Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

jackieblack

KFW wrote: »

Hi all,
I have an ESTA and confirmed here that it was all i needed to go to florida. Just booked a holidays and this popped up after i booked it.

''All British passport holders will only be permitted to enter the US if they hold a machine-readable passport. Passports issued after 26 October 2006 must also include an All British passport holders will only be permitted to enter the US if they hold a machine-readable passport. Passports issued after 26 October 2006 must also include an integrated circuit-chip capable of storing biographic information, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. If your passport was issued after this date and does not have this, you WILL require a visa. capable of storing biographic information, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. If your passport was issued after this date and does not have this, you WILL require a visa.''

My passport was issued 2003. i guess i need a visa then as well?
Many Thanks

KFW

VALM wrote: »

Thanks for this. Mine and MrM's passports were issued in 2005 whilst my daughter's was renewed last year and they are totally different. Looks like we will need VISAs as well. Hope someone posts with more advice on this.

Passports issued in 2003 and 2005 will be machine-readable* and will be fine. My DH & DD passports were issued in 2005 and we have visited the US 4 times since then, with no problems.

The new passports do look different, mine was renewed 2 years ago and was different and DDs was renewed last year and looks different again, but they both have the chip which is the new requirement.

*At the bottom of the page with your photo/details on there will be a load of <<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This from DirectGov website:
Travelling to the USA on a non-biometric passport

You can use your non-biometric British passport to travel to the USA.
As long as your British passport is machine readable, you can use it to travel to the the USA without a visa under the US Visa Waiver Programme (US VWP) for certain types of trips.
If your passport is not machine readable you will need to apply for a visa if you want visit the USA.
You can easily check if your passport is machine readable. If it is, the bottom of the personal details page will have:

• two lines of characters (numbers and letters)
• chevrons (which look like this ‘>’ or this ‘<’)

SirAlfonso

Iwork2shop wrote: »

I go to Florida next month and bought my tickets yesterday from http://http://www.pillingerworldtravel.co.uk/orlando-attractions/combo-tickets.asp.

I bought 'The One Ticket' which is described as

14 days UNLIMITED access to Orlando's best theme parks:
Enjoy 14 days UNLIMITED access to Orlando’s best theme parks for one low price! You have the freedom to come and go as you please to all the parks in Walt Disney World, plus Universal Studios, Universal's Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Adult price is £368
Child price is £329

I've looked everywhere for these type of tickets and this seemed to be the best price.

That's a good price for all those parks. It won't just be 1 ticket though, as there isnt one. You'll get these 3:

http://floridaescapes.co.uk/disney/disney-14-day-2011-shopping-package

http://floridaescapes.co.uk/seaworld-parks-entertainment/3-2-seaworld-aquatica-and-busch-gdns-2011

http://floridaescapes.co.uk/universal-orlando/universal-2-park-bonus

Florida escapes is the cheapest i've found for tickets so far. Can anyone better their prices? I'm looking for the Ultimate 14 day Disney and 3 park Universal, Islands and wet n wild for 2011.

poet123

Just had this deal sent via email really good prices for last minute departures From Mark's Travel;

USA - FLORIDA SUPERDEALS FROM JUST £290pp


One of our Tour Operators just rang with some heavily reduced seats to Orlando but hurry, there are not many left at these prices!

Call us for more details on 0191 519 7234...I found 21st May with flights, 7nts @ Comfort Inn Universal on I-Drive and Fully Inclusive Insured Car Rental for £290pp.

That's a bargain!!

Here are the dates that are reduced - call for details.

Gatwick Departures

21 May 7 nights from £269pp
21 May 12 nights from £349pp
26 May 7 nights from £389pp
26 May 14 nights from £455pp
28 May 14 nights from £489pp

Manchester Departures

27 May 14 nights from £499pp
27 May 7 nights Premium seats from £639pp

All prices based on 2 sharing a room, 3D room only (property varies depending on availability) 21 May is only bookable today - as hotel allocations will be released back tonight.


Hope this helps someone, I wish I could just pack up and go, I hope these deals are around for next year.

spoonk1

blue_monkey wrote: »

I, personally, am not convinced 'The One' saves you money as it would have cost us more and included parks we was not interesting in going to.

It depends on what you want to do when you are there, make a list and post it here and we'll see what is available for you.

You are so kind...But i dont really know where i wanna go as this is my first time,Obviously we want to do the the disney parks,water parks and universal....Is there any of the parks NOT worth waiting about in,I mean if one is far better than another then i would miss that out, the boys will be 6 and and 11 but it's not just about the boy's i cant wait to try out the big rides myself so any help is much appreciated.
One thing they keep going on about is the gator park?

blue_monkey_2

We are all happy to help on here.

I'd say there is something for your boys at all the parks.

Wet & Wild we went to once and was not that fussed about.

Busch Gardens has lots of big rides but I am not sure your 6YO would get on, mine couldn't and the height for a lot of rides there is 48". It is a shame when they have to miss out so if that bothers you I'd not worry about BG.

Universal, go on a weekday, we got around in a day. Again, the one thing I would say is t check the height restrictions on everything. There are a lot to go on at US and IOA to be honest, but not so many of the big coasters like Hulk as they were 48".

It is hard but from experience I'd do
2 days Magic Kingdom
1 day Epcot - my kids have never been fussed about the world showcase
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Hollywood Studios (make sure you choose a Fantasmic day!)
1 disney waterpark, you can go do something in the evening then - weekends are quieter as locals go to Disney.
1 day maybe aquatica/wet & wild (we've never been there) again, do something in the evening
1 day Seaworld - again, check heights on the rides
1 day Busch Gardens if going
1 day Islands of Adventure
1 day Universal - however, we have in the past managed to do both parks in one day, choose a day when it closes late.

So as you can see there is a lot to cram in. There is nothing better than another, it is all down to personal choice as to what rides you want to go on and how tall your lads are so that you can plan, plan, plan so you can fit as much in as possible.

amanda40

spoonk1 wrote: »

You are so kind...But i dont really know where i wanna go as this is my first time,Obviously we want to do the the disney parks,water parks and universal....Is there any of the parks NOT worth waiting about in,I mean if one is far better than another then i would miss that out, the boys will be 6 and and 11 but it's not just about the boy's i cant wait to try out the big rides myself so any help is much appreciated.
One thing they keep going on about is the gator park?

My two boys are 12 & 9 we were there in Feb -and loved Epcot could have spent two days there tbh - they loved doing the Kim Possible Treasure hunt round World SHowcase but is best to be done during the day. We had one day in every park - bar 2 days at Typhoon Laggoon went on 2 saturdays as the other parks were very busy then done Downtown Disney at nightime.

chocolateteddy

Amanda40 when were you there? We were there in feb too 3 - 17th and we did 4 days at Epcot as the kids (12, 9, 5) liked it a lot especially Test track and the Kim possible missions. They were not keen on Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios (loved Toy Sory Mania and Animation Class though and unfortunately star tours wasn't open)
We only did disney as 5 year old was too short for a lot at universal/ioa (leave that for next time!!) we did 4 days at MK and Epcot, 2 days AK, 2 days HS and 1 day typhoon lagoon, 1 day DTD/Disney Quest.

VALM

jackieblack wrote: »

Passports issued in 2003 and 2005 will be machine-readable* and will be fine. My DH & DD passports were issued in 2005 and we have visited the US 4 times since then, with no problems.

The new passports do look different, mine was renewed 2 years ago and was different and DDs was renewed last year and looks different again, but they both have the chip which is the new requirement.

*At the bottom of the page with your photo/details on there will be a load of <<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This from DirectGov website:
Travelling to the USA on a non-biometric passport

You can use your non-biometric British passport to travel to the USA.
As long as your British passport is machine readable, you can use it to travel to the the USA without a visa under the US Visa Waiver Programme (US VWP) for certain types of trips.
If your passport is not machine readable you will need to apply for a visa if you want visit the USA.
You can easily check if your passport is machine readable. If it is, the bottom of the personal details page will have:

• two lines of characters (numbers and letters)
• chevrons (which look like this ‘>’ or this ‘<’)

Thanks for your post Jackieblack. Our passports do have the chevrons on them. One less thing to think about!lol

jackieblack

spoonk1 wrote: »

You are so kind...But i dont really know where i wanna go as this is my first time,Obviously we want to do the the disney parks,water parks and universal....Is there any of the parks NOT worth waiting about in,I mean if one is far better than another then i would miss that out, the boys will be 6 and and 11 but it's not just about the boy's i cant wait to try out the big rides myself so any help is much appreciated.
One thing they keep going on about is the gator park?

I would highly recommend getting a good guide book (eg lots on here rate Brit's Guide to Orlando or check out your local library) read up on all the attractions and decide which you really want to do.
There is so much to do and see that you cannot cram everything in, especially if including stuff outside the main parks and other attractions like Gatorland, and it is very easy to end up spending way more than you need to buying too many tickets and not getting the value from any of them.
This is one holiday where advance planning definitely pays off.

rhubarb22

Hi would like some advice regarding Florida if possible. Have been to Paris several times, as we don't like flying, however we are going to try and overcome our fears as we really want to go. We have got a price for next October 2012 - 18 nights at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort, 14 days park tickets, flights, and dining plan for 2 adults and one child - £4700 - I was hoping someone could give me their thoughts on this ??? (also $300 spending money)
Thanks in advance.