Flying Vs. Driving

[cecilia]

we drive its 12 hours

 

[MolonLabe]

We have driven it 3 times and have always gone 79 to 77. Drive time is a little over 15 hours but with kiddos you need to think about all the stops that is where i got 18+ hours. In my opinion its not worth being completely exhausted when we get there or on the drive home.

That's why I always arrive the day before WDW check in and stay off site that night, get a full 8-10 hours sleep and I'm ready for a week with the mouse

We have also flown the last 3 times and never had a problem with security. I think if any of that would happen i would be bailing my husband out of jail.

It's always a crap shoot. You know how it's going to go.

Latrobe is a tiny airport and i've never heard of a security nightmare story out of it. Sorry if you have been thru something bad at an airport but they have the security in place for a reason.

Metal detectors, bomb sniffing dogs and machines, absolutely.

This-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdd-KPCy9k

No way there is any reason or justification for something like that. Ever.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Don't forget, when checking the driving vs. flying calculator the price listed for airfare now includes all fees and taxes so it won't be any higher because of that.

Don't forget to add in parking at the airport for your stay Oh, and the 2 hours you spend with the police when you come home to find your window was broken out, your stuff stolen, and your car left in the rain for 2 days like mine was one trip

Truth be told, I hate flying. I hate everything about it. It was a PITA pre 9-11, and it's worse now. Can't tell you how many times those quick flights turned into all day ordeals. Dumb flights like STL to KC or Louisville where you can make the drive in 4-5 hours, ugghh.

If I had 1 unreliable car & 1 gas hog, I'd look into renting a car for your trip. But again, I really hate flying

 

[disfan07]

You can do better going from Pittsurgh to WDW. I made the trip from PGH to JAX at least 10 round trips, 12 hours tops. 2.5 hours all day long from Jax to the MK parking lot. (FLA native and parents who lived in the north hills).

From Latrobe you save an hour compared to me coming form the north hills of PGH.

You can make that trip in one day. Leave at 5am and be in Orlando by 8pm worst case. Stay off site your first night and you're ready to go the next morning.

As much as I hate post 9-11 air travel, even I would be tempted to fly at $132 round trip. Still you roll the dice as to weather or not some perv with TSA is going to stick their hands down your kids pants. No way I could stand by and watch that happen.... and that's the main reason why I won't fly with my children.

I can see how a dad might take the odds and hope it doesn't happen, what I can't see is how any father would allow some random stranger in an airport to put their hands all over their child.

A little paranoid are we? And with your last remark you basically just called EVERY parent out there who flies with children a bad parent.

OP, we used to do the drive from VA to West Palm Beach only during winter breaks because my dad would have about 10 days off. If we went to Florida during the summer, we would always fly. We preferred the convenience of flying but even 10-15 years ago, we couldnt afford flying 2-3 times a year to Florida.

And really, if you think the wear and tear would be too much on your cars, I wouldnt do it. We had 2 cars at home when I was younger. My dads car which was used for work (he had a long commute) and a van that my mom used for work (very short commute), carpools, and vacations. Wear and tear wasnt quite as much of a concern since we didnt use the van for long distances on a regular basis.

And flying with kids, I've done it twice with families I babysat for (1 family had 3 kids, 1 had 4 kids) and it was a breeze. I swear, travelling with kids (or travelling in general) is all about how you pack. If you organize all your carryons so that everything is easy access and as compact as possible its not that bad.

My cousin travels to England 3-4 times a year with 2 kids (2 and 5) and she has never had any issues with TSA, security, customs, airlines, etc. Her kids love the fllights.

The faster you get to Disney, the more time you get AT disney.

 

[Tara]

This-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdd-KPCy9k

No way there is any reason or justification for something like that. Ever.

Really? There was nothing untoward about that. I had that very same pat-down yesterday. "Stick their hands down your kids pants" is a GROSS mischaracterization of what is happening in this video and of the procedure in general. The agent in this video is running a finger along the waistline of the girl's pants. It goes no further than that.

And for the record, I fly a lot for work and in my many travels, yesterday's pat-down was only my second since the new security procedures were instituted. Pat-downs aren't that common at all, and pat-downs of children are even rarer. (The odds of being in an auto accident are very high, yet you've also proudly announced your distaste for "draconian" booster seat laws and chastised those who were concerned with child car safety to "lighten up" and accused them of creating a false sense of security for their children.)

 

[David 1980]

You may want to look at Flying out of Indianapolis,we live in Northwest Indiana
and for us it is cheaper to fly out of Indy x 7 people>>>

 

[max'sdad]

I'm nearby in Northwest Indiana and we found the cheapest flight out of Midway was Southwest, a little more than $700 for three of us, no bag fees either. You might check into Allegiant, which began flying out of Gary this month to Orlando Sanford and has very reasonable fares. The days they flew didn't really work for us, plus, there's no Magical Express from Sanford. But if you were going to rent a car anyway, that might be a good option for you. Good luck.

 

[MolonLabe]

Really? There was nothing untoward about that. I had that very same pat-down yesterday. "Stick their hands down your kids pants" is a GROSS mischaracterization of what is happening in this video and of the procedure in general. The agent in this video is running a finger along the waistline of the girl's pants. It goes no further than that.

If you want to subject your child to a random adult making $10 an hour touching their breasts and buttocks and then sticking their fingers (hand) down their pants is "ok" go right ahead.

Just a year or two ago that would have been considering molestation. It still is IMO.

And for the record, I fly a lot for work and in my many travels, yesterday's pat-down was only my second since the new security procedures were instituted. Pat-downs aren't that common at all, and pat-downs of children are even rarer.

I haven't had to enure one either. I didn't suggest it happens every time, I said you are 'rolling the dice' and 'playing the odds'. My daughters mental health is worth more to me than taking a chance.

How do you explain to a 4 year old that "this stranger" in a mall cop outfit can stick their hands down your pants and "that stranger" in a virtually identical outfit shouldn't put their hands down your pants because it's a "bad touch".

Good luck with that.

(The odds of being in an auto accident are very high, yet you've also proudly announced your distaste for "draconian" booster seat laws and chastised those who were concerned with child car safety to "lighten up" and accused them of creating a false sense of security for their children.)

The suggestion that a 7 year old in Illinois (or Indiana or the handful of other crazy states) in a booster seat is somehow safer than a 7 year old of identical size in Florida in an identical car who is not in a booster is absurd. In fact the thought that just because a draconian law requires it makes it worse than an absurdity. It makes it delusional.

It doesn't have anything to do with safety and yes, they do need to "lighten up".

As to the choice of flying. Sounds like driving to Indy would be cheaper (not to mention you miss $8+ in tolls each way.

 

[kathleendsm]

I think it's a pretty personal calculation. We're in central Iowa, so a 1400 mile drive, which we can do in a straight 24 hour shot. Last year when DH suggested it I was pretty horrified, but now I'm actually a convert. We drive or fly depending on the prices of tickets we can get.

When we fly, we generally end up with super early morning flights to save some money. Dragging our kids up at 3:30 AM, especially right after the Disney vacation is done, is always really hard. Then there's getting to the airport, dragging our luggage around, keeping the kids entertained in the security line, and the whole "hurry up and wait" airline travel stuff. Also, DS who's 3 has some special needs and is non-verbal. He's a pretty good flyer, but a tall kid and ALWAYS ends up kicking the seat in front of him. That stresses me out, and I end up basically laying on top of him trying to keep his legs from hitting that seat, singing songs and reading books and showing him the iPad (when it's not takeoff and landing of course). We have always rented a car (except our trip last weekend when it was just me and DH), so can't say how Magical Express works with the kids, but to make a 7 AM flight from MCO we'd have to catch DME by 4, which means outside by 3:45. I shiver to think of it.

When we drive, we go on our own schedule. We can make great progress overnight, DH needs to stop a few times for bathroom/gas breaks, but has never had an issue with falling asleep. The kids are entertained by various games, books, movies (although DS never had much of an interest in movies) and if they get whiny we stop, walk around, and see a new place. We eat at fun "treat" places (anything goes on the road!). DS can kick the seat and no one cares much. Even with tons of stops we make it in 24 hours. We can also bring as much as we can cram into our minivan, which is far more than we need or can get into our DVC villa. Are we tired when we get there? Yes, but we leave at around 5:00 on a Thursday, so when we get there on Friday we settle in, have dinner, and pretty much go to sleep so we're rested for the fun to start the next day. And we're awfully tired when we get in after getting up really early to fly too!

Yes, it takes a lot longer, but overall I'd say my stress level is lower, and we treat the road trip as part of the adventure. Plus on the drive home the kids are tired, so they're nice and quiet.

Of course, this is what works for MY family. 90% of people think we are insane, so your mileage may vary.

There are definite disadvantages to driving.

 

[KigerKat]

I never dreamed that my husband would be interested in our family of four flying to WDW for our June trip (we made the 20 hour drive OK a few years ago). But now he wants me to look into it for a few reasons: we no longer have a family member's home to stop at overnight on the way down, so there would be an extra motel fee; we have one car that might not do well on the trip, and the other doesn't get great gas mileage (and the predicted summer gas rates are scary); our kids are a bit older than last time (they'll be newly 5 and 9 for the trip) and will be more argumentative and cranky on the trip.

So please help me work through the advantages/ disadvantages for flying. Is there a fee for Magical Express? Is it timely/ convenient? How long will it take for them to get us to/from the airport to Pop Century? The resort will hold our luggage before/ after check-in if necessary, right? If we drive, we were going to bring a cooler with drinks and breakfast food for the room - which isn't going to happen if we fly. I know lots of people like doing the grocery delivery, but that sounds like a bit of a hassle. I wasn't planning on doing the dining plan (if we did it would only be Quick Service), but maybe if we fly (and aren't planning on a rental car) I should consider it?

Any opinions and suggestions would be appreciated!

My opinion is that if you can afford the time to drive, then drive. Yes, flying is much faster, but it's also a big hassle (IMO). You're limited to what you can pack, unless you want to pay fees to check your bags. Then you have to keep that in mind when packing to return home and not buy anything you can't easily pack and carry on.

And when you calculate the cost of gas, I don't think it compares to the cost of the fuel surcharges the airlines are going to charge you. I saw on GMA yesterday that airlines have just had their 3rd fare increase this year, and it's not even March yet.

Also, DH and I really enjoy the freedom of having a car while we are there. If we need to run to a store somewhere, it's no big deal to just hop in the car and go. We also like to buy drinks, freeze them in the mini fridge and put them in a cooler in the car so we can have cold drinks waiting for us when we leave the park.

I do know that DH and I love the QSDP. The cost per day is very much worth it, when you look at everything you get. And there are some very nice QS places to eat at that don't really feel like QS. Wolfgang Puck Express is one of our favorites!! We were so bummed last May when we went and found out they were closed for renovations.

Good luck to you, and I hope you guys have a GREAT trip!!

 

[neville04]

we are going on october.. just booked today and we are going to drive for the first time.. we are coming from northern IL,.. its about a 19 hr drive straight through.. plus our many stops with the kids... i'm really excited about driving!!!.. we flew last time and although it was quicker- we were just exhausted... and now i wont have to worry about packing / cramming everything into a suit case when we go to leave!>. i just just load it all into the car and call it a day!

 

[kerplop]

We drove from Houston to WDW in December, 16 hours not including breaks/stops and we also did an overnight stay along the way. We're both adults and we had no kids and there is NO WAY either of us are doing that again. By the time we got there we were already fatigued and our bodies were not happy about sitting down that much. Not to mention the fact that the only food on the road, unless you pack a huge car picnic, is fast food and our legs were swollen from all the salt and sitting. I would much rather fly and take 5-6 hours of travel instead of two days of it. Ugh.

 

[PrincessRhi]

We live about 2.5 hours away and we will be flying up for one of our trips in a few months. But for us, it's our only expense other than food since we're using someone's DVC points and our APs are already paid in full, so the trip out of pocket is "free". $230 for both of us round trip in June is a steal when our hotel and gas for our trip in March will be close to $800.

Sometimes it's just nice to kick back with a cocktail and let someone else worry about getting you somewhere.

 

[PrincessRhi]

If you want to subject your child to a random adult making $10 an hour touching their breasts and buttocks and then sticking their fingers (hand) down their pants is "ok" go right ahead.

Moot point, but most TSA agents make WAY more than $10/hr.

 

[maxiesmom]

As much as I hate post 9-11 air travel, even I would be tempted to fly at $132 round trip. Still you roll the dice as to weather or not some perv with TSA is going to stick their hands down your kids pants. No way I could stand by and watch that happen.... and that's the main reason why I won't fly with my children.

TSA Agents are just people doing their jobs, like most the rest of us. They are not "pervs" for doing that job. If you don't like the pat down, fine. But geeze, don't go around calling the people doing that job horrible names. That just makes you seem a bit crazy, and I'm guessing that you are probably not crazy. Gross exaggeration about the agents sticking their hands down kid's pants doesn't help either.

Back to the main subject at hand: I have made the drive down to Florida from Michigan many times. And I have flown many times. If you don't plan on spending any time sight-seeing along the way, and can afford to fly, fly. Driving hard all the way to Florida and then having to turn around and drive hard home is not fun. Especially the drive home. Driving down everyone is all excited, on the way home everyone is tired and just wants to get home and sleep in their own bed again.

The only way I would ever want to drive to Florida again is if we could spend some time on the drive and have fun along the way. And no, a stop at Mcdonalds doesn't equal fun.

 

[Tara]

If you want to subject your child to a random adult making $10 an hour touching their breasts and buttocks and then sticking their fingers (hand) down their pants is "ok" go right ahead.

Just a year or two ago that would have been considering molestation. It still is IMO.

You really don't know what you're talking about. Your "hand down their pants" language is meant to goad, but it is inaccurate. The TSA procedures would have never been considered molestation and for you to suggest so is a great insult to those who actually HAVE been molested.

I haven't had to enure one either. I didn't suggest it happens every time, I said you are 'rolling the dice' and 'playing the odds'. My daughters mental health is worth more to me than taking a chance.

How do you explain to a 4 year old that "this stranger" in a mall cop outfit can stick their hands down your pants and "that stranger" in a virtually identical outfit shouldn't put their hands down your pants because it's a "bad touch".

Good luck with that.

I can handle it just fine, thank you. I don't need you to wish me luck. My child is intelligent and mentally capable enough to know the difference.

The suggestion that a 7 year old in Illinois (or Indiana or the handful of other crazy states) in a booster seat is somehow safer than a 7 year old of identical size in Florida in an identical car who is not in a booster is absurd. In fact the thought that just because a draconian law requires it makes it worse than an absurdity. It makes it delusional.

The law is based on the proclivities of law maker, their own understanding, and how much they have been lobbied. Some states have laws allowing for same sex marriage and some don't. That means NOTHING about whether it is just or not. (I believe it is.) Some states choose to ignore data about child safety and booster seats. Some choose to apply the least strict regulations.

You feel the way you do and I feel the way I do and none of us are all going to agree. But what I'd encourage you to do is lose the insults and the posturing about parenting choices.

 

[MolonLabe]

Moot point, but most TSA agents make WAY more than $10/hr.

I've never actually looked until now, I was just guessing based on only needing a HS education. tsa.gov has starting salary at $29,131.00 a year, so $13 bucks an hour.

Either way, the point remains, allowing some random person whose biggest claim to life is a HS (or GED) diploma to stick their hands down the pants of a child is still an extremely offensive idea to some people, including myself.

I'm sure most have only the best of intentions but if you've seen the headlines over the past year, tsa doesn't have the best record for employing "above board" characters.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tsa+emplyee+attack

Not to mention when it was discovered agents had this image as the screen saver:

Not exactly "professional".

 

[maxiesmom]

Either way, the point remains, allowing some random person whose biggest claim to life is a HS (or GED) diploma to stick their hands down the pants of a child is still an extremely offensive idea to some people, including myself.

And you assertion that the agents are sticking their hands down kids pants(which is so not true!) is highly offensive to some people, including myself. Trying to make a point by posting hysterical comments and gross exaggerations is a good way to NOT make your point.

 

[MolonLabe]

And you assertion that the agents are sticking their hands down kids pants(which is so not true!) is highly offensive to some people, including myself. Trying to make a point by posting hysterical comments and gross exaggerations is a good way to NOT make your point.

Last I checked fingers were part of the hand... you say tomato, I tomato. How about this, "Sticking half their hand" down the pants of children.

Felling the buttocks of 6 year old girl with the back of your hand and then the breasts of that same child with the fingers and palms of the hands isn't molestation I don't know what is. They (rightfully) lock up catholic priests for the same thing.

I also posted the specific video I was referencing so you don't have to take my word for it. ->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdd-KPCy9k

There are dozens more, but I felt this one was bit tamer as opposed to the other children yelling and screaming about being sexually assaulted in front of their parents and the parents doing nothing but standing their.

Their is a risk with everything. You might crash your car on the drive to WDW. You might be unlucky enough to have your child sexually assaulted at the airport. Life is full of risk and people should make informed decisions.

Maybe instead of getting hands down the pants they get stripped searched in public view -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSQTz1bccL4

Not mention what they are going to checked luggage- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41626290/ns/travel-news/

To simply turn a blind eye to dangers presented to you, your family and your belongs is, IMO, quite naive.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Not to mention the fact that the only food on the road, unless you pack a huge car picnic, is fast food and our legs were swollen from all the salt and sitting.

Travel time aside, there is NO reason you have to subject yourself to strictly fast food (or picnics) on a road trip. The REAL food we eat along the way is one of the treats of a road trip IMO.