When heading down to Walt Disney World, do you drive or do you fly?
That is the question. Before we had our son, the question never crossed our mind. The answer was always flying. We saw it as the quickest way to get down to Walt Disney World. We had a million excuses as to why we shouldn’t drive. It was far too expensive (food, lodging, gas) and the selling point, it simply took too long. Coming from the D.C. metro area meant we would spend the better part of a vacation day in the car. Flying on the other hand took just about two and a half hours, a far cry from the 14-hour car trip.
Then we had Little Man. We contemplated driving down during his first birthday trip as a way to extend the vacation and to save the people around us frustration of flying with an infant. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. If nothing more, an extra day to spend as a family seemed lovely, even if it was spent confined to the car.
And so we took the chance and drove down.
Since then, we haven’t looked back. In the 7 summers that our son has been around, we have driven six out of the seven times. We have found that driving time offers a lot of laughter, a lot of time talking and planning and enjoying time as a family. Even my son has gotten to the point where he enjoys staying at the hotel during the halfway mark of driving. Sure, flying would be a lot faster. But there is something magical about the time spent on the road. It’s the anticipation that builds the closer we get to property; it’s the counting the Disney signs through South Carolina and Georgia and stopping at the Florida rest stop to have the fresh orange juice. Driving allows us to pack food for morning allergy friendly breakfasts in the room, an extra set of pillows, just in case, and allows one more extra souvenir that may have been put back if we were flying.
Yes, there are advantages to driving.
However, as we really begin to sit down and start figuring out the logistics of this summer’s trip, the thought of flying crept back in to our minds. As much as we love driving, maybe flying again would be wonderful. Sure the drive would be cheaper, but not by much these days. With my son now in school, the opportunity to go more than once a year is dwindling. Flying would extend the trip that much more, or rather the time spent actually in the parks and on property. And let’s not forget the ease of Magical Express! How nice would it be to not have to worry about my luggage once we get to the airport? As for food, we have used Garden Grocer before with no issue, and now that the parks and resorts are offering more and more Silk products (Soy milk) for the little guy, we don’t necessarily need to buy them in advance – a plus in the pros column for flying.
Yes, there are advantages to flying.
So what do you prefer? Is driving the way to go? Or are you a flyer? Or does it matter, just as long as you get there?
Growing up inn the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Aleisha has never let distance stop her from enjoying Walt Disney World vacations. From an early age, whether it be on a family vacation or tagging along with a friend on her vacation, she fell in love with the magic and the joy that Disney brought. Now making her own memories as a DVC member with a Star Wars obsessed little boy, she tries to capture the same magical feelings into every day life. She has quickly established a reputation with friends, relatives and coworkers as a real-life Belle. Always with a book in her hand and available to help others plan their magical Disney vacations.
Beyond Disney, Aleisha is a lover of all genres of music; craves a good concert from time to time, considers her food allergies a blessing rather than a curse and can be seen at the good old hockey game during the NHL season.
I’m actually having this debate with myself now. I grew up in DC, now live in Woodbridge and have been to Disney every year since I was 4 (sometimes more than once a year). I now have 2 little ones (1 and 4) and think I would rather drive than fly. We flew last year and it was such a hassle from the car seats to the stroller (we ended up renting). I’m just really nervous about driving. Plus we’ll also have my parents and sister with us so I guess they could help with keeping the kids entertained, lol.
Hi Rachelle! I’m local, so we always drive..lol. But I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be at Disney without my car! You can take your time with driving and enjoy seeing other states while you travel 🙂 Best of luck in your travels when you return “home!”