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Original poster

Have we ruined our DisneyWorld trip?

481 replies

Odellio · 06/04/2025 04:38

I need some reassurance or advice. We are due to fly to Florida for DisneyWorld this afternoon with SC and DS. We have little knowledge of international travel, I knew we needed ESTAs but didn’t understand the process. I checked with in-laws who are organising the whole trip if they had sorted ESTAs, and they said they had. Obviously I misunderstood that they were talking about their ESTAs only and not ours. We applied yesterday afternoon as soon as we realised we didn’t have ESTAs. Still pending authorisation. I am hugely panicking now that we won’t get them in time to check-in.

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 06/04/2025 04:44

You should be fine. I think it’s says something like up to 72hrs, but generally most are within instant and a few hrs.

Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 04:45

Caspianberg · 06/04/2025 04:44

You should be fine. I think it’s says something like up to 72hrs, but generally most are within instant and a few hrs.

It’s been 14 hours so far.

OP posts:
JustMyView13 · 06/04/2025 05:17

Have you logged back in to check the status? Or are you waiting for a confirmation, it is usually quite quick assuming no previous convictions, travel bans or travel to countries on the US ‘unfriendly’ list.

Rtmhwales · 06/04/2025 05:20

Our German student went and it took 48h to process, that was two weeks ago. I hope yours does in time.

Never2many · 06/04/2025 05:28

Ultimately no-one can say. The process is usually pretty quick but it can take up to 72 hours, so sadly there’s no guarantee.

Fingers crossed that they come through for you in in time.

Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 05:36

JustMyView13 · 06/04/2025 05:17

Have you logged back in to check the status? Or are you waiting for a confirmation, it is usually quite quick assuming no previous convictions, travel bans or travel to countries on the US ‘unfriendly’ list.

Yes, regularly checking. No reasons why we wouldn’t be approved. UK passports, no travel to any of the listed countries etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 05:39

Rtmhwales · 06/04/2025 05:20

Our German student went and it took 48h to process, that was two weeks ago. I hope yours does in time.

48 hours I can cope with. It would be upsetting for the kids to go to airport today and have to come home and wait. But we would book next flight out as soon as we were approved.

Just feel so bloody bad for the kids. They are so excited.

OP posts:
Livingthelife88 · 06/04/2025 05:40

Fingers crossed for you OP; still head to the airport and pray they have arrived by them?

Is there an email? Telephone? Can you chase? Probably not but worth checking

Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 05:42

Livingthelife88 · 06/04/2025 05:40

Fingers crossed for you OP; still head to the airport and pray they have arrived by them?

Is there an email? Telephone? Can you chase? Probably not but worth checking

That’s the plan. We have until 1:30pm when check-in closes.

I’ve called CBP helpline but nothing we can do but wait because it’s an electronic system.

OP posts:
CobraChicken · 06/04/2025 06:03

Odellio · 06/04/2025 05:42

That’s the plan. We have until 1:30pm when check-in closes.

I’ve called CBP helpline but nothing we can do but wait because it’s an electronic system.

Show quote history

If you get really close to the wire, timing wise, maybe try this.
(Screenshot attached but not sure if Mumsnet are still adding the delay before images show?)

Have we ruined our DisneyWorld trip?
Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 06:21

CobraChicken · 06/04/2025 06:03

If you get really close to the wire, timing wise, maybe try this.
(Screenshot attached but not sure if Mumsnet are still adding the delay before images show?)

Show quote history

Thanks for this. I did find a Reddit thread with that advice on at 2am so I did try that but just met with a ‘application already found for this passport number’ error message and no movement on the approval.

OP posts:
MoreChocPls · 06/04/2025 06:25

At the airport in Uk I think they just ask if you have them but you don’t need to show them. You could risk it and say yes and pray they are approved before you reach passport control in USA.

LoudSnoringDog · 06/04/2025 06:44

When I went to New York in 2023 I didn’t get any confirmation of our ESTAs. At the airport they just asked if we had them and I said all completed online, they must have checked something against our passports and everything was fine. To this day I’ve I’ve no physical confirmation that we have the ESTA

Never2many · 06/04/2025 06:45

MoreChocPls · 06/04/2025 06:25

At the airport in Uk I think they just ask if you have them but you don’t need to show them. You could risk it and say yes and pray they are approved before you reach passport control in USA.

I really wouldn’t.

I can totally see the thinking behind it and had thought of advising it myself for a split second. But if the they haven’t come through by the time they get there, they run the risk of being deported and never allowed back in again.

EasternEcho · 06/04/2025 07:01

Given the problems at the US border with ICE and the trouble travellers are having, I personally wouldn't risk it without having the ESTA. You might end up with a travel ban or worse.

Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 07:02

Never2many · 06/04/2025 06:45

I really wouldn’t.

I can totally see the thinking behind it and had thought of advising it myself for a split second. But if the they haven’t come through by the time they get there, they run the risk of being deported and never allowed back in again.

Show quote history

The systems are linked so we wouldn’t be able to get away with this. We can’t check-in online, the message says ‘The US advises that no Travel Authorisation can be found for the passport details provided. Please check you have a valid ESTA or provide your US visa number.’

OP posts:
user1494050295 · 06/04/2025 07:04

Odellio · 06/04/2025 04:38

I need some reassurance or advice. We are due to fly to Florida for DisneyWorld this afternoon with SC and DS. We have little knowledge of international travel, I knew we needed ESTAs but didn’t understand the process. I checked with in-laws who are organising the whole trip if they had sorted ESTAs, and they said they had. Obviously I misunderstood that they were talking about their ESTAs only and not ours. We applied yesterday afternoon as soon as we realised we didn’t have ESTAs. Still pending authorisation. I am hugely panicking now that we won’t get them in time to check-in.

I applied for one on weds pm about 6 and received a confirmation 2 hours later

user1494050295 · 06/04/2025 07:05

Meant to add good luck

FrozenFeathers · 06/04/2025 07:06

No advice, but I am rooting for you, OP. I hope they come in in time.

user1494050295 · 06/04/2025 07:07

Meant to add good luck

Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 07:08

Thanks for all the well wishes that this goes in our favour.

Still no ESTAs, kids have woken up and we are getting ready to head to airport this morning.

Seems it is going to be complete pot luck as to whether we get these in time for our flight today. I am trying to stay positive but just have this horrible feeling about it.

OP posts:
MooFroo · 06/04/2025 07:09

Good luck, hope they come in time 🤞🏽🤞🏽

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 06/04/2025 07:10

I have applied for many estas- for me and for many bosses over the years in my job. They’ve always turned around within 24hrs super quick- everything crossed for you OP.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 06/04/2025 07:11

Can you move your flight back at all?

Overthebow · 06/04/2025 07:11

good luck, hopefully they come in time for you this afternoon.