What would you do?

[NurseJes]

DH and I are going to the World January 4th through 13th, and our conundrum is whether we want to drive or fly. If we fly (from Austin, Tx) the cheapest flight I've found is with Delta for about $415 plus $100 for baggage (2 bags X $25 X roundtrip). If we drive, the cost (via gasbuddy) is $315 round trip, unlimited baggage, plus we can make a grocery stop and go to the Disney outlet, the down side is that it takes 20 hours to make the drive. I'm not sure what to do, I would love to save the money and have the convenience of having a car there, but on the other hand it is a 20 hour drive, and the only places we'd be going outside of the Disney resort is the grocery and the outlet. What would you do in this situation? Why?

 

[grimley1968]

We have a 12-hour drive from southern Kentucky. Now it's a LOT cheaper for us to drive, and given how far we are from regional airports here, the door-to-door time is barely longer for us to drive than to fly.

But 20 hours is an awfully long drive. Even though it's a good deal more expensive for you, I'd probably fly.

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

I live in Dallas and have done it both ways. Have driven there 3 times plus drve to Port Canaveral once. Have flown the other times. It takes us 17 hours give or take a few minutes. That is driving pretty much straight thru except for bathroom breaks, gas and a fast food stop. Honestly, I would fly. I hate the drive. And I do not ever miss not having a vehicle while at WDW--even when stayed 10 days at Disney. Getting there fresh and getting home not crazy tired from driving is definetely the better deal in my opinion!

Edit to add: I am sure you know this, but there is a great Disney outlet store in Round Rock just north of Austin. I have had better luck finding great stuff for little money there than at any of the Disney outlets in Orlando.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That drive is just too long. Use smaller bags and do carry on only to save $100 - the difference in costs between the two trip options. If you pack carefully, you can easily manage with a carry-on and a personal item instead of checking bags.

Plus, did you check Southwest? I found lots of availability for your dates for $92.00 Wanna Get Away fares. You wouldn't have to pay to check your bags either.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

$515 for two people to fly versus 20 hours in the car, EACH WAY (40 hours total)! That's a no-brainer for me, FLY!

 

[NurseJes]

Plus, did you check Southwest? I found lots of availability for your dates for $92.00 Wanna Get Away fares. You wouldn't have to pay to check your bags either.

Yep, we looked at Southwest, and it was almost $600 for both of us round trip after taxes and fees. I think we are pretty sure we're going to fly. DH made a very good point, he said, so we're going to want to get the most of our last day, and after that are you going to want to get in the car a drive...and drive...and drive. (He can't drive at night, he falls asleep). Now I just have to decide if I can get everything in 2 carry-ons! LOL! We might still go with SW if we can catch a good deal or promo code (I prefer them.) We'll see.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yep, we looked at Southwest, and it was almost $600 for both of us round trip after taxes and fees.

I just looked for your dates; departure 4 January with return 13 January and there was lots of availability at cheaper prices. You may want to check again.

 

[PSUGuy]

Any drive over 10 hrs., I'm airborne. It's not just a matter of time and some savings, it's how wrung out you are after getting there and what a drag it is having that return ride hanging over your head that last few days there. Every hour I'm not traveling, I'm in a park, and that's priceless.

Bill From PA

 

[DebbieB]

If you get a Delta Gold American Express, you each get your first bag free. The annual fee is waived for the first year. Plus you get 25,000 miles for enrolling.

See the Delta home page:

http://www.delta.com/

 

[ironz]

I'm from Austin, too. Did the drive once, and won't ever do it again.

Since you *would* have time to drive, sounds like you can be a little flexible on dates, and SW for me has always been the best option. No bag fees, no change fees, and to my knowledge, they are the only carrier from AUS that has non-stop flights to Orlando. (Jet Blue might? but I never fly them).

Not sure how one-ways of $92 as per the previous poster add up to $600, even with the fees. With some flexibility, you can probably go cheaper on SW than Delta and without changing planes.

Just plugged in your dates... $223 per person, is $446 total. Including fees (and that was even with the flights that change planes, which adds an extra departure fee). NO cost for bags (up to 2 each).

And as for the driving cost...one always has to consider...what is your TIME worth? For me, 3-4 hours to fly vs. 20+ to drive is a no brainer.

 

[duffy]

I'd fly. I'd also only take carry-on luggage. I've gone to the World for a week with just a carry-on. I wore my bulkiest clothing, and layered a few items, like a hoodie over a sweater over a t-shirt, wore my jeans and Croc-style shoes. I also packed "throw away" items: shirts that I was ready to get rid of anyhow, etc. That way, when it was time to go home, I tossed 'em out and had more room in my bag.

I also made it my goal to not buy anything bulky as a souvenir.

 

[peabody58]

We are an 18 hour drive from WDW. We flew the last 2 trips, and our next 3 trips we will be driving. DW and I love road trips, and we will be taking 2 days vs. a straight through drive. While we love the quickness of flying, we hate the hassle and $$ associated with flying. We may feel differently after the next few trips, but for now we are driving.

 

[jamstew]

I fly from Austin, too, and I've never found a cheaper fare than with Southwest. I don't think it has ever been over $250 round trip, with taxes & fees, and that's non-stop.

 

[ancestry]

Yeah - I'm with the fly crowd. That is too long to be in a car. While saving money can be a good thing there is a limit on that for me and the price difference isn't that HUGE for you. If it was a $1,000 difference maybe but not for a couple of hundred.