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Should we fly?

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 04:15
Eeyore's picture
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Should we fly?

Incoming poll! So, we live in Charlotte, NC. Drive to WDW is about 7.5 hours. I am trying to decide if we should fly or not. Here are the details:

Pro - We have enough points on our CC to get two FREE tickets to Orlando.
Con - May not be able to get direct flight and still arrive in Orlando in the afternoon (same as if we were driving)
Pro - DME
Con - Disney charges $70 per person, RT to be taken from resort to Port Canaveral
Con - If we drive, we will pay $120 to park all week
Pro - We will be home much faster than if we drove and not be sooo tired!
Con - checked baggage fees? Holy cow...I pack heavy...$25 per bag????

So confused! waiting

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 05:14
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I say if you have the miles use them. Since you're flying out of Charlotte you should be able to get a direct flight on US Airways.

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 05:18
JeffC
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I voted for drive! We drove from Charlotte to WDW in Dec 2010. It's really a very easy drive down to The World. The benefits we saw were (a) control! (b) it would probably take just as long to fly between getting to the airport in plenty of time, waiting for the plane to take off, flight time, waiting for luggage and hem getting to your final destination. Especially if you don't get a direct flight.

I'd save the points for something less easy to drive to!

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 05:20
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Eeyore wrote:
Con - checked baggage fees? Holy cow...I pack heavy...$25 per bag????

And that's just for the first bag for each of you. The second bag is $35. I used to check two bags before they started chargng the fees. I learned quickly how to make due with one.

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 06:18
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I'll be driving down next week. Not that I don't like flying, but I like to be able to wander outside the park occasionally. For me (in Jersey) I can't say its cheaper, but once I'm down there its more convenient. This trip more so being I'm doing a DCL cruise, and some house hunting.

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 10:48
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driving = more space for shopping and Disney souvenirs!!! clapping

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 14:40
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What Jeff said. If we lived within one full day's drive, we would do that too. Flying is NO fun anymore! When we fly to Orlando, it takes a minimum of 6 hours in the airport, traveling, etc., for what is usually little more than a 2 hour flight.

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 15:08
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I'd say do whatever is cheaper but that's just me

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 16:10
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Jess wrote:
I'd say do whatever is cheaper but that's just me

Honestly, it will probably end up being a even break because we will have to pay for checked bags (probably $75) and cruise transfers ($140)

It will cost $120 to park at port canaveral and add in gas cost!

The major benefit to flying, if we could land in the morning, would be basically an entire extra day at the park...

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 16:36
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At 7.5 hours I say drive. Flying you have to be to the airport 1-2 hours before your flight, the price of checking your bags and if you don't get a direct flight you could end up arriving later than if you drove. Then you have your car if needed. Just my opinion though. Good luck deciding.

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 18:49
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Driving, you can take as much stuff as you want, and you'll have room for souvenirs on the return trip!

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Sun, 12/30/2012 - 19:49
BuffaloBill
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Drive. having your own wheels in the world makes life easier.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 21:27
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At first, I thought, "Drive", since you're in NC, but now that I think about it, if you can get a straight flight and therefore get some extra time in the parks, I say fly....especially if the cost is a wash.

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 15:25
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If you can get a non-stop, fly. If you have to make a connection, drive.

I would go with what's going to get you there faster, after you add in the "extra" times to your flight, i.e. getting to the airport, 2 hours before your flight, flight time, DME waits, DME getting to WDW time.

Are you heading home right after the cruise? If so, I don't think you need to be worried about being too exhausted to drive home. It could just be me, but I always come off a cruise relaxed and refreshed. Coming from the Parks, not so much.

Thu, 01/03/2013 - 01:15
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Kristen K. wrote:
If you can get a non-stop, fly. If you have to make a connection, drive.

I would go with what's going to get you there faster, after you add in the "extra" times to your flight, i.e. getting to the airport, 2 hours before your flight, flight time, DME waits, DME getting to WDW time.

Are you heading home right after the cruise? If so, I don't think you need to be worried about being too exhausted to drive home. It could just be me, but I always come off a cruise relaxed and refreshed. Coming from the Parks, not so much.

Yes, we are coming home as soon as we disembark. Hmmm. I will continue to monitor flights. I can get a direct flight and arrive at 9:30AM. How long does it usually take to get through DME, drop at resort, check in, etc?

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Thu, 01/03/2013 - 01:27
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I haven't used DME but my sister has numerous times. She said usually about an hour from airport to resort.

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Thu, 01/03/2013 - 01:43
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I've never been more than an hour from the time my flight landed to resort.