WWYD? Fly or drive?

[todzwife]

We have 3 kids ages 2, 6 and almost 9. We are going this fall and can't decide whether to drive or fly. We flew in March and it didn't feel like it saved a ton of time because we live 3 hours from the nearest airport. They all do great in the car.

It's about a 13/14 hour drive that we can split up over 2 days. If we fly in 1 day it takes us about 8-9 hours since we have to drive 3 hours, wait 2 at the airport, 2 hour flight, then drive down to Anaheim from LAX (no direct flights into Orange County )

We have enough points to get 4 of the 5 airline tickets. Flying will cost us about $500 with limo service picking us up and dropping us off. Driving will cost about $450 with a night in a hotel half way.

If we drive this time, we can use the tickets next year. If we fly, a tip next year MAY not happen. I honestly don't care either way.

What would you do if you were in my shoes?

 

[GrandBob]

We have enough points to get 4 of the 5 airline tickets. Flying will cost us about $500 with limo service picking us up and dropping us off. Driving will cost about $450 with a night in a hotel half way.

This would cinch it for me. An extra 50 bucks, and you have a whole extra vacation day? Sign me up every time! 9 hours flying/travelling beats two full days, any time.

-Bob

 

[sammons70]

I agree with GrandBob. Use the extra day in the park. Don't forget about Burbank airport. It is a little closer, and a lot more convenient to navigate.

 

[PinkBudgie]

That's tough. One advantage to driving is you can bring more stuff with you and home again without trying to get it all on the plane.

We drive for that reason and because we are 8 hours away. It takes just as long for us to get to an airport and fly down anyway. But if I was two days away, I'd probably lean towards flying. We used to drive up to Spokane and that was a two trip, but we also wanted our car up there. If you don't need a car in Socal than maybe flying would be easier. Plus I think flying is kind of exciting.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always drive, the cost to fly 6 people 1200 miles one way is a killer. Sure it is 18-22 hours from where we live but non of the family has a problem with it. We also seem to take and bring back a ton of stuff. We have been driving down since our kids were 4,3,2, and 0.

jack

 

[Mickeyflower]

Limo Service? Have you thought about Super Shuttle or seeing if your hotel has a shuttle service?

I think I'd fly as well. If driving takes you 2 days, that's 4 days total out of your vacation just for transportation. At least with flying, your only using 2 days, plus you save $50.

 

[Monica D]

I prefer to drive, but I'm much closer. Flying has become hassle, and we don't pack light. I think I'd save my points for something else and drive.

 

[CamoMama]

We always drive. I'm only 8 hours away, but I drive to destinations that are farther as well. Why would you need to split it up over two days? I'd leave ridiculously early in the morning so the kids sleep for a good portion of the drive, then switch drivers halfway and you can make it in one day easily. I drive alone and have no trouble driving up to 12 hours straight through.

Does your flight cost include checked baggage? Most airlines charge $25 or more for each bag, which for a family of 5 adds $125 to the cost of flying, each way. If you drive you can take as many bags as you can fit in your trunk and have room for souvenirs on the way back.

 

[katejc]

I would definitely fly, just to have more time in DLR! I'm not even as far away as you are, but would always rather fly. Have fun whichever you choose!

 

[busymom232]

in the end of august me my mom and grandma will be driving down with 4 kids ds's 8,6, and 3 weeks and dd 4. we decieded to drive as the price was cheaper even stayin in hotels for 2 nights, we dont live far to far (vancouver canada) but we are taking our time so the kids have breaks and what not.... the one thing i noticed in your post was if u drive this time u have more of achance of going next year or its probley out of the question so for that reason alone i would choose to drive.... but if possible i might take the pp advice about doing it one day if you and another adult are able to drive.

 

[nannyz]

I would always choose flying over driving because flying is so much safer.
We're driving this time and I am already physically ill just thinking about it.

 

[todzwife]

We COULD drive all in 1 day. Our friends said it took about 12 hours+breaks.

The flights went up $40/way so unless they drop again, we'll be driving. That's an additional $400 for our family!

 

[milan15]

I'd pick flying. It tends to be less stressful in the long run, will save you money, and will be two less days of travel when all is said and done.

I'm amazed your kids are ok (at least you think so) with driving that long. My little one gets antsy if we have driven for more than an hour...

 

[hlbtimes2]

If driving made it possible to visit again next year, I'd drive. But, I'd tough it out and do all 13 hours in 1 day. If I'm going to spend money on hotel, I'd rather be near Disneyland and possibly have more time to at the parks.

 

[todzwife]

I'd pick flying. It tends to be less stressful in the long run, will save you money, and will be two less days of travel when all is said and done.

I'm amazed your kids are ok (at least you think so) with driving that long. My little one gets antsy if we have driven for more than an hour...

Flying won't save us any money. In fact, with the ticket prices back to $150/way it will end up costing us about $800 more than driving.

And yes, my kids do awesome in the car. We've put over 2000 miles on the van since the beginning of June and 95% of that time was without my husband and we didn't have any problems. We travel a lot since we live in the middle of nowhere and have to drive to get to anything. The ipad is a lifesaver with my 2 year old.

 

[starshine514]

Disneyland is an eight-hour drive for us, so we always drive. A year or so ago, we were flying to Denver (like an 18-hour drive, so we always fly) and we had a 3:30 flight. At the gate next to us was a flight to Las Vegas that had been delayed from 10:00 am - they boarded right before us. Vegas is a 7-hour drive for us - and these people had been delayed and stuck at the airport for 5 hours, add to that the time they had arrived early and the actual flight time - and heck, they probably could have arrived in Vegas earlier by driving! Anyway, that experience convinced me that unless the traveling actually involves an overnight at a hotel in-route, I'd rather just drive anyway. It's normally cheaper (when you have 4 ppl flying), less stressful (for me at least, not having to try to cramming everything into carry-ons and not being so stressed about time - we leave when we leave, being 15 minutes later isn't going to cause a major delay or cost me a fortune), and doesn't necessarily take any longer than flying (if there are flight delays).

We drove to Houston last Thanksgiving and did have an overnight in-route. It wasn't horrible, but I would have preferred to fly (but tickets were $600/person, so we were definitely better off driving).

 

[DarthMole]

Personally I like the flexibility of having my own transportation wherever I go. I know some park their car and never leave until the trip is over, but I guess that all depends on how long you're staying. Flying and renting a car gets pretty expensive on a long trip.

Sounds like you don't have an issue driving long distances based on where you live. Work a plan to do the drive in one day and go for it. Especially if it affords you to go back next year.

 

[CamoMama]

I'm seriously considering driving from CA to WDW next year for an extended vacation. The art of the road trip has been lost, and I just adore road trips.

 

[shellie may]

I'm seriously considering driving from CA to WDW next year for an extended vacation. The art of the road trip has been lost, and I just adore road trips.

lol my mom definitely wanted to road trip for our mother\daughter Disneyland trip from our home in Florida. then she decided to fly because she said the car trip was too long and we both hate to drive anyway

 

[Mr Snappy]

We COULD drive all in 1 day. Our friends said it took about 12 hours+breaks.

The flights went up $40/way so unless they drop again, we'll be driving. That's an additional $400 for our family!

This would be my suggestion. And it's not like those flights will be free with your points, you would be giving up a future trip to use them on this trip. Not to mention you will then have a vehicle while you are there and you don't have to pay extra for bags, deal with security, deal with airports, deal with strict timelines, ect.

I wish we were as close as you are, we are about 25 hour drive away....that takes two days any way you slice it, so flying always wins for us....I wish it didn't, I would rather drive.