To drive or Fly- one more post

[Disnini]

Hi, I'm new to the boards, and I'm sorry to ask a question that has probably been asked a zillion times. We have 3 year old twins and the baby just turned one last week. Originally we were planning on driving down from Central NJ. We thought this best, at first, as we were planning on bringing 3 umbrella strollers, we would have the car sets, could bring a NB PC for our digital pictures, etc.

However, after sharing our plans we have heard nothing but advice to fly....
That the shorter flight time would keep the kids on their regular schedules leaving them more rested and ready to start the trip? As well as the trip would be long and rough on them all. Also, we have found a local flight from PA to the Tampa airport. We'll need to rent 2 vehicles, as my parents are also going with us....

Advice and opinions??

This is a great forum and I truly enjoy and appreciate everyone's stories, advice and insights! The last time my DH and I visited was in 2000, right before our first invitro attempt-- (after several long years of failed treatments) and now we are going back with not one, not 2, but three kids! I can not wait!! Dreams DO come true!!!

Thank you,

 

[lanicastro]

My advice is to fly. We are going in early October with DS4 and DS2. WE figured the cost would be the same- hotels, gas, meals out, etc for the drive down vs airfare to fly. We will save a lot of time flying, and we will be much more rested and relaxed.

If you are all flying down together, you really have it made- four adults for three kids. Your biggest hassle will be going through security, but there will be enough of you to make it through pretty easy.

I say- treat yourself- you deserve it!

Lynn

 

[DisOrBust]

I have driven and flown and there are advantages to both. However I find the major drawback to driving is the wasted vacation time...just makes it not worth it.

Are you sure you need to rent 2 vehicles. We have done 7 in a mini but with all your strollers I don't think it will work. If your doing WDW only you can use M<agical Express.

I wouls also consider to rent the double strollers in the parks for the twins and have one umbrella..ish stroller for the 1yo. Make sure it one that can be napped in.

 

[Brian Noble]

Either way, it's a hassle to get from point A to point B with small kids. I think flying is slightly less of a hassle, if only because it means much less time when the kids have to be strapped in to a seat, and my kids as infants/young toddlers were not fond of five point restraint.

Get a direct flight, even if it's $50 more per seat. As long as you are not stretching your budget, it's worth it. Especially at that age, I would pay for a direct flight before paying for a better resort view.

 

[Disnini]

Thank you, everyone for your advice. As of now, I think we are flying. Just need to confirm a few things....

Thanks again!!

 

[Christine]

When I was deciding a few months ago, the cost seemed to be actually cheaper to fly. We would be driving from VA. While we could do it in 13 hours, really, we would have to stop. So between a hotel room, gas, meals, etc., I was breaking even on costs. The only savings was that I would have my car when i got there and not need to rent one. But, I would lose out on two vacation days for travel. So if you add both of my husband and my salary in, it is costly. I ended up getting a rental car for $94.00. My parents are also going with me, so now we are getting two cars. While, on paper, flying might be a bit more expensive, I think there are hidden costs to driving that make it equal (vacation days, wear-and-tear on you car, fatigue).

 

[GJM]

I would also fly. We have driven twice from Northern NJ, our son was 8 months old and then at 3. It was much easier at 8 months old. This past Oct. we flew down. It was so much quicker and my son loved the plane. I hate to fly, but I don't think I will be driving down anymore.

If you live in Central NJ they have flights out of AC on Spirit to Orlando. You mentioned flying into Tampa, are you visiting there also, why don't you fly into Orlando. We have been flying out of LGA instead of Newark, because we have been saving over $100 per ticket.