Never flying again

[james'mommy]

at least not to Disney. We figured out it was cheaper and easier to fly. Plus we really missed having our car. Riding the busses was kinda annoying.

 

[Schmeck]

When gas prices go up another $$$, then maybe you'll be singing another tune, Of course, plane tickets and park tickets will also be going up...

 

[chrysdrew]

We flew the first few times we went, but now we always drive. We hate the airport. We like being on our own schedule. Sometimes we will stay late in the day, or leave for vacation a day early. We almost always drive straight through. The kids sleep through most of the trip.
We are also heavy packers. We like taking whatever we want with us.
We also enjoy the convenience of having our vehicle with us.

For every family it is different, but for us, driving has worked out better so far.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Living in the opposite corner of the US, there's no way we'd drive to WDW. DL is another story, we've done several road trips there already. We are thinking about renting a car once in WDW though. We're staying at POP and from all that I've read, there are no bus shelters to protect you against the horrible Florida sun and heat in the summer.

 

[james'mommy]

Even with gas prices high it's still cheaper for us to drive. We only go through 3 tanks so even at $4 a gallon it's only about $250. And with gas prices so high airline tixs will go up since they will pass it along to the passengers.

 

[kmurawski]

I love to fly! 2 1/2 hours and we're there.

Then again, in December I'll love to drive because we're bringing the camper down. AHH, the best of both worlds!

 

[Kimmumum]

I love to fly! 2 1/2 hours and we're there.

Then again, in December I'll love to drive because we're bringing the camper down. AHH, the best of both worlds!

2 1/2 is better than the 16 straight hours driving!!!

Driving a camper down in December??? I don't think I could do that with the mountains

 

[npmommie]

I would drive but hubby wouldn't go if i insisted on driving. the flight is only 3 hours, but the hassle of getting to the airport ( over an hour for us) being there 2 hours before the flight time means we have to be out of our house about 4 hours before to allow for traffic parking at the airport etc...........
then not having a car when we get there is not a huge issue but it would be nice to have it.
but I will never convince him to drive so its a moot point here.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I hate car trips. Really realy really hate them. However- if airfare isn't reasonable we might have to drive down on our next trip. The thought makes me ill. We live about 10 minutes from the airport so it is a breeze flying.

 

[tkme4ard]

LOL it's a 16 hour drive for us as well and I would rather poke my eyes out with a hot poker than 16 hours of driving with 4 kids again

I'm looking forward to a 2 hour plane ride

 

[sbrotherton]

It would be every bit of 18 hours for us to drive. With three kids...no way. Although I HATE flying more and more every year. I hate having to pay over $20 to ship a snowglobe hoem because I can't bring it on the plane and I hate that after our next trip it will cost $30 RT for each bag that I'm checking. I guess with the money I'm saving by not buying snowglobes, I can check my suitcases.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I can pretty confidently say that I will never drive to WDW. We live in the NY metro area, so you're looking at 18 hours each way. That's a day and a half of my vacation in the car. No way.
When we were young, my parents would pile us in the car for an 8+ hour ride to the outer banks twice a year...8+ hours in the back of a van with my brother and sister fighting, my father chain smoking, and my mother fighting my dad to take the "regular road" instead of the scenic detours he always tried...pretty much ruined me for long road trips forever.
However, we're a small family - me, my husband and 1 son. We always rent a car - last trip (a week ago) our midsize car for 8 days + the gas we used was $125 + airfare was $198 pp r/t so about $725 for "transportation expenses". We woke up early, arrived at AKL before 11:00 am, and coming home, left the parks around 3:30 and were home for bedtime, even with the delays. Can't beat it.
I'm sure I'd be singing a different tune if I were buying airfare for 5+ people and having to rent a mini van, but as it stands now, we'll keep flying.

 

[DawnM]

We always drive. It is 8.5 hours without stops and about 10 with the kids and all the stops.

We *could* take our Saturn VUE 4 cyl. manual car and save gas, but it would be very uncomfortable! I don't mind driving around town in it, but there are 5 of us and the wind noise in that thing makes my ears ring horribly after a few hours!

So, we take our Sequoia with the headrest DVDs and it is a much more pleasant trip.

Dawn

 

[james'mommy]

It's only 8 hours so we figure we soend as much time at the airport and flying and connections and the ME that it's just way easier to drive.

 

[nicknack]

We are driving. With three kids and now the airlines charging you to bring luggage, it would cost a fortune to fly. It's a twelve hour drive for us, but we have a dvd player in the car and video games. Plus my husband hates to fly.

 

[mom2aredhead]

It's only 8 hours so we figure we soend as much time at the airport and flying and connections and the ME that it's just way easier to drive.

I agree with you - 8 hours would probably be about my limit. 18 hours - not so much.

 

[brandylouwho]

We wouldn't get to FL if we had to drive. DH would never drive, he hated driving to Maryland and that was before we had 2 little kids. Sometimes I think 2 hours in the car is too much for us

I am not sure exactly how expensive airfare would have to get before it would be too expensive, but it is nowhere near that price yet. And all the extra charges for luggage, etc just means 1) we pack lighter and 2) we'll ship additional items ahead of time if need be.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I never fly, but that has more to do with a phobia than anything else. (When I was a kid, we lost two family friends on TWA Flight 800. That was the first funeral I have any true memories of). Aside from the fact it terrifies me, the more news I see, the more I am glad that I don't fly.

Everytime I see another story about people being stuck on the tarmac for hours without food, water, or working facilities, I thank God I don't fly. Everytime another company goes belly up without refunding tickets, I thank God I don't fly. Every time I hear of another inspector successfully sneaking bomb parts through in a test, I thank God I don't fly.

It is a long drive for us (a day and a half), but I also get to see a lot of really neat places. When we went on our cruise when I got my BA, we took the scenic route through Georgia and I loved it. It's nice to take my time, not feel rushed, and see parts of the country I wouldn't see otherwise .

 

[LovingtheCastle]

I never fly, but that has more to do with a phobia than anything else. (When I was a kid, we lost two family friends on TWA Flight 800. That was the first funeral I have any true memories of). Aside from the fact it terrifies me, the more news I see, the more I am glad that I don't fly.

Everytime I see another story about people being stuck on the tarmac for hours without food, water, or working facilities, I thank God I don't fly. Everytime another company goes belly up without refunding tickets, I thank God I don't fly. Every time I hear of another inspector successfully sneaking bomb parts through in a test, I thank God I don't fly.

It is a long drive for us (a day and a half), but I also get to see a lot of really neat places. When we went on our cruise when I got my BA, we took the scenic route through Georgia and I loved it. It's nice to take my time, not feel rushed, and see parts of the country I wouldn't see otherwise .

I understand your phobia, but there really is a MUCH better chance that you will die in your car than most anywhere else (even as a soldier!). Even with 9/11 and all that tragedy, many more people have died in car accidents.

It would be nice to see the beautiful countryside on a nice relaxing road trip. That would ONLY happen if I didn't have a screaming 3yr old who is being "egged on" by the 6yr old, in the backseat!

I'm so happy that you enjoy your car trips, but I'll stick with flying (it's safer). Either way, have fun!

 

[~Kristina~]

I hate flying anywhere these days. Plus we've gotten into the habit of camping in Disney.