Wwyd?

[Andi]

We've driven from PA twice and I'm pretty sure we'll always drive. (Hubby won't get on a plane, so even if the kids and I fly, hubby will still be making the trip by car. ) Anyway, we're in Berks County and the trip took us just shy of 18 hours - that's with a few stops for potty, food and time for the kids to run off a little energy.

One the way down, one time left around 9 am and stopped overnight in Brunswick, GA - gave us a nice short drive the next morning. Checked into our resort around noon.

The other time we left at 3 pm and drove straight through, arriving at my parents home 1/2 hour north of WDW around 9 am. Driving straight through was pretty brutal. I don't know if I'd want to do that again. Hubby and I were zombies that first day. Thankfully, we didn't check-in to our Disney resort until the following day, so we felt a little more human by that time...

Anyway, I'd say go ahead and drive. It's nice having your vehicle there when and if you need it.

 

[Denise6131]

We've driven from PA several times (hbg area) because my DH will not fly. We have also taken the auto train which leaves VA at 4pm and arrives in FL at 8am the following morning. Personally I don't think the drive is bad. My son sleeps a lot in the car hopefully, his new baby sis will be the same. He will be 5 and she will be 1 on our next trip in Feb. 08.

 

[hebbynan]

We've driven from PA twice and I'm pretty sure we'll always drive. (Hubby won't get on a plane, so even if the kids and I fly, hubby will still be making the trip by car. ) Anyway, we're in Berks County and the trip took us just shy of 18 hours - that's with a few stops for potty, food and time for the kids to run off a little energy.

We live in York County, PA. We'll be making the trip this October-driving for the first time ever. We're pulling our 21' TT and convoying with my in-laws and their camper. We're planning on leaving on a Saturday morning around 2 am. That way DH and FIL can both get some sleep and be rested and ready to tow. We're not driving straight through though. We plan on stopping at Walterboro, SC at an RV park (only $25 for the night). That should get us to Disney around 5pm on Sunday evening. I'm freezing casseroles for Saturday and Sunday night, so all we have to do is heat them up. We'll be ready and rested for Monday morning at MK bright and early. This was the cheapest way for us to take DS3 and DS7 to Disney-$450 in gas, $25 campsite rental on the way down and $25 on the way back and meals in the camper. Total down and back....that's only $500 total. There is no way that we could fly out of BWI or Philly for that price for a family of 4. It was a no brainer for us. But.......aske me again October 15th and my answer may be a lot different (and I might not have any hair left!!)

 

[the Fidge]

HI from PA too! WE drive I tried to get family to go by air and oddly enough no takers. DH compalins about the long drive but still says maybe we'll fly next year. DS likes the car ride, wierd again what kid wnats to be stuck in a car?? Oddly enough mine does, go figure right??

Heres what I have figured out, DH likes to drive so then I would have to rent a car too.
DS likes to go through all the states and tell me all about them. He also enjoys being the guy closest to the snack bag!

DH does not like all the new restrictions and does not want to have deal with me buying things there.

DS likes the time we share just the three of us, we are a captive audience, I enjoy our silly games we play on the way down and listening to all of DS goings ons and what he thinks of this and that!

WE also find a hotel along the coast and kick around at a beach the day we check out of Disney. Tybee or Saint Simons so far in Georgia. Saint Augustine in Fl. its a wind down day before returning to the real life!

 

[runwad]

WE also find a hotel along the coast and kick around at a beach the day we check out of Disney. Tybee or Saint Simons so far in Georgia. Saint Augustine in Fl. its a wind down day before returning to the real life!

Can you share places you've stayed? I'm liken this idea for our ride back.

 

[2Monkeys]

4. DD screaming on the plane Despite taking gun, drinks, food, DD's ears would not pop and she screamed on every flight. DH had the same problem and I think his complaining was worse that DD.

I'm sure you meant GUM, but that just struck me as too funny! LOL!

 

[the Fidge]

Can you share places you've stayed? I'm liken this idea for our ride back.

Gladly will sned a PM with the info!

 

[labdogs42]

I'm also from PA and I like the idea of driving, but I haven't tried it. So far we've flown once from Philly, once from Allentown with stops, and this May we'll be flying nonstop from Allentown (should be the best option yet!). I like flying, but driving appeals to me because we rent a car in Orlando, which is always about $200 on top of the plane tickets. I would love to have my own minivan with me on vacation. I think we may try driving on our next trip. It could be fun! I like the idea of stopping on the way there and back. I never liked the sound of driving all night, that's for sure!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Like you, I think I might enjoy the ride. But, everytime we go on a long driving trip (Cape Cod 8-17 hrs depending on traffic), I end up dreading the ride back home so much it sometimes disrupts my fun. It doesn't help that sometimes DD gets carsick.

So far I just invest the time to research airfares until I get the hang of the market and jump when I see a sale on a big name carrier. We're in the Lehigh Valley so ABE & Newark are both options. Once I got Delta out of ABE connecting in Atlanta for $130/RT but often its around $150/RT direct on Continental from either Newark or on a Continental bus out of ABE to Newark. Most carriers around here seem to give their best discounts within 3 months of the flight.

I say look for a flight but keep driving as a backup if its too $$$. WHatever you do have fun at WDW.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Let me preface my answer with we've driven from MN, with only one night stay in Atlanta, and were planning to do so again this spring before things changed. We're a family of 5, and flying and then renting a vehicle large enough for us all is just too expensive.
If the $500 is the TOTAL savings, I'd fly and try to stay onsite (thus eliminating the cost of a rental.)
However, like others have said, there are hidden costs that you may not be factoring in. Such as cost of parking at the airport, cost of food while at the airport (both ways), cost of rental car when you're there, etc, which may make the difference more than what you were expecting.
I like having my own vehicle and being able to bring all my own stuff. I like having a full cooler and food and drinks that I know my family will like. Would I give it up to fly if we could afford it...most of time you betcha!
But, that's a long haul, and it depends on how well your family travels in a car, honestly.

 

[coyandrew]

We drove last year from central PA and left at around 2:45 in the morning and were in Jacksonville at 3:45 in the afteroon. We would have pushed through and went straight to Disney but we weren't scheduled until the next day and the resort was full that night. It took about an hour and 45 minutes the next day to get there. The drive was pretty nice and my 15 month old didn't mind it at all. I would take the savings and put it toward an extra day!