Travel suggestions from Chicago - Orlando

[donkortajr]

Our next DVC trip is planned for mid-January 2011, Sunday-Saturday reservation at BLT.

At the time our family will be 2 adults and 4 kids ages 17, 15, 11,11
Right now it looks like driving is still the cheapest route for us to go. I can drive it for about $850 total.
any suggestions of other methods? airfare seems like it would be at least $1200-$1600

 

[backyardponder]

A few thoughts...

Make sure you check out Southwest when their schedule comes out. Also look at the Southwest schedule out of Milwaukee. We almost went to Milwaukee, then the MDW fares came down.

Consider flying out Saturday evening and stay at an inexpensive place in town. We are doing this in July and will be staying at a LaQuinta for about $70 per night.

Good Luck!

 

[PoohNFriends]

I was looking at airfare for DLR and airfare was cheaper flying out of Milwaukee compared to ORD or MDW, so definitely look into that as the PP said.
Also consider putting your info into www.bing.com/travel if you haven't. This is Microsoft's search engine that will search fares from multiple travel sites and has "fare cast" to let you know whether they think your fares will change.
Check flying out of Rockford. It will be a small hike from the SW burbs, but quicker than driving the whole way and there is free parking! However you fly into Orlando-Sanford airport so would also need transportation to WDW since there is no ME there.
Not sure if any of these will get close to driving expense, but maybe close enough to outweigh the time you will save by flying vs. driving.

Good luck to you

 

[nolanboys]

We always fly out of Milwaukee. The tickets and parking are a lot cheaper. Type in your info for Air Tran, Frontier and Midwest Airlines. I registered with each and they now send me emails when they are having sales (usually starts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). I feel your pain. We also have 6 in our family. I'm booked at SSR n a treehouse for the last week in March. If I can get tickets for under $200, I'm booking them. More than that, then I'll consider driving - but it's such a long drive!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from DVC Boards for more answers/opinions

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

WE HAVE 8 OF US, SO WE DRIVE EVERY TIME. TAKE AN EXTRA DAY AND STOP IN CHATANOOGA (ABOUT 1/2 WAY) AND START FRESH THE NEXT DAY FOR THE FINAL STRETCH. WE LEAVE FRI IN THE MORNING GET TO TENN, AND CHECK IN STAY THE NIGHT AND GO THE REST OF THE WAY DOWN THE NEXT DAY. IT WORKS OUT PRETTY GOOD, ESPECIALLY WITH 6 KIDS IN THE VAN, DVD KEEPS THEM BUSY AND ITS ONLY ABOUT 9 MOVIES DOWN !!

 

[Mammaz]

Driving through Indiana in January is a crapshoot! It might be 80 degrees or it might be 8 with 18 inches of snow. I-65 is a nasty road to drive on with even a small amount of snow. I would fly if possible!

 

[jkfreeman33]

I live in south suburbs of Chgo and we usually go SW, but Air Tran has some pretty good fares too. For our Oct trip, right now AirTran is $94 each way.

 

[budbeerlady]

We are up in Michigan but still drive to Midway for Airtran. We have also done Southwest but often Airtran beats them. We like Midway alot and its so easy! I wouldnt want to chance a snowstorm or getting stuck.

 

[dzneelvr]

I hate to bear bad news but with winter storms in January as the rule the past few years, be prepared for delayed or cancelled flights or hazardous driving conditions that may delay your arrival in florida, so plan for those situations as well. Hopefully nothing happens, but driving hundreds of miles can put you in many differing zones of weather, ice being the worst in the more southern states. Please drive carefully over those Appalachian Mountains