Those of you that go twice or more each year, and are from Northeast.....

[goofy4tink]

This question is prompted by the 'if no DVC what would you do' thead. I'm just curious....those of you from up here in the northeast.....if you travel to WDW twice or more each year, how do you get there? Do you fly or drive? We've always flown but are looking at driving in June/July. Just wondered how you all manage more often visits.

 

[DVC-Don]

We go a couple of times within a 12 month period. We have always flown, although next summer we plan on driving. We just want to drive it once just to say we did. As far as flying, we belong to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program connected to a Southwest Visa. There are 4 of us, but for each trip we only have to pay for 2 or 3 tickets as we seem to have 1 or 2 free round trip vouchers to use. We charge most every thing to that card + we get points for the flights.

 

[poohstx]

We go five times a year and are identical in using Southwest flights, Southwest VISA card and thus earning Rapid Reward free flight credits. But the biggest point is the non-stop flights from Albany....we're at Boardwalk for lunch when we arrive at 11am at MCO. Driving at 75 MPH doesn't have the pizzazz it did when we were younger.

 

[bunnymkc]

We go 3-4x a year and take SW..we have earned 4 free flights so far,taken a bump once which resulted in a free flight and always book on line so when the fare goes down we then have a credit to be applied to our furture flights..we also live about 2 miles from the airport which is small one compared to the big guys.LA,JFK, & get free parking at our airport as we are residents,well not free but hubby quailes for senior so it is only about 5. a year..we usually try to get at least 1 winter trip in say in Jan..which I must say has been the best time to go..beginning of Dec is our favorite in which we go with our son,dil,2 grds's, and one with our best friends..wish we could go more but work won't give me any more time off..LOL..WE HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT DRIVING AS WE HAD DONE THAT IN OUR "YOUNGER DAYS" and just love being there in 2 1/2 hrs..used to fly with Delta always but since SW came to us we only go with them, now if Jet Blue comes..watch out ..let the airfare wars begin..Marianne

 

[Don & June]

We average one trip a year over the past 3 years and have driven each one from the DC area. DW would rather fly and have me pick her up at airport. I love to drive and we have a big SUV so it has plenty of room, I think it's cheaper and we don't have to worry about all the extras coming home with us.

I just think it's much easier to drive. We take our time - no rush - no lines - not chance of being cancelled due to weather or what ever else might happen.

Don

 

[mickeymom629]

We have always driven. We are now a family of 6 and it just doesn't make sense to spend the money to fly. Plus, I can pack whatever we think we may need, we have a car (van) when we arrive to use instead of WDW transportation if we want, and if we leave really early in the a.m., we can arrive at WDW by late afternoon/early evening depending on conditions. We live in Maryland and getting through the VA mixing bowl is usually the worst part of the trip. The kids watch videos/dvd's or play Playstation and that helps a lot! I'm afraid of flying (way before 9./11) and I feel like driving gives us more control of our trip.

 

[Zurg]

We forget what it is like every few years and drive. Using the laptop to play DVDs helps but it is a long ride.

We have booked the auto train a few times but air deals have popped up and each time and we have switced to flying.

We book at the 11 month window typically and that gives time to find cheap flights and Zurgswife is real good at finding 'm.

 

[Lew]

We've been going twice a year since we became DVC members in 1995. This year we're adding a trip in early December because the airfare was so reasonable and we have never visited WDW at that time of year. Total airfare is $330 for the two of us out of Burlington, VT.

We have always flown since time has been a factor for us. We'd rather spend the time enjoying ourselves than sitting behind a windshield for a couple of days each way. It's typically 5 hours or less and we arrive refreshed and ready to go.

We took a road trip this past May as far south as Virginia Beach, making stops at interesting places along the way. We really enjoyed the trip, but there are a lot of crazies on the road. I don't think I would want to subject myself to that all the way to WDW and back.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We fly. No way would we ever drive, yuck. Next month we will be taking our 4th trip to disney this year. I just watch the airfare and wait for a good deal. We will probably be flying Southwest alot now due to their low rates. It is hard enough for DH to get time off for all the trips each year - we couldn't possibly waste days driving. That would cut into our disney time.

 

[Candlelady]

We drive and fly. Either way = a visit to the Mouse!

When it's me and my girls, we fly. When DH tags along, we drive and the girls fly. DH would never go more than once a year and I'll go and fly whenever I can snag someone to tag along with me!

DH is the type that seriously believes if man were meant to fly we'd have wings. lol. I figure why ruin his vacation with fears of flying and we both love a road trip! We pack good snacks and beer (not for the driver), good tunes and we have a great time driving. We look at it as part of the vacation and some alone time. We'll be driving down in a few weeks and meeting our girls once we arrive.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We do both!! WE haven't decided about our summer trip yet. Last year we flew but may drive summer 2004 . We go for at least 2 weeks so we take our time driving........

when we go for a long weekend, we fly!!!

 

[alsipd]

We always fly. I too, like being able to leave the snow in New England in the morning and be eating lunch in Orlando the same day, usually at Hooters in Lake Buena Vista. Then to the golf course for a round before check in.
I have yet to be assigned a bad room regardless of the time I check in. I always stay at OKW, our home resort. I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of OKW, and if I want action, I go to the main pool. We always get a car since I like to see the rest of Orlando while I am there.

 

[Michelemouse]

We go 2-3 times a year and always drive. We have flown a few times but much prefer driving. We've been making this trip since the kids were little and they are great car travellers. We, too, bring a laptop and DVDs, along with books and travel games.

We usually pile into the car at 2am, stop only for meals and gas (tying in bathroom breaks with those stops) and get to WDW sometime around 10pm.

When we go we usually stay for a couple of weeks and I like having my car with me. Not only does airfare add up for 4 people, but renting a car on top of it just adds to the expense. We figure we can make our 2-3 driving trips for what 1 flying/renting a car trip would cost us.

Making the trip in another 13 days and I can't wait!

 

[RoutemanDan]

Always fly. 2 1/2 hrs vs 18-22hrs,enough said.

 

[kathleena]

We go 2-3 times a year from Maine and always fly.

There are no direct flights from Portland, so if we go from here we usually pay a little more but it's more convenient as the airport is 10 minutes from the house. We use US Air for dividend miles, convenient flight times, better changes in the PA cities (NY is just awful) and always book with the Disney Visa card for the points.

But - if there is a deal we just can't pass for a flight out of Manchester NH - we might drive the 2 hrs to there. Next March - the Portland flights were $300+ and the Manchester was $189. For four people that's enough of a difference to take the drive. Still US Airways. Might as well get the points!

 

[pluto109]

we drove once ,never again! we use song airlines

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We always fly. I can't even imagine being in a car for 20 hours. 2.5 hours later, we're in Orlando! How much better can that be? Airfares for us have ranged anywhere from $150-300pp.

 

[MdmMim]

I usually go 2-3 times a year. I have flown, driven and taken the train. My preferred mode of transportation for the past few years has been the train--I just love it! And with my Amtrak Rewards card, I usually have a free trip each year.

I hate to fly, but driving isn't too bad. It's nice to have a trunk for all my purchases! (No wondering how I'll get everything home!)
But for me, Amtrak is the best. My vacation begins the instant I get onboard!

 

[mitymott]

We usually go 2 - 3 times a year and have always flown. With only two of us going it's not that much more to fly. Airfare has been 140 - 200 pp. The best feature of flying is that we're in the parks before lunch. I would like to drive once just to have done it, but so far I've had no luck convincing my dw.

 

[twinmomplus2]

Typically we try to go twice in an years time. This year however we have gone 4 times. We fly nonstop Southwest out of Providence always arriving on property before noon! We closely follow the southwest discounts and never pay more than $225 per person. Last summer we flew for $106 roundtrip. We are hoping for that next summer!