Fly or Drive?

[splashmountain31]

I am absolutely paranoid to fly but I hear flying out of Manchester NH on Southwest is fine (as it can be). Any experiences? I haven't flown since before Sept 11 and I was even afraid prior to that.

I have toyed with the idea of driving as well. Anyone have positive (or negative experience) driving from MA or NH to FL? How long does it take etc????

thanks!!!!

 

[stevepete]

We just got back We drove down with our two sons (9 and 3). Driving was not a problem at all, we actually enjoyed it. We left on a Friday at 2:00 pm stayed overnight in Maryland (10:30 pm). Then got up and out by 6:30 am driving until 10:30, staying in Florida, just past Jacksonville. We made several stops along the way (including South of the Border ) so my children could run around and stretch. We were in Disney at 9:00 am. On the way home, we stopped at Daytona Beach for 5-6 hours, stopped that evening in South Carolina and then drove home the next day.

 

[Magic2000]

I'm a very nervous flyer too; although I am flying to Las Vegas this summer and then to Disney in October.

Of course, flying is much easier - for us its about 1.5 hr flight vs about an 11 hr drive.
But, I can drive round trip for about $100.00 vs anywhere from $600-$800.

We usually fly Southwest to Orlando because it does offer a direct non-stop flight, and they are reasonably priced. We've always had a great flight - I usually bring some snacks for the kids, as well as a goody bag (even my teenagers like getting a goody bag - and I include coloring book, colors, disposable camera, word search book, candy, gum, etc).

If you decide to drive, I would also suggest leaving at night - maybe getting some of the driving done while the kids are sleeping. Try to make some brief stops along the way to keep it fun and break up the boredom. Have a great trip!!!

 

[BounceyOne]

Have you considered taking the auto train? It leaves from lorton, va right outside of DC. You can drive to the train and leave your car packed with all your stuff. Enjoy a comfy night on the train and in the morning you are about 45 minutes from WDW!

 

[cheeringmom]

What a neat thought about the auto train. Do you have any other info on it? We live in DC and are planning a trip in Nov. We were planning on flying but this may be a bit cheaper!! Thanks Pam

 

[dana99]

We were going to drive in July but just changed our minds and bought tickets through Southwest (leaving from Manchester also). We have four kids and while the older ones travel well, our youngest doesn't. After looking at mapquest and seeing 24 hours driving time, we just decided to fly since we got a decent price for tickets. Besides, my DH has limited time off and I would rather be spending it at Disney than driving. Good luck deciding!

Dana

 

[TerriBelle]

My parents took the autotrain a few years ago. It was actually more expensive than flying because we can get good rates with Southwest out of BWI. They enjoyed it but they did say it was very noisy and they did not really sleep.

I have flown to Manchester from BWI on business with Southwest. Manchester has a great airport! It was really organized and easy to get through. We always fly Southwest from BWI and have had great trips. For us spending 3 hours on a plane with 3 kids is easier than driving from MD.

 

[BounceyOne]

The auto train isn't the cheapest thing, but it isn't expensive either. For those that don't want to fly it offers an option to driving.
We love the auto train, by the time we buy 4 airplane tickets and then rent a car it cost us about the same price. I also enjoy the train ride, it adds to the adventure of vacation.

On the auto train you have your choie of getting a 'room' or just staying in the coach section of the train. There are rooms that offer you your own lavatory there are rooms that you just sleep in and there are family rooms for the entire family. You get dinner included in your price as well as a light breakfast. There is a lounge car that serves drinks, snacks, beer and such for $.
The price varies ALOT depending on the time of year you are going.
If you go to the aktrak.com website you can put in LOR as your departure station and SFA as arrival, this will bring you to the auto train prices and such.

Have a great trip either way

 

[Eeyore2003]

We have always driven everywhere and we travel quite extensively, I don't fly, period. Been there enough, done that and refuse to do it again. (I guess an emergency would change that)

Started when my oldest was 6 months and he's now 24 and my "baby" is graduating next week. Several long trips each year.

Here's some ideas. To DisneyWorld we traveled from WI, which I don't think is too much different than your trip.

1. Took "prize bags",(they even liked them as teen-agers!!!), but by then it was a "tradition". They got one every "so many" miles, or "so many" hours. Usually depended on how many prizes I had and how many miles we had to go. These included anything a little more expensive like hand held games I'd get on sale, even the little ones are good for this, funny candy things, (you can find goofy lollipops, or stupid candy things, little car games, (popular one was car sized Simon), baseball or football cards, (a pack every so many miles), the traditional can't forget, "Pez Container", and then another prize would be a package of Pez Candies. Last year we took my niece and nephew on a trip and her favorite was a set of paper dolls, (magnetic), that she could color the way she wanted, activity books. Well, you get the idea, I would start keeping my eyes open for several weeks before and keep my stash. I'd put one prize in a plastic lunchbag with their name on it.

2.Always ate at rest areas to let the kids run around. Always had a cooler. One of the favorites was Lunchables. We found that eating lots of candies made you sick by the end of the day and a light lunch was perfect.

3. Left early, 6:00 to 6:30, by noon you've really got a good start usually and feel you've accomplished a chunk.

4. Stopped about 5 to 6 at a motel with a pool. Kids had a swim, we had a really nice dinner somewhere, a little TV and they'd be rested and ready to go in the morning. And so were we. We found driving straight through made us sick when we got there and unable to enjoy the day.

5.TV with video was wonderful. Can buy adapters that fit into the cigarette lighter.

6. When you get into Florida a little ways, there's a Walt Disney World station where Mickey and friends tell you what's going on at Disney World and then a stop at the Ocala Disney Store really starts getting you in the mood.

Well, even if you fly this time, maybe this well help in the future. Have fun!!!

 

[cheeringmom]

They are having a special of $37 one way from lorton to stafford but it is only during a specific time frame and we just miss it. It doesn't include the car I believe. I didn't get a chance to look thru the entire web site but this could be a player. Thanks again for the info. Nice to know we have several options.

 

[CamColt]

We have driven twice, and flown once since 9/11. We plan to drive in August and fly in Dec.

As much as I disliked flying(Im a very nervous flier), I never thought I would drive, but we were scheduled to fly 9/24/01 and that changed. Then I found out driving isnt so bad and its resulted in more trips than we would have taken if we had to fly. It takes us just under 24 hours straight through. My best advice for driving, bsides snacks that keep the kids happy, is a tv/vcr for the ride. Last year my oldest DS was really into Nick GAS shows. We taped some and he watched them over and over. He was in heaven.

As for flying, like I said we are flying in Dec. We booked the trip in Feb and so far I have had more trouble with airlines(2 different ones) changing and cancelling flights, Im almost thinking its more trouble than its worth. Plus Im worried about last minute cancellations and delays. However I will admit when we flew last summer, everything(flight times, security, etc...) did go smoothly, and I was very relieved about that.

 

[HeatherAnne]

Hi,

We are from MA and flew out of Manchester for the first time in March. What a GREAT experience compared to flying out of Logan. It was not crowded at all and completely stress free! Smooth sailing! We have a 2 1/2 year old and got to "pre board" which was great! Southwest does not assign seats and we were the first ones on the plane! They also do not serve meals - just snacks and drinks - so bring some food for the kids!

We drove down to WDW in March of 2002 and it was not fun! It was way too long compared to a non-stop 3 hr flight! My husband is afraid to fly too and he thought the whole Manchester experience was great! We are going back at the end of June and got a great deals on tickets. Good luck!

HeatherAnne

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Originally posted by TerriBelle
My parents took the autotrain a few years ago. It was actually more expensive than flying because we can get good rates with Southwest out of BWI. They enjoyed it but they did say it was very noisy and they did not really sleep.

I have flown to Manchester from BWI on business with Southwest. Manchester has a great airport! It was really organized and easy to get through. We always fly Southwest from BWI and have had great trips. For us spending 3 hours on a plane with 3 kids is easier than driving from MD.

I agree with TerriBelle. (BTW, I live like 20 minutes from you!) We thought the auto train seemed cool, but it's just as long as driving, and cost more than flying. My family of four is flying for $594, tax included. BTW Terri, have you been given the snack box on southwest flights before? I wasn't sure, since the flight is right around that 2 hr. mark.

 

[splashmountain31]

I THINK we've decided to drive, but I've been known to change my mind.

My dh knows all me all too well. I asked what he thought I would do last minute and he said when we get to the airport I wouldn't get on the plane. too funny!!!

We all know flying is so much safer than driving though....see...and it starts.

 

[TerriBelle]

Mickeyluver37,

I have not had a snack box on a flight to Florida. We flew dinner time in Nov. on a Friday night and got crackers and a drink. I brought food and we got some french fries from the BK in the airport. When we flew the year before in Oct. it was early morning and still no food. I would bring stuff with you.

Do you live in Howard County?

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Originally posted by TerriBelle
Mickeyluver37,

I have not had a snack box on a flight to Florida. We flew dinner time in Nov. on a Friday night and got crackers and a drink. I brought food and we got some french fries from the BK in the airport. When we flew the year before in Oct. it was early morning and still no food. I would bring stuff with you.

Do you live in Howard County?

Ok, thanks for the heads up. I'll bring snacks for the kids. And I live in Anne Arundel County.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Man, I wish our family of 5 could get rates that low!
I got all excited the other day when I got the travelocity fare watcher email and noticed FINALLY one from DFW to Orlando.... and I'd seen the email only 20 minutes after it was sent- so I thought surely they'd still have the rates!
Oh they had them alright- but most of them had a cut off date (get this... you aren't going to believe it... LOL) of Nov 20th- we're planning on flying out on Nov 21st!! How's that for bad luck? LOL

And then the one that didn't have that cut off- which was Delta which is what we'd probably be flying as they have the right times for us and I usually fly Delta for some reason..... I checked it and we could fly out at the right time (evening) on 21st -but when I clicked to pick the return date there were NO DATES in Nov/Dec to return except Nov 20th! Hello? I can't fly out on the 21st and fly back on the 20th- even if I wanted to. LOL

*pout*
The rate was $217 and the best I have come up with so far is $285.5 per person. *cry*

 

[TerriBelle]

BibbidyBobbidyBoo,
Last year we went over Thanksgiving and actually flew out Friday night (5 ish) and saved over $300 for the 5 of us. Sometimes by moving your flight one day you can save a lot of money. We got a cheap rate at POR and spent the night there. The hotel room did not cost us $300 and we got an early start on Sat. to visit the parks.