NEED HELP QUICK!: Fly vs. Drive???

[kimmar067]

Ack!!! Husbands - can't live with 'em, can't live WITH 'EM!! At the last minute, my DH decided, with all the flight-fare wars, maybe we should fly instead of our origianl plans of driving from NE NJ to Orlando. I figured tolls, gas, food, overnite lodgings, the cost for the 4 of us to come out to ABOUT $655. I have been searching and searching on the 'net', and the best deal I came up with was $767.20, for all 4 of us, tax and fees included. However, the outbound flight to MCO is via MINNEAPOLIS and leaves 1:29 PM, arriving at MCO at 9 PM. The return flight leaves MCO at 7:30 AM [a day EARLIER than anticipated] and arrives back [again, via Minn] at LGA at @ 2 PM. Also, we were planning to arrive (by driving) on Saturday- now we arrive on Friday, so I must secure a room ressie for Fri. as well (I AM willing to get a ressie for an off-site resort)...what to do??

 

[kimmar067]

Bumping to get opinions, advice, etc!

(Running out of time.... !)

 

[Brian Noble]

Our family drives to destinations that are an easy one-day drive or less, but we much prefer to fly for longer trips. Our rationale: it "costs" about $1 per three miles to drive (car depreciation, insurance, gas, maintenance, etc.---I'm taking that from the IRS business mileage deduction rules) plus lodging if you need to spend the night partway (I normally don't consider meals, since you've gotta eat, and road food often isn't that expensive.). More importantly, it is tiring to be in the car for two days---more tiring than even an oddball connecting flight. Worse, while the trip *there* is, in it's own way, fun, the trip home is *miserable.* Add to that the fact that my kids are both still in booster seats, and it's hard for DS4 to be sitting in one place for even an hour, let alone 20, and, well, you get the idea.

If it were me, I'd even be willing to spend even a bit more on airfare (above the "absolute cheapest" fare) to get flights on better days and/or times.

 

[kimmar067]

If it were me, I'd even be willing to spend even a bit more on airfare (above the "absolute cheapest" fare) to get flights on better days and/or times.

...I totally agree, but it's an 'either/or' situation! To get a little bit of a better flight/time/etc. the prices JUMP to $466/person!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

IMO I would fly. I don't think I could spend 20 plus hours with my husband and kids. I would make the decision to fly.

If you need one nights accomodations look at these websites www.hotelmartusa.com www.avistahotels.com www.priorityclub.com

If you need just a cheap place to stay for the first night. There is a Days Inn in on the second website that is about 35 dollars a night. It is not a great hotel but they have clean rooms, clean pool, and a buffet breakfast if an adult eats the children eat free. I think it was 3.95 per adult. besides if your getting in that late there is no reason to pay a premium price for your first nights stay.

If you want something a little nicer check hotelmartusa you can find a reasonable hotel in the area that you choose and nice discounts.

if you do add on the one night stay don't forget to add on your reservation in the comment section that you will be arriving late.

 

[Mortlives]

Allow me to be the dissenting voice. We could fly, but we prefer to drive. It's great family time when your kids are a captive audience. We find it less stressful, because you don't have to hurry up and wait like you do at the airport, and the trip unrolls at your pace. Also, the US is full of beautiful scenery which is much easier enjoyed from the highway than from an airplane window. And, you can bring more souvenirs home.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[nyfinfan]

If you're comfortable with driving, than I would stick with the original plan. Just my opinion. If your flights were non-stop than for me it be a no-brainer.

Either way, have a great trip!

Drew

 

[sue1013]

We have driven but have given it up. 2 hr flight if you get to airport 2 hours ahead that's only 4 hours compared to at least 18 on the road. No comparison. I see your in NJ are you trying for flights out of EWR? If your not too far check into flights from LGA they seem to have better prices. Also if your planning on renting a car check out some other airports in FL.

 

[turboshelbys]

Try:

http://www.cheaptickets.com/trs/cheaptickets/home/index_01.xsl

its a good resource for air tickets for sure. Remember that if you can, fly out on a sun, mon, or tues. it usually drops the price considerably.

I booked mine with them and the four of us(three tickets and a toddler) are flying for $518 total from Detroit to Orlando non-stop. If i booked it on a thurs or fri it would have been $1085 non-stop.

 

[kimmar067]

....all the feedback. I have been online day'n'nite searching for the best prices. I've checked EWR, LGA, JFK, ISP, and even ACY going to MCO, MBN, TPA, and PIE! Believe me, I've tried it all. As it stands, I am even willing to leave on Thurs. nite and take Friday off (which I am REALLY not supposed to do!) just to try and be more flexible.....

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Just how soon is your trip? If it's inside 14days then it will be harder to find good airfare, but if it's outside that timeframe I'd keep checking every morning. For us, there's no question...we'll always fly over driving. We want to maximize our vacation time and we don't want to be tired from all the driving on our first day at WDW! Good luck...let us know what you decide!

 

[kimmar067]

...is scheduled for Presidents' Week, which makes it virtually IMPOSSIBLE to book ANYTHING!

 

[kimmar067]

...is scheduled for Presidents' Week, which makes it virtually IMPOSSIBLE to book ANYTHING!

 

[VickiVM]

We have driven our past two trips from San Antonio because the cost of flights is prohibitive for our family of 5. But it does wear on my husband and he's willing to shell out the extra money (if available) to fly this next trip in June. I, on the other hand, almost would rather drive. Don't get me wrong - the thought of being in WDW within 4 hours vs 2 days is thrilling, but when I think of what we could save by driving, I would rather use that $$ on vacation rather than getting to vacation.

When we drive our usual 20 minutes to church on Sunday morning, my kids get so wild I think I may have to throw them out the window to save my insanity (wouldn't do much for my soul, though). But for some reason, they do remarkable well on long road trips. I think the adventurous side of them is busy taking in all the sights and scenery and they're on the best behavior. Scary, almost. I wouldn't trade our family time spent on the road for anything.


Good luck with whichever decision you make. Have you checked Hotwire? If your dates are firm, it may not hurt.

 

[kimmar067]

Well, I am 'chopping off' a day in the beginning of my vaca, but I got a flight out of Atlantic City via Spirit Airlines ($68/going and $139/returning) for a non-stop flight! Yippee! Two-and-a-half hours instead of 19 hours!!!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We just got back on Tuesday from our trip. This was the 2nd time we drove. The first time, my youngest son was 15 months old and it was AWFUL in the car. This time, I planned and planned and had a vcr AND a dvd player for the 4 kids. I promised my dh that the children wouldn't drive him crazy this trip and they were all so wonderful! However, we said that we would never drive again. It is just too much. The benefits of driving: cheaper, having our own car, leaving at OUR time schedule, able to cart all of our stuff with us, etc. But we still won't drive again. It is just too long and too hard on us. We said we would be willing to pay alot more for airfare/car rental in the future.

Glad you found a good airfare. Enjoy your trip.

Mary

 

[d4est]

Well, I am envious! But glad you were successful. We are going the same time. Hoping to leave 2/19 and return 2/26. Because it is Pres week, rates are Hell! I can't find anything less than 500/pers. And I have checked everywhere...with city choices ranging from: Albany, Syracuse, Newburg, Binghamton...flying to MCO, TPA, and Sanford. I think we are stuck with driving. Which we have done 2 years in a row. DON'T WANT TO.....booohooo

 

[plutospup]

Way to go Kimmar! Enjoy the flight & have a great vacation. Might you be staying at WL?!!!!

 

[jeancbpugh]

After years of flying to WDW trips, this year we drove (from Chicago area). I loved it.

It was easy and convenient. I loved having our own car so I could pack as much as I want.

I loved not dealing with annoying security agents and flight delays and smelly grubby airplanes. We controlled when we left.

I loved the freedom to make other side trips.

The kids had DVDs and video games, so they were completely content with the long hours in the car.

 

[jeancbpugh]

I figured tolls, gas, food, overnite lodgings, the cost for the 4 of us to come out to ABOUT $655. I have been searching and searching on the 'net', and the best deal I came up with was $767.20, for all 4 of us, tax and fees included

You probably should add the cost of your rental car or transportation between MCO and WDW...