HELP! Off to florida..VISA&passport advice please.

[shhhh]

Due to travel to florida early august.
Going for 2 weeks for holiday.
Dh,myself,dd(5) and ds(3) all have machine readable passports (chevrons along the bottom and all issued after 2002)

We are being told to complete VISA applications (ESTA) but how and where do we do this and do we really need to do this..?

I have gone via a website which is charging $42 to complete and the link via the usa embassy in uk (tells us we have waiver programme yet to complete form) is wrong and doesn't take us to link.

Looking at virgins website it says we don't need to complete anything...

here

Advice appreciated... x
Conflicting advice...

Sorry about delay reply sueW, but just got back from being out today.
I have just registered for VISA for all of us and its just come back approved.

I guess thats all I need to do..?

Thanks for your reponse btw

Check your passport has at least 6 months left on it at time of travel also, as if it hasn't they won't let you in!

all checked

dh and ds exp 2010
Mine and dd exp 2012

check...

next... park tickets. trying to see where's best to buy them..

shhh, you may need to check Dh and Ds passports again then, if they expire this year then they will have less than 6 months on them when you go.

shhhh,

You typed 2010 - when do these passports expire?. They certainly cannot expire during your time in the US!.

The ESTA website that SueW quoted is the only one that should be used.

Anyone who charges for ESTA is just out to rip you off - ESTA is free!.

The only other thing you will need to do is to complete the API (this is called Advance Passenger Information which should be on Virgin's website as well) prior to travel.

Yes, def re-check the passports. There's still time to get new ones if yo're not going til August but you need to hurry. Busy time of year for passport applications.

passports are fine..

My error sorry

Im so not having a good day today.. Life in general..so much to do and so little time..

Mine & dd's expire 2015

dh and ds's expire 2012

Oh good. One less thing to worry about then.

DO NOT PAY FOR ESTAS - sorry to shout but they are free and really easy to do.
VA will need API which can be filled out online.

Park tickets -
Disney ones - usually their own website is the cheapest and you can use quidco as well.
Depends what you want to do and which parks you want to go to...

Shhhh,

Glad that was a mistype on your part re the passport expiry.

You still need to fill in the Advance Passenger Information (API) via Virgin's website. This needs to be done for all travellers going to the US at least 72 hours before departure.

It will ask for details like name, passport number etc. This is also free to use.

whats the AIP for..?
I never knew going on holiday would involve so much commitment to form filling .

scrappy,does the disney site offer seaworld etc ones.?

There just seems to be so many passes about and its mind boggling !

We want to do diney,inc epcot and magic kingdom etc and water parks (not fussed which ones) and also thought seaworld and maybe universal..?

dd will be 5 and ds 3 so I think disney is best aimed at them..?

API - I think is just for the airlines security info - takes 5 mins. Unfortunately in this day and age its just the security stuff that takes the time...

Right - tickets - will confess that disney is my area of expertise not so much the other parks..

You can't buy other tickets from the disney site just disney ones. Only advised buying from Disney as you probably won't get cheaper and you can go through quidco. It depends on how long you're going for but I would recommend getting the ultimate ticket - it covers you for all the disney parks - magic kingdom, epcot, animal kingdom, hollywood studios and both the waterparks. Its only available in the UK and I think they have deal on at the moment for extra days.

I would shop around for the other tickets..
try going here for better advice on prices and where to buy. Also sometimes the moneysavingexpert has info on ticket deals.
Entirely up to you where you go of course but there isn't that much in the universal parks for little ones - there is stuff for them but overall the rides tend to be aimed more at older children/adults and thrill seekers. They have just opened Harry Potter World though so if you're fans you might want to see that.

Seaworld is great for little ones - lots to see and do - (there's a great kids water play area there called shamus happy harbour - so take swimsuits!). Get to the shows early though as they are very popular

Don't forget for all the parks that unless you are staying on site in one their hotels - there is a daily parking charge (thats if you drive of course - I know some hotels have shuttle buses) - Its almost a hidden cost that people don't factor in..

hth

Hi shhhh,

The API is security related and another piece of information demanded by the USA amongst other nations via the airlines. Completion of the API for all passengers is mandatory.

BTW you will also be given forms at check in for the US immigration officer as well. In your case you will be given 4 green visa waiver forms (one for each of you, you will sign the form for each child) and one white customs form. Yet more forms!.

Each adult will be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival into the US.

The green forms are important; you need to complete them without any mistakes.
The US Immigration officer will staple the bottom portion of the green form into each passport (this is your departure from the US record). This MUST be removed by the check in staff on departure from the US - ensure this is done otherwise you will have problems re-entering the US on any future visit.

You'd be better off buying Universal tickets direct from their website. Disney and Universal are two completely separate companies and are not related in any way to each other. Both Universal parks are mainly aimed at older children/teens but there is Seuss Landing for the younger ones in Universal Islands of Adventure. Also another thing to bear in mind is the height requirement; if the child is too small then they cannot go on the ride.

blimey ! forms galore.

Thanks everyone, im not ignoring anyone just not had internet access this week as dh working away and took the laptop with him...
Im kid free today so have got free time on the computer upstairs lol!

I will take a look at the links to the websites given above when dh is home this weekend.

I think we may miss universal although, we are not harry potter fans BUT it would be a shame to miss out esp given the fact its new, the kids may be into HP in years to come and also we never get the chance to do Florida again iykwim...

Decisions decisions....

Defor will do disney and the water parks and sea world...

Thanks again everyone.

I'd stick to Disney, the water parks and Sea World. If you have more time, you can drive to NASA and back in a day. Wandering around Old Kisseemee is nice if touristy. If you get stuck there is a Tupperware museum (I am joking ), there was/ is an Alligator farm near by which is interesting, and you can eat Alligator while watching them being wrangled.

My kids would love to go back to Florida, and if we did (now they are older) we'd have to do Universal and HP. Maybe they can go back as adults?

lol at tupperware .

I forgot about NASA....We went there as kids and saw a launch, would love to take the dk's there. I think (esp ds who is 3) would be in his element...

Thanks mummytime x