Short trip to HHI....drive or fly?

[Flyerfan]

We (DH & myself) are going to HHI in October for 4 nights (our first trip there) and we are planning to drive from eastern PA. It should take us 12-13 hours to get there but we plan on stopping overnight on the way down. I was looking into flights from Allentown but it would cost us around $500-$600+ (depending on what airport we fly to) and then we would have to rent a car which would probably be about $300 more (with taxes/fees, insurance, etc). I had read other posts saying it is better to have a car for exploring the island. If we drive, it would probably cost around $300 total but it's a long drive for only 4 nights.

With such a short trip, would you fly or drive?

 

[JBx3]

We are in Harrisburg with same issues when going to HHI. Due to cost we drive and really like having the car on site to use, although you could probably get away without a car since the DVC is at Harbour Cove and walking to things is easy.

Since there are no direct flights from our area, I guess flying into Charleston or Savannah are the only options and carriers in our area mostly do not consider them hub areas, bummer, and yes, flights are expensive to HHI.

I think 4 nights and 5 days would be the minimum for us to drive. I would say drive if you can add the day on each end?

 

[MinnieGi]

Cost of flights and renting a car make me chime in to DRIVE!!

We drive from DE and takes us about 11 - 12 hours. We actually drive the whole thing in one day and then stay at the Hampton Inn on the island for our first night there. That way the next morning we check in early at Disney and have the WHOLE day to play, instead of finishing up a drive!! Believe me you'll want the extra time to have fun, relax and soak up the sights.

 

[Dean]

Personally I wouldn't do either for such a situation given the choices you've presented, too long for the aggravation. I won't go to HI less than 10 days and the flight is about the same or less as you're looking at to drive. IF you can get decent air to Macon, Savannah, J'ville, Charleston or even onto the island, that could shift the decision to one that I could accept. I'm not sure how far Columbia is off hand but that's another options. Charlotte and Atlanta are too far given the situation. J'ville has southwest and is roughly 2.5 hours if you can get a direct flight there. I would not do it without a car, even if you fly on to the island. I'd expect you could get a compact car for less than the $300 though.

Your decision of course, mine would be to fly or not go for your situation. Good Luck.

 

[Flyerfan]

Well, we're on waitlist for one night at the end of our stay for a 1BR. I'm thinking our chances are not too good but ya never know. Flying is just looking too expensive, so I guess we'll be hittin' the road. Thing is, we usually drive to WDW but our last trip last week we flew and now I'm spoiled.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[sleepydog25]

Definitely drive. Flying has become such a cattle call anymore, that I almost refuse to give money away to the airlines. When driving, though it can be tedious, I can stop when I want; eat when and what I want; take what I want without any extra charge; and when I get to my destination, I have transportation available for no extra charge. Be careful and have a good trip! Oh, there's some link on here from a couple of weeks ago about a speed camera somewhere in SC. Don't drive too fast.

 

[Connears]

We drive to HHI all the time from Boston. We usually stay 4 nights during the summer and really love having the car..you really can't manage without one there. DH and I have driven to wdw at least once a year(usually 2x)since 1994 when we joined dvc, and we almost always spend 1 night at HHI either on the way down or back from wdw..Its worth it for us. We have had people come with us that fly into Savannah and take limo to HHI to meet us. Long drives are the norm for us, so PA drive sounds like a breeze for us.

Connears

 

[katmittens]

We live in NE Pa, about 10 miles north of Scranton. We drive all the time to WDW. We make at least two trips per year. This year it will be three for 2010. We are also going to HH in October, but only for two nites and then we are going to stay at Disney at BWV for four nites, off to Key West and back up through western North Carolina for some bar b que and then home. We love the drive. I like having our own car and stopping when we want. I only have one worry. We went to WDW in May and I was robbed at a rest stop in Georgia. I am still mad over it and probably won't be stopping at that particular rest stop again, but I am looking forward to my trip and I am looking for a new purse with a zipper I have to laugh about it now, but believe me I was very upset when it happened.
Hope you have a great trip and an easy drive. We are going to be in HH on Oct 1 and 2. We can't wait. We have never stayed at HH at DVC.

 

[seelyt2]

We're just outside of Scranton, too (hi katmittens!), and we're considering a trip to HHI next year. Although we'd love to fly, I'm pushing my husband to drive our family of four, and in my Ford Focus to boot! Kids aren't happy about it, but I'm looking forward to saving lots of moolah since airline tix run us about $1200 with fees and such each time we go to the World. I tell my DH - if we could do it when we were kids....then by golly they can too! We're making memories here people....although they'll probably kill each other by the time we get there - LOL! Plus we'll want to have a car to get to the market and all those great HHI restaurants. It's not like we force them in a car every summer for 10-12 hours...they can handle it. But that's us. I guess I'm a mean mom LOL!

 

[Flyerfan]

Although we'd love to fly, I'm pushing my husband to drive our family of four, and in my Ford Focus to boot! Kids aren't happy about it, but I'm looking forward to saving lots of moolah since airline tix run us about $1200 with fees and such each time we go to the World.

Good luck with the drive. DH will NOT drive my Focus...especially that far. We'll be driving his car (the one with more power) but him being a car guy, he'll be worried about "baby" the whole time it's parked.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Connears]

We live in NE Pa, about 10 miles north of Scranton. We drive all the time to WDW. We make at least two trips per year. This year it will be three for 2010. We are also going to HH in October, but only for two nites and then we are going to stay at Disney at BWV for four nites, off to Key West and back up through western North Carolina for some bar b que and then home. We love the drive. I like having our own car and stopping when we want. I only have one worry. We went to WDW in May and I was robbed at a rest stop in Georgia. I am still mad over it and probably won't be stopping at that particular rest stop again, but I am looking forward to my trip and I am looking for a new purse with a zipper I have to laugh about it now, but believe me I was very upset when it happened.
Hope you have a great trip and an easy drive. We are going to be in HH on Oct 1 and 2. We can't wait. We have never stayed at HH at DVC.

wow! we drive all the time(1-2 times a year) and have never had a problem at a rest area..scary! how did you get robbed? at night? were you aware of it or was it discovered after the fact? I'm a bit concerned about this, as we do thsi drive thru GA for HHI and WDW.

Connears

 

[hellerjw]

From her description about needing a purse with a zipper it sounds like it might have been a pickpocket type theft that she didn't even realize occurred until much later, just a guess? It could happen anywhere, not necessarily a problem with GA rest stops.

 

[quentina]

We (DH & myself) are going to HHI in October for 4 nights (our first trip there) and we are planning to drive from eastern PA. It should take us 12-13 hours to get there but we plan on stopping overnight on the way down. I was looking into flights from Allentown but it would cost us around $500-$600+ (depending on what airport we fly to) and then we would have to rent a car which would probably be about $300 more (with taxes/fees, insurance, etc). I had read other posts saying it is better to have a car for exploring the island. If we drive, it would probably cost around $300 total but it's a long drive for only 4 nights.

With such a short trip, would you fly or drive?

Was this for the Allegiant flight into Myrtle Beach? THey have some $39 flights going.

 

[katmittens]

wow! we drive all the time(1-2 times a year) and have never had a problem at a rest area..scary! how did you get robbed? at night? were you aware of it or was it discovered after the fact? I'm a bit concerned about this, as we do thsi drive thru GA for HHI and WDW.

Connears

It was during the day about 5 o'clock at the rest stop in Ga around mile marker 42. DD and I went into the rest room and I took my purse with me. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't . I walked into the restroom stall and hung my purse on the hook, finished up turned my back to flush and my purse flew off the hook onto the floor. At first I thought it just fell and then I picked it up and still did not realize it. I walked out and told my daughter and then could not find my money which was in bank envelopes one for each group, lunch, dinner, etc. Ran to the car looked in the car thinking they fell out but no luck. After calling the police and much crying we continued on our way. I lost about 1, 200.00. I had to look at it as being lucky. I feel I was marked when I went into the ladies room. It could have been worse. I could have been stabbed or worse. DD saw the women run out but did not realize what had happened. Thank God she did not, and try to stop her. DH later that night read some back stories about robberies on the road, so I have now become more careful and we are splitting any cash, which we had done before and using our debit and credit cards more. I liked using cash and not haviing as many bills when I returned, but no more. We went to Maine in June and only took 200 in cash. After all of our trips I just let my guard down, being so used to the trip down and knowing all the places along the way. So please don't hang purse on hook in bathrooms. I cried for about 2 hours and was sick for a day, but realized that it was not going to ruin our trip and we did have a great time in our 2 bedroom savanna room. Have a safe trip.

 

[katmittens]

One more thing the police said, there were no cameras at the rest stop outside. That I feel is not too good. The police officer said that there was a fight there the nite before and someone got beat up pretty bad. I now notice things more. DD and I were on our way back from NY state we only live 30 miles south of the NY state border and we were shopping up there. We stopped at the rest stop going back into PA and their was a sign that said these rest stops monitered by cameras. Not sure if it helps or not, but maybe it would prevent some robberies.

 

[seelyt2]

Wow Katmittens - that sounds just awful. Nothing's going on hook at the potty now. It does sound like someone was watching you. How terrible.

 

[Flyerfan]

Was this for the Allegiant flight into Myrtle Beach? THey have some $39 flights going.

Yes. I don't see any flights up for October yet. Maybe they don't go at that time of year to Myrtle Beach? We took Allegiant to WDW just last week and they seemed decent. $39 would be great...maybe worth it. I'll keep my eye out.

 

[DeeCee735]

We're on Long Island and we've always driven to HH. It's about 14 hours from home, so we just leave at 3:00 am and get there for dinner. We do 5 nights though. My husband doesn't mind driving, he actually prefer's it over flying, so it's no big deal.

We actually took 7 nights once and drove to WDW for four nights for the first leg, drove to HH for an overnighter, drove to Charleston for an overnighter (on points back when the concierge collection had the Charleston Place - gorgeous!), and then drove to VA and stayed with friends for a night and then drove home. Most people cringe when I tell them this, but we had a blast and laughed our butts off all along the way. It was a GREAT road trip!

Good luck with your decision. You'll love Disney's HH Resort!

 

[marynvince]

Good luck with the drive. DH will NOT drive my Focus...especially that far. We'll be driving his car (the one with more power) but him being a car guy, he'll be worried about "baby" the whole time it's parked.

Have fun on your trip!

the spots seem to be lined for compact cars yet most people travel in big suvs. picked up a couple of dings this last trip.

 

[Connears]

It was during the day about 5 o'clock at the rest stop in Ga around mile marker 42. DD and I went into the rest room and I took my purse with me. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't . I walked into the restroom stall and hung my purse on the hook, finished up turned my back to flush and my purse flew off the hook onto the floor. At first I thought it just fell and then I picked it up and still did not realize it. I walked out and told my daughter and then could not find my money which was in bank envelopes one for each group, lunch, dinner, etc. Ran to the car looked in the car thinking they fell out but no luck. After calling the police and much crying we continued on our way. I lost about 1, 200.00. I had to look at it as being lucky. I feel I was marked when I went into the ladies room. It could have been worse. I could have been stabbed or worse. DD saw the women run out but did not realize what had happened. Thank God she did not, and try to stop her. DH later that night read some back stories about robberies on the road, so I have now become more careful and we are splitting any cash, which we had done before and using our debit and credit cards more. I liked using cash and not haviing as many bills when I returned, but no more. We went to Maine in June and only took 200 in cash. After all of our trips I just let my guard down, being so used to the trip down and knowing all the places along the way. So please don't hang purse on hook in bathrooms. I cried for about 2 hours and was sick for a day, but realized that it was not going to ruin our trip and we did have a great time in our 2 bedroom savanna room. Have a safe trip.

How horrible!!! We also drive all the time and are very aware of rest areas, (those with security and video monitoring),etc. DH and I often don't go to bathrooms at the same time so one can stay with car and all the belongings, so I do not take my travel purse(its a small wallet type), we are CC folks and carry some cash, but usually less than $200. That's alot of money to loose..glad you could still enjoy the vacation.

so sorry
Connears