My husband and I are planning on taking our niece (8) and nephews (10 and 14) to Disney next summer and possibly their step-sister (11) if parents get that worked out.
We are just starting the trip planning and trying to get or travel plans thought out.
The biggest question right now is do we fly or drive. We are looking at this from both a cost and sanity perspective!
We are trying to keep the costs reasonable because a week at Disney with 3 (and possibly 4) kids is going to be costly when you add in park tickets, food, etc. We will most likey stay off site at a timeshare (but would be willing to stay on property if an awesome deal comes up). If airlines prices next summer are similar to what they are this year, the cheapest flights I found were Allegiant Air from Greensboro NC to Sanford for a little less than $700 (this would be flying Sunday both directions b/c we probably won't be able to fly mid-week). All other flights in our area are currently over $1,000 for us all (but most others fly into MCO).
Driving would certainly cost us much less money, but, we are also not used to travelling with kids. We have a very talkative little girl a typical moody teenager and a middle child that is either going to be picking on his little sister or will be picked on by his big brother. I'm sure with three kids, there will be numerous bathroom breaks along the way. I imagine the trip down would be okay. Everyone will be excited and ready to get there. Something tells me the trip home wouldn't be so much fun though. A week at Disney is tiring for both kids and adults. For those with kids around this age group, any advice on what the typical "mood" is in the vehicle during a 12 hour trip home from DW?
Also, hubby drives for a living so once he comes back from vacation he'll have to jump in a car and go back to work. If we drove, we'd probably come back on Saturday and he's have to turn around and drive another 350 miles on Monday so he wouldn't get much break from sitting in a car.
So, what would you do in this situation- fly or drive and why? (I also welcome any advice you have on travelling to DW with this many kids- first trip for all of them!!)
We are just starting the trip planning and trying to get or travel plans thought out.
The biggest question right now is do we fly or drive. We are looking at this from both a cost and sanity perspective!
We are trying to keep the costs reasonable because a week at Disney with 3 (and possibly 4) kids is going to be costly when you add in park tickets, food, etc. We will most likey stay off site at a timeshare (but would be willing to stay on property if an awesome deal comes up). If airlines prices next summer are similar to what they are this year, the cheapest flights I found were Allegiant Air from Greensboro NC to Sanford for a little less than $700 (this would be flying Sunday both directions b/c we probably won't be able to fly mid-week). All other flights in our area are currently over $1,000 for us all (but most others fly into MCO).
Driving would certainly cost us much less money, but, we are also not used to travelling with kids. We have a very talkative little girl a typical moody teenager and a middle child that is either going to be picking on his little sister or will be picked on by his big brother. I'm sure with three kids, there will be numerous bathroom breaks along the way. I imagine the trip down would be okay. Everyone will be excited and ready to get there. Something tells me the trip home wouldn't be so much fun though. A week at Disney is tiring for both kids and adults. For those with kids around this age group, any advice on what the typical "mood" is in the vehicle during a 12 hour trip home from DW?
Also, hubby drives for a living so once he comes back from vacation he'll have to jump in a car and go back to work. If we drove, we'd probably come back on Saturday and he's have to turn around and drive another 350 miles on Monday so he wouldn't get much break from sitting in a car.
So, what would you do in this situation- fly or drive and why? (I also welcome any advice you have on travelling to DW with this many kids- first trip for all of them!!)
DH and I do not have children. We fly. We have driven but DH does not like to sit in a car for 9-10 hour trip. If you decide to fly I would see if the kids could earn half of their ticket money doing chores, mowing yards etc. Could the parents spring for 50% of ticket cost. I mean you are paying for everything else from the post I gather. This would be a great opportunity for them to help out. Set a goal for, say $150 to $200 each for the kids and hold them to it. They are old enough to learn that sometimes you have to work for what you want. Again this is from someone who does not have children. When I was 15 and wanted to go to Europe my Mom paid for the trip and I earned ALL my spending money. I worked hard for that $700 in 1985 and came back with about $20. 
