to fly or not to fly!?

[tbserena]

We live in North Alabama and are trying to decide whether to fly to Disney or not. We are Cruising 10/4/2004, then seeing a few parks afterward.
We have Skymiles to fly with, but you feel so limited on what you can bring. It's not a bad drive. I was just wanting to hear from a few folks as to the pros and cons of a family of 5 flying versus driving and having your car there.
THANKS!!!!

 

[musicgirl]

If you don't mind the drive, save a few bucks and spring for something special on the trip. I would do it if we were closer!
Plus, you don't have to worry about transportation on the different "legs" of your trip. No airport delays or security problems.

Have fun!

 

[MrDis]

The other benefit of driving may be having a seperate set of clothing for the parks after the cruise that you can keep in your vehicle. That way you can have two sets without carrying all of your luggage on the ship? Just a thought! Either way, have a great time!

 

[tbserena]

If we flew we were thinking we would HAVE to arrive the night before, to avoid any possible things that could delay us from making the ship connection. There is just something reassuring to me about having a car there. (not a rental for that long!)

 

[tbserena]

I never thought about having separate clothes packed for after the cruise! That's a great idea!!!!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

drive its more fun. we drive from louisville to the port for all of our cruises.

 

[tbserena]

How long does it take you from Louisville??

 

[jilljill]

We have done both and I prefer driving. Especially since you can pack your clothes separately for both legs of your trip. You also don't have to worry about how to pack everything you purchase and it's easier to take your own drinks.
I also like it that we decide when we want to go to the port and leave. We don't have to worry about scheduling transfers and shuttles.
Happy planning.

 

[tbserena]

Exactly!! I dreaded the thought of trying to meet deadlines with flying. Driving it is!!!!!!
Hey...not to change the subject...here's a weird question...since you can take your own beverages on the cruise, do they care if you're walking around with your own can's, etc? (beer, sodas, etc?) Or do you have to use cups? I know, I think of the craziest things.
I couldn't believe it when I heard you could take your own drinks. That could be a HUGE savings.

 

[Tera]

We like to drive everywhere. Family of 4 in a mini van is very comfortable and it's so expensive to fly, plus all the delays with security. If we were closer, we would definitely drive ourselves.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Ok, so I'm like opposite of everyone else (like that's a big surprise ), but we've done the Cincinnati to Orlando trip dozens of times since I was a wee-one, even once with DD when she was only 1 1/2 (lots of stops on that drive) and I have to say, now that we're in a position to be able to fly, I gladly take the wait in security.
But if you're not bothered by the drive, if you don't feel the distance is too far and if you like the fact that you save major bucks, definitely drive.

 

[glindamood]

When we lived in Marietta, Ohio we drove all the time but now that it is a two day drive flying is our only option - that is 4 days total out of my vacation and I am just too stingy to give them up.

 

[Tera]

I agree with you glindamood. If it was a one day trip, we'd drive, but definitely more for us and since the kids will still be in school, I don't want them to miss in extra time than we need to.

 

[SandraLee]

I fly EVERYWHERE. When I hear talk about going on a trip, I automatically factor in the cost of airfare with the trip. I don't like 'wasting' a day or two at the front-end or back-end of any vacation sitting in a car. I know I would *need* a vacation after sitting in the car with 2 kids for 9 hrs. LOL.

My kids have flown since they were babies. The 'trouble' at the airport far outweighs the trouble of any drive. It is so easy to curbside check the luggage and walk right on the plane. I always take my own carseats so I know the kids are safe at the end.

 

[Tera]

And I'm the opposite SandraLee. My kids have traveled in the car since their were babies (we use to drive from Missouri to California all the time). Their old enough to have their own stuff to do (gameboys, coloring) and our van has a entertainment system so they can watch the occasionally movie. Yes, flying would be quicker, but for a family of four, it can cost so much. We went to Hawaii about 6 years ago and we ended up driving to San Francisco and saving $600 on airfare. It really depends on where your going and how much time you have to get there.

 

[MarkRG]

For a family of 5 for such a short hop, you are much better off driving, especially with other things happening afterward.

One thing I would note, you still have restrictions which are for all intents the same as what you bring on an airplane. I don't know off the top of my head how many pieces, but there IS a limit there. Also, no hardside coolers, nothing packed in ice, and no opened foodstuffs either brought onboard or taken off at the port. Also all the same tsa rules apply, no luggage locks, no sharp objects, etc.. They do a heavy scan of all checked luggage so don't pack anything that can be scanner damaged in it, such as film. And you are limited on how many carryons, so you will have to check most of your stuff, keep that all in mind.

 

[bostonlass]

When I saw the price of flights from Boston to Orlando, driving became an option that I considered, but only for like, a nano second. I'm not sure how far a drive it is from Alabama but from here it's about 24 hours and that's way too long for me. I have a wicked bad back so I think I'd have a miserable vacation. Also, I have to think...what is my time worth? If it were less than 5 hours I'd do it but beyond that I fly.

 

[MarkRG]

bostonlass, They're about the same distance as, say, South Carolina or maybe even less from the Port. We're up near Chicago here and I don't think I'd ever drive down for one, it's about 21 hours from us. From where they are, certainly, it's close enough.

 

[tbserena]

What I'm factoring into it for my particular situation is this....we have the Sky Miles to fly. (you'd think we'd jump on the free tickets!) But I've done both...flown with the kids on vacation and driven. The cons, for me personally, to flying with them was it just seemed more stressful...that's just me! We had to pack much tighter and were limited in what we took (clothes and comfort things) and brought back. Making connections for a cruise seems it could be risky if there are weather/plane delays. We'd already have to leave the day before if we flew to assure we got there and didn't have to worry about flight changes/schedules. One year my DH and I booked a cruise and when we arrived at our home airport to head to Orlando, they had cancelled the flight and rebooked us on another airline! (not enough people to fly first plane) We made it to the ship 5 minutes before cut off time! I know that's probably rare.
Anyway, everyone has a preference. I think it's 10 hours from where we live, to drive.
We're weighing the good versus the bad of each. We've factored in the rental car for a park stay after the cruise. Our kids travel well, too, in our van, so that probably helps.
We have some time to think about it. Who knows!?? Good advice and tips from everyone though!!!!

 

[tbserena]

Someone told me the suitcase limit for the ship is 2 a person, plus one carryon, so yes, you're as limited as you are when you fly. Someone also had said it was nice to have a car parked with fresh clothes/things for the next week when you get off the cruise. Although there are laundry services on the ship and at the hotels.
It's not a quick drive for us by any means. I'll probably chicken out on driving and book flights this week! Lol