Help! Do We Fly Or Drive From CT?

[Wish Upon A Star]

Quote:

Hiya neighbor!
We're a stone's throw away in Meriden.
I think after giving this some more thought we'll probably end up flying too.........we have between now and next July to watch the airfare,etc......... Where are you staying and for how long are you going if I may ask?


Hi Naomi:

Our vacations to WDW are one week . . .After this year, I'm uping the days to a 10 day vacation . . .

We have stayed at the Grand Floridian and Polynesian (1999 & 2000) This July we will be back at the Grand Floridian and then just me and DH will return in October for a 4 day 15th Wedding Anniversary vacation and we are staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Will this be your first vacation to WDW?

 

[minivanmomof2]

Originally posted by Wish Upon A Star
Quote:

Hiya neighbor!
We're a stone's throw away in Meriden.
I think after giving this some more thought we'll probably end up flying too.........we have between now and next July to watch the airfare,etc......... Where are you staying and for how long are you going if I may ask?


Hi Naomi:

Our vacations to WDW are one week . . .After this year, I'm uping the days to a 10 day vacation . . .

We have stayed at the Grand Floridian and Polynesian (1999 & 2000) This July we will be back at the Grand Floridian and then just me and DH will return in October for a 4 day 15th Wedding Anniversary vacation and we are staying at Wilderness Lodge.

Will this be your first vacation to WDW?

Both DH and I went as chiildren(a LOT has changed Iknow) ...this is our first BIG family vacation!! Have already madeup our minds to stay at HIFS(will shop around for the best rate when it gets closer)......Had considered extending thr trip by perhaps driving down and stopping off on the return trip but I think an 8 day/7 night stay at HIFS(with a 5 day Park Hopper PLus) will be sufficient. Don't wet to get totally burned out. Very impressed with the rates people have mentioned flying out of Bradley. I should be so lucky and find such a great deal when it comes time to make our reservations. I am willing to spend some time and do my research if it will enable us to save $$$
Hoping the HIFS will offer reduced rates for 7+ night stay so we can get in that extra night. Would like to take at least one day to "relax" at the hotel.
Naomi

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

It truly has changed . . .but it is more magical than ever!

But watch out . . .we thought 1999 was going to be our only family trip there! We caught the Disney bug! I couldn't believe how wonderful it was we always have a truly magical time!

We always look forward to our return trips . . .and now we are counting down the days . . .88 more to go!!

 

[minivanmomof2]

Originally posted by Wish Upon A Star
It truly has changed . . .but it is more magical than ever!

But watch out . . .we thought 1999 was going to be our only family trip there! We caught the Disney bug! I couldn't believe how wonderful it was we always have a truly magical time!

We always look forward to our return trips . . .and now we are counting down the days . . .88 more to go!!

So will you be doing anything special to celebrate your 15th anniversary while down there? Our 10th anny is next June......we ALWAYS said that we would celebrate it by going to WDW ...........

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Well for one thing, we are going to eat at our favorite places:

Coral Reef
Ohana's

My kids didn't really enjoy the above . . .they are very picky . . .My daughter will only eat chicken fingers or burgers and my son will just eat burgers, grilled cheese and hot dogs.

We are looking forward to doing this quick 4 day trip because it will be very romantic (hopefully). Taking strolls around our resort, going to Pleasure Island, etc.

My husband was talking about renewing our vows when we are there, but I don't know if he has anything planned for that . . .I think the best part of the trip will be to be able to spend alone, quality time while in a beautiful and magical place.

We haven't been to WDW alone since 1991 (our daughter was 1 1/2 when we went and we decided not to take her).

 

[minivanmomof2]

We have also talked about renewing our vows. Haven't given much thought to doing it there(WDW) seeing as how this is our first time there and is a family vacation. Just afraid it would TOO much!
Just got off the phone with HIFS and the woman I spoke to told me to call back in a few weeks(end of April/beginning of May) for July 2003 rates. Had her give me the July 2002(just for comparison) and I was quoted $139(including two adult dinners) Not bad at all! The less we have to put out of pocket the better!

 

[dwfanatic]

Hi to all...we live in CT too! We are going down in July- we paid $471 for 3 of us out of Bradley. I personally love getting to Orlando in just over 3 hours...I wouldn't drive.

 

[minivanmomof2]

Originally posted by dwfanatic
Hi to all...we live in CT too! We are going down in July- we paid $471 for 3 of us out of Bradley. I personally love getting to Orlando in just over 3 hours...I wouldn't drive.

ANOTHER NEIGHBOR.........
May I ask........what airline are you flying with? Did you get your tickets over the internet. I'm taking LOTS of notes folks!
BTW, went along with my son's nursery school class last week to Kid City. Everyone has always spoken so highly of it..... Was actually a bit disappointed but maybe that was because we were in a group(it was our first time).

 

[dwfanatic]

Hi back, neighbor!!

We are flying on Delta- got tickets over the internet. I watched the fares for months and they hovered at $190 a ticket. When they dropped, I jumped on them. Over the past 3 years, we never paid that low of a fare- always around $190.

Yeah- Kidcity is fun, but just too small for groups. If we go we go first thinkg in the AM or 1 hour right before closing- we had season passes about a year ago. THe weekends are crazy- the place is small- too small for all of the people that want to go there.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello again minivanmomof2-
We seem to cross paths quite a bit. We've driven before. We won't again!! As for flying SWA, if you check the site often enough you'll see a patten for when they open up ressies for your needed times. Call occasionally and ask if they know when they will open up for your dates. ( Don't count on them to be 100% right ) Last year we checked site every day for 1 1/2 months prior to the opening of our needed times.(about 4 1/2 months out ) We spoke to the rep. on one day and were told that they had heard of nothing yet. The next day we checked at 8.00am and still nothing, later in the day ,about 1pm when I checked, it was opened and completely sold out on our departing dates. It seems that everyone was waiting for that same airline to open up booking. We changed our departure date, ( earlier by one day ) and got tickets from Islip to Orlando for 109.00 each complete. We needed to change our car rental and hotel ressies and we were lucky that both were able to be done. If you are looking to book at SWA, make sure you check often and be ready to book the second your times become available.
Good Luck again.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Middletown representin'...

I would never drive. Although my children are older (9 and 12) it is hard and boring on everyone, and I do not want to agonize over thinking about driving back!

Think about the oil changes, the tires, the gas, the tolls, you back and your butt!

I am flying Delta in August for $180, round trip. I booked very early. Every year I plan to go , I decide early. That way I get the best fares, resort rates, scan the boards for deals, etc. A three hour flight always beast that drive!

Heck, I'll fly but before I drive, I take the train!

Wanda

 

[EllenJ]

We have gone to Florida at least twice a year for the past 15 years or so. To save money we would drive one time and fly the other. There are pro's and con's to both. Lately I have become partial to flying if only to save wear and tear on my body. Also, we have gotten some great airfare deals lately. We flew Southwest last November for ...get this... $75 per person.
We could not drive for that price. We drove this past February and it took us 19 hours. We left at 3:00 am and were in Daytona Beach at 9:00pm. As long as you dont hit any major traffic jams or weather related problems it is not a bad way to go.
We also purchased one of those TV/VCR combos for our van and it is a life saver. ( If only you could get cable ).
I would keep checking the airfares and if something good comes up I would take it, if not then drive....
Ellen

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Wasn't that Southwest deal of $75 per person ONE way, though? In that case, what is the point? Most people need round trip fares and with fees and all you pay about $160, which I paid with Delta...

It is almost as expensive to take the train and the wear and tear on your car alone plus the expense of getting there certainly could add up to about that much too!


Wanda

 

[EllenJ]

We went last thanksgiving. I booked the tickets in July. I had been looking at paying around $200 each and then they had a sale and it ended up costing $225 (with tax included) for the 3 of us. I have flown to Fla many times and had never paid that little for a flight (non stop at that).

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Just another rah-rah post for SWA lol...We are booked for a roundtrip flight out of Manchester, NH to Orlando in August. Cost for 4 seats was $448 total. There are only 3 of us, but the extra room will be most welcome. Even divided among 3, that's less than $150 per person. We booked the 'friends fly free' special.

 

[ctgirlluvsmickey]

My family has driven twice from CT (fairfield county area) to WDW. There were 14 of us and it took us 23 hours with a stops and a stay overnight in Florence,SC...We have also taken flights down there...I would NEVER drive down there again! The ride down isn't bad, but, the ride back, when you have spent 7 or more days in WDW and you're all Disneyed out, all you want to do is get home..It is a miserable and long ride home...and noone whats to volunteer to drive..

 

[QuickGold]

Wow, someone else is from Madison, CT...now I've seen everything(I go to school now in New York)

My advice is driving is fun the first few times, and my family and I used to do it all the time. Flying is definetly easier and faster, so it comes down to saving money and the ability to sit in a car.

Take my advice and space the driving to 3 days(I-95 all the way to I-4).

Day 1: Madison to Upper Virginia Area
Day 2: Virginia to Georgia(Near Florida border)
Day 3: You arrive

Go Tigers!

 

[mslukie]

We drive every year from WI (26 hrs.) Over the last 28 years, some years I was the only driver, which sucked. But when you have 2 drivers its not bad. The kids enjoying visiting the different states and sites along the way. I also write down a scavanger hunt for the kids to find along the way. This keeps them busy looking for the different items. Who ever has the most finds gets a special Disney gift when we get there. Depending on how many kids, there could be first, second prize etc. If you have any ?? you could email me. lukielaona@webtv.net

 

[minivanmomof2]

I appreciate all of the WONDERFUL advice/suggestions from everyone that took the time to post a reply. DH and I have decided to FLY. We have plenty of time so we( I), LOL, will do quite a bit of price comparison when it comes time to book our flight.
Thanks everyone! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's stories..........

 

[minivanmomof2]

Originally posted by EllenJ
We went last thanksgiving. I booked the tickets in July. I had been looking at paying around $200 each and then they had a sale and it ended up costing $225 (with tax included) for the 3 of us. I have flown to Fla many times and had never paid that little for a flight (non stop at that).

WOW, I'd say you lucked out!!
West Haven huh...know it very well. Haven't been out that way in a couple of years though. Did anything ever go into the empty rest. next to Jimmy's(what was the name of that place.....cannot for the life of me think of it?)