Fly or drive?

[LBKB]

We want to drive down Mar 31 return 4/9. Everyone keeps telling us we are nuts the traffic is just unbelievable. Has anyone done this that can shed any light? Husband is now thinking maybe fly but that means less to spend at Disney.

 

[LBKB]

Sorry we are coming from Michigan. Is one route better than another?

 

[elaine and the boys]

Perhaps I'm the wrong person to advise you, as we've driven from Cape Cod to Disney twice for mid-February vacation time. Yes, and we're crazy enough to plan driving once again for a Christmas week vacation this year. We'll be leaving on the 22 or 23 of December and driving about 11-12 hours per day. But you know what, the destination is always worth any traffic!! We just make sure to leave very early in the morning the first day (by 5:00 am...we might even leave earlier for our Christmas vacation), and eat an early breakfast (free breakfast spread at the Comfort or Hampton Inns!) and head out by 6:30 am on the second day. Usually we arrive at Disney by 4:00-5:00ish, settle into our moderate resort, have dinner in the food court or restaurant, relax and look forward to starting our first full day in one of the parks. It's my DH and two teenage sons, so we're used to getting up early for school/work. That makes getting up early for Disney NOOOOO PROBLEM!! lol Driving is cheaper...and we get to bring all sorts of breakfast food for the week, so that saves money, too. We like the flexibility of packing our van with whatever we desire. I know my brother will only travel by plane with his family, thinking that he's "paying" for wasted vacation days used for driving. Oh, well. To each his own. We don't have to pay for a rental car, either, as we like to resort hop, enjoying other resort restaurants and atmosphere at our leisure. I also worry about getting stuck at an airport because of bad weather. We always seem to visit Disney during the winter months (can't stand the heat!) when the weather is spring-like. So, I'm all for the idea of driving. From what state are you driving?

 

[disneymom3]

We would much prefer to drive than fly. It is about the freedom to stop when you need to, the control of going when you are ready and the privacy of having your own family all together and it doesn't matter if someone is being obnoxious. ( I have three younger kids and would much rather subject our own family to a tantrum than 200 random strangers!!) And the funny thing is, my kids would prefer to drive too.

And it is WAY cheaper. We got in an extra trip when we had annual passes because we were able to swing it for $700 since we drove. (and stayed offsite in a villa)

Don't know of a route since we go from MN, but try over on the transportation board--lots of drivers from the east on there who can advise you.

 

[Taja]

If driving is something you enjoy as part of your holiday, go for it. Personally, I detest being stuck in an automobile for more than an hour, so I fly nearly everywhere! Flying is much more cost effective for a solo traveler than a family, though, unless you get a smokin' deal on airfare.

Be sure to calculate your costs for vehicle maintenance, fuel, lodging (if you will stop overnight during your drive) and food. Then see what you can find for the airlines that serve your area to MCO (be sure to include your ground transportation and/or parking fees in the total) to see which is more cost effective. With WDW providing transportation from MCO to the resorts at no charge now, it might work. You could ship some non-perishable, lightweight food ahead, then use one of the shopping services for bottled water, milk and perishables if you don't rent a vehicle.

 

[sunkissed212]

BF and I drove down to FL from MI last september. we left the downriver area at 330pm on Friday 9/3 and arrived in FL (Ocala) at 2pm Saturday 9/4. We did stop overnight in TN because we had both worked a full day before leaving and needed to rest. We stayed at the hotel for roughly 7 hours. The total trip took us about 16.5 hours.

We took I-75 all the way down with the exception of one small detour in Ohio somewhere due to a traffic accident. BF has a CB radio so the truckers directed us around the traffic mess.

We did look at flying to give ourselves an extra few days at WDW but even though we found airfare for $180rt per person, the rental car rates were ridiculous and it would have cost us double what we spent in fuel to fly/rent while we were there. BF has a diesel truck so we only had to make 2 stops for fuel both ways.

I liked the drive. Having flown to FL many times, it was nice to do sightseeing (from the passenger seat, that is) and get to go through so many different states. The only places we hit a bunch of traffic were in cincinnati (there was a bengals game) and Atlanta (which I hear is bad ALL the time!).

 

[Local_Girl]

We drive from southwest Michigan. We take I-196 to I-65, south through IN, KY, and TN, and stop for the night along I-75 in northern Georgia. It's a loooong first day, but it makes the second day shorter, and we arrive in Orlando in the late afternoon.

We prefer to drive for a few reasons--DH likes to have our own car there and would rather drive himself than take shuttle busses or taxis. It's more cost effective with a family of 4 (though with gas prices what they are, OUCH! ). We stay offsite in condos and bring some food with us for meals during our stay. We like the flexibility to come and go as we please. We also enjoy the drive as a family!

That said...you will be going at the end of Easter week and the traffic will probably be bad around WDW as the crowds are higher at this time. I'm hoping that the traffic/crowd situation will improve as the crowds thin a bit after Easter week (we'll be there 4/3-4/15).

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

We drove last year and never again. Our drive wasn't as long as yours either. It is worth the extra money to fly, but then again we can fly CHEAP from here. How many in your party? What city would you fly out of?

It is just SO nice to leave your home and be IN your hotel room at Disney in just 6-8 hours!!!!

 

[cowtownmom]

We drove on our first trip and are driving again this June. It really wasn't bad. I enjoyed being able to make the drive part of our vacation. We stopped at a couple of places for sightseeing along the way. We were also able to bring a lot of our own food for breakfast each day, which helped save $$. I also liked being able to pack whatever we wanted for the trip. If you look at making the drive part of the adventure, it can certainly be a lot of fun!

 

[mjmcca]

A car is a must for me when i am in WDW. We have close freinds who live in the area and i am a their home serveral times during our vaccation. Rentals are so expensive on top of the flight that driving is a much better way to go for us.

 

[Disney Daddy et al]

Hi,
We usually fly down but this year were driving to save money. Do you belong to AAA ? If so the local office will provide maps and a route that suits you and your families needs. Also I "Highly" Recommend the portable DVD or VHS player if your taking kids. They vary in cost but can usually be found under $200. My kids made it through 600 miles before asking "HOW MUCH LONGER" ?? lol
Good Luck and best "WISHES"

 

[powellrj]

The time you are planning is spring break for many schools, so the drive may be crazy. I know people that drove down last year at spring break time said the traffic was awful. It was bumper to bumper all the way home. We usually fly out of Indy and I will never forget what one pilot said to us while we were landing in Orlando. "Just think, if you were driving down, you would just now be in Louisville" that really put it in perspective for me!

 

[BostonRob]

Perhaps I'm the wrong person to advise you, as we've driven from Cape Cod to Disney twice for mid-February vacation time. Yes, and we're crazy enough to plan driving once again for a Christmas week vacation this year. We'll be leaving on the 22 or 23 of December and driving about 11-12 hours per day. But you know what, the destination is always worth any traffic!! We just make sure to leave very early in the morning the first day (by 5:00 am...we might even leave earlier for our Christmas vacation), and eat an early breakfast (free breakfast spread at the Comfort or Hampton Inns!) and head out by 6:30 am on the second day. Usually we arrive at Disney by 4:00-5:00ish, settle into our moderate resort, have dinner in the food court or restaurant, relax and look forward to starting our first full day in one of the parks. It's my DH and two teenage sons, so we're used to getting up early for school/work. That makes getting up early for Disney NOOOOO PROBLEM!! lol Driving is cheaper...and we get to bring all sorts of breakfast food for the week, so that saves money, too. We like the flexibility of packing our van with whatever we desire. I know my brother will only travel by plane with his family, thinking that he's "paying" for wasted vacation days used for driving. Oh, well. To each his own. We don't have to pay for a rental car, either, as we like to resort hop, enjoying other resort restaurants and atmosphere at our leisure. I also worry about getting stuck at an airport because of bad weather. We always seem to visit Disney during the winter months (can't stand the heat!) when the weather is spring-like. So, I'm all for the idea of driving. From what state are you driving?

I don't know. My parents drove us several times when we were kids, so I have a respect for driving. But the gas alone for a round trip from Boston to Orlando is going to run you in excess of $200. Yes, as long as you're talking about 4 or more people, you'll likely save money by driving, but if you're talking about 3 or 4 people and you can get good airfare, the savings is minimal. I agree with your brother in this case - time is money, and I'll pay a little more so save myself 4 long days on the road.

 

[ladydancer]

The last time dh went to WDW with the rest of the family he insisted we drive. Also we stopped to see his aunt who lived in Fl at the time. I agreed to drive down with him. Dd and I flew home. Dh and ds drove back. I just can't take the long drive there and back. The last several times I've gone dh has stayed home and I flew. He will be going with me for the first time in years and we are all flying down in April. FYI...we live in SW Michigan.

 

[jeancbpugh]

We want to drive down Mar 31 return 4/9. Everyone keeps telling us we are nuts the traffic is just unbelievable. Has anyone done this that can shed any light? Husband is now thinking maybe fly but that means less to spend at Disney.

We've flown for years, and just drove for the first time for Christmas. We LOVED driving. We stopped halfway for the night both going down and coming back.

 

[jeancbpugh]

I don't know. My parents drove us several times when we were kids, so I have a respect for driving. But the gas alone for a round trip from Boston to Orlando is going to run you in excess of $200. Yes, as long as you're talking about 4 or more people, you'll likely save money by driving, but if you're talking about 3 or 4 people and you can get good airfare, the savings is minimal. I agree with your brother in this case - time is money, and I'll pay a little more so save myself 4 long days on the road.

If you use a rental car, you should factor that into your cost analysis. Or towncar service.