What to do? Flights to expensive....need to drive!

[Hayfam]

So our vacation is booked for January 7 nights/8 days! We were due to fly in on a Friday evening and stay until the following Friday. The problem now is if we drive, do we cut a day off our trip and not come in until Saturday or have the boys miss an extra day of school and still come in on Friday? They are currently going to miss three days of school so not sure what to do. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[BransonJ]

Where are you traveling from?

 

[Hayfam]

Baltimore

 

[lunchbox1175]

I say miss the extra day of school...missing one more day isn't as important as the memories you will make as a family.

 

[Susan Savia]

I agree with lunchbox!

 

[bethymouse]

If the rules are strict, then you'll have to decide if it's worth it or not.
If the rules are not strict, then go for it! The kids won't miss too much ( and I'm a teacher).
Personally, I'd go the planned 7 nights 8 days! ENJOY! A lifetime of memories!

 

[Unomas]

As a teacher, I say miss the extra day. Just be upfront with it and make sure your kids are all caught up with teachers.

 

[luv]

I'd take them out of school, too. But you know your kids and their needs best! You'll do the right thing.

 

[Hayfam]

Thanks everyone! Looks like they will miss that extra day!

 

[copcarguyp71]

One day of school sounds AOK to me as long as the school is OK with it. Check with them and make sure they are not going to hold some sort of grudge about this with you. My daughters school (elementary) has always been perfectly alright with it but as they say in the commercials....personal results may vary.

As for flights keep your eyes open particularly every Tuesday as that is when it seems most airlines put their sale fares up. We were watching for a while and really beginning to worry that from Phila to MCO was going to cost us $800-1000 but watching the sales we managed to get round trip for the three of us for $539 with taxes.

Either way have a great trip!!!!

 

[sgtmgd]

Cranky Concierge is a great service for finding cheaper flights...there IS A FEE for the service however..but we got fantastic prices for our Sept trip

 

[Poofiesdream]

Keep checking the airlines! Prices will probally go down. Check early mornings on week days.

 

[HollyAD]

Driving from Baltimore won't be too bad! We drive from the Eastern Shore of MD all the time. You are closer to 95...lucky you! It's a long stretch but if you plan on renting a care when you get to Florida anyway, check Spirit Airlines from BWI. They fly to Ft Lauderdale for very cheap and I think they have easy cancellation policies. You could always fly from to Ft Lauderdale then drive to Orlando. Only cheaper if you were planning on renting a car anyway.

 

[JCtheparrothead]

We have driven from Michigan (Detroit) and as long as you have 2 driver and patient children it wasnt too bad. I would recommend taking the kids out another day if their teachers will allow for it.

 

[Hot Lava]

I also would say miss the day of school, if your kids are doing well.

Although, also consider the pros and cons of driving Friday vs Saturday. Friday you will need to try to time your trip to miss rush hours. Yes, multiple. Not just B'more and DC, but also Richmond, Jacksonville, maybe even Savannah. Saturday you will not have all those rush hours; although i would still eave very early to avoid the usual weekend crush on 95 between Springfield and Fredericksburg/Richmond (depends how bad it is).

 

[HouCuseChickie]

While I'm not opposed to driving and missing a day of school, keep checking for air. We've been stalking air on Southwest for our Sept trip. It went from about $427pp to $202pp after a series of fare sales.

 

[journ116]

So our vacation is booked for January 7 nights/8 days! We were due to fly in on a Friday evening and stay until the following Friday. The problem now is if we drive, do we cut a day off our trip and not come in until Saturday or have the boys miss an extra day of school and still come in on Friday? They are currently going to miss three days of school so not sure what to do. Thanks for any ideas!

If you happen to book with AirTran or SW (which are now under the same banner anyways), and you find that your already-booked airfare went down, simply call the airline's customer service line and let them know that you saw a rate drop. As long as there are enough of those lower rates to cover EVERYONE in your party, you will be issued an airline credit (which expires after 1 year from issue) to be used for future travel, baggage fees, or seat upgrades.

Perhaps you could schedule an evening flight, so your boys would only miss a 1/2 of a day, or no school at all.

And keeping watching those fares! Between now and January 2014, the likelihood of them dropping or having their "Miles" sale is in your favor!

 

[ThatBrunette]

I was going to suggest the AutoTrain down in Lorton, VA but, it looks a little pricey. Neighbors told us it was cheaper than the airplane and they got to drive their own car around the parks.

I didn't know your exact dates or who is in your party so, give it a whirl.

Wave as you zip by us on the beltway!

 

[Hayfam]

a

If you happen to book with AirTran or SW (which are now under the same banner anyways), and you find that your already-booked airfare went down, simply call the airline's customer service line and let them know that you saw a rate drop. As long as there are enough of those lower rates to cover EVERYONE in your party, you will be issued an airline credit (which expires after 1 year from issue) to be used for future travel, baggage fees, or seat upgrades.

Perhaps you could schedule an evening flight, so your boys would only miss a 1/2 of a day, or no school at all.

And keeping watching those fares! Between now and January 2014, the likelihood of them dropping or having their "Miles" sale is in your favor!

Airtran and Southwest are the only two airlines that offer direct flights to Orlando for us! We don't see very cheap flights even through them. We were already planning on leaving after school hours and the flights are still high. Thank you for the information though. We might plan on holding out for awhile and see what happens.

 

[Hayfam]

While I'm not opposed to driving and missing a day of school, keep checking for air. We've been stalking air on Southwest for our Sept trip. It went from about $427pp to $202pp after a series of fare sales.

We might plan on watching for awhile and play the wait game but I am just afraid about ADR'S.