This week we thought we’d cover a few more serious things – some other important little things you need to do before travelling to Orlando. Mr Oh!s new passport has arrived this week so this weekend we will get another little pre-travel job done. Another little tick in another box – taking care of our ESTA’s for travel to Orlando.
For those of you who have travelled to the USA from the U.K. in the last few years, you probably know all about the ESTA. But for you newbies to the Orlando trip, or if it’s been a long while since you’ve been, this blog might be of some use and possibly save you some money.
The ESTA is the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. It has replaced the old system whereby you had a fill a card in whilst on the plane before landing in the USA and is part of the visa waiver programme between the USA and the U.K. Everyone who is travelling to the US needs one. If you have booked with a UK travel agent or airline they should have information about the ESTA connected to your booking and possibly even a link to the official Department of Homeland Security to apply for one.
The process is an online form and it has to be completed for each traveller. The ESTA is valid for two years and is linked to your passport so if you have to get a new passport you’ll need to re-apply for another ESTA too. (Mr Oh has just has had his brand new passport arrive this week, quite a painless experience in sorting out online) The form is quite long so don’t leave it to the last minute, but it’s not complicated, and you should get an online response fairly quickly (or even straight away) that you’re application has been successful and your ESTA granted. You don’t need to print anything because it’s linked electronically to your passport – in saying that we usually do because we like to have copies just in case (we’re old school like that).
Here’s where you need to watch what you’re doing folks. The official website for the ESTA application is the Department of Homeland Security and the cost is $14 per person – around £9. There are a lot of sites online for ESTA applications and they are often third party companies who apply for the ESTA and charge you an additional fee. The application forms look similar to the official one but the cost to apply is considerably higher – sometimes as much as £40 per person, so please do double check, as there’s no need to use a third party to make the application. If you’re in an doubt ask your travel agent or airline. Some Airlines usually provide a link so you can fill in the ESTA via your booking site, so just check.
You need to pay with a visa or credit card for each application made and you can link them, so you can apply for two or more at a time and pay for them at the end when they’re all done.
If there is a problem with your application you’ll need to contact the US Embassy in London, for most people there will be absolutely no issues – but best not to apply two days before you travel just in case! We’re sure you won’t want to miss out on that trip of a lifetime – Mickey is waiting for you all!
Now as you all know air travel is now subject to a lot more thorough checks than it used to be and that is no bad thing in our opinion. The safer we all are the better. We are sure you all know what you can and can’t take in your hand luggage and hold luggage but worth checking with your airline to be 100% sure. Whilst you’re in Orlando you will no doubt see a great many souvenirs and keepsakes that you would like to bring back – but again, please double check that what you are attempting to bring back will be allowed by the TSA and pack it correctly. Checks in the USA are rigorous and you don’t want to delay your arrival or departure any longer than necessary by having a Samurai sword from the Japan Pavilion in Epcot in your hand luggage, and a bottle of water and a ham and cheese sub about your person. Mrs Oh! once had a packet of Cracker Barrel pancake mix dismantled at security in Orlando Airport – should have packed it in a suitcase rather than hand luggage and felt completely embarrassed and terrible about the amount of time wasted checking to see what it was! Lesson learned.
On arrival at Orlando Airports, either Sanford or International, you’ll end up in a large queue to get through passport checks and security. Fingerprints are scanned and retina scans are carried out also – this is carried out in family travelling groups. It can take some time, and everyone is just trying to do their job thoroughly and accurately and want to get you moving through the airport and to your exciting destination as soon as is possible, so be patient, be calm and if some kind TSA (Transport Security Agent) operative tells you to wait behind the line, then do wait BEHIND the line. Incidentally if you have access to social media (and we’re sure you all do) you should check out the TSA page on Instagram. It’s super helpful and interesting – but also hilarious and there are lots of fabulous photos of the airport dogs – not to mention the photos of ridiculous items people have tried to get through airports. Definitely worth a look.
Orlando International Airport is a large airport, but it is extremely efficient and you’ll be through there in no time and on your way. One little tip at Orlando Airport is not to put your luggage on the “luggage shuttle” that is situated just by the monorail, it takes an absolute age to pick them up at the other end while when you are getting enough stress about picking your car up! We say take them with you, the Monorail cabins are plenty big enough.
Sanford Airport is much smaller, but equally efficient and in some respects is much easier to navigate. Either way, either airport, there are plenty of people around to help you, guide you and get you on your way to your transportation, whether that be a hire car or Disney bus or taxi service. They are all super helpful, extremely polite and very very efficient, so relax and go with the flow and you’ll soon be on your way to see either the main Mouse or the stars of Universal or the clear waters and white sands of the Gulf Coast. You’re on Florida time now, so take it all in.
After all that, you are in the Sunshine State and the home of the theme park, unpack, unwind and enjoy the break!
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