Flying or Driving with 9 month old on vacation

We are trying to decide to take our DD (9 months) on vacation. Fly to Florida/Aruba (3 or 4.5 hour flight) or drive to a closer resort with pool but no beach 4 hours away. I feel like if we fly, we have to pack everything (food, diapers) and then carry a carseat and stroller onto the plane and probably pay extra for bags. Then when we get there we would have to get a carseat into a taxi. If we drove we would just be putting everything into the car and not moving it until we got to the resort. My husband feels we should take advantage of not having to pay for her to fly. How is it to fly with an infant and the luggage?

Re: Flying or Driving with 9 month old on vacation

I agree with your Dh and fly to aruba except I would buy what I needed down there. We bought diapers and milk with no problem in the Bahamas.

I avoided going away with my kids because I was so nervous to go on a plane with them. We drove to Niagara Falls last August when they were 2&3 and it wasn't bad. Then in Nov. we flew to the Bahamas and they were 2.5 & 3.5 and I kicked myself for not flying sooner with them. It was such a quick flight.
We had 2 strollers and gate checked them, that didn't cost extra. As far as carseats, we had car service from our home to the airport and the same for coming back and we ordered 2 carseats. There was no extra fee for that either. Once we landed we held the kids on our laps from the airport to the resort. I was not thrilled about this but my DH refused to take 2 carseats on the plane.

Message edited 5/13/2010 4:40:38 PM.