fly or drive

[firedog31]

I know this has been discussed before but I was just woundering given the choice would you fly or drive to disney. I had ben dead set on flying but have started to give the act of driving strong considerations. ME and my mom will be coming from va so it is like a 15 hour drive but I think the trip is as much fun as actually getting to the parks. Also it will give us a car so we can get out and do stuff without having to worry about a taxi, we are going to universal. leaving the day before our reservation is to start will get us down around the same time as if we had flown and driving two 8 hour days for ex is not that bad. I know people are differnet but how important would it be to your family to have your ow car on the vac.Thank You1

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Honestly I've done the math, and for us it'd be WAY cheaper to drive. BUT...we're going in December and there's NO WAY I'm taking the risk driving from South Dakota to Orlando (approx 30 hours).

Round Trip Airline x2 = $630
Rental Car for 11 days = $350

Driving 3000 miles (round trip) @ 28 mpg @ $4/gallon = $428 vs. almost $1000 but I don't trust the weather....*sigh*

 

[Master Yoda]

With the prices that the airlines are charging, the hassle that it is to even get on a plane and your need for a car when you are there driving is your best choice.

 

[Nemo14]

Since you're coming from VA, I'd say definitely drive. We've driven many times from RI, and our experience is that once you get past Wahington, traffic is never really an issue.
It's funny that you should post this today. My DH and I are weighing our options for our trip in February, and I'm leaning towards flying this time. :shrug:

 

[djpoore94]

We got an incredible deal on airfare but buy the time we add in paying for two suitcases and stuff it is cheaper to drive, if you only compare the airfare and the fuel costs (about $450 to fly or $395 for gas to drive), but when we added in the cost of two extra nights in a hotel (too far to drive in one day) that is probably around $200 with taxes and everything unless we stay in a dump) and the cost of food for those extra travel days and either taking an extra day off work or being totally exhausted on the day we go back it was not worth it for us to drive.

 

[krankenstein]

I would think driving would be your best choice.

I drive as it only takes me 5 hours to get to WDW. On a side not, I looked into flying once, it would only save 20 min or so from me driving. When you figure in all the airport junk, I am actually saving time by driving down V. flying. :lol:

 

[RiversideBunny]

If you are within one day's driving time then driving seems to be the way to go. Otherwise fly if the price is acceptable.

15 hours is pushing it unless the drivers are swapping off.
Even then, be sure to get enough sleep.

Good luck.

 

[Disneykidder]

Driving might be right for you. For me...no way. I live about a 24 hour drive from WDW...too long. Plus with a 4 year old...no way. Plus I am pregnant....noooo way. I'm not much of a car tripper. I have driven and back from FL once and that was enough. I have driven from TX to NY and that was waaay enough.

Maybe you can drive for 8 and your mom can drive for 8 and then you can get there faster and just stay maybe an extra night and relax/sleep/swim before hitting the parks.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[no1swfanindy]

I know this has been discussed before but I was just woundering given the choice would you fly or drive to disney. I had ben dead set on flying but have started to give the act of driving strong considerations. ME and my mom will be coming from va so it is like a 15 hour drive but I think the trip is as much fun as actually getting to the parks. Also it will give us a car so we can get out and do stuff without having to worry about a taxi, we are going to universal. leaving the day before our reservation is to start will get us down around the same time as if we had flown and driving two 8 hour days for ex is not that bad. I know people are differnet but how important would it be to your family to have your ow car on the vac.Thank You1

We are definately driving down (less than 2 weeks )
We are also 15 hrs from WDW and will drive over 2 days this time (I have driven to WDW twice straight through and nearly killed me both times)
Then main advantages I considered were:
#1 the cost of flying - 4 of us from Indy to Orlando was over $800. I haven't calculated the cost of driving but it can't be THAT much even after getting a hotel room on the way down! We have a new vehicle that seems to get pretty good gas mileage, besides the price of gas has been dropping - down to $3.71/gl here.
#2 getting to stay for the WHOLE day on our last day. We have flown on several occasions and it always seemed we had to leave early to catch our flight. After paying for the whole day it is nice to get to STAY the whole day.

We don't use our vehicle once we get to WDW, we like to take the buses. I know alot of people prefer to drive and that the buses can be a hassle sometimes, but I look at it as part of the experience just like standing in line for an attraction in the parks.

 

[mickeymatt]

We live in Birmingham, Alabama and it is a 10 hour drive. We drive it all the time because it is cheaper and my father and stepmother live in Ocala which is an hour north of DW. Honestly, if I had more money I would fly just to save time and I have always wanted use Disney's Magical Express from the airport. Have a safe trip either way!

 

[BRER DAD]

We usally fly with 3 kids, but this year we are going to drive with 3 kids. Should make for an interesting time. I am going to try and do it in one shot without stopping...........about 20-22 hours, sounds good now but we will see what happens!!

 

[CBug88]

Well, I am up for either, depending on where you are located. Most of the time we have driven down to WDW from Cincinnati, but this year we are flying b/c of work schedules and the sooner we get down there the more time we have in the parks and we spend less time driving!! (apprx 2 hrs flying vs 16-18 hr drive depending on construction). I also like the fact of not having a car to worry about... and the Magical Express picks you up and takes you to the airport, so you don't even have to worry about luggage. My family is strictly a WDW type family (no universal or anything), so we never leave the resort area unless we are driving/flying in or out of WDW.

 

[hokielutz]

My wife and are are faced with the same dilemma for our upcoming trip in January. I have been staring at airline prices since the end of May, and they've only gotten worse, with no relief in sight.

So we are leaning heavily towards driving south from VA in January. In the past we have flown and its been a great convenience... but when we are staring at an extra $200 for tickets, and then add up the increased cost for a rental, gas, PARKING at the airport, etc.... there is a huge cost benefit if we drove. When we have children, there will be a much bigger savings for driving down.

Our trip is estimated to be about 14.5 hours which I think we can do in one shot.

 

[jen2009]

Prefer to Drive from VA

I come from Virginia Beach, VA. It usually takes is 12 to 13 hours depending on traffic. We like to stop in St. Augustine for a day or 2 then head to Disney. To St. Augustine its about a 8 1/2 hour drive and from there its about 1 and 45 minute drive to Disney. The cost of gas is a lot less than the cost of 2 airline tickets. Besides we have our car of we wanted to go anywhere else.

 

[CatsMeow]

Some day when we have more time (like when we are retired!:ROFLOL, we will drive. But not now. It takes too long from Southeastern PA for us to even consider it unless we could stay about 2 weeks and that is just not possible at this time. And we are pretty lucky. PHL has two competing airlines for Orlando flights - USAirways and Southwest, so the fare is usually within our comfort zone (even though it is sure to go up yet again). Flying is pretty much an ordeal these days (uncomfortable seats, fees for everything, anxiety about the weight of luggage, etc.),:brick: but we can stand anything for 2 hours - especially if WDW is at the other end of the trip! :sohappy:

 

[Disney05]

I have no patience, I need to get someplace now. So I'll fly the 2hrs as opposed to driving for over 20. We always get very good airline tickets. If I were within 6-8 hrs I might consider driving.

 

[Daddymouse]

You have to factor in your costs and weigh it against your time. What are your priorities?

 

[gettingsmaller]

I'm a definite "fly" person (coming from TX), but it could be interesting to get a rental and drive THERE, but fly back. I think I could drive there... I think the driving back is what would just kill me...
Not sure what the cost would be, though... OH... nevermind. Just checked for fun and I can fly 5 of us from DFW to MCO for about the same cost as just renting the car for a 1-way trip.

Hopefully, we're going Sept '09. I really hope that flying is too costly by then...

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Definite Fly for me!
I don't have the time or energy for a 24 hour drive any longer.
Besides at around $200 round trip, flying is cheaper!

 

[Eyekimore]

We drive every single trip- non-stop. We have three adult drivers to take the load. It takes us about 18 hours. We love the convenience of having our vehicle and any of the stuff we feel like bringing. (coolers, pool noodles, dog, etc.)

We have flown in the past- but nothing stinks more than squeezing three plus size folks on a row of plane seats. I'll pass on that any day!