So you want to go to a Disney Park?
Everyone who wants to go to a Disney Park faces the same problem you have to find a way to get there. This can be the single most challenging part of your experience. A poorly thought out travel plan can put you in a bad mood before you get to the Magic Kingdom or be the sour note that ruined the tune of an otherwise great trip.
How you get there is up to your own needs and budget. You can go by car, you can go by bike, you can go on a Zike-Bike if you like (sorry Dr. Seuss moment). There are three components you need to consider: distance, cost and practicality.
Practicality-Where you live and what resources are available to you are the first thing to consider. I love to drive. I love to see the country and am able to have full control of my schedule (Except when I am at the mercy of the orange barrels). If you live in Hawaii maybe a car and train are not your best bet. I know someone who loves to take the train. It is a great experience but if you live too far away and not near a train station it could be difficult for you. Flying is always an option. You can try and be creative? Google Maps has travel options for when you plan your trip such as walking, public transportation and kayaking (Going to Tokyo Disney? It says to Kayak 2,756 mi across the Pacific Ocean!); plan carefully.
Cost-this could be single most important factor, and let’s face when planning a Disney trip you always want to spend more in the park than getting to it, right? Some people who live where I live (19 hours from DW and 28hours from DL) would rather fly then drive but cost makes them hit the open road. If you plan far enough ahead flying can be as cost effective as driving as long as you don’t need a car when you get there. If I had the money, a private jet to ORD and a helicopter ride to the park would be the way to go. So I drive; however the wife has made it easy to fly by getting miles through buying tickets to the park and other expenses well in advance of our planned trip so we could fly cheaper.
Distance-How far away you are to the parks really will dictate how you get there. If I wanted to go to DL it is flying all the way. Once you figure in gas and lodging for the trip out and back flying is cheaper and faster. Unless you go in a caravan of hybrids with external gas tanks and everyone pees in the plastic bottles that previously held the caffeine you needed to stay awake…still not a good idea. The further away you are the more likely it is you have to fly. If you live over large bodies of water you most certainly will fly; unless you take a Disney cruise!
I have gone to WDW by car and by plane and I can tell you each has its drawbacks. I am thinking of taking a train to DL to combine what I don’t like about driving and flying into one package. The voyage to a Disney park can be as an exciting and interesting part of your trip as the park itself. The wrong choice in transportation can put a damper on the whole trip. I suggest if you have the money, live sufficiently far enough away, and you are not scared to death of it; fly. Only do the other options if you have to/really want to. Maximize your time in the parks, that is why you are going in the first place.
Guest Blogger Matthew Williams of State Controlled Media
Erstwhile Disney Blogger
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The orange barrels. LOL.