[2Princesses4us]

I was going to drive from VA, but Southwest is now @ $95 roundtrip (internet special) from Norfolk, Va. Of course this looks to me like a summer time deal. Does anyone know if they would continue this rate into Nov.
I hate the fact that they only taking reservations unitl Sept. 13th. I would appreciate any info from anyone who uses SW on a regular basis? I'll be taking DW & DD's (3 & 4 1/2 yrs old) so I like the fact the we can be some of the first to board. Last question has anyone had little ones with them for a 2 hour flight? How did they handle it, especially the ear poping and turbulance?

Thanks
Jerr

[Dana]

I will be waiting to hear with you. Southwest had a promotion from Philly too and it's dirt cheap. They just opened there. I am hopeing...ok praying that they have the same rates for my January trip. It is frustrating that they are only accepting reservation up till september...otherwise I'd be booked and paid for. Please let me know if that changes...I want first stab at those rates for January! Good luck to you on yours.

[Thia327]

For your last question - We've taken our dd on a plane 4 times - the first when she was 11 months old and she's 2 1/2 now. She does fine no problem with her ears - we never had any turbulance so that wasn't an issue.
She also sits in her carseat while she's on the plane - this way she doesn't want to get out of her seat (well not yet anyway )

[downsouthtigger]

I guess cause I live so close that I don't need to fly, but at those prices it's really tempting.
Question is, even though it is cheap, does the totals add up to being less than driving?? How much will transportation be to the hotel from the airport? Are you getting a rental car??
thats always my problem, I can't stand to be without a car, even if I dont use it. So look into that option, plus how many were on the trip? 4 total?? At about 100 a pop? Then again hopefully the rates will fall over to nov. Just wait and see whats up, then make a decision.

[karliebug]

We are using suthwest out of philly in Aug. We usually fly from allentown, but the savings was worth the 2 hour drive to philly and it is a direct flight. It was $98 round trip. you can't even buy the gas for a drive to FL. for that!Plus, I would rather stick a needle in my eye than to try to drive from PA to FL with my 3 DD.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by karliebug

We are using suthwest out of philly in Aug. We usually fly from allentown, but the savings was worth the 2 hour drive to philly and it is a direct flight. It was $98 round trip. you can't even buy the gas for a drive to FL. for that!Plus, I would rather stick a needle in my eye than to try to drive from PA to FL with my 3 DD.

Reason #256 why I fly instead of drive... My DD only has 2 hours and ten min to ask me "are we almosat there yet?" instead of 23 hours! I can't wait to hear about your experience with Southwest, becasue I will be flying out of Philly too nad hopefully will be able to get one of their discount flights. Please post back after your trip and let me know how it went.

[2Princesses4us]

Thanks for such quick replies & I'll let everyone know what happens!
Here are some more facts.
Driving: My minivan (van is in great shape, but concerned about breaking down)
Gas: $150 RT @ 1.75 Per Gal. approx.
Hotel: $100 down (indoor heated pool for the dd's after long drive)
Hotel: $80 back (don't need a pool, we just had a great vacation)
Food: $60 RT (Fast food for lunch & dinner)
Total = $390

Flying: Southwest $380 low to $660 High
Rental Car: $350 for 10 days (Mid size)
Gas: $30 est.
Total: $760 low to $1040 High

Now here is the kicker, my mother-inlaw has just offered to pay for the plane tickets no matter what the price! So my actually cost ($390) would be the same either way, except for the fact that if I drive I could pack more things like food, diapers & strollers. Also if I drive we could probaly use flight money for couple of extra nights. We are already staying 7 nights at Orange Lake resort and 3 night at ASM. If we fly I have to rent a stroller and so on.

Thanks again

[Thia327]

We take our stroller and they take it at the gate and we get it when we get off the plane. And as far as diapers and food - I bring enough for the first day and go shopping and get what I need.

[downsouthtigger]

Jerry,
Sounds like you know what your benefits would be. If it costs the same, then you have to weigh out the other benefits.
If your afraid of the van breaking down, don't take it. Then again even though I live 8 hours and my car is a 2002, I worry about it breaking down or tired blowing. Its just part of nature if it does, it does. Just get the oil changed and tires rotated before you go and have a mechanic look at it. You can pack more in the minivan, as opposed to what you can carry on a flight. Since I've only flown once, I don't know the max luggage you can take. I had one suitcase and my carry on back pack. IN the car I pack one suitcase, my backpack, and a couple other bags, so I know I def take more in the car. Its always easier for me to take food as well, cooler with drinks and lotsa snacks, as opposed to waiting for in flight meals/drinks/snacks. You could always drive to walmart and buy what you need, but you're on vaca and the last thing I want to see on vaca is walmart. I avoid it when I have to go there, plus if you already have all you need you can save that money for the vacation budget.
It all comes down to location, convenience, and personal preference. If you live in the north, midwest, or west coast Fly. Living in the south or mid east coast maybe better to drive. To be honest I did wish I lived a little farther. I would love to stay at a hotel in the middle of the drive to wdw. It lets me know we're actually going, and staying at a hotel is like part of the adventure in getting there. I know thats very child like mentallity, but hey I would love to road trip to vegas for the same reasons, its all an adventure.

[MissLisa5730]

Originally Posted by Dana

Reason #256 why I fly instead of drive... My DD only has 2 hours and ten min to ask me "are we almost there yet?" instead of 23 hours!

That's SO TRUE, Dana :)

We have plane tickets from Reno to Orlando on Southwest for that incredible $98 fare. We fly Southwest pretty regularly, as a matter of fact, one of the tickets is a frequent flier freebie this time.

There are two things to consider when flying SW 1) the seats are pretty small and are closer together than other airlines. DH is tall - and he has a rough time unless he sits on an aisle and can stretch his legs out every so often. 2) On longer flights, Southwest tends to have two or three stops before your destination. They really have it figured out - their flights are almost always full. So you have to count on the fact that there *will* be someone sitting next to you in that one extra seat in your row.

Other than that, we have consistently found the service better than other airlines, the attendants have been wonderful and cheerful, and the check-in routine is pretty painless, and they have always been on time for us on our trips, no delays so far (crossing fingers here).

[Dana]

Originally Posted by 2Princesses4us

Thanks for such quick replies & I'll let everyone know what happens!
Here are some more facts.
Driving: My minivan (van is in great shape, but concerned about breaking down)
Gas: $150 RT @ 1.75 Per Gal. approx.
Hotel: $100 down (indoor heated pool for the dd's after long drive)
Hotel: $80 back (don't need a pool, we just had a great vacation)
Food: $60 RT (Fast food for lunch & dinner)
Total = $390

Flying: Southwest $380 low to $660 High
Rental Car: $350 for 10 days (Mid size)
Gas: $30 est.
Total: $760 low to $1040 High

Now here is the kicker, my mother-inlaw has just offered to pay for the plane tickets no matter what the price! So my actually cost ($390) would be the same either way, except for the fact that if I drive I could pack more things like food, diapers & strollers. Also if I drive we could probaly use flight money for couple of extra nights. We are already staying 7 nights at Orange Lake resort and 3 night at ASM. If we fly I have to rent a stroller and so on.

Thanks again

If you stayed the entire time at ASM and just used a shuttle service, it would run you about the same as the other hotel and the car rental. The car service will allow you a 30 min shopping trip to grab those extra diapers. Bring your own stroller as Thia suggested. I see many air passengers who do this. I fold-up umbrella stroller would be idal for both the parks and the airport. It's light-weight and easy to use on that free transportation to and from the parks from your WDW resort. There are many different ways you can save some ectra cash here and there. If your Mother-in-law has offerend to pay for airfare, why not take the money you were going to use on driving/airfare, and stay at a WDW resort the entire trip? You won't need a rental car and can get a town car for under $100 round trip plus a free grocery stop...just a suggestion.

[2Princesses4us]

Thanks MissLisa5730, Thia & Dana,
I forgot to mention that Orange Lake Resort is a timeshare and my mother-inlaw also paid for the exchange on that which was about $130. She had several weeks space banked so thats why we are staying there. I think the light weight strollers are a good idea and thats one less thing I have to rent.
I guess I'm doing all this number crunching so I can maximize my dollar and stay as long as we can because I know it might be awhile before we go again. A car is must because we'll be going to sea world and universal (Shrek!) plus maybe a little exploring.

MissLisa5730 have you used the online boarding pass feature? if so how does it work and did it work well. Also the only reason I am reconsidering flying is that it is N/S from Norfolk VA. there is no way I'm doing the lay over with two little ones.

[MissLisa5730]

Originally Posted by 2Princesses4us

MissLisa5730 have you used the online boarding pass feature? if so how does it work and did it work well.

We haven't used it yet, but we will be using it June 5, I'll let you know. Because we have a frequent flier ticket, we still have to check in at the desk and turn in the coupon though
Also - we have a stroller and Southwest is really good about letting you use it right up until you board the airplane. You just park it at the door to the plane and let them know, and it will magically appear outside the door of the plane at your destination ... at least that's how its worked in the past.

[disneyguy]

I have flown SW out of Norfolk many times. First with all the upgrades that they have made in that airport it is wonderful. SW is a great airline, and turrbulence is rare. Fly it! It allows you to 1) spend more time at WDW and 2) have 1 less hassle.

[Eeyores-Girl]

Originally Posted by MissLisa5730

We haven't used it yet, but we will be using it June 5, I'll let you know. Because we have a frequent flier ticket, we still have to check in at the desk and turn in the coupon though
Also - we have a stroller and Southwest is really good about letting you use it right up until you board the airplane. You just park it at the door to the plane and let them know, and it will magically appear outside the door of the plane at your destination ... at least that's how its worked in the past.

I think all airlines do that, at least ATA and United do, probably especially on flights to Orlando where there's bound to be a bunch of kids.

Rental Car: $350 for 10 days (Mid size)

Where are you getting your rental car from????? Go to hotwire.com - Hertz is $128 (all inclusive) for 7days...


Definitely use car seats on planes, people. And give the little ones a nice dose of Benedryl or something to knock 'em out so they sleep. Crying screaming kids on flights are NO FUN for you and absolutely awful for the childless people stuck on the same plane as you.

I have NOTHING against young children, I taught PreK in my former life as a healthy person. But constant screaming and crying for 2 hours and 28 minutes from Chicago to Orlando is HORRIBLE.


Also, don't fly ATA. They suck. (They have good cookies though.)