Have we ruined our DisneyWorld trip?

[Odellio]

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.

So glad they’ve come through @Odellio have a lovely evening relaxing & a great holiday. You’re whole family sound like you’ve all coped amazingly well.

Great to hear they have come through at least, even if it means going a day late.

So relieved for you that you will be able to go tomorrow and also very jealous ! Can’t wait to take my kids to Disney for the first time

Too happy to be annoyed though, we’re off the Disney tomorrow!!

This thread has made me a bit emotional. You are an incredible mum/step mum/mum to be. You deserve the absolute best holiday of all time. What a wonderful and positive attitude you have.

This x

Disney is awesome. Wish i was going tomorrow. You'll have the best time.

So pleased for you, you must be delighted.
Have a lovely time.
Best wishes,
Mx2

They had to reschedule the flight for tomorrow the ESTA came 20 minutes after departure so they couldn't go.

So glad you have now got them! I’ve been checking in for updates.
Have the absolute best time and well done for dealing with it all so well!

I found the app easier to use. It’s worth downloading it if you haven’t already.

That does not answer my question
I was wondering if they have a long travel time to airport and maybe could have used opp to get a hotel tonight

At least you have them now and you were able to get flights!

Sorry hopefully you get an answer.

The op has stated already that they are an hour from the airport but they decided to stay in a hotel there and spend the afternoon in London.

Immigration officials can be variable - one at JFK was quite formal wanting to see proof of hotel booking and fingerprinting everyone but then making sure we knew which cab to get into the city, the one at Dallas glanced and my passport and did the prints, and then just waived DH through (didn’t even look at his passport).

Whenever I can, I use the Preclearance facility at Dublin or Shannon, with a connecting flight from UK. It's worth it to land in the US and go straight out the door since immigration is done just before boarding. Highly recommend.

A day late isn’t too bad. Have a lovely time

Thar great news, OP. You should be well on your way now. Have an amazing trip!

Gosh I am proper pleased for you. I think you have dealt with it brilliantly and actually what a life lesson for the SC, one day you will all look back and laugh. Please update us once you are there (or when you are back) I am fully invested in this thread!

Have a glass of something in a wine glass- lime and soda looks similar, but anything. It will help.

@Odellio Not sure if anyone has mentioned it or not as nrtft but make sure you tell the hotel if it’s a Disney property and you aren’t in the same room as your in laws. Disney have form for cancelling the reservation if you don’t check in on check in day. They did this to me a few years ago when I stayed an extra day at my Florida friend before making my onward journey. Assumed my room would be waiting the next day as I had paid for it but nope, their policy is if you don’t show up the room gets opened for anyone to book.

@Odellio too late to edit! If you have the my Disney experience app you might be able to check in using that x

Thanks goodness, so pleased you are off tomorrow have a great holiday x

This will be the story you all rally about in years to come and laugh about. Have a wonderful trip tomorrow OP and remember today is part of the holiday too so glad you made it fun

I am so happy for you all that it got sorted! I hope you all have a wonderful time and enjoy the resort and all the parks!

I just wish I had little ones to enjoy it with so I could go again. I don't think I'd enjoy it, just my DH and me. I took DGD there at Christmas several years ago and we stayed at Wilderness Lodge. It was the best resort at Christmastime, as it was just enchanting. I admit, I also loved the boat ride to MK. 😍

Have the most amazing time!! None of this will matter when you get there, it will all be a thing of the past.

So pleased you only lost a day and hopefully flights were not too pricey.