Flying these days

[Cyndibear]

We are from Allentown, PA area. We have been driving to WDW for several years. We would leave about 4/5am and arrive at WDW around 11pm. We drive straight through, pack a hoagie for lunch and grab fast food for dinner. January was the first time we flew Southwest and lets just say, it will take us along time till we drive again. It's a tough call. It's a looong drive and as we get older, or think that's the reason (we are 36 and 40!!) it feels like it is taking us longer. We usually spent around $300 in gas round trip. That was before the increases.

I have Southwest out of PHL booked for our Sept trip at $190 per person. I'm looking for our outbound flight to go down further and I can change it and they apply the credit to a future flight. It sure is nice to leave PHL around 8am and get to MCO by 11am. It feels like it gives us a whole extra day.

Cyndi

 

[itsreally4mommy]

I wonder if the travel expenses will start hurting WDW to the point that we start seeing more deals? Or if at least the non DVC would have more offerings?

 

[rtobe]

I've driven and flown depending on how long I'm staying. The past two years I've driven for Oct. trips which have been about 10 days. Even though it is a long drive alone, the freedom to toss the stuff in the car and not worry about packing for TSA and baggage handlers was really nice. Also, it was nice not worrying about leaving WDW to get to MCO, just leave when I felt like it to get home in time. This year I'm not sure what do. I'm in Northern VA, about 850 miles from my house to "home" at BWV but it is a long drive in one shot and traveling alone the rest area is a little worrisome. Gas is getting too expensive plus the one night hotel (always budget for it, may not use it). Car does ok on miles and it is nice having it at WDW.

I wonder if American's $15 per bag charge will stick (and does this mean I could pay $45 and check 3 bags? Cheaper than what it used to cost to check a third bag). The interesting thing about the bag charges is that if you have preferred status with an airline they don't charge you. Makes you wonder whether they need money or just want to annoy the general public who does not fly any one particular airline enough to earn preferred status. I think the security lines will be worse and overhead space will be at a premium as more folks try to carry on the stuff that would have gone in a second checked bag (or on American in any checked bag).

 

[TDC Nala]

I know airlines expect to earn revenue from this $15 per bag charge, but I wonder if it will be worth it? First of all it will chase A LOT of buyers away, and I can't begin to think of the headaches it's going to cause in the carry on search line.

Currently there is only one airline (American) that states it is going to charge $15 for the first checked bag.

(and does this mean I could pay $45 and check 3 bags?

No, the second bag is $25. The third bag is $100. To check three bags, you'd pay $140. More if any of the bags is overweight.

I believe the charges are per person, so if three people are traveling, each person could check a bag and you'd pay $45.

 

[Reginak]

We flew a couple of weeks ago and I used Farecast.com to help snag cheap flights: this site checks multiple travel sites and also offers a recommendation about whether it is a good time to buy or if previous historical data suggests that the fares will go up or down. Also, to combat airport parking fees we spend the night at a hotel near the airport that will allow us to leave our car in their parking lot for the duration of the trip. Since we live 95 miles from the airport this really helps out for early flights.

Regina

 

[DeeCee735]

I fly out of JFK when it's just a friend and myself, but when it's my whole family and one of my kids friends we drive. Sometimes we go straight through, sometimes we stop in Jacksonville for an overnighter. I get about 23 miles to the gallon in my SUV, with today's gas prices that's about $420 in gas RT. Overnight stay for a suite sleeping 5? I'm going to guess $175? (haven't done it in a while), = $350 RT, food there and back about $200 (we pack bagels and sandwiches on the way down, with water and soda in a cooler, and do the fast food thing on the way back). Thats just under $1000 for 5 of us. We could probably fly for about the same in airfare, taxes and fees, but then there's also the extra bag fees (there is NO WAY my daughter and I are packing one fifty pound bag each for a week - that's like shoes and toiletries alone ), the car service to and from JFK, and the taxi service around the parks (we don't always take the buses, sometimes it's just not worth the wait or the crowds). So figure another $200 or more right there.

We'll most likely continue to drive - especially when we can pack whatever we want and have the car for travel around the area during the week.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Our total trips within a year are going to be 4 -1 week long trips to Disney, and we live in NC (about 9.5 hrs away). We decided the last 2 trips to drive, and are flying for the 3rd, not sure what we are doing for the 4th trip. Driving at least affords us the ability to leave early and hit the parks when we arrive and if the busses are not running well, we can always use the car. It also gives us the ability to go somewhere other than Disneyworld if we chose to.

We were thinking about adding on a couple extra days to our Oct trip, but since we are flying, it makes it difficult with changes fees. Although, SW seems to be better than most.

Hi. We're in Wilson and we're fighting this delima too for our Dec. trip. We have always flown and Jacksonville is the furtherest I've ever driven. I've always sworn off driving ANYTHING further than Charlotte (about 5 hours for us) because given wear and tear on me and the SUV and gas, I could fly cheaper.

Such doesn't seem to be the case anymore (though we can't get SouthWest quotes yet for Dec so we are still hoping).

Can you really drive it in 9.5 hours? I live 10 minutes from I-95 and I've heard people say they could but it just seems like further to me.

Given we always rent a car (3 YO DD), that certainly adds to the cost of flying. I'm strange. I can't imagine being at Disney w/o a vehicle. We did it the first time we ever went (just my wife and I YEARS ago) and I swore I'd never be wheeless again. LOL

Gas (and jet fuel) prices are bringing forth a new reality for all of us, I suspect.

We bought into DVC in April to go more. God sometimes has a way of thumping me on the head when I think I've had an epiphiny. LOL

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Booked our flights for December a couple of months ago and for 3 people it was just under $600/RT. This trip we will just be doing Disney and not any other attractions in Orlando. I plan on checking only 1 bag with the stuff we need for the villa (laundry soap, body wash, shampoo, coffee, etc) and take one carry on each with all our cloths. Since I'll be doing laundry, we won't need to pack much.

If the price of flights goes too high for our next trip, we very well may drive. We're 1200 miles from WDW and I'm fortunate enough to own a Prius so I do get 50 MPG. I figure that it will cost approx $250/RT and then the $200 for hotel up and back and the food.

One of the benefits in driving for us is that my daughter lives in Brooklyn and we could also make a visit after our trip to the World. It would break up the drive and give us something else to look forward to at the end of our trip. Driving down you have the excitement of the vacation, whereas, driving back you just want to get home!

 

[veenstra56]

As a habitual numbers cruncher, I can tell you from my many experiences that unless we can get airfare for about $125 pp round trip that it's cheaper for the four of us to drive (straight through, no stops other than gas and bathroom breaks). When my wife and I go it alone we always fly, as it's cheaper to do so. We live in Michigan and have a 1200 mile trip each way.

 

[MOQu]

I accidentally put a small jar of peanut butter in one of the carry ons instead of in a checked bag, and they confiscated it! Watch out for those peanut butter bombs, people! It's just nuts.

I agree. I was totally ticked when the couple sitting in front of me on a SWA flight asked their two young daughters (looking about 4 and 6 years old) sitting a few rows back from their parents by choice (lots of seats available)) if they wanted some cherry tomatoes or a PBJ sandwich. She then pulled out a quart of cherry tomatoes and a couple PBJ sandwiches from her carry-on. Now how did she get those past security I asked myself? When we got off the plane and saw her husband put on an ID saying he was a pilot, I realized that the security measures which inconvience us must not apply to airline employees.

 

[TDC Nala]

I agree. I was totally ticked when the couple sitting in front of me on a SWA flight asked their two young daughters (looking about 4 and 6 years old) sitting a few rows back from their parents by choice (lots of seats available)) if they wanted some cherry tomatoes or a PBJ sandwich. She then pulled out a quart of cherry tomatoes and a couple PBJ sandwiches from her carry-on. Now how did she get those past security I asked myself? When we got off the plane and saw her husband put on an ID saying he was a pilot, I realized that the security measures which inconvience us must not apply to airline employees.

Tomatoes are not liquid or gel, and while a jar of peanut butter would not be permitted past security, a peanut butter sandwich most likely would be.

 

[BCV23]

I hate flying these days. Our last two trips to WDW we had delays going both ways both trips.

The flight attendants who toss you a can or glass of soda and then sit through the rest of the flight get to me too. One was irritated this trip because I asked for a napkin when she neglected to give me one with my drink. Oh, and then they walk down the aisle a few times with a garbage bag expecting all of us to toss in the cups, etc. There are some great older pros still flying and I'm so happy when we get a crew like that. And most SW attendants are friendly and helpful.

Most TSA people have been great and we do have a variety of special needs going through. But there's the occasional lemon there too.

When we got home, I rearranged our trips for next year. Instead of four trips, we're doing three longer trips. I would love to drive but I'm the only one who feels that way.

My DH flies all the time and this stuff rolls off his back. But I hate flying now.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[magpie1295]

Another alternative is always Amtrak's Auto Train. If you live in the MidAtlantic, Midwest, or Northeast, this is an option. For my family of 4, we reserve 2 roomettes, and it costs us about $1200 round trip, including the car. Prices go up during peak times if you book last minute, though. Prices are quite a bit cheaper, too, if you travel coach - but I felt that the roomettes were totally worth the extra $$.

You need to be at the Lorton, VA station by around 2:00 at the absolute latest, and, the vast majority of the time, the train departs promptly at 4:30....sometimes a little earlier. Then you travel overnight, and arrive in Sanford, FL the next morning at around 9:30 am. On my last trip, we were off of the train by 8:30am.

The nice thing is that you have your car with you, and can bring as much "stuff" as you can pack in it. And then, too, you have your own car to drive, as an option, once you get to WDW. No I-95 nightmares. No gas price worries. No surly airline representatives. No TSA stress.

Dinner and Breakfast are complementary on this particular train, and the food was pretty good! And they also show a movie at night in the lounge car. If you book a roomette or a bedroom, you also get a wine tasting and snacks as soon as you board, and upgraded service in the dining car. Free wine is poured with dinner, too. They also had free coffee, bottled water, and ice available for us as well.

I live in Virginia, and I used to drive straight through to and from Orlando, and it would take me about 2 days each way just to recover. Now I am totally converted to the Auto Train. I know that it isn't necessarily the cheapest option, but the 'fun factor' is worth the extra money to me.

If anyone has questions about this option, just let me know.

Hope that this info is helpful.

tw

 

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

Can you really drive it in 9.5 hours? I live 10 minutes from I-95 and I've heard people say they could but it just seems like further to me. LOL

We have driven it twice this year from Durham (about 50 minutes off 95) and made it both times in almost exactly 10 hours so I would think you could do it in 9.5. Traffic is usually light except on 4 in FLA where is always seems to move slow but maybe that is because the end of the long drive is in sight. In the end, for 2 the cost to fly vs drive for us is about the same or maybe a little more to fly so we decide based on what we are doing. If it is a slow trip (no set ressies for breakfast, etc so we can use WDW transportation, then flying saves so much time. But if we want to go off site or use a car to get to ressies and parks, then we drive rather than adding the expense of the rental car.

The speeding ticket cost is what increases the cost to drive more then the gas prices... ::cop: ::cop: ::cop:

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Today at BWI my husbands flight to Charlotte, NC was cancelled. I mean 30 min. before the flight! He already went thru bag check-in, security, sittin at the terminal. Boom..." Sorry flight ### has been cancelled due to mechanical difficulties." 80 people had to scramble to the appropriate ticket counter to get some kind of alternate flight. The attendant did say most flights today were already OVERBOOKED! My hubby did get another flight...at 5:45p! Like 7 hours later. I feel really bad for families when this happens. Just is too crazy anymore to fly.

 

[BCV23]

magpie, the auto train does sound great but I don't think there's a route from the mid West. Driving to VA would take us 12 hours vs. 18 to FL from the Chicago area according to mapquest.

But I'm envious of those for whom it's a viable option.

 

[Starr W.]

Today at BWI my husbands flight to Charlotte, NC was cancelled. I mean 30 min. before the flight! He already went thru bag check-in, security, sittin at the terminal. Boom..." Sorry flight ### has been cancelled due to mechanical difficulties." 80 people had to scramble to the appropriate ticket counter to get some kind of alternate flight. The attendant did say most flights today were already OVERBOOKED! My hubby did get another flight...at 5:45p! Like 7 hours later. I feel really bad for families when this happens. Just is too crazy anymore to fly.

Was that USAir? I've flown them 3 x for business and twice I have run into mechanical problems. Luckily out of DTW I can avoid them.

GO 99!!

 

[n2mm]

Strangely we have been getting great fares out of Wash. Dulles lately. I booked my April 2008 trip at $116 roundtrip out of Dulles. My August trip is also $116 (Airtran) roundtrip. I booked my October trip with jetblue for $129 roundtrip and am looking at my MLK/January trip with Airtran also at $129 roundtrip. These are some of the cheapest flights I've gotten in years and not sure why....but it's OK with me. I have alot of FF miles with United that I could use, but as long as my fares are staying under $150, I'll happily pay them.

 

[magpie1295]

magpie, the auto train does sound great but I don't think there's a route from the mid West. Driving to VA would take us 12 hours vs. 18 to FL from the Chicago area according to mapquest.

Yep you are definitely right about that. I guess that I was thinking more about Ohio. When I travelled I saw quite a few cars with Ohio license plates. But you're right, Chicago wouldn't work as well.