HELP, 22 hrs straight for $2100?

[tzolkin]

Then, there's the issue of sleep. How well do the kids sleep on a long car ride? Think you and DH are going to be able to sleep all that well when not the one driving? Everyone is different, so you have to evaluate your own family... but I would wager everyone arrives in Disney feeling quite tired, and the better part of the first day might be a bit of a wash... especially for you and DH after driving. Also consider these effects on the return trip. I know in my own experience, after that long a drive, there's no way I'd want to have to be back at work the day after that long a drive.

Not sure what the OP's schedule is like, but we take being tired from driving into account and that's why we do longer trips (usually 12 nights at Disney, and sometimes a few extra days at the beginning of the trip visiting family in FL).

We drive straight through (about 23 hours). DH usually does almost all of the driving. We usually leave in the afternoon/early evening so we arrive sometime late morning the following day. We plan that as a day to unpack, get some groceries, check out the resort, and rest. DH will take a nap while I walk around and/or swim with the kids, and we all go to bed early so we are ready to hit the parks for rope drop the next morning.

Every trip we have planned to leave for home on either a Thursday or Friday morning (sleep in a bit, but get on the road by 11) so we arrive home Friday or Saturday morning. This gives us about two days and at least two nights' sleep in our own beds before we have to return to work/school.


Honestly, over the years we would not have been able to afford all our vacations if we didn't drive (family of 5). Since we don't mind the drive and we have the ability to go for longer periods of time, now even though we could "afford" the plane tickets we would rather just save that money toward another vacation.

However, if we only had the ability to go for a week or less it would not be worth all that driving, being tired, and waste of those precious vacation days so we would likely justify the cost of flying.

 

[GoofyMB]

I am posting after only reading the 1st 2 pages so if something better has been mentioned I appologize. But OP looking at your dates your family can fly from Buffalo for just under $2,000 on Jet Blue.

5 travelers roundtrip:
Buffalo, NY (BUF) to

Orlando, FL (MCO)

Edit Search
Departing
Flight #665BUF
MCO
3/16 5:35PM3/16 8:14PMReturning
Flight #662MCO
BUF
3/23 6:55PM3/23 9:30PM
Airfare Paid in dollars:
Fare: $378.00 x 5 = $1,890.00 USD Taxes & Fees USD
$108.Total: USD
$1,998.00

 

[kaytieeldr]

My first question would be how did you arrive at your estimated cost of driving? You're looking at about 1300 miles each way, so 2600 miles total. I'm guessing your figure was based on something like 2600 miles / 26MPG = 100 gallons of gas * $4/gal = $400 cost to drive. This is, in all likelihood, a gross underestimation of the cost of driving. Using a more comprehensive figure, say 35cents/mile (which includes wear items on the car, and the cost of the car itself, for instance, on top of just the gas.. and even that estimate is low), you're looking at more like $900 to drive.

I can't find it right now, but there's a website that compares the overall cost of driving to the overall cost of flying. Whether the OP used that site or not, her estimate was pretty close: I guessed at a 2011 5-speed automatic and came up with a total driving cost of just under $456. That assumes driving straight through, and no tolls. Granted, it's an estimate - but they're not going until March, so gas prices are apparently expected to drop.

I still think she's severely underestimating the effects of driving nonstop, and her ability to remain fully responsive and alert on little sleep. It also appears she's now considering a very out of the way side trip on the way home, based on someone's suggestion of things to do and see in a state they wouldn't ordinarily drive near in either direction, combined with a single extra travel day.

 

[auger]

OP, lots of good advise has been given here. Some people will say to drive, others fly. It really is a matter of choice. You know your family and what you can handle. Some people just don't travel by car well. Others have no problem. If your kids are used to driving, I say go for it with that kind of savings involved. I'd do it for a fraction of that money!!

That said, I would like to suggest something if you are able to do it.
You said DH is now taking off the 15th to gain an extra day.
You also said you work 3rd shift, so this only works if you are not working the night between the 14th-15th.
I would leave home after DH gets off work on the 15th. Eat some supper, then hit the road. Drive till 11 or 12 and stop for the night. Get some sleep, then hit the road again in the morning.
Even 5 hours that first day will make a huge difference on the second day.
You will still arrive late in the evening, but you won't have so many hours consecutively on the road to wear you out as badly.

We always drive because it is so much cheaper than flying. Plus, we have our vehicle with us to go where we want when we want. It also is nice to take whatever we want with us and not have to worry about baggage fees and security restrictions. Not to mention, we always seem to have new items to bring home with us.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a great trip!!

Editing to include:

A lot of folks are saying you won't make it in the time Mapquest says. MQ always gives us a 17.5 hr trip est and we make it in that time or less. I drive the entire trip and don't do more than 5mph over the posted speed limit. As far as gas costs, MQ gives me mielage of about 2200 rd trip. I bump that to 3000 to account for extra driving to/from parks or anything else we may do, then round gas cost to $4/gal. I am always way over my actual cost when I do that. So as long as you overbudget, I think you'll be happy with the end result.

 

[labdogs42]

Have you thought about the Auto Train. You would drive to Lorton, VA (just outside the Capital Beltway) You would need to be there by about 1:00 pm. They will load your car and your family would get on the train. Arrival in Sanford, FL (about an hour from WDW) is about 9:00am.

Return is the same. Check out www.amtrak.com/auto-train or the wikipedia article.

I was totally going to suggest the Auto Train, too! LOVE the Auto Train!!

 

[timmac]

I can't find it right now, but there's a website that compares the overall cost of driving to the overall cost of flying. Whether the OP used that site or not, her estimate was pretty close: I guessed at a 2011 5-speed automatic and came up with a total driving cost of just under $456. That assumes driving straight through, and no tolls. Granted, it's an estimate - but they're not going until March, so gas prices are apparently expected to drop.

Part of my point was, even those kind of figures are a bit naive, and can be misleading. One article that points out a few of the reasons:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tombarlow/2011/04/25/your-cost-to-drive-is-higher-than-you-think/

Now, of course, things like registration, insurance, and finance charges, are not relevant in our comparison (since after all one would pay those whether they drive or not). However, things like tires, maintenance, and depreciation are absolutely relevant. That last one is usually ignored, but surprisingly enough, it should be considered; in particular, a car is only going to last for so many miles (however many that will be)... each mile it's driven incurs a cost for the purchase of the car itself. Over a long haul, like what's in question here, those costs are non-trivial. As an example, consider a $20k vehicle with an average life of 200k miles... each mile driven represents 10 cents of the cost of the vehicle. So, for 2600 miles, it's costing about $260, just for the car... not the gas, oil, maintenance, tires, or anything else... just for the car.

I know I'm a bit long winded on that... anyhow, though

I still think she's severely underestimating the effects of driving nonstop, and her ability to remain fully responsive and alert on little sleep. It also appears she's now considering a very out of the way side trip on the way home, based on someone's suggestion of things to do and see in a state they wouldn't ordinarily drive near in either direction, combined with a single extra travel day.

The fatigue of driving is definitely something not to be underestimated, I completely agree. For me, it's part of the allure of flying, even at a higher perceived cost.

 

[mrsap]

Part of my point was, even those kind of figures are a bit naive, and can be misleading. One article that points out a few of the reasons:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/tombarlow/2011/04/25/your-cost-to-drive-is-higher-than-you-think/

Now, of course, things like registration, insurance, and finance charges, are not relevant in our comparison (since after all one would pay those whether they drive or not). However, things like tires, maintenance, and depreciation are absolutely relevant. That last one is usually ignored, but surprisingly enough, it should be considered; in particular, a car is only going to last for so many miles (however many that will be)... each mile it's driven incurs a cost for the purchase of the car itself. Over a long haul, like what's in question here, those costs are non-trivial. As an example, consider a $20k vehicle with an average life of 200k miles... each mile driven represents 10 cents of the cost of the vehicle. So, for 2600 miles, it's costing about $260, just for the car... not the gas, oil, maintenance, tires, or anything else... just for the car.

That's why we rent a car anytime we drive to Florida!!!

 

[lisajl]

We are just back from driving to WDW. I will NEVER and I mean NEVER do it again. Yes, it was less expensive but my DH and I were tired. I am just too old for it now. If you want to save money, go for it. Take breaks, stretch your legs and most of all have fun! You get to go to Disney whether you drive or fly. Enjoy it!

 

[Pixieflip]

I wish we could justify the cost of flying the 6 of us to WDW but as often as we love to go, there's no way. We live by a smaller market airport, Omaha, and NEVER get those amazing flights for under $100. No way, not even close!

We drive the 24 hours all the time. We leave home about 4am, drive 15 hours to northern GA and then 8 the next day seems like nothing. Yes, we're tired, but we happily spend the money we just saved at WDW!! Yes, going home is never as fun, but you get through. Storms do come in the winter, but generally you see it coming days in advance and can adjust things accordingly. One time, in order to avoid a blizzard, we left after work a day early, got south about 3 hours where we spent the night. It was just enough to miss the storm.

Have fun and make the best of whatever you decide!

 

[my3princes]

We have driven from VT several times, most towing our camper. We drive straight through, switching drivers at each gas stop. Depending on traffic and weather it tends to take 25 - 28 hours. We leave early evening on day and arrive late evening the next day, set up and go straight to be. Wake up fully rested and ready to go the next day. Driving is much cheaper than airfare for 5 people.