Those who drive from WA/OR...

[tanyaewa]

Alaska airlines has $200 rtn flights Portland to LAX or SNA.
I quickly peeked for you. So airfare is an option. Just depends on what you want to do.....

That's 800 vs ?

 

[lurpee]

We are planning our first trip! We haven't really made ANY decisions about ANYTHING yet, so many things to consider. Right now we're looking at either early December right after DH finishes finals or mid March after he graduates. We're also undecided on the drive vs. fly debate. Which brings me to my question; We live in SW WA and the only time I've driven all the way down I5 to CA was during the summer, is the drive a good decision during the first part of December? Or should we just assume flying is the better option (for safety's sake) during late fall/early winter?

Thanks!

I say fly if you can. I think Southwest usually releases some amazing deals in October *usually*. It's been almost two years since I took advantage though.

I live near Astoria, OR (but will be driving to Whidbey Island tomorrow!) and we will be flying when we go in December.Our DD's will be almost five and almost one.

I researched the train before and it had a lot of stops to switch to buses if I remember right. My bro recently did Santa Barbara to Portland and it took over 24 hours.

I'll be interested in what you decide!

Kerri

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I will second (or 3rd or 4th) the idea of going with JetBlue if you have the option. $200 round-trip is awesome.

The first time I and my then-girlfriend (now DW) went together, we drove - non stop taking shifts. Left Portland around 11 am or noon and got there at 6 am. We parked in our hotel parking lot and slept until 9 or 10 and went to the park.

The next trip we took with 2 others and drove again non-stop.

I have to say the drive between Sacramento and LA is the worst drive I've ever endured lol. But the deal breaker is ALWAYS the drive home. For 1, you are leaving Disneyland (sucks!), for 2 you are exhausted from the trip and driving fatigue is much much much more noticeable on the way home. Maybe we were just weak-willed 25 yr olds.

Never again.

That said, if you plan on staying the night in Sacramento or something to break up the road trip, it wouldn't be terrible.

 

[kaci]

Well, you guys have got me pretty convinced that flying is the way to go. But now DH (who previously was all for flying) thinks we should drive, lol, he thinks if the weather is iffy we can cut over to 101 at Drain. So hopefully JetBlue/AA/SW will have a sale and I can just grab some tickets and that will settle the discussion

The bummer/added expense with flying is long-term parking, renting a car and dealing with the kids' car seats. Last time we flew it was a nightmare and dealing with the car seats and stroller was a HUGE part of it.

Thanks so much for all the advice and tips!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

My husband is convinced now that we will not save anything driving because of the cost of gas. If you make your reservations early enough you should be able to fly Jet Blue out of Portland for about $200 pp. We have been four times in the last couple of years and we have paid between $200-$250 pp round trip.

There's a great web calculator called Fly vs Drive. You provide a bunch of information (including things like made/model/year of car to determine gas mileage, how long you're willing to drive and how much you typically spend on hotels, if you fly, ground transportation is, etc.) and it provides you with estimates of not only cost, but time and (my favorite) your carbon footprint for each mode of transportation. I was shocked the first time I did a calculation to see how carbon expensive flying is...had no idea. I've been using it every since.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

I'm from the Salem area and have made the drive to So. Cal several times, however even in early October we have come across light snow on the pass in northern Cali. From mid October to late March I would avoid driving the pass. Weather is too unpredictable and not worth the risk. I did not read all the posts so I'm not too sure where you are flying from, however we got airfare to Disneyland this December for less than $190 per person. It would cost you more then that to drive to and from.

 

[kaci]

There's a great web calculator called Fly vs Drive. You provide a bunch of information (including things like made/model/year of car to determine gas mileage, how long you're willing to drive and how much you typically spend on hotels, if you fly, ground transportation is, etc.) and it provides you with estimates of not only cost, but time and (my favorite) your carbon footprint for each mode of transportation. I was shocked the first time I did a calculation to see how carbon expensive flying is...had no idea. I've been using it every since.

Thank you! That calculator is awesome. It's saying that flying will work out to $1200 vs $600 to drive. Not the biggest deal but $600 could buy a lot of something or other Oh well, maybe we'll try driving sometime next fall.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Well, you guys have got me pretty convinced that flying is the way to go. But now DH (who previously was all for flying) thinks we should drive, lol, he thinks if the weather is iffy we can cut over to 101 at Drain. So hopefully JetBlue/AA/SW will have a sale and I can just grab some tickets and that will settle the discussion

The bummer/added expense with flying is long-term parking, renting a car and dealing with the kids' car seats. Last time we flew it was a nightmare and dealing with the car seats and stroller was a HUGE part of it.

Thanks so much for all the advice and tips!

It is true that long term parking can be expensive but there are a couple of ways around it - ride from a family member/friend to airport OR check out hotels near airport. Some offer free parking (while you are gone) if you stay the night before your flight.

As far as kids car seats and strollers, it's easy peasy. Does JetBlue have curbside checkin @ Portland? TRULY the best, if they do. If not, drop car seats at check in counter and run the stroller to the door of the plane where they will gate check and have ready for you when you deplane in Long Beach. LB is a wonderful little airport. Get a luggage cart, load up all the stuff, walk the few steps across the street to rental cars and take off. I actually miss having a stroller to store all my stuff

I'm a Cottonwood girl born and raised and I wouldn't drive the pass in winter to get to Disney - I would definitely fly. I don't even like thinking of dealing with the Grapevine during winter and that's just one little pass compared to what you would be facing - way to iffy.

Good Luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Zbugz]

I live in Portland. Usually there are only three of us to fly, so it is not hard to talk myself into flying vs. driving as far as cost. Besides factoring in 2 nights in a hotel, meals, gas, wear and tear on car, and an extra oil change, I also figure in safety and "pain and suffering", i.e. 3 hours in a plane vs. a 20 hour car trip.

Given your number of passengers and free lodging, it would have to be a really good deal on airfare to balance out. If the savings was huge, and you have a good set of chains or cables for your tires to get over the passes, and aren't in a hurry, perhaps the drive would be best.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

101 would really not be a great alternative that time of year either. If you are gong to risk the drive I say do it in the fall or wait for another time of year were the roads are not as bad.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I live in Portland. Usually there are only three of us to fly, so it is not hard to talk myself into flying vs. driving as far as cost. Besides factoring in 2 nights in a hotel, meals, gas, wear and tear on car, and an extra oil change, I also figure in safety and "pain and suffering", i.e. 3 hours in a plane vs. a 20 hour car trip.

Given your number of passengers and free lodging, it would have to be a really good deal on airfare to balance out. If the savings was huge, and you have a good set of chains or cables for your tires to get over the passes, and aren't in a hurry, perhaps the drive would be best.

Interesting way to figure value vs real costs.

Jack

 

[Lyric]

Personally, I'd look at flying if possible. The Siskiyous can be treacherous, and it would not be unusual to have to chain up. The Sextons also aren't much fun in a rainstorm, although they get snow much less often. Ice is always a possibility.

I think you'd be fine after the Siskiyous, but ugh - I'd still pass!

 

[TheZue]

I am one of the biggest advocates of driving, and I'd fly in the winter. The 101 is not immune from snow either. Even if your car is capable and you're a good snow driver it doesn't mean everyone you are sharing the road is. If you are set on driving pick another time.

 

[ociana]

I do not recommend cutting over to 101 if the weather is bad. We used to live in Northern Cali right on the 101 (Humboldt County) and while snow on the road is possible as you head north into Oregon, the more treacherous thing is mudslides on the road. It also cuts into travel time a TON because it is windy and slow compared to the straight shot of 5.

 

[kaci]

Oh, not to fear, we'll be flying I plan/arrange and budget all of our vacations, DH just offers "suggestions", and I've definitely been convinced that flying is the way to go during the winter months...and since I *really* want to see DLR in Christmas finery flying is the way we'll need to go this time.

 

[Zbugz]

Interesting way to figure value vs real costs.

Jack

I call it creative accounting

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

Well, you guys have got me pretty convinced that flying is the way to go. But now DH (who previously was all for flying) thinks we should drive, lol, he thinks if the weather is iffy we can cut over to 101 at Drain. So hopefully JetBlue/AA/SW will have a sale and I can just grab some tickets and that will settle the discussion

The bummer/added expense with flying is long-term parking, renting a car and dealing with the kids' car seats. Last time we flew it was a nightmare and dealing with the car seats and stroller was a HUGE part of it.

Thanks so much for all the advice and tips!

We drove once and flew once. LONG drive! lol Anyway, if you look at Jetblue (I know a previous poster mentioned this), you can save a TON! And long beach airport is only about 13 minutesaway from Disneyland! You can even take public transportation for like $3 each to Disney if you want!! Really check on those jetblue flight deals! We've seen as low as $199/person often, BUT, they sometimes have amazing sales! The hubs and I are going by ourselves here really soon and we nabbed a deal fro only $59 each way! $118 each round trip!!! You can't beat that and there is no way, with the cost of gas, that it would be cheaper to drive! Jet blue ALL the way!

 

[DLRfan31]

So true about Jetblue!

I checked this morning on fares from SEA to LGB 10/9 returning 10/19 and found $55 one way! Wowie! $220 RT for the two of us.

So far it seems that they offer discounted fares early wednesdays and thursdays. Three years ago we got 2 RT fares for just under $200.

Jetblue rocks!