For those who drive to Disney, WHY???

[tinaluis]

We could scrimp on other things and fly, but driving to WDW saves us $$ vs. flying (and renting a car for almost 2 weeks) that we can use on other things like meals, snacks and souveniers or planning another trip back to WDW. We visited for almost 2 weeks in January and we've planned another trip for October. We break our trips up into 2 days doing the majority of the driving on the first day, about 14 hours, and about 7 hours the next. Flying is a lot quicker, but with three DDs, 6, 4 and 1 1/2, and all of the STUFF the accompanies them, strollers, car seats, diaper bags, backpacks, toys, pool floats, etc., it's just better to pack it all into our van and head to the happiest place on Earth. Just my $.02. Have fun whatever you decide!!!

 

[theterms]

We live in NW New Jersey and always drive down to WDW. This year we were thinking about flying, but changed our minds and are hitting the road again! We (Me, DH, DD 10, DS 7) have driven down 3 times and love it.

We leave Jersey around 10 pm (this year, 9), DH drives at night - he slept a bit earlier in the day. I get us through Baltimore, then DC. Then, I go to sleep. The kids fall asleep about 5 minutes after we pull out of the driveway! We all get up around 7am and stop for breakfast. We also stop at rest areas and throw the Frisbee or football, or play tag - to get them tired! Then I drive us into Florida while DH sleeps (with one eye open!). There's a fully stocked cooler with drinks and snacks in the back. We arrive in WDW usually about 3pm.

We've never done the tv/vcr thing, but last time I brought my laptop. This year, we're trying a tv and PS2 (for games and dvd's) since we've got the "pre-teen". They actually love the drive and would rather do that than fly.

Coming home, we started leaving around 6 or 7 am so we get home the same day!

11 of us flew to Ft. Lauderdale in November from Philadelphia - left at 7 am, 2 hour drive to airport from home, airport parking for 1 week, flight with stop in Atlanta (1.5 hour layover/switch planes), flight to Ft. Lauderdale, get bags, pack shuttle van, go to hotel - it's now 6:30 pm. It took 11.5 hours - my kids didn't think it was that great to fly - they asked to drive to WDW.

I love my kids!

 

[colleen costello]

Hope "The Terms" clan has a great trip to BWV! We (formerly of Washington NJ) are leaving this Friday for our trip to Old Key West. We have a new tv/dvd for the kids and I am thrilled to be saving money on airfare (plus I won't have the flight-induced panic attacks...). It has been unusally snowy and cold in Indiana and the Orlando forecast is around 80 degrees -- we literally CAN'T WAIT!

Safe trip, everyone!

 

[jel0511]

We're trying the drive this summer, but are looking at more of an adventure. We plan on stopping often, and stopping overnight both ways. We'll have a DVD player in the car to help keep the kids occupied. DH has always wanted to drive, and I like flying. We don't mind paying for airfare, and with driving and staying over we'll probably break even. In reality, all we're saving is the rental car. We plan on staying in Florida for two weeks, so that is a pretty big savings. If it goes well this time, we'll do it again. If it's a COMPLETE nightmare, back on the plane for us!!

 

[jel0511]

We're trying the drive this summer, but are looking at more of an adventure. We plan on stopping often, and stopping overnight both ways. We'll have a DVD player in the car to help keep the kids occupied. DH has always wanted to drive, and I like flying. We don't mind paying for airfare, and with driving and staying over we'll probably break even. In reality, all we're saving is the rental car. We plan on staying in Florida for two weeks, so that is a pretty big savings. If it goes well this time, we'll do it again. If it's a COMPLETE nightmare, back on the plane for us!!

 

[phorsenuf]

I have driven to Disney from NH. The children were 2, 5,8 and 11.
I had made ressies in Virginia to stop for the night, but we went blowing right on by. The kids were happy and content so we kept going. We ended up getting a room 3 hours outside of Disney because we weren't supposed to be there till the next morning! LOL
My husband drove during the day and into the evening and I did the night driving. It took us a total of about 24 hours total. We are doing it again in July. It sure beat the cost of flying! Give it a try, just plug along till the kids get cranky, then stop for the night. Mostly they'll just sleep anyway!

 

[luvflorida]

We have driven from Maine to Florida four times, with three kids. We actually look forward to the car ride, (I know, some of you are thinking this lady is crazy), but it's all part of the vacation. Being in the car with the entire family for a long trip can be quite entertaining. NO, you may not stick your feet out the window; NO, you may not ride with your head out the sunroof even if the weather is getting warmer; NO, you may not have a second Pepsi and YES, you have to pick up all the toys that fell out of your tote bag and landed on your sister's side of the car. Seriously, we enjoy the drive down. On one trip when our kids were older, my son had taped numerous episodes of the TV show, Seinfeld. The time really flew by as we listened and laughed at their escapades. Watching the scenery change from pine trees to palm trees is always exciting, and coming upon that first 'Welcome to Florida' sign always gets a big cheer. We usually make one overnight stop, then arrive at WDW the following afternoon.
Advantages of driving include: stopping whenever and wherever we want; having our car when we get to Florida; being able to pack as much stuff as we want; not having to stick to a strict time schedule; trying out different eating places along the road.
Several times we extended our trips and spent a few days in Washington D.C. and New York City.

I know driving isn't for everyone, and you have to weigh the pros and cons according to your own family's tastes. My husband and I, along with our 12 year old daughter, flew to Orlando a few months ago, and it only reaffirmed our love of driving. The plane was cramped, the pull down tray in front of me looked like it hadn't seen a good cleaning this decade, the kid sitting behind me kicked the back of my seat all the way from Boston to Orlando, the person sitting in front of my husband put his seat back and spent the trip practically in my husband's lap, (they could read the same newspaper), and when we were departing the plane, a guy swung his carry-on bag down from the overhead bin and smacked our daughter in the head!

I'll take driving any day!

 

[colleen costello]

Hey LuvFlorida, I agree with your post 11% -- the airlines are insane and we enjoy the trip down in our minivan. I guess I compare it to the trips when I was a kid, with no seatbelts, no AC, no TV -- now those were the days!

Anyhow, I just wanted to tell you -- our DVC guide, Lisa, is from the Boston area. So what does a woman who now lives in Florida do for vacation? They go to Maine! Every year she and her family do your trip, just backwards! I guess she gets enough of Mickey at work and on daytrips.

 

[luvflorida]

Colleen- You brought back memories of when I used to travel in a car as a kid. I remember my younger brother actually used to stand up and hang onto the back of the driver's seat. Our Dad was forever telling him to sit down! And my two brothers and I used to play a game that required the three of us to balance on the edge of the seat, in fits of laughter, and whoever could remain that way the longest without falling back into the seat was the winner. We'd play that game until we heard the familiar parental threat of "Do I have to turn this car around and head back home?!?" TV/VCR!?! We felt fortunate to get a seat by the window!

 

[colleen costello]

For years we had a travel trailer and my Dad had a pickup truck that pulled it. We would drive all the way from NJ to Ft. Wilderness with 4 of us in the front of that truck. My sister -- who was as old as 7 or 8 on these trips -- rode on my Mom's lap! Nowadays we laugh recalling it. My Mom realizes that if we'd had so much as a minor fender bender, my sister would have been KILLED! What were we thinking? It was the '70's, and I guess we WEREN'T thinking! I hate to sound like and old codger, but kids nowadays don't realize how good they've got it!

 

[Chadm]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
I estimate that 500 miles is the breakeven between driving and flying considering the time consumed, including traveling to and from airports, and making allowance for a small amount of post 9/11 style hassle.

I have to seriously disagree with the 500 mile figure as a break even point. At 500 miles, it is much cheaper to drive than fly, especially if you have children.

Here's a reality-based example:

We live in New Orleans and it's approximately 650 miles to Disney. I can make that drive in 10 hours including plenty of bathroom and gas breaks. That round trip takes 5 tanks of gas at about $25 a tank, which equals $125. We bring drinks and snacks and do not eat a full meal (because we do it at night and whoever is not driving is usually sleeping). Also, we do not stop to sleep anywhere (same reason as not stopping to eat). Basically, if you add a few dollars for food and drinks, the trip costs less than $200 and we are at Disney bright and early the next morning.

Now, if we fly, it's susbantially more expensive. The flights are approximately $150/person (and that might be generous). The last trip, we brought our 7 yr. old niece, so that's 3 full price flights. Then you have to either factor in a rental car or a round trip ride to/from the airport. That's another $100.

In comparison, driving costs less than $200 and flying costs around $550. Obviously, driving costs about 2/3 less than flying at this distance. If you have two adults to drive, the trip really isn't bad at all.

All that being said, I still much rather fly because it's only a 1 1/2 hour flight. However, I just wanted to prove that 500 miles is NOT a realistic break even point. I would think the break even point is much higher than that.

 

[LIFERBABE]

The first year we flew to Florida and drove a rental car back due to a special spring break deal on rental cars and they needed to return the rentals to different parts of the country.

We took our time coming back and stopped to see my sister in Atlanta and spent the night. My DH really enjoyed that!

Last year we drove from DFW to MCO and I can honestly say that going was not bad. We drove straight thru, stopped when we wanted to and the boys (2) really enjoyed watching DVD and playing playstation on the way.

When I bought our minivan 2 years ago I got as much luxury as I could afford for our family vacations. Vehicle maintenance and upkeep are already factored into the operating costs of the vehicle when you purchase it and whether you go 2000 miles to disney or make 50 trips to the grocery store, it still costs the same.
When I was growing up we never had nice vehicles and our dad took us everywhere. We couldn't afford to fly but I remember those trips and all the silly games we would play in the back seat. (we would make them up) It is nice to load up the vehicle with the family for a road trip.

We are not road commandos and have no objections to stopping if we get tired or feel unsafe in any way. I estimated the costs for us to fly this year and rent a van for a week at $1400 and approx. 10 hours of travel time on each end.
We discussed it and decided we will stop in DESTIN and spend the day at the beach before going on to Orlando.
We loved having our minivan with us last year and there are restrictions on what you can bring when you fly. I have the vehicle thoroughly inspected before we go and maintain it throughout the year. Planes have trouble too and many people have been stuck on the runways for hours or missed connections.

Part of our discussion was also with the dire straits the airlines are in, I don't want to buy tickets so early and depend on them still being around when it's time to go. The only one I would purchase tickets this early with is SWA and we're looking at 2 or more connections.
I understand why people fly and if money was not an issue we would fly also. It is important to me for us to take vacations and driving allows us to do that yearly.

That was a good idea about taping Seinfeld episodes and with all the sitcom seasons being released on DVD now that would be perfect for the drive! I've found movies a little long to watch in the car, but episodic DVD's like Spongebob and Powerpuff girls worked great. Maybe Friends or Frasier. That would be great to listen to while driving.
We always say a prayer before we go and that's whether we fly or drive or walk!

 

[colleen costello]

My kids are all excited because a new "Pokemon" Movie will be released on DVD while we are in Florida next week. They are bugging me to to find it for the trip home... Ugh. Thank goodness for headphones!

We also cruise to "Lilo and Stitch" soundtrack. All the good Disney Music puts us in the mood for Mickey.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Hi.
We have driven to Florida several times. We used to always fly. Why the change? Honestly, it's because my husband and I were on a return flight from Orlando where we had to emergency land in Greenville SC in the crash position! Now I have a phobia of something I used to really enjoy.

But, I also have always enjoyed road trips too.

The road trip works for us because it is a 16 hour drive from our home in PA to Orlando. We can break up the drive in to two days, stopping in Fayetteville NC for the night. We have broken it up even more on two occasions (when our son was younger) where we began driving in the late afternoon stopping in Roanoke Rapids NC for the night. Next day driving to Brunswick GA and stopping for the night. Then arriving Orlando the next day at lunch time.

We are able to spend the extra time on the road b/c my husband is self-employed and can have the extra time away (although if you factor in that when he's away, he's not getting paid, then flying would really save us money b/c he'd be working more...ha ha).

We have a 3 year old son who has made the drive with us twice now. We usually only stop at meal times where we gas up, potty breaks and eat fast food. Of course now that he's potty trained we might be stopping more frequently!

Also, I have to note that we have a child who never sleeps in the car (nor his stroller nor anywhere but his bed). Honestly he didn't sleep a wink on the drives. Our son is used to six hour drives to see our family. Even when he was a baby, he was wide awake! I see him struggling to lie down and no matter how far I tilt the car seat back in to position, he just doesn't seem to get comfortable. I provide a tiny travel pillow, blanket, and nothing helps him sleep!

At this time, I can't imagine my son on an airplane. He's a bit timid about things. Hopefully in a couple years will give it a try! After all we'd like to get out to Disneyland too.

We do have fun driving. Our son watches videos. Okay, maybe Peter Pan for the 16th time on our return trip was starting to grate on our nerves. We stop at a hotel with an indoor pool and we all relax. We usually have a nice room service dinner so we can just rest.

I like that we have our van in Disney World even when we are staying on the monorail route. We can bring snacks, bottled water, etc.

And last trip, we all came down with the flu virus so we were glad we could extend our stay a day and then take our time getting home.

So for now we are drivers. Nothing to do with cost. Our top reasons are our "post traumatic stress" after our crash position flight and the convenience of having our own vehicle and being able to load it up with all our stuff. We have talked about flying down to Florida when our son is a couple years older. We did entertain the thought just a few evenings ago and decided that we aren't ready for it! LOL!!

Happy travels to our Happiest Place on Earth!