The answer is simple if you are visiting Walt Disney World from outside the continental U.S., but many visitors who live in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, look at flying compared to driving and weigh the differences when it is possible to drive. There are many advantages to flying and since a large majority of visitors fly to Orlando, WDW has established great benefits to help reduce the stress for vacationers. The following will review a few of the benefits for flying and a few drawbacks that may push you to drive.

What to Know if You Fly

Flying is the fastest route to WDW if you live farther away than Miami, Sarasota, or any other location within a reasonable driving distance. You can book a flight with many carriers into Orlando for discounted airfare because so many passengers fly into the city on vacation. Other cities offer comfortable flights into Florida, but if your final destination is Walt Disney World, then flying into Orlando offers great advantages even if the cost is slightly higher.

Advantages of Flying

1.) Saves time. This is really true if your drive is over 6 hours long to get to Walt Disney World. You can catch a flight out of your closest airport and often get a non-stop flight into Orlando out of many major cities in the U.S. In many cases, you can fly in early and catch Disney’s Magical Express to your resort then head down to Downtown Disney to begin your vacation the same evening you arrive in Florida.

2.) Disney does the work for you. If you book a package through Disney, you can add in your flight information (or book a flight through the Disney web site) and they take care of your bags, transport you from the airport to your WDW resort, and even take care of checking you in prior to your departure. According to the Disney web page, guest of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can qualify for free airport transportation called Disney’s Magical Express Transportation (air-conditioned motor coaches). This is a FREE roundtrip (very low stress) way of going from the airport to WDW, and to top it off, Disney takes care of retrieving your luggage (for individuals traveling within the U.S) from the airplane so you get to bypass luggage claim! Just one less thing to worry about. Your bags are delivered to your room soon after your arrival. Then when you are ready to go home (as if that really happens!) you can use the Resort Airline Check-in Service to get your return boarding pass and check in your luggage. This allows you to skip all of the hassle once you arrive at the airport. All you need to do is find your gate number and wait to board the plane as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you made while you were at Walt Disney World.

3.) Less fatigued upon arrival. Flying can be stressful, especially to first time traveler or those traveling with small children, but in the end, it can be a lot less tiring than driving in a vehicle for a day or more. You can travel for about 4 hours or more (depending on your starting location), head to your room to freshen up, relax, even take a shower, feeling refreshed enough to head out for the evening.

4.) Adds excitement for young children. Children ride in vehicles quite often, but flying is a different story. If your child has never flown, flying to Walt Disney World can add exponential amounts of excitement to the trip. Even young children 2 or 3 years old will remember getting on the plane and going to see Mickey for the first time. It can really add another level of fun for children.

5.) Flying may reduce the cost of traveling. During various times of the year, the cost to fly into Florida drastically decreases. If your travel plans on the ground include overnight stays, you may want to weigh the cost of traveling by air to that of traveling by ground.

Disadvantages to Flying

1.) Motion sickness can be a big factor in the decision to fly or even having a fear of flying (often caused by anxiety of things such as a fear of heights, enclosed spaces or even the simple lack of control) may deem this option as impossible. The fear of flying affects a large portion of the population and needs to be taken seriously. If driving is simply not an option, you may want to schedule a visit with a medical professional for counseling or for a prescription to help relieve your anxiety prior to your departure. Never use any medicine in flight that you have not safely tested on the ground first.

2.) Very few rest breaks. If you are flying a long distance, say from California or North Dakota, then the flights are often not direct. This can be an advantage compared to a long flight where you are strapped in your seat the whole time. Sitting for hours can aggravate some medical conditions and make it very uncomfortable to fly. Conditions such as Vestibular (inner ear) problem or Sinus Pain can be alleviated through the use of decongestants, but you may want to discuss options with a medical professional especially if you have more serious conditions such as Barotraumas of Sinuses.

Other medical conditions are associated with flying, not because of the flying, but rather because you are sitting for so long in the same position. Traveler’s Thrombosis is actually deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a condition in which a small blood clot(s) develop and can be aggravated by sitting for long periods of time. If you have any medical conditions that may predispose you to DVT such as a blood disorder affecting clotting, cardiovascular disease, use oral contraceptives, or are over the age of 40, among other problems, talk with your health professional concerning your level of risk before traveling.

NOTE: This is not professional medical advice, but rather an information source to help you make an informed decision on flying. If you have any, or believe you may have a medical condition that could be adversley affected by flying, seek professional medical advice from your physician.

3.) Airport security is taken very seriously and may seem to be an inconvenience. This can be seen as a problem for many air travelers, but the intention is to keep the skies safe for all travelers. Check with your airline concerning acceptable items you can take on board in your carry-on and what you can safely pack in your checked bags. Going through security may be enough for someone to prefer driving over flying.

4.) High cost for airfare or a large number of people in your party. Taking one or two children on a flight can significantly increase your cost, but if you have 5 or 6 children it will make it nearly impossible to fly at a low cost. Renting a vehicle or taking a bus or train may be a more advantageous way of traveling if your party is quite large. Large families may be discouraged to fly based on the additional cost of checked bags and the total number of tickets that need to be purchased. Driving a family vehicle or renting a multi-passenger van would be more economical than flying.

For many travelers, the advantages of flying out weigh those for driving. Look at both options before making a decision and talk with your travel agent about cost differences.

Do you have any experiences you would like to share? How did your children like flying? We would love to hear from you.