Is it worth it to drive?

[Uncleromulus]

If time is of the essence and extra vacation days cannot be spared, flying seems the best choice.
But these days we always drive--in fact, we leave tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM!! Our last 6 trips have been driving.
We've never been truly comfortable flying, and the cost is pretty high. Plus all the extra hassle at the airports makes it all the worse.

 

[MulanMom]

Just DH and I drove to WDW 8 years ago. Mainly because DH was always complaining about uncomfortable airplane seats. After that drive, he swore he'd never complain again!

However, we both love road trips. Our two children, DD5.5 and DS 3.5, are great travelers and we've made trips up to 12 hours long with them. Traveling by air to WDW and renting a car are expensive. But it seems every time we plan on driving, we find airfare that's too good a bargain to let it pass by. In fact, we just recently wrestled with the drive/fly decision, decided to drive, then came across direct, nonstop airfare of $168 pp for the trip! When we weighed out time, etc., it seemed to be a no-brainer to book the flights.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[disneymom3]

Well, to make a quick trip with just me and DH, I honestly would fly. And I say this as a strong proponent of driving! If DH and I had a whole week, not sure what we would do--depends on airfare.

We leave from the Mpls airport and in order to get nonstop, we'd have to fly Northwest which is not exactly famous around here for good airfare. (one trip we did contemplate driving to Des Moines and flying Northwest into Mpls and then down to Orlando cause it was going to cost about $160 less to do it that way, but the idea of then driving home from Des Moines did us in!) So it's an hour drive to the airport, another 1.5 to park,check in, go through security and wait for the flight. If we couldn't swing the $300 airfare then we have to allow time for a layove and switch planes etc. If it's just us as I said, then it is a toss up.

If the kids come it's a whole new ballgame. Three kids brings that airfare to $1500. Then factor in hauling carseats, stroller, diaper bag, backpacks, blankies etc through two airports, feeding the little monsters, changing diapers in an airplane bathroom, layovers where they won't get your darn stroller off of the plane for FOUR hours....give me my own car anyday of the week! DH and I are trying to figure out how to convince his dad that we (the 5 of us) could just drive down and meet the rest of the family in FL when we all go on a big family trip next year. I am already dreading the flight!

 

[The Princess]

We are from Pittsburgh,PA also and am trying to decide the same thing myself. It does make the trip alot cheaper if you drive and I really want to get to Disney so if my husband doesn't mind the drive we probably will do it. It makes it seem even longer with 2 kids in the back seat asking every 5 minutes are we there yet?

 

[Granny]

We drive...and are about 30 miles further from WDW than Pittsburgh is!

We take a minivan and the children have a VCR/TV to watch, personal CD players, books and other distractions. We save the money and have a car at WDW so we don't have to rent a car...saving more money. This is important because we always go to Sea World and Busch Gardens on our trips.

Our favorite thing about driving? Packing!!! You don't have to be so picky with what you pack...or worry about airline regulations, etc. We flew once and have driven every time since then. I think we will do the same even when it's only DW and I.

To each his/her own....we're driving!

 

[ebhurleys]

We drove down the week after Easter. My daughter was going down with the high school band. My DH called me Tuesday morning from work and said what do you think about driving to Disney tomorrow night (don't have to say that twice to me). So we packed the minivan and left at 6:25 Wednesday evening, DH, DS11, DS4 and myself. We drove straight through and were there Thursday by 6:00. One of the best vacations of our lives, although to short. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am so glad we did not miss the band and my daughter was so surprised. She had no idea. We left to come home Monday around noon and were home Tuesday morning by 10:30.

 

[DISFANS3]

WE will be driving to WDW in 24 days, We live in SW MO. Last year we made the big drive took us about 20 hours. The drive is not as bad as thought,TV VCR in back helps..9 year old daughter was happy all the way. We had two weeks so was nice to have the car, going offsite shopping, beach... Time to pack the car, Going on DCL then CBR for 8 days.............. Were is my road map? Ha-Ha..........

 

[lisajl]

I agree with momof2sons!

We drove down in December and it was great! The weather all the way down and back was wonderful.

Our saving grace was we have family in Savannah. So, we stopped to spend Christmas with them. It was a great break and we saw a great city.

We will be driving again next year.

Luckily, my DD will have her license by then and she can help drive.

Lisa

 

[treehouser]

We will be going on the 24th from VT. our 5 trip driving have gone by plane once and hated the hassle of the airports and car rentals. We will have the car is we decide to explore around outside WDW but don't plan on doing much but enjoying WDW.
How is I-95 , I heard that there was alot of delays due to road construction . If anyone has any info I would like to hear. I like to drive but hate traffic stalls.
Anyone doing the drive 5/24 down from new england or back on 6/1?