Tying in trip to Naples -- help please!!

[weschmom]

Hi All,

We are a family of 4 (2 young kids) planning to go to Disney in mid-January. We are most likely flying (though a drive is 10 hours, so not totally out of the question, but not ideal really) to MCO, and I had planned on using DME, which worked great last year for my DD and I.

Here's the deal...we need to tie in a trip to Naples to see my DH's aunt. Staying about a day or so there.

My thoughts:

--do we just rent a car for a day and drive down there, and then come back to our room at Disney? I think it's about 3.5 hours south of Orlando.

--do we completely check-out of Disney, drive down there, then fly out from there? or drive back to MCO?

--the thought of lugging 2 car seats with us, just for that trip down there, is less than appealing...

What would y'all do???

Thanks!

 

[Colinsmom]

I'd go at either the beginning or the end of your trip. You might find it cheaper/easier to fly into Ft. Myers, visit, drive to Disney, and fly out of MCO, but factor in the different rental car cost to return to a different location.

If you fly in and out of MCO, I'd do the Naples trip at the beginning. If you fly in and out of Ft Myers, I'd do the Naples trip at the end. That saves you a long trip on your way to catch a flight (and avoids potential delays - car problems, traffic, getting lost - that could make you miss your flight home).

And, yes, it's about 3-3.5hrs from Orlando.

I guess that you could do a day trip, but will the kids tolerate 7hrs on the road in one day?

Oh, yeah, car seats. How old/big are they (what type of seats do they need)? Would it make sense to buy car seats in Orlando instead of hauling them on the plane? I wouldn't rent seats as they are not guaranteed, and even if you get them, they could be old and/or dirty or the wrong type/size for your kiddos.

 

[rtjcbrown]

Keep in mind that on average, Naples is one of the most expensive places in the US to rent a car! I would end the trip there.

 

[Telcogirl]

Any chance that DH's aunt could come up to Disney and spend the day with you and your family?

 

[weschmom]

Any chance that DH's aunt could come up to Disney and spend the day with you and your family?

No, she is elderly.

 

[Minnie824]

We went to Naples in May (separate trip, not a Disney trip). It is SO beautiful there! The airport was simple. We got a jeep rental thru dollar for $200 for 5 days. I would suggest fly there, visit, rent a car and then head to Disney. You could then return the car as soon as you get to Disney. I think there are onsite places to do so? (I'm not familiar w/that, but I'm sure others here would know). The carseats...I purchased a carseat bag online at target for around $40 and it had wheels. I was able to put full size car seat and a backless booster seat in the bag, and just check it as luggage. Made it pretty simple. Or of course, you could just drive (as you said) your own car and not deal w/any of the added costs except gas.

 

[jwwi]

We have done this many times. My Dsil lives in Naples, it is a beautiful place to visit. I really enjoy going to visit her after our Disney days. It is so much more relaxing at the end of the trip to spend time on the beach and visiting. I would not suggest driving both directions. Try to fly into MCO, go to Disney, then Naples and fly out of RSW. Naples is a tiny airport, but flights might be expensive. We always run into some traffic on 1-75, the last trip in Nov 2006 we had an hour delay, it was horrible. But the beautiful Nov temps, low crowds on the beach more than made up for the traffic delay.

 

[Gretchen]

We've done this many times. Fly to MCO from CT, drive to Naples or Marco Island. See the 'rents and fly home from Ft. Myers. Drop the car at the Ft. Myers airport. It's more like 4 hours from WDW to Naples/Marco due to traffic or rain.
Gretchen