To Drive or Fly?

[DsnyGrl]

Hello, I feel like I just got a great deal and wanted to let all of you know about it! We are going to WDW for a week in September and in the past, we have always driven. It is a 10-12 hour drive. Gas is so expensive and so we were getting sick about all of the $ that we would be putting up just for gas. I checked with Southwest Airlines today and got round trip tickets for $78.00! I was so excited! I grabbed them up. So if you are interested, check this out!

 

[ShellyL]

We were also considering driving and we got round trip for 119.00 per person. when we figured it out it was 50.00 more to fly than drive. That included if we stopped and spent the night down and back which we would. Gotta love that SouthWest!
Michele

 

[tinaluis]

Same here -- we were trying to decide whether to drive or fly and SW had RT air for $115 each all taxes included ($577 for 5 tickets). Rental car for two weeks is $244 through Thrifty so we're paying just about $250 more than we would pay if we were driving (including hotel stops there and back) and we'll be there in just under 3 hours!!!! I love SW!!!!!!!!!

 

[adisneymama]

We did the same thing. We were going to drive the 10+ hr drive. Then I got SW for $39/each way and we couldn't pass it up. Direct 1 1/2 hr flight! Gotta love SW!

 

[Zoesmama03]

Of for sure. Southwest is the way to go sometimes it is cheaper but not always with large families. My dad drove down with 6 of us one year he would not have been able to afford 8 flights.


I got one way for $120 from Phoenix to Orlando is a pretty good deal but then of course after I bought mine they went cheaper yet down to $84 and my brother snagged that deal for a return flight. Him and my dh are driving because dh and I are moving there.

I usually would fly for $200 round trip from Phoenix to Orlando. With big families sometimes not so cheap but sometimes its pretty good.

 

[TriMom]

and we'll be there in just under 3 hours!!!!

I used to think that, and I know some families love to fly. I used to love to fly. I just wanted to share my calculations:

Doorstep of my house to Disney World by car: 11 hours (We drive at night and don't stop and spend the night somewhere. If you do, then my calculations don't apply )

Time breakdown by flying:

Drive to airport and park - 1 hour
Arrive suggested 2 hours early for security- 2 hrs
Flight - 1 hr 40 min
Getting off plane - 30 min (We have a carsear, so we can't pickup and run)
Walk from terminal to baggage claim and get luggage - 30 min
Get rental car and actually get into car - 1 hr (line, luggage, carseat, etc.)
Drive from Airport to Disney - 30 min

Flying travel time (I know, for our family) - 7 hours 10 min.

I can't justify the added expense, and being at the mercy of the airlines' schedule just to save 3 hours. Even with the $39 each way fare, it's $285 for us to fly. I need 3 tanks of gas RT even at $2.50 a gal it's only $195 to drive.

For the record - the fasted time DH and got to Orlando was 4 1/2 hrs. Someone dropped us off at the airport, we didn't check luggage (just carry on), arrived at the gate 10 before boarding, we prepaid a car rental - no line, and there was no traffic in route to DW.

I'm really glad you great SW fares. Have a great Disney trip!

 

[Berrygood]

Have you every watched "Airline" on the A&E channel? It's a show that profiles Southwest Airlines and after watching it, I would NEVER fly that airline even if they gave me a ticket to anywhere they fly. I'm surprised that they continue to do the show because IMHO it doesn't show the airline as customer friendly. I saw an episode where they overbooked a flight by 50+ people. Saw another episode this week where a flight from Ft Lauderdale to BWI was held up for 3 hours in FLA due to airtraffic control problems and the passengers were told by the pilot, 20 minutes before landing that their connecting flight to Buffalo had been held for them, which it hadn't. Flights from BWI to Buffalo were booked for the next two days and about 20 passengers were stranded for DAYS.

The show does indicate that SWA has very little tolerance for drunken passengers...many episodes show them denying boarding to a drunk passenger or two.

I prefer to fly Jet Blue..you get assigned a seat and your own video screen with access to 20+ Direct TV channels.

 

[cruiserkaren]

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I got one way for $120 from Phoenix to Orlando is a pretty good deal but then of course after I bought mine they went cheaper yet down to $84 and my brother snagged that deal for a return flight. Him and my dh are driving because dh and I are moving there.

My flights went down in price after I bought them too. I called SW and the lady walked me thru how to get the cheaper price online. I now have a $75 credit voucher that I can use anytime in the next year. If it's still cheaper, you might want to check it out.

Berrygood-I'd love to try JetBlue sometime. They don't fly out anywhere near me so it's not an option, but the little TV's sound so fun!!

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I am going to DW on my honeymoon oct 12 (leaving from Staten Island) It will take 17 hours to get to DW. We're even stopping in Georgia overnight. I'd rather spend double DRIVING than flying!! I absolutely HATE flying and if I flew there, I woudln't be able to enjoy my honeymoon whatsoever knowing that I would have to fly back. I always hated planes (even though I've been to Europe 4 times!) but after 9/11.. that was it! From now on, it's boats, trains and cars!!
Plus, it's fun to drive! All those Pedro signs, c'mon!