Phoenix DISers - do you fly or drive?

[aliceindisneyland]

We moved to Phoenix this year and we're now nearly 400 miles from DL instead of 200.
We just made our first DL trip driving from Phoenix and stayed with my parents the first night. (They live 70 mi from DL; we leave there by 6am to arrive at DL at about 7:30 on a weekday.)
Drive time is 6 hrs because we haven't perfected our gas/restroom stops on the route yet.
Cost is about $120 in gas.

So I'm resigned to having our trips shortened by 12 hrs of driving.

But if I can get Southwest flights between PHX and SNA for 3,777 pts each way [$69 cash] - not sure of the fees, I'll guess $80 for 4 RT tickets, and use Disneyland Resort Express for $70 [2 free kids, 2 adults], and I believe airport parking is $11/day, then for under $200 I could get there...

How much faster, really?

I live 45 min from PHX. Get to airport 90 min early. Flight: 1 hr 15. Get luggage, wait for and ride shuttle: at least 90 min. So 5 hrs. maybe not such a time savings!

I'm just thinking things through - if you live in Phoenix (or 400 miles or so from DL) do you drive or fly - and what's your rationale?

 

[whoever]

We've done both. We live in Central Phoenix (I can see the Phoenix Children's Hospital from my front porch). I can do the drive door to door (at the Grand) in 5 hours, 2 minutes... with a gas and food break (eating during break, not in the vehicle). We've flown, but with our growing family, soon to be FIVE tickets isn't going to cut it. It is about an hour flight, but the time and $ wasted on both ends isn't worth it for us. Our Volvo XC90 isn't getting any larger as the kids age, so we'll probably have to move up to a Suburban/Denali XL/Escalade ESV one of these days. Wife will be mad because the volvo barely fits in the garage (historic home), so a burb sure isn't going to.

 

[Godzilla55]

We've done both. We live in Central Phoenix (I can see the Phoenix Children's Hospital from my front porch). I can do the drive door to door (at the Grand) in 5 hours, 2 minutes... with a gas and food break (eating during break, not in the vehicle). We've flown, but with our growing family, soon to be FIVE tickets isn't going to cut it. It is about an hour flight, but the time and $ wasted on both ends isn't worth it for us. Our Volvo XC90 isn't getting any larger as the kids age, so we'll probably have to move up to a Suburban/Denali XL/Escalade ESV one of these days. Wife will be mad because the volvo barely fits in the garage (historic home), so a burb sure isn't going to.

We live in Northern California (380 miles from DL) and agree with this 100%. There are 4 of us.

 

[sunshine1974]

We are in Mesa and have done both. I didn't find flying any faster or cheaper. Depending on traffic, the drive usually takes us between 5.5-6 hrs. I also didn't like not being able to come home whenever we wanted. One time we had a late return flight and it ended up raining all day and it really sucked being stuck there with no hotel room. After that experience I won't fly again.

 

[Zoesmama03]

My dad took us when I was a teen. It was my one and only trip to DL(in 1993). He drove here to AZ from Illinois and then we drove over. I'd say I'd drive. I have driven to San Diego and to Knotts before. I think I'd want the option to leave early if it should become warranted. That said when I do go I really want to stay at one of the resorts. I've never stayed at one. I worked at All Stars resort when I was 18-19.

Personally I'd rather drive for DL and fly for Disney World. I've been flying more obviously as most of trips have been AZ to FL.

 

[KeKy4]

We drive. I like being able to take whatever I want in the car vs luggage/carry on and the freedom of having our own car. We have a small car with good gas mileage so don't spend nearly as much on gas, less than $75. So def worth it for our family of 4! We figure with traveling to the airport, checking in 1.5-2h early, flight time, then traveling to the hotel, you prob don't end up saving much time.

 

[dtnrhi]

Hello fellow Arizonan's!

I'm west of the Valley myself. We always drive, have never flown. We can make it in about 4.5 hours if conditions are right.

As far as getting your stops down, we ALWAYS stop in Cabazon, CA. They have a casino and the really good outlets, and is about 3/5 of the way to Anaheim. Also, they USUALLY have some of the cheapest gas in California because they are on a reservation (Although I just checked gasbuddy.com and this may no longer be the case... seems slightly below to average now.) and we top off there before going deeper into California. Food places are abundant, so lots of choices there.

I personally like to leave earlier in the morning - 2-3AM timeframe. It lets us avoid any rush hour traffic, and I get there and don't have to worry about anything. After an afternoon walking around downtown Disney and checking into our hotel and maybe taking a swim, we eat a sit down dinner before watching the fireworks and going to sleep early, prepping for the next day.

Also, for what it's worth, the 8th graders at our middle school had always taken a grad trip to Disneyland. The teacher behind it had always planned them (at little to no cost to the students through great sponsorship and fundraising) for over 30 years. They would always fly - until 2001. After that, he said it was literally not worth the headache, and it actually took longer than just driving, so the school has been renting charter buses ever since.

 

[starshine514]

We live in Tucson, so an extra hour and a half for us to get to your starting point, and we always drive. A few years back, we were flying somewhere (Denver, I think). Our plane left at around 3:30 in the afternoon and just a few minutes before we boarded a plane to Las Vegas boarded at the next gate - it was delayed from 10:00 that morning. 5 hour delay, plus the travel time to get to the airport early, flight time, gathering luggage, etc. it's only a 7 hour drive, the people could've been there sooner just driving. Anyway, it was then that I decided that if a few hour delay were going to make it faster to drive than to fly, I would always choose to drive (with 5 of us, I might still fly if it were cheaper w/ just me).

We've made it from here in less than 8 hours, our midpoint stop is Quartzite.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Thanks for the helpful insight!

I think I'll hoard those Southwest points for a different destination!

I had not thought about being stuck until flight time; thanks for the warning. The last day at DL is always tough (not just for the kids! ) so it is nice to be able to make a quick getaway.

We also take what I call "DIY Concierge" - everyone's favorite junk food, fresh fruit, case of water, and a small bar. And I take a mini coffee maker. We could get by without it all if we decided to fly, but it's fun and convenient.

 

[whoever]

We also take what I call "DIY Concierge" - everyone's favorite junk food, fresh fruit, case of water, and a small bar. And I take a mini coffee maker. We could get by without it all if we decided to fly, but it's fun and convenient.

We literally take a full-size cooler on most trips packed with similar items. Most importantly... my favorite local beer (Santan IPA). At $10 a pop at hearthstone, I can have a vacation's worth of beers for the price of a drink or two. Gotta relax after a long day in park after all....

 

[aliceindisneyland]

We literally take a full-size cooler on most trips packed with similar items. Most importantly... my favorite local beer (Santan IPA). At $10 a pop at hearthstone, I can have a vacation's worth of beers for the price of a drink or two. Gotta relax after a long day in park after all....

Yes! And we feel we've put in a long day at the park at 11am most days!

 

[whoever]

Yes! And we feel we've put in a long day at the park at 11am most days!

I can hear that.... I've been known to frequent cove bar and the KS beer truck in DCA to help my aching back and feet with some muscle relaxer

 

[BadBoyBill]

I agree driving is the better way now with all the airport hassles plus bringing a cooler and extras pays off. It's also nice to have a car. There is a really good cheap Mexican restaurant a block or two away. I hate driving over 4 hours but it's not a bad drive. Also we buy Disney gift cards at Safeway to pay for our trip and use the Gas Rewards.

 

[Meriweather]

We live in east valley and drive.
Takes about 6-6 1/2 hours depended on how many stops we make.
I think it is easier than the hassle of a plane ride ......and finding someone to take us to and from the airport.
We take food with us too. Pack an ice chest and we have most things we need for snacks, drinks and breakfast in the room.
And use audio books!!

 

[bakerudall]

I have to echo what everyone has said here. It's easier to pack and bring food with your own car, and you can go to the beach or other attractions on a whim or try out restaurants that are not within walking distance.

Also, I prefer to drive because I just love road trips (all I need is tunes, Dr. Pepper, beef jerky, and Crunch n' Munch), and I give myself a little extra time wherever I go to stop and explore as necessary. I might be the only one here who actually enjoys the scenery and landscape/geology of the Phoenix-LA drive.

 

[BrienBear]

I'll toss my cookies into the ring!

I work for an airline, I've done both and I can "fly for free" (IE fly on open seats) and my husband and I BOTH prefer to drive. We don't have to worry about security (I also get to go in quicker because of being an employee), we don't have to deal with sitting next to other people, etc. We live directly in downtown Phx, next to the Children's Museum, if that helps. It takes us roughly 5 hours as well.Hope that helps!

 

[whoever]

I'll toss my cookies into the ring!

I work for an airline, I've done both and I can "fly for free" (IE fly on open seats) and my husband and I BOTH prefer to drive. We don't have to worry about security (I also get to go in quicker because of being an employee), we don't have to deal with sitting next to other people, etc. We live directly in downtown Phx, next to the Children's Museum, if that helps. It takes us roughly 5 hours as well.Hope that helps!

Hello neighbor!!

 

[mich311e]

We have flown, once. We've drove every other time and I don't see any reason to change. Cost and convince is my main reason.

 

[mich311e]

As far as getting your stops down, we ALWAYS stop in Cabazon, CA. They have a casino and the really good outlets, and is about 3/5 of the way to Anaheim. Also, they USUALLY have some of the cheapest gas in California because they are on a reservation

Yes! We always stop at the Cabazon casino for gas. It may not be the cheapest prices but it's super convenient. Love to see those Cabazon dinos from the road,too!

 

[Meriweather]

Yes! We always stop at the Cabazon casino for gas. It may not be the cheapest prices but it's super convenient. Love to see those Cabazon dinos from the road,too!

Us too!!