More for Less: A Theme Park Planning Strategy

[cakebaker]

I assume you live on the East coast? Where? How long does it take you? Have you ever looked at traveling by train?

I live in eastern Oklahoma. The drive is long and ugly and about 22-24 hrs straight through as I recall. Once you get past OKC it's flat land all the way and mind numbing. We don't get trains here. We don't get trains, busses, nothing...seriously, we drives cars here- that's it. Even the airlines schedules are terrible- no straight thru flights to anywhere and not much competition means really high prices. We did fly to DL one trip- despite the one who hates flying. We were stuck on the plane for 4 hrs while they did "repairs"- Ok yeah, I have a kid who is terrified of flying and they've got the tool bag sitting in the walkway of the plane and wouldn't let anyone off- this went well for us. The only other time I talked her into flying was to Orlando. We got stuck in New Orleans on the flight home- wasn't long after Katrina- for 7 hours because our connecting flight had technical issues and they had to fly a plane in from who knows where...Minnesota or something. We left Orlando at 8am, got home around 2 am. So she won't even allow the subject to be brought up again and I don't push it anymore.

 

[dayvewc]

I live in eastern Oklahoma. The drive is long and ugly and about 22-24 hrs straight through as I recall. Once you get past OKC it's flat land all the way and mind numbing. We don't get trains here. We don't get trains, busses, nothing...seriously, we drives cars here- that's it. Even the airlines schedules are terrible- no straight thru flights to anywhere and not much competition means really high prices. We did fly to DL one trip- despite the one who hates flying. We were stuck on the plane for 4 hrs while they did "repairs"- Ok yeah, I have a kid who is terrified of flying and they've got the tool bag sitting in the walkway of the plane and wouldn't let anyone off- this went well for us. The only other time I talked her into flying was to Orlando. We got stuck in New Orleans on the flight home- wasn't long after Katrina- for 7 hours because our connecting flight had technical issues and they had to fly a plane in from who knows where...Minnesota or something. We left Orlando at 8am, got home around 2 am. So she won't even allow the subject to be brought up again and I don't push it anymore.

This reminds me of my nephew the first time he flew. Was not happy with the flight, and when he and my sister disembarked in St. Louis for their layover enroute to my other sister that lived in Minnesota, he declared that he wouldn't get on another plane. Nope, no way, and no how. When my sister tried to explain that they were still a long way from where they were headed, he simply said "My Aunt loves me. She'll drive and pick me up."

 

[Cormoran]

I live in eastern Oklahoma. The drive is long and ugly and about 22-24 hrs straight through as I recall. Once you get past OKC it's flat land all the way and mind numbing. We don't get trains here. We don't get trains, busses, nothing...seriously, we drives cars here- that's it. Even the airlines schedules are terrible- no straight thru flights to anywhere and not much competition means really high prices. We did fly to DL one trip- despite the one who hates flying. We were stuck on the plane for 4 hrs while they did "repairs"- Ok yeah, I have a kid who is terrified of flying and they've got the tool bag sitting in the walkway of the plane and wouldn't let anyone off- this went well for us. The only other time I talked her into flying was to Orlando. We got stuck in New Orleans on the flight home- wasn't long after Katrina- for 7 hours because our connecting flight had technical issues and they had to fly a plane in from who knows where...Minnesota or something. We left Orlando at 8am, got home around 2 am. So she won't even allow the subject to be brought up again and I don't push it anymore.

What lousy luck! To have someone who's afraid of flying and then have technical issues. How long is your drive to Orlando?

 

[cakebaker]

What lousy luck! To have someone who's afraid of flying and then have technical issues. How long is your drive to Orlando?

About the same- used to be we could make it straight through when it was all adults in 18-20, but my grandson slows us down some....a lot. lol. He's a trooper, made his first trip at 6 months in a straight through drive for a quick 2 night stay before a cruise, but we've decided that's just mean and now we take 2 days to get there, 3 to get back if we work in a side trip to the beach.

We don't mind the drive to Orlando- it's kind of interesting, or at least used to be when we hadn't driven it so many times. Plus we're going to WDW!!! so that keeps us happy. The drive back, not so much fun. We keep coming up with alternate routes just to get to drive on different roads. But that trip to DL is just boring and there's only 1 route, 1 road practically the entire way.

 

[Cormoran]

He was really embarrassed by their attention. They are really funny, but he didn't take it that way. I'll see if I can find a picture.

Another great picture. It looks like your son really had a great time. Talk about great blackmail material! If you don't shape up, we're going to 1900!

 

[WillAustin]

Ano
ther great picture. It looks like your son really had a great time. Talk about great blackmail material! If you don't shape up, we're going to 1900!

It all depends on who he meets.

We don't mind the drive to Orlando- it's kind of interesting, or at least used to be when we hadn't driven it so many times. Plus we're going to WDW!!! so that keeps us happy. The drive back, not so much fun. We keep coming up with alternate routes just to get to drive on different roads.

We drove from Austin the first time we went. The kids want to do it again. I keep telling them we get more time at the parks if we fly.

 

[JimmyV]

Adorable! Is that your son? (Funny, he doesn't look like a caveman.)

Or Buckwheat.

 

[mom2rtk]

Or Buckwheat.

 

[Laketravis]

Oh-tay!

 

[mom2rtk]

He was really embarrassed by their attention. They are really funny, but he didn't take it that way. I'll see if I can find a picture.

LOL, he does look a little less than sold on the whole thing.

 

[Laketravis]

It all depends on who he meets.

We drove from Austin the first time we went. The kids want to do it again. I keep telling them we get more time at the parks if we fly.

I'm guessing SLR? I like how that picture came out.

I originally posted how this trip next month is really just a warm up for another in June. Gives me an opportunity to fine tune all aspects and apply them then. But I'm starting to get mixed feelings about the drive. I've pulled off straight-through's from Austin to Chicago and Austin to Denver before, but that was by myself or with DW and never with DS. That's why I've been thinking we'd leave at night (9pm-10pm) and I've been selling it to him on how he could sleep through most of it and we'd be in Orlando by noon or 1pm.

All he's ever known is a ~2 hour SW or Jet Blue flight with TV yet again next month so June is going to be a real change. Hopefully like you've pointed out the overall savings will cover the roughly $700 difference between airfare/rental car and driving especially across multiple trips. Heck, I'm sure you know we can't even go down to SA and stay/eat/play on the Riverwalk anymore for less than $1K over a three day weekend so replacing a couple of those trips each year with WDW/USO could be possible.

 

[Cormoran]

I love all these great pictures! These pictures are a lot better than the Disney publicity photos! Although my favorite picture is the happy couple picture of the caveman and Bob Eiger. Now that was love!

I guess I'm really spoiled because I'm only 6 hours from DLR. It's not a great drive, but it's so easy compared to Cakebaker and Will Austin. Caretaker, you take Disney devotion to a whole new level! How many trips did you take last year?

 

[Laketravis]

I love all these great pictures! These pictures are a lot better than the Disney publicity photos! Although my favorite picture is the happy couple picture of the caveman and Bob Eiger. Now that was love!

I'm gonna make your day then:

 

[Cormoran]

I'm gonna make your day then:

View attachment 2458

Love it! The happy couple!

 

[Cormoran]

But I'm starting to get mixed feelings about the drive. I've pulled off straight-through's from Austin to Chicago and Austin to Denver before, but that was by myself or with DW and never with DS. That's why I've been thinking we'd leave at night (9pm-10pm) and I've been selling it to him on how he could sleep through most of it and we'd be in Orlando by noon or 1pm.

All he's ever known is a ~2 hour SW or Jet Blue flight with TV yet again next month so June is going to be a real change. Hopefully like you've pointed out the overall savings will cover the roughly $700 difference between airfare/rental car and driving especially across multiple trips. Heck, I'm sure you know we can't even go down to SA and stay/eat/play on the Riverwalk anymore for less than $1K over a three day weekend so replacing a couple of those trips each year with WDW/USO could be possible.

So, if you drive in June, and you arrive in Orlando at around 1 pm. Is the rest of the day shot, or are you one of these warriors who can live on no sleep?

It's amazing the falling gas prices have had little effect on airfares.

More questions: on your Epcot HS day, Why are you leaving the car parked at Epcot and taking a bus to HS? Wouldn't it be easier to drive the car over to HS and then leave from there?
Also, on your last day, are you flying out after your day in the park or does the business portion of your trip commence? When are you returning to Austin?

 

[WillAustin]

I'm guessing SLR? I like how that picture came out.

Yes. My wife is a photographer. Canon 5D.

Heck, I'm sure you know we can't even go down to SA and stay/eat/play on the Riverwalk anymore for less than $1K over a three day weekend so replacing a couple of those trips each year with WDW/USO could be possible.

Our family of 5 can't really do anything without spending a lot of money on a room.

 

[Laketravis]

So, if you drive in June, and you arrive in Orlando at around 1 pm. Is the rest of the day shot, or are you one of these warriors who can live on no sleep?

I'll probably have a few hours left in me to get some things done before calling it an early night and sleeping like a baby.

It's amazing the falling gas prices have had little effect on airfares.

That's because they are having an amazing effect on airline profits.

More questions: on your Epcot HS day, Why are you leaving the car parked at Epcot and taking a bus to HS? Wouldn't it be easier to drive the car over to HS and then leave from there?

I thought the bus would be physically closer to both park entrances then the parked car - do you think it would be quicker to just walk to the car? Come to think of it, that would eliminate the need later in the day to have to go back to Epcot parking lot. I'll change that up now.

Also, on your last day, are you flying out after your day in the park or does the business portion of your trip commence? When are you returning to Austin?

I'm in Orlando thru 3/21 and with the exception of a few dedicated business days may actually have the opportunity to repeat most of this if I want/need to. And based on some yet decided factors about those days, I may be forced to flip this exercise from the first half of the trip to the second half of the trip. Itinerary and days would stay the same but the dates would move up a week. Nice to be able to reschedule FP's if that happens but it may also impact availability which would be a further test of spontaneity.


.

 

[Cormoran]

I thought the bus would be physically closer to both park entrances then the parked car - do you think it would be quicker to just walk to the car? Come to think of it, that would eliminate the need later in the day to have to go back to Epcot parking lot. I'll change that up now.

I just don't like the idea of back tracking especially being dependent on public transportation. The Disney buses can be great sometimes and at other times you end up waiting forever, at least it feels that way!

 

[erc]

I live in eastern Oklahoma. The drive is long and ugly and about 22-24 hrs straight through as I recall. Once you get past OKC it's flat land all the way and mind numbing. We don't get trains here. We don't get trains, busses, nothing...seriously, we drives cars here- that's it. Even the airlines schedules are terrible- no straight thru flights to anywhere and not much competition means really high prices.

I spent time in McAlester with the Army almost 20 years ago. It was only a year after the OKC bombing. A bunch of us drove up there and they still had the fence with pictures, and stuffed animal mementos surrounding the site. It was pretty powerful. But I remember we flew into Dallas and drove up to McAlester. Maybe that is the nearest large airport?

 

[cakebaker]

I spent time in McAlester with the Army almost 20 years ago. It was only a year after the OKC bombing. A bunch of us drove up there and they still had the fence with pictures, and stuffed animal mementos surrounding the site. It was pretty powerful. But I remember we flew into Dallas and drove up to McAlester. Maybe that is the nearest large airport?

It is, about a 4-5 hr drive from here. Tulsa has an airport but it's just got lousy schedules and routes. I've actually never been to the memorial- go to Okc a lot but make a point not to drive by it- too depressing for me so I avoid it. Someday...