Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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:
JeanGenieJean · 06/04/2025 12:29

notimagain · 06/04/2025 12:11

Many, probably most British passport holders did and still do enter the States without a visa ..

What has happened over the years is the personal admin associated with the Visa waiver program has changed.

Show quote history

At one time you needed a visa to enter the USA. There has always been some form of visa or visa waiver/ESTA.
I lived in the USA for several years and I have a UK passport.

JeanGenieJean · 06/04/2025 12:31

McSpoot · 06/04/2025 12:13

It happened many, many, many, many times. Actually, it still happens since the ESTA is not a visa. The UK is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) meaning that UK citizens do not need a visa to enter the US (as tourists for up to 90 days). As the person you quoted said, there was a visa waiver form completed on the plane but nothing that you had to do in advance or that the airlines checked for (they just checked that you had proof of being a UK citizen).

Show quote history

I have a UK passport and have lived in the USA for several years between 1987 and 5 years ago so I know all about visas, visa waivers and ESTAs

CurlyhairedAssassin · 06/04/2025 12:31

CloudSquirrel · 06/04/2025 12:26

There is so much misinformation on here about group applications. OPs FIL could have done the entire family group of travellers. You are allowed to fill out the information on behalf of up to 50 others (you all end up with an individual Esta and you don't have to all travel at the same time). The group process is not just a way of paying for them all at once. This doesn't help the OP but hopefully people reading this who need ESTAs for more than one person get the correct information (see below taken from the homeland security FAQs,).

To apply for ESTA as a family or a group, first choose one representative member to serve as the contact for the application.A representative may apply for ESTA for up to 50 members of a group at once.There is no requirement for ESTA application procedures to be completed by the applicant him or herself.

Edited

Yes, it's a total miscommunication from FIL just using the word "ours". I guess it was up to OP to clarify what he meant by that, but she knows that and is kicking herself. Her DH could have got involved though, so I'd be kicking him too!!

RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 06/04/2025 12:31

SabrinaThwaite · 06/04/2025 12:17

Here’s the old green paper visa waiver, for the nostalgic amongst us.

Always enjoyed questions B (do you plan on committing criminal acts in the US?) and C (are you a Nazi or a terrorist?).

Dh pressed yes on the esta for are you a terrorist

it was for 14 year old dd and she is terrifying so fair enough

ThisZanyPinkSquid · 06/04/2025 12:39

I am so hoping there’s no update because you are boarding 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

JojoM1981 · 06/04/2025 12:46

Good luck 🤞

McSpoot · 06/04/2025 12:46

JeanGenieJean · 06/04/2025 12:31

I have a UK passport and have lived in the USA for several years between 1987 and 5 years ago so I know all about visas, visa waivers and ESTAs

Show quote history

Good. Then you know that your statement was incorrect since you said it would have been and is impossible to enter the US without a visa.

PinkyFlamingo · 06/04/2025 12:47

It's just been a miscommunication so fingers crossed for you OP.

JudgeJ · 06/04/2025 12:49

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 06/04/2025 12:20

I've never felt more stressed in my life than trying to fill out this form at the age of 15 on the plane to New York for a school trip 🤣

Show quote history

I usually needed at least 2 goes to get things on the right line and squeezed into the little spaces.

Seiheiki · 06/04/2025 12:50

Really hope they've come through

Sandandsea123 · 06/04/2025 13:03

did she get on the plane?????

Mrscharlieeeee · 06/04/2025 13:04

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 06/04/2025 12:27

them was referring to esta. I remember needing it in 2011 but not sure before that.

Show quote history

We went in 2009 and it was the ESTA program then.

MinnieCoops · 06/04/2025 13:08

Hopefully you’re relaxing into your chair on the plane now.l.

wonderstuff · 06/04/2025 13:09

JudgeJ · 06/04/2025 12:49

I usually needed at least 2 goes to get things on the right line and squeezed into the little spaces.

Show quote history

I missed something off on my first trip to NY aged 16 (school trip), immigration officer was so fierce, I asked if I could use her pen, ‘NO!’ She said ‘I’m using it’ luckily Virgin included a pen in their amenity kit and acte a stressful minute scrabbling around I found it and ticked the box I’d missed. Declared I had no intention of overthrowing the government or whatever and had a lovely rest of my trip!

Really hope the OP is on the plane now. Travel can be so stressful! Our last trip to FL was just after COVID restrictions were lifted and we had to take covid tests while being watched by someone over zoom the night before.

Original poster
Odellio · 06/04/2025 13:11

My silence was due to silencing DS with Ms Rachel.

No good news. We’ve just paid to rebook on tomorrow’s flight, staying at a hotel as suggested by previous posters. Going to take the kids into London for the afternoon to make something of the day!

If they don’t come tomorrow we will just rinse repeat because WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE EVENTUALLY. PMA

OP posts:
McSpoot · 06/04/2025 13:12

I’m so sorry that it didn’t come through. Love your attitude though. Sorry that the airline didn’t waive the costs (I know that they didn’t have to, but was hoping for some early pixie dust for you).

SabrinaThwaite · 06/04/2025 13:13

You have A Plan, which is good - make the most of an expected foray into that there London!

100percenthagitude · 06/04/2025 13:13

If it's a combination of your own children and step children, might additional time be needed to factor in surnames and kinship assessment?

NCTDN · 06/04/2025 13:14

I’m glad you have a plan. I hope you didn’t have to pay too much to rebook.

FloridaScot · 06/04/2025 13:16

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.

Estas are linked directly to your passport. Most airlines will check and won't even let you check in without one.

ChompandaGrazia · 06/04/2025 13:16

SabrinaThwaite · 06/04/2025 12:17

Here’s the old green paper visa waiver, for the nostalgic amongst us.

Always enjoyed questions B (do you plan on committing criminal acts in the US?) and C (are you a Nazi or a terrorist?).

I love the thought of a terrorist sat there ticking that they are planning something.

ApiratesaysYarrr · 06/04/2025 13:18

Sorry that it didn't come through, but hopefully you will be flying out tomorrow. One day off the holiday won't have ruined it, and I hope you have a lovely time once you are out there.

TheNightingalesStarling · 06/04/2025 13:19

Odellio · 06/04/2025 13:11

My silence was due to silencing DS with Ms Rachel.

No good news. We’ve just paid to rebook on tomorrow’s flight, staying at a hotel as suggested by previous posters. Going to take the kids into London for the afternoon to make something of the day!

If they don’t come tomorrow we will just rinse repeat because WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE EVENTUALLY. PMA

Hopefully this time tomorrow you will be in departures with a nice glass of wine or whatever and this will just be one of those family stories "Remember when..."

wonderstuff · 06/04/2025 13:20

So sorry! Everything crossed for smooth travel day tomorrow.

Shinyandnew1 · 06/04/2025 13:21

Good luck-hope they come through for tomorrow!