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.

They won't be able to board without an ESTA or visa. It's always been the case. Let's not use this as an excuse to spout anti trump rhetoric

Feeling very stressed and concerned for you OP.
We’ve been to Florida many times and know how many elements of the trip there are to consider.
Can’t offer any useful advice as I do t think there’s anything else you could be doing right now.
Good luck.

Good luck OP! From speaking to a friend yesterday who was in the same situation, please don’t leave it too late waiting for the ESTA - once the flight check in has closed you won’t be able to move your flights and will lose your return flights too. So absolutely go to the airport, but decide a cut off time at which you will ask the airline staff to rebook those who don’t have ESTAs onto a flight tomorrow.

Fucking hell I’d be more cross about changing my name.

Fingers crossed OP

😂 but you’ve assumed wrong here, we both changed our names to double barrel them together. DH changed his passport prior to wedding as his had expired for honeymoon.

Good luck! Hopefully you will be on It’s a small world soon.

I did mine recently and it took less than 24 hours. I don’t think they usually take any longer and think that 72 hours is rare. I’d imagine yours will be done today, I hope you make your flight!

Phew, and all changing is good. BTW my own dad used to call me by my none existent ‘married’ name.

Oh I've got everything crossed for you.

Maybe babe another try on the app!

Good luck OP!
We had an absolute nightmare last year; travelling to Costa Rica but change in Houston. Didn't realise we needed Esta's as a long time since we'd been to the States. Got to Heathrow and massive panic. Airline advised us to complete in the airport so we did but we were in complete panic mode. Husband's came through in 30mins but mine and DS didn't arrive.... We were at the airline desk booking new flights when they came through! We literally were about 2 minutes from check in closing so the kind airline staff rushed us through security and we managed to board. I don't think I relaxed until we arrived.
So so stressful.
Really hope you make it!

What a nightmare. Good luck!

@Readingismyfirstloveoh shush now. It’s not rhetoric or hyperbole it’s factual. The US border has got much more dangerous under Trump. Our government has FORMALLY updated travel advice to reflect this.

Don’t let a pro Trump leaning cloud your understanding of facts.

OP - ensure you follow government advice and co-operate fully with the border officials, they are entitled to view your phones etc. have a lovely trip.

Fingers crossed for you OP.

Not much help OP but I am hoping for those Estas for you before check in! I know how stressful the airport can be even without any issues

I really hope it comes through in time for you OP.

Ours has always come through pretty quickly so fingers crossed.

Good luck @Odellio I really hope it works out for you all 🤞🏻

Best of luck OP and thanks for posting. This will serve as a timely reminder for many. I’ve been to 3 of the US’s blacklisted countries albeit many years ago but your thread has reminded me to make sure I apply in good time.

Oh mate, I hope it gets sorted. This happens more than you would think. We had a near miss last year going to Boston for the marathon. Mr Monkey and I were doing our ESTAs about a month before and we sent a message to the friend we were going with asking for the exact address of the Airbnb (as he had booked it) and he replied - "what's an ESTA"?

This is a well travelled professional man in his forties 😬

Really

Fucking hell, that's insane. I think I can skip going to the US for quite some time. Just not worth the worry, even if you think everything is in place!!

A friend is American her English dh forgot to do his once on their trip home and he did it at the airport! He got away with it dont know how.

Have you ever applied on a weekend?

Another post mentioned it earlier and I'm wondering if that's why there's a delay.

shush sweetie. Perhaps you didn't understand my comment the first time-here it is again to help you. You have never been able to board a flight without proving you have a valid ESTA or visa.

OP I hope you get your ESTAs through today.

Hope they come through for you. Mine came overnight so I hope they land this morning. Good luck

I’ve never needed to ‘prove’ I have en ESTA, I assume you just mean that the system can tell if you have one or not? It’s attached to your passport (not physically/literally). I’ve not had to show any proof of an ESTA in all the years I’ve been travelling to the US.