Getting to Disney from NJ

[StirlingSilver83]

Ok everyone we always drive down to Disney from NJ...but now my car is getting up there in mileage (over 175K miles on it ) so now we are exploring different options of getting to FL. Just to let you know I am not big on airplanes, lol...I usually have to take valium or xanex to get on the plane bc I have major panic attacks, lol...Here's my run down on what things would cost. Let me know what you would do in this situation!

Driving down to Disney in our own car: $550 - This is by far the cheapest option, but not sure how I feel adding the extra 2K miles on my car. This price includes gas (If gas prices stay the way they are) and our over night hotel stays in SC to and from Disney.

Renting a car in NJ to drive down to FL: $1586 - This price includes gas (assuming the prices of gas stay like they are), plus the over night hotel fees to and from Disney, Plus the cost of the rental with unlimited miles put on there.

Auto-Train - $1925 - This I think is my favorite option, only because the kids LOVE trains and it would be considerably less driving on our car and on my hubby, bc he drives the whole way to Disney. This price basically includes the tickets to get on the train in business class. Although I don't really have any experience with the Auto Train, all I know is it departs around 4, so we would get there around 3ish, and it leaves from Washington DC area. In my head we could do this option and leave early to get to DC and then explore a a museum or go to the zoo before we head to the train. My kids love DC and love the museums there so its a little added attraction on a magical vacation. Again I have no experience with this, so any insight would be awesome!

Flying - $2283 - This is my least favorite option, again bc I am such a panicked flyer and I absolutely hate planes. Of course this option takes the least time to get to FL, my older son has been on a plane before, but my younger son has never flown, so not sure how that would work out. This price includes the plane tickets, plus a rental car...I know I know Disney has their own transportation to get you around the parks (which I personally LOVE), but my hubby HATES buses...I have no idea why but he can't stand them, so a rental car would be a must so he can get around the world without using any forms of disney transportation...although he loves the monorail, lol.

So there you have it, a breakdown of everything...ugh decisions decisions, lol...what would you do if you were me? Any tips or another option that I have that I am just not seeing? Any input would be awesome! Thanks for your help!

 

[mom2rtk]

I wouldn't be comfortable taking such a long driving trip in a car with that many miles.

I would look for a better deal on a rental car.

 

[kateandkids]

I live in NJ and have flown, driven and taken the auto train.

The auto train leaves from Lorton, VA and it was about 3 1/2 hours from me (Jersey shore). We booked sleeper accommodations and had a great experience but the bunks are very small (and we are not large people). I'm only 5'5" and could not stretch out. However, the experience of the riding the train, the food served and arriving early in Sanford the next day with our van (packed up with all our stuff!) made it a very nice way to travel. I don't think we'll do it again as it was just as expensive as flying/renting a car. I don't think the experience would be as good if we didn't have the sleeper bunks.

I don't think I would drive down if my car had that much mileage. I would be way too worried about breaking down.

 

[Gracie09]

Where are you flying from and when. Also how many? That price seems very high

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Where are you flying from and when. Also how many? That price seems very high

If we were to fly we would be flying out March 17 early morning like an 8AM flight and then returning on March 26th for a later flight around 5 or 6PM. We are flying out of Philly and we are a family of 4. The prices I got were from Expedia so I am not sure what other prices are out there. That price also includes a rental car since my hubby hates buses and disney transport. We usually like to rent an SUV or van because it gives us more room with the kids and stuff. Again that price was from Expedia as well. If you have any other suggestions I can use with cheaper flights that would be great. I know I can more than likely fly out of the Trenton, NJ airport for less money, but they don't release their flights and prices until 2 months prior so I can't get any prices for them until January. I am just trying to lay out all my options. Also traveling the auto train with a little one who will be 3...anyone have any tips or suggestions as to how a 3 year old will take to sleeping on a train? I don't want to kids to feel tired when we get to Disney the next morning. Thanks so much for all the input so far!

 

[Gracie09]

wait until jetblue releases their flights. If you are willing to go to newark, right now the month before sat - following sunday is 330, including a checked bag a piece. I would look at costco for cars, but until you get close the prices will be higher, so just keep checking. You can book and cancel when the prices go down though.

These are 9:30 flight down, 4:30ish flight back. There are earlier and later.

 

[JessM]

I personally think you are looking at all of your options WAY too early.

Flights - Wait until JetBlue and SW releases their fares to give you a fair comparison. Looking at prices this far out won't give you a good idea of what it will actually cost.

Rental cars- Again I think you are looking way too far out and could better both on the rental from New Jersey and the rental car in Disney. I wouldn't book that through Expedia you can probably do better looking for discount codes on your own.

 

[tami82]

I think you should take the train this time as it would also be a different experience for you if you really don't want to fly. If you drive you have to spend money on hotels and waste precious time driving. We were going to drive again from NJ but found tickets,for $250 so we are taking our first plane trip. My husband is thrilled because we don't have to waste 4+ days in a car with hotels & food between going there and coming back home.

 

[piccolopat]

Have you looked at taking the train from NJ and then renting a car in Florida?

 

[DisneyNutMary]

You're very far out to get a real idea of plane ticket prices. I find JetBlue out of Newark to be great, and the best prices I usually find about two months out.
Also look into frontier out of Trenton and spirit out of Atlantic city. Take into account the extra fees associated with those airlines, but even with that considered the prices are still rock bottom and those two airports are a pleasure to travel through. No waits, no stress, reasonably priced parking and small uncrowned terminals

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have $90 each way in October, and my daughter also got $90 each way in November, non stops from Newark to Orlando, on Southwest. That includes fees and free luggage, 2 checked bags a person. So $720 to fly would be my pick, if you can get close to that fare. Even at $110, it would be $880.

 

[Abro1975]

I'm in Northern NJ , We Go in style, and drive !

 

[Dis703]

I agree you are looking at flight prices way too early. Around that time of year this year we flew Frontier for $50RT out of Trenton. That was with picking our seats but no luggage but even with a checked back it would have been $100RT. If that quote is for 4 people even with a rental car that's really high.

Personally, we prefer to fly. And I definitely wouldn't consider driving a car with that many miles on it. Not worth the risk of having issues along the way.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I agree you are looking at flight prices way too early. Around that time of year this year we flew Frontier for $50RT out of Trenton. That was with picking our seats but no luggage but even with a checked back it would have been $100RT. If that quote is for 4 people even with a rental car that's really high.

Personally, we prefer to fly. And I definitely wouldn't consider driving a car with that many miles on it. Not worth the risk of having issues along the way.

Wow $100 round trip is amazing! I have heard good things about Frontier flying out of Trenton. Are their seats small or are they your normal seats like in a commercial flight like united airlines? When did you buy your tickets and what day did you fly out? Right now I have us scheduled to check into Disney on a Friday and check out on a Sunday, but if prices are cheaper for a flight from monday-thursday I might consider that. My hubby agrees that we need to get down to Disney some other way than driving our truck with that many miles and he has nixed the auto train bc he doesn't think out 3 year old can behave that long on a train lol...so now its either renting a car from NJ and driving down or flying down and renting a car in Disney. I guess when the time gets closer we can do a pricing analysis to see which is the better option. Although my hubby is a little nervous about flying on a smaller plane bc he gets claustrophobic...So any details you can give us about the size of the Frontier planes that would be amazing! Thanks!

 

[Lvsdisney]

Wow $100 round trip is amazing! I have heard good things about Frontier flying out of Trenton. Are their seats small or are they your normal seats like in a commercial flight like united airlines? When did you buy your tickets and what day did you fly out? Right now I have us scheduled to check into Disney on a Friday and check out on a Sunday, but if prices are cheaper for a flight from monday-thursday I might consider that. My hubby agrees that we need to get down to Disney some other way than driving our truck with that many miles and he has nixed the auto train bc he doesn't think out 3 year old can behave that long on a train lol...so now its either renting a car from NJ and driving down or flying down and renting a car in Disney. I guess when the time gets closer we can do a pricing analysis to see which is the better option. Although my hubby is a little nervous about flying on a smaller plane bc he gets claustrophobic...So any details you can give us about the size of the Frontier planes that would be amazing! Thanks!

We flew out of Trenton last January and it was a good experience. They nickle and dime you on fees (seat assignments, baggage, etc) but we knew that booking our flight. Normal seats for economy class. The best part is easy parking, easy security, easy loading/unloading plane, and FAST baggage claim. We flew out of Philly this January because Frontier didn't have times we likes, otherwise I would have flown them again.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We flew out of Trenton last January and it was a good experience. They nickle and dime you on fees (seat assignments, baggage, etc) but we knew that booking our flight. Normal seats for economy class. The best part is easy parking, easy security, easy loading/unloading plane, and FAST baggage claim. We flew out of Philly this January because Frontier didn't have times we likes, otherwise I would have flown them again.

We were thinking about flying out of Trenton on Frontier, but I have heard some not good things about them so I am not sure if I feel comfortable booking them. I am going to wait until the trip gets closer and then get prices...I have heard good things about Jetblue so I think we are more than likely going to give them a try if we decide on flying. I also have an older son thats on the Spectrum and my younger son is more than likely on the spectrum as well (we haven't gotten him formally tested yet bc he's too young), but I need to do research on the different airline companies that are good for kids on the spectrum. I think Jetblue may be 1 of them that allows you to board the flight early and get situated for kids on the spectrum. Lots of stuff to figure out...not sure if we are going to fly or just rent a car...I have to see what would be better for my kids and also my wallet, LOL

 

[Ngwira]

Ok everyone we always drive down to Disney from NJ...but now my car is getting up there in mileage (over 175K miles on it ) so now we are exploring different options of getting to FL. Just to let you know I am not big on airplanes, lol...I usually have to take valium or xanex to get on the plane bc I have major panic attacks, lol...Here's my run down on what things would cost. Let me know what you would do in this situation!

Driving down to Disney in our own car: $550 - This is by far the cheapest option, but not sure how I feel adding the extra 2K miles on my car. This price includes gas (If gas prices stay the way they are) and our over night hotel stays in SC to and from Disney.

Renting a car in NJ to drive down to FL: $1586 - This price includes gas (assuming the prices of gas stay like they are), plus the over night hotel fees to and from Disney, Plus the cost of the rental with unlimited miles put on there.

Auto-Train - $1925 - This I think is my favorite option, only because the kids LOVE trains and it would be considerably less driving on our car and on my hubby, bc he drives the whole way to Disney. This price basically includes the tickets to get on the train in business class. Although I don't really have any experience with the Auto Train, all I know is it departs around 4, so we would get there around 3ish, and it leaves from Washington DC area. In my head we could do this option and leave early to get to DC and then explore a a museum or go to the zoo before we head to the train. My kids love DC and love the museums there so its a little added attraction on a magical vacation. Again I have no experience with this, so any insight would be awesome!

Flying - $2283 - This is my least favorite option, again bc I am such a panicked flyer and I absolutely hate planes. Of course this option takes the least time to get to FL, my older son has been on a plane before, but my younger son has never flown, so not sure how that would work out. This price includes the plane tickets, plus a rental car...I know I know Disney has their own transportation to get you around the parks (which I personally LOVE), but my hubby HATES buses...I have no idea why but he can't stand them, so a rental car would be a must so he can get around the world without using any forms of disney transportation...although he loves the monorail, lol.

So there you have it, a breakdown of everything...ugh decisions decisions, lol...what would you do if you were me? Any tips or another option that I have that I am just not seeing? Any input would be awesome! Thanks for your help!

I've done all three options, drove from South Jersey, took the autotrain and flew. We now only do option 2 which is the auto train. I'll go into details later tonight. Leaving work now.

 

[mousestruck]

Wow $100 round trip is amazing! I have heard good things about Frontier flying out of Trenton. Are their seats small or are they your normal seats like in a commercial flight like united airlines? When did you buy your tickets and what day did you fly out? Right now I have us scheduled to check into Disney on a Friday and check out on a Sunday, but if prices are cheaper for a flight from monday-thursday I might consider that. My hubby agrees that we need to get down to Disney some other way than driving our truck with that many miles and he has nixed the auto train bc he doesn't think out 3 year old can behave that long on a train lol...so now its either renting a car from NJ and driving down or flying down and renting a car in Disney. I guess when the time gets closer we can do a pricing analysis to see which is the better option. Although my hubby is a little nervous about flying on a smaller plane bc he gets claustrophobic...So any details you can give us about the size of the Frontier planes that would be amazing! Thanks!

I have flown Frontier out of Trenton a few times (to Fort Lauderdale). The fares are usually the cheapest, even with all of the fees. The airport experience is awesome compared to the big airports, in terms of parking and TSA. However, the seats are not as comfortable as other airlines because they do not recline. They're also very tight, but that is the case with many other carriers. I have had good luck with their on-time performance, often arriving early to my destination. That being said, I'm too afraid to use Frontier for our WDW vacations because they offer only 1 flight per day. When I'm visiting my parents in Fort Lauderdale, it's no big deal if I'm delayed or a flight is canceled. But I would be very upset if I lost a day or two of my vacation! We usually fly SWA out of Philly to MCO, though they recently added non-stops flights from Newark so we're trying that this year. Good luck!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I have flown Frontier out of Trenton a few times (to Fort Lauderdale). The fares are usually the cheapest, even with all of the fees. The airport experience is awesome compared to the big airports, in terms of parking and TSA. However, the seats are not as comfortable as other airlines because they do not recline. They're also very tight, but that is the case with many other carriers. I have had good luck with their on-time performance, often arriving early to my destination. That being said, I'm too afraid to use Frontier for our WDW vacations because they offer only 1 flight per day. When I'm visiting my parents in Fort Lauderdale, it's no big deal if I'm delayed or a flight is canceled. But I would be very upset if I lost a day or two of my vacation! We usually fly SWA out of Philly to MCO, though they recently added non-stops flights from Newark so we're trying that this year. Good luck!

Thanks for the great info! We are considering SW and also JetBlue as our go to airlines if we in fact decide to fly. They both operate from Philly (which is closer to us), but in order to go to MCO we would have to fly to Boston then change over to go to MCO and that just sounds not very fun, lol, specially with a kid on the spectrum. Anyways I did read that Jetblue has non stop flights from Newark...its good to know that SW has them as well, so now we will be looking at flying out from Newark if we decide to fly

 

[jerseygirl81]

We were thinking about flying out of Trenton on Frontier, but I have heard some not good things about them so I am not sure if I feel comfortable booking them. I am going to wait until the trip gets closer and then get prices...I have heard good things about Jetblue so I think we are more than likely going to give them a try if we decide on flying. I also have an older son thats on the Spectrum and my younger son is more than likely on the spectrum as well (we haven't gotten him formally tested yet bc he's too young), but I need to do research on the different airline companies that are good for kids on the spectrum. I think Jetblue may be 1 of them that allows you to board the flight early and get situated for kids on the spectrum. Lots of stuff to figure out...not sure if we are going to fly or just rent a car...I have to see what would be better for my kids and also my wallet, LOL

Our son is Autistic and we have flown Southwest on our last 2 trips and loved them. They allowed us to board early with him the pilot was boarding at the same time and asked me if he liked flying, I said yes he loves to sit by the window. He came out to see if my son was sitting by the window before takeoff and gave us a smile and a thumbs up! We love Southwest!
Linda