drive and all it has to offer.

 

[DISNEY180]

I have such limited time for holidays (1 week)at a time that I can't afford to drive so I fly. I would rather spend the time touring the parks then touring the states.

 

[Hockeychic]

We have driven 3 times, flown 2. Always out of Buffalo. I would never pay what they want out of Toronto. Plus the Buffalo airport is so small (compared to Pearson) no hassles, plus most of the people we have meet while waiting for our flight have been Canadians.... so time flys doing the where are you from...talks.

I hate flying, terrified actually but DH and the kids prefer to fly so now we fly. I just get the portable DVD player and a disney flick and I'm good.

Kim

 

[CanadianPaco]

FLY - both times and if I convince DH to go again it'll be 3xs. I can't stand long road trips. Both DH and I have touchy lower back issues.

 

[wee-haggis]

Flying out of Buffalo is truly a pleasant experience. Toronto is so,so...but I can live with it if its means getting me down there in 2-30 mins.
Driving down is "fun"??.....mmmmmm !
The valuable,wasted vacation days to get there and back........the wear and tear on your vehicle.....the wear and tear on your brain......and the absolute boredom of sitting in a car for 20+ hours X 2......
...just my opinion ...humble as it is !