Tiggers Friend
13-08-2008, 07:51 PM
Over the last few months we've had a number of folk ask the same or similar questions so I thought I'd pull them together into one post. Is that a good idea? If anyone wants to add or modify let me know and I'll update it.
Travel Options
Charter flight, leave on set dates and usually for set durations and mainly as part of a fly-drive or complete package holiday. Flight seat only is also possible with some carriers. Players in this market are First Choice, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Travel City Direct etc.
Scheduled flight, either direct to Orlando, or indirect via Chicago, Washington, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia etc. Scheduled flights allow flexible flight dates. Indirect flights can be cheaper than direct.
Fly-drive – flight and car hire, book you own accommodation.
Package – flight, car hire (or transfer), accommodation.
DIY – each element you require is booked separately. NB doing it this way can be cheaper, but remember you do not have ATOL and/or ABTA bonding if things go wrong.
Entry to the USA - Visa or Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
One of the most frequent questions is about needing a visa or whether you can travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You can travel on the VWP if you have the correct passport, hold a return or onward travel ticket, and have NOT been arrested or convicted. See this link for more information - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html
The US Embassy also provides a Wizard to help travellers determine if they are eligible or not for the VWP - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html
If in doubt check with the US Embassy. And give yourself plenty of time, ideally before you book.
The US Department of Homeland Security (Immigration) introduced in 2008 ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The system is now mandatory for VWP travel and is also fee based. Information on ESTA can be found here - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/index.html#esta
And the system accessed from here - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/
Credit Card?
Not everybody has or wants a credit card, but they are widely used in the USA, both VISA and MasterCard.
Most of the car hire companies require a deposit to be left at the rental car desk by credit card, even if the car has been pre-paid and insured in the UK.
Also if you hire a villa, especially through a tour operator, you will be expected to pay a security deposit to the management company with a credit card.
And many hotels will ask for a credit card imprint when you check-in to cover incidentals, resort fees, etc.
Traveller experience also shows that when using a credit card in retail outlets photo ID is generally requested.
Cash/Traveller’s Cheques/Cash Card
This question always gets asked – what should I take my spending money in? As with all things there are pros and cons.
Cash – There is a good reason to take some dollar bills (and if possible coins) initially to pay for tolls, tips and small purchases on the first afternoon/evening. Cash is of course very flexible, but to take all your holiday in cash is a very risky option.
Traveller’s Cheques – a much safer option, and in the US dollar TCs can be used just like cash in shops, attractions and theme parks. One downside often quoted for TCs is that the exchange rate is not as good as cash, but this is generally only around 1 or 2 cents in the pound.
Cash Card – a recent option. You ‘load’ the card up before you go and then use the card to draw dollars from ATMs or pay for goods. Good examples are the FairFX and Post Office cards.
Credit Card/Debit Card – widely used across the States, but users need to beware that the credit card provider charges for the withdrawing cash from ATMs, plus a user fee and you have no control over the exchange rate. Some card providers, for example Nationwide, do not charge for using the card in the US.
The general view on the forum is to take money using a number of different ways, eg cash/TCs/credit card.
Car or no car? – that is the question
Another key question – do I need a car or not? The answer is – it depends. And there are two schools of thought. The Yes and No!
A car gives you much more flexibility for getting around, the option to leave the parks and return later (assuming you have the correct ticket), gives wider choice of where to eat, makes it easier to go shopping etc.
This link on driving http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm#freeway courtesy of member mortus.
No car means using shuttles, public transport or taxis. For some this is the only option if they don’t drive, while for others it is their preferred choice. The Lynx bus system is wide ranging and cost effective and the I-Trolley serves International Drive. Within Walt Disney World the busses and boats work well.
Driving in Orlando is not difficult, most drivers say it is easier than in the UK. Ultimately, it’s your choice, but where you stay may make the decision for you. If you are on a villa holiday you will require a car.
If you do take a car remember three things. Say NO THANKS to any extras at the rental desk; check the car has no damage before you leave the garage (if it does report it and get it recorded - even small stuff - or with Alamo change the car); when you return the car at the end of the holiday check the receipt to make sure there are no added extras (if there are query them then).
Oh and one more thing, remember to take the rental doc out of the car and bring it home.
Where to Stay?
Well firstly in the World or outside the World? Disney World that is. Disney has a great choice of hotels to meet most budgets. On-site guests have a number of benefits including Extra Magic Hours. All the hotels are connected by some form of transport, be it bus, boat or monorail.
Another option is to stay at Universal Resort, where a guest benefit is the Front of the Line ticket option.
Orlando has hundreds of hotels for tourists, mainly located along International Drive (about 13 miles top to bottom), in Kissimmee or Lake Buena Vista.
The other option is to stay in a town house or villa. These are located in a number of communities at varying distance from the theme parks. Careful choice is recommended otherwise you can spend long periods driving from your holiday home to the parks.
Reference Material
There are numerous travel guides on the state of Florida and more particularly on Orlando and Walt Disney World/Universal Resort. However, most of the members on the forum would endorse ‘The Brits Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World’ by Simon and Susan Veness, which is updated and published every November and available from all good bookshops.
Another useful publication is Steve Munn’s map to the tourist areas of Orlando, available from his website - http://orlandomaps.co.uk/
And finally the ATD Forum and the members on here are a really good source of information which is based on their personal experiences.
Travel Options
Charter flight, leave on set dates and usually for set durations and mainly as part of a fly-drive or complete package holiday. Flight seat only is also possible with some carriers. Players in this market are First Choice, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Travel City Direct etc.
Scheduled flight, either direct to Orlando, or indirect via Chicago, Washington, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia etc. Scheduled flights allow flexible flight dates. Indirect flights can be cheaper than direct.
Fly-drive – flight and car hire, book you own accommodation.
Package – flight, car hire (or transfer), accommodation.
DIY – each element you require is booked separately. NB doing it this way can be cheaper, but remember you do not have ATOL and/or ABTA bonding if things go wrong.
Entry to the USA - Visa or Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
One of the most frequent questions is about needing a visa or whether you can travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You can travel on the VWP if you have the correct passport, hold a return or onward travel ticket, and have NOT been arrested or convicted. See this link for more information - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html
The US Embassy also provides a Wizard to help travellers determine if they are eligible or not for the VWP - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html
If in doubt check with the US Embassy. And give yourself plenty of time, ideally before you book.
The US Department of Homeland Security (Immigration) introduced in 2008 ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The system is now mandatory for VWP travel and is also fee based. Information on ESTA can be found here - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/index.html#esta
And the system accessed from here - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/
Credit Card?
Not everybody has or wants a credit card, but they are widely used in the USA, both VISA and MasterCard.
Most of the car hire companies require a deposit to be left at the rental car desk by credit card, even if the car has been pre-paid and insured in the UK.
Also if you hire a villa, especially through a tour operator, you will be expected to pay a security deposit to the management company with a credit card.
And many hotels will ask for a credit card imprint when you check-in to cover incidentals, resort fees, etc.
Traveller experience also shows that when using a credit card in retail outlets photo ID is generally requested.
Cash/Traveller’s Cheques/Cash Card
This question always gets asked – what should I take my spending money in? As with all things there are pros and cons.
Cash – There is a good reason to take some dollar bills (and if possible coins) initially to pay for tolls, tips and small purchases on the first afternoon/evening. Cash is of course very flexible, but to take all your holiday in cash is a very risky option.
Traveller’s Cheques – a much safer option, and in the US dollar TCs can be used just like cash in shops, attractions and theme parks. One downside often quoted for TCs is that the exchange rate is not as good as cash, but this is generally only around 1 or 2 cents in the pound.
Cash Card – a recent option. You ‘load’ the card up before you go and then use the card to draw dollars from ATMs or pay for goods. Good examples are the FairFX and Post Office cards.
Credit Card/Debit Card – widely used across the States, but users need to beware that the credit card provider charges for the withdrawing cash from ATMs, plus a user fee and you have no control over the exchange rate. Some card providers, for example Nationwide, do not charge for using the card in the US.
The general view on the forum is to take money using a number of different ways, eg cash/TCs/credit card.
Car or no car? – that is the question
Another key question – do I need a car or not? The answer is – it depends. And there are two schools of thought. The Yes and No!
A car gives you much more flexibility for getting around, the option to leave the parks and return later (assuming you have the correct ticket), gives wider choice of where to eat, makes it easier to go shopping etc.
This link on driving http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm#freeway courtesy of member mortus.
No car means using shuttles, public transport or taxis. For some this is the only option if they don’t drive, while for others it is their preferred choice. The Lynx bus system is wide ranging and cost effective and the I-Trolley serves International Drive. Within Walt Disney World the busses and boats work well.
Driving in Orlando is not difficult, most drivers say it is easier than in the UK. Ultimately, it’s your choice, but where you stay may make the decision for you. If you are on a villa holiday you will require a car.
If you do take a car remember three things. Say NO THANKS to any extras at the rental desk; check the car has no damage before you leave the garage (if it does report it and get it recorded - even small stuff - or with Alamo change the car); when you return the car at the end of the holiday check the receipt to make sure there are no added extras (if there are query them then).
Oh and one more thing, remember to take the rental doc out of the car and bring it home.
Where to Stay?
Well firstly in the World or outside the World? Disney World that is. Disney has a great choice of hotels to meet most budgets. On-site guests have a number of benefits including Extra Magic Hours. All the hotels are connected by some form of transport, be it bus, boat or monorail.
Another option is to stay at Universal Resort, where a guest benefit is the Front of the Line ticket option.
Orlando has hundreds of hotels for tourists, mainly located along International Drive (about 13 miles top to bottom), in Kissimmee or Lake Buena Vista.
The other option is to stay in a town house or villa. These are located in a number of communities at varying distance from the theme parks. Careful choice is recommended otherwise you can spend long periods driving from your holiday home to the parks.
Reference Material
There are numerous travel guides on the state of Florida and more particularly on Orlando and Walt Disney World/Universal Resort. However, most of the members on the forum would endorse ‘The Brits Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World’ by Simon and Susan Veness, which is updated and published every November and available from all good bookshops.
Another useful publication is Steve Munn’s map to the tourist areas of Orlando, available from his website - http://orlandomaps.co.uk/
And finally the ATD Forum and the members on here are a really good source of information which is based on their personal experiences.