Should we drive or fly? What are you doing?

[sherreis]

If you can afford it, fly. It's much faster and you don't arrive as tired.

I do have to say, I'm very glad to see so many people who don't mind driving. We're going to be driving from Maryland when we go in November. Flying would cost us approx $1200 and we wouldn't be able to go. I just know it's going to be a long trip. As of right now, the plan is to drive straight through with leaving Friday night, 11/17, around 7:30 PM.

 

[HopperFan]

"... but I think $500 one way from Dallas is more than a little high unless you drive a hummer or a tank."

All I knew was she say 20 hours each way (I said roundtrip not one way) = 40 hours x 65 mph = 2600 miles. Thinking @ 18 mpg (may be low but thinking for an SUV) x $3 gallon = @435. Then add the tolls, which there are a few. I rounded up - just an estimate. I didn't even include hotel and food which would take it higher, all of which comes off the airplane travel costs.

But I also think she has to add the "cost of time" which is considerable. But in the end she said it wasn't the cost but the actual flying that was a concern.

 

[the Fidge]

We were all set too to fly! WE are originally from NY and DH was a mess so many folks were knew were affected it was a mess! We moved up to Pa and and DH has finallly come around to flying again and then London and today the arrests in Amsterdam from Northwest air!

Well looks like we will be driving and thats ok too, we can then fit more stuff and less worry about what to bring and what not to! DH loves that AAA parking Voucher anyway so he can feel comfortable as he wants! IF we don't have to fly we will not for right now. Can you beleive after I finally got him ready to fly again well it could be worse we could not have a great vacation planned in DIsney!

DS travels well too and you know he does love some of the neat stops we make and play fun games along the way. Another poster remarked something wonderful I will borrow she said when the kids are asleep it gives her and her DH time to chat alone!

Enjoy whatver you do!

 

[barbie78]

I've done both from Texas, and I never want to drive again! This trip we got cheap tickets by flying out on 9-11!

 

[GoofTroop]

We drive every year and actually really enjoy it. We also drive straight through and I enjoy having my truck at Disney if I need it

I see you live in Northern Illinois as do I. We are driving for the first time this November. You mentioned driving straight through. What time do you usually leave Illinois? Do you go straight to WDW, or sleep the first night offsite? It will be my husband and our four children ages 13, 9, 6, and 1. I'm a little anxious to see how the kids do on a drive this long!

Elizabeth

 

[Minnie824]

I see you live in Northern Illinois as do I. We are driving for the first time this November. You mentioned driving straight through. What time do you usually leave Illinois? Do you go straight to WDW, or sleep the first night offsite? It will be my husband and our four children ages 13, 9, 6, and 1. I'm a little anxious to see how the kids do on a drive this long!

Elizabeth

We're also in Northern Illinois. We took 57 thru Illinois, then to 24 then 75. We left at 1:40am. That way, DH & I got a few hours of sleep, we had the kids dressed in their sweatsuits for bed, so we just got them up and moved them to the car at 1:40. They slept for the first 5 hours....all the way to the bottom of IL. We stopped for gas, they fell back asleep 2 more hours. Stopped in Kentucky for breakfast....TN for lunch. We made it thru Atlanta at 2pm, prior to rush hour, then stopped in southern GA for dinner (there were more pit stops along the way as well). We drove straight thru and made it to POP at 9:30 cst....20 hrs. This year if we drive, we're going to stop in Gainsville...hopefully around 7:30pm cst. The timing worked really well for us.

 

[terlane97]

We were thinking of driving. We live in Michigan and had plan to drive with our DS's 6 and 1 due to prices of airline tickets were so expensive , but after looking through the airline sites we found tickets for a family of 4 for $97 a ticket . We talked it over and we just couldn't let that price slip plus getting there sooner and getting home faster with the 2 in tow it works better for us.

 

[GoofTroop]

We're also in Northern Illinois. We took 57 thru Illinois, then to 24 then 75. We left at 1:40am. That way, DH & I got a few hours of sleep, we had the kids dressed in their sweatsuits for bed, so we just got them up and moved them to the car at 1:40. They slept for the first 5 hours....all the way to the bottom of IL. We stopped for gas, they fell back asleep 2 more hours. Stopped in Kentucky for breakfast....TN for lunch. We made it thru Atlanta at 2pm, prior to rush hour, then stopped in southern GA for dinner (there were more pit stops along the way as well). We drove straight thru and made it to POP at 9:30 cst....20 hrs. This year if we drive, we're going to stop in Gainsville...hopefully around 7:30pm cst. The timing worked really well for us.

Thanks for telling me how you drive there. We were thinking of leaving around 5:00pm on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Thinking we'd get into Orlando around 1:00pm the next day. Our thinking was that if we left at 5:00, got several hours of driving in, stopped to feed the kids dinner, then they'd sleep all night. That would make less stops, or am I dreaming? If they slept all night, then we'd stop for breakfast sometime between 6:00 and 8:00, then drive the rest of the way stopping for gas and bathroom breaks.

 

[julsmom]

We normally fly but I am thinking about bringing up driving next time. I live in Illinois and agree with the "drive straight thru" method. That is what we did when I was little. We'll see.
DD 6

 

[gbrogers]

We are going to make the 17 to 18 hour drive over Thanksgiving weekend. Our plan is to arrive a day early, stay offsite first night to rest up for the parks, and check in early and hit MK. Our kids (8, 5, & 2) are all good travelers.During the drive, my DW and I are going to read Mary Poppins to the kids so the drive shouldn't be too bad.

With that said, if cost wasn't a factor, I would definitely fly. By flying, we would save time and avoid the fatigue of the drive. Also, the drive from Waco, TX to Orlando isn't the most scenic drive in the world. I think the highlight of the drive is the 30 second tunnel under the bay in Mobile.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've always flown, but this trip I had a nervous feeling flying and then the London terrorist thing - so for the first time we're driving next July. We're adding 4 nights at Hilton Head on the way home to sweeten the pot for the kids. We'll stop one night (I don't want to drive straight through - its about an 18 - 19 hour trip straight through) and we'll start our drive in the middle of the night so the kids can sleep part of the way. I'll miss the two hours and we're there part but I just can't shake that nervous feeling. Of course after our first trip driving I may be singing a whole different tune. Kids will be 9, 8 and 6 by then so hopefully we'll be ok.

 

[the Fidge]

We've always flown, but this trip I had a nervous feeling flying and then the London terrorist thing - so for the first time we're driving next July. We're adding 4 nights at Hilton Head on the way home to sweeten the pot for the kids. We'll stop one night (I don't want to drive straight through - its about an 18 - 19 hour trip straight through) and we'll start our drive in the middle of the night so the kids can sleep part of the way. I'll miss the two hours and we're there part but I just can't shake that nervous feeling. Of course after our first trip driving I may be singing a whole different tune. Kids will be 9, 8 and 6 by then so hopefully we'll be ok.

We are also about 20 hours and got some great tips on keeping ds occupied on the way down ! The toy at every state line or 100 miles! He loved it! Got most for under $4' so it was great! PLus this year, I am going to bring a protable dvd palyer which will help too!

I enjoy it oo actually I get to catch up on all the little details of his life that he shares with me on the ride down. I also get to answer questions and so does DH as he has many on just about everything!!!

I love the time we all have and pack the cooler and snacks galore! How these guys eat so much is a small wonder just give me my thermos of tea and I am good to go!