Which do you prefer- Drive or fly

[awalte7]

I know not everyone has a choice, but for those who do- Would you rather drive or fly to orlando?

We live in northern Pennsylvania and actually choose to drive. It takes about 18 hours but it's all part of the fun. The anticipation, watching the states pass by. Counting the pedro signs on i-95 leading up to south of the border, between NC and SC. South of the border itself is great. The tackiest tourist location ever, but again, part of the fun.

On our next trip(we'll be leaving in 13 and a half days!!!!!)we are going to spend sunday in daytona and hit the parks during the week.

 

[scole3388]

We choose to drive, too (13 hrs. from southern Indiana). It's a bonding time, and, having done both, causes us to arrive less stressed actually than negotiating airports!

You have a safe and fun trip!

 

[macsmom]

I got a great deal flying down this time, but I actually missed the drive. It takes about 18-20 hours (just west of St. Louis), but the anticipation of knowing you're going, and then driving through the Main Gate and seeing the banner welcoming you...I missed that this year. But, at the same time, having two extra days at the end of your vacation is wonderful. Of course, I've been cleaning all day which kind of puts a damper on things!

danna

 

[the-reason14]

Well, depending on the length of stay. If its short, I may want to fly, but if its longer then I may want to drive. Ive only flew to Orl. from Hou maybe 3 or 4 times, and I did enjoy that we were able to be in the two cities in a day. But I still overall would prefer to drive. Its a long a___ trip(about 18 or so hours) but I have alot of stuff I take with me to keep me entertained.

 

[CX360]

From what I've heard about driving down from where I live, I'd rather fly.

 

[scpergj]

We drive...but then, we're only about 160 miles away!!!

 

[bobjl527]

I love driving from IL. About 1200 miles give or take. I have done it many times. However, my health is not the best right now so flying is the best choice for us. Would love to do it again soon.

 

[fizzle75]

My wife and I both hate driving so as long as we can afford it we will be flying. Also, I just hate the idea of spending two days of our vacation driving when we could be in the parks or chillin' at our resort instead.

 

[happymom52003]

We fly because our drive would be 24 hours, and there is no way I could do it straight through....we would have to split it into two days. I'd rather have the two extra days at WDW. We are going to start taking our WDW trips during school breaks (our school has a couple of four day weekends during the year that do not fall on major holidays, so they are perfect for going to WDW) and I do not want to use up the precious time driving....I'd rather have 2 extra days at the parks....this way we can still have a 5 or 6 day trip without the kids having to miss more than a couple of days of school. But if we lived closer and could get there in one day, I would drive for sure. I HATE flying!!

 

[stephdanielle]

My family used to drive there when I was younger, but eventually due to circumstances really, we actually had to fly everytime for the past 5 or 6 visits. I did like driving as we would take a few days to drive since we would stop everynight in different states - it was fun to visit so many other places on the way and then still have a full week in Disney. But I do love flying...less time to wait to get there!!

 

[Hrudey3032]

me and my brother prefer flying as we tend to leave Indianapolis and are in florida within 2 hours.With getting to airport,check-in,waiting a security checkpoint,flight and baggage pickup we are at my dad's in 6 hours.Last trip we left at 130pm and were eating at Chili's by 8pm(wouldve been sooner had my dad not forgot where the heck he parked at Orlando Int.) So what I tend to do is work day of trip(makes for a rough day at work) run home and meet our ride and then head out for airport.

 

[Abbyjoe]

We are 13 hours from WDW. Our closest major airport is 2 hours from home. So if you add that 2 hours plus the check in time at the airport (allowing time for a strip search ...)...Then add the 3 hour flight time (if there are no delays)...Then add the disembark, hike to luggage area time... ETC...

ANYWAY...For us, it looks like it will take us about 8 hours (give or take). The last time I checked the price, for cheap tickets, it was going to cost about $800 for my family of 4 to fly.

To save 5 hours, I think not. :animwink:

 

[lscott933]

well since it is a vacation, i only fly down there. since they have the new system of for the bags. once i check them in at the airport i don't have to worry about them again. they will show up in the room and don't have to get them at the airport. i take an early flight and get to get the park that day around lunch time. leave on early evening flight have the morning at disney. so no time is wasted on travel to much. plus it is nice that you can have your bags checked in the morning for your plane ride home and you don't have to take them to the airport anymore too.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

We drove down many times(16-18 hrs) and had to break it up into 2 days. Tried driving straight through once and only once. Told my DW that my driving limit with the 3 kids in the car is to VA. The last 3 times we have flown and were in the hotel pool 4 1/2 hrs. I don't see us ever driving down again.

 

[emmersandjack]

We have done both, but we prefer to fly.
The first and second time down (for me in '99 and '00) we flew. In '01 our honeymoon was slated for the 14th of September, so that meant we had to drive. We live in SE Michigan so the drive takes about 24 hours. And after driving for about a half hour, I start to fall asleep-while I'm driving. Not so safe. I hate to fly, but I am useless behind the wheel for long stretches.

Now with 2 small toddlers (3 and 1), I can't imagine trying to keep them occupied and comfortable for 2 days in a car and still make good time.

Driving through the mountains is cool though, as long as I don't fall asleep:snore:!

 

[Fun2BFree]

Living in the UK, driving would be silly, so I'd say flying, even though it is so expensive. It practically costs more than all the other parts of the holiday combined. However, if I lived in the States at any reasonable distance from the parks, I'd drive, no matter the amount of time it would take, because it's gotta be cheaper than flying.

 

[Blackie Pueblo]

I think it depends on who you are driving with too. My first trip to to DW when I was a kid in Illinois and we drove. It was fun but can get a little crazy stuck in the car for that long. Plus it was with my family and I was a kid. I enjoy the trip. Going through different states, the sites etc. It's part of the fun.

Flying would be easier I guess but I think you'd miss a lot about the trip. Also now you might have to rent a car.

I've even taken a grey hound bus. THAT was awful. But that was when I moved to Florida.

"To all who come to this happy place...welcome!"
---Walter Elias Disney

 

[Disney05]

Hate driving. It would take about 22hrs. It's only 2hrs by plane.

 

[mickey&me]

Despite delays, checkin, baggage claim, etc., I LOVE to fly. Since the price of gas keeps going up-up-up, savings by driving keep going down. Plus since my 7yo is type 1 diabetic, we have to take way too many breaks when we drive for exercise.

 

[Nansafan]

Every few years we drive down from Chicago. The drive down is fine but the drive home is just awful. Driving down you have energy, anticipation, excitement, and the drive home means the real world, work, laundry, bills, etc. I hate the drive home.

I prefer to fly since we can wake up, get to the airport and be at the MK in time for a late lunch. On return to reality day, we can leave the room early, dump our bags with bag check-in and hit the parks for a few more hours of fun before we need to leave for the airport. On drive home day, we check out of the room, load the car and leave for 20+ hours of sitting in a car.