What do you need to organise before travelling to Walt Disney World in Florida? If you have a Disney trip coming up, there are lots of things that you will need to do before you fly. Today I am sharing everything that you need to do to get ready for your Disney holiday.
Please remember to check with your travel provider for the latest travel restrictions.
ad disclosure – this post may contain affiliate links
Table Of Contents
Let’s Start Planning!
Book The Main Trip
Check out my trip announcement video below for details of what I have booked for our Florida 2024 trip.
Flights
If you would like to fly directly into Orlando, British Airways & Virgin Atlantic fly directly from Heathrow. Other airlines fly to Florida if you are planning to do a fly drive holiday.
Accommodation
When booking accommodation, you need to decide whether you would like to stay on or off site.
For our January 2022 Florida trip we chose to stay on site at Disney’s Art Of Animation Resort, which is considered a budget resort and was amazing.
In January of 2024 we are staying on property again, check out the vlogs to find out where we stay.
Park Tickets
At the point of booking your holiday, you will probably want to also book your park tickets. We booked direct with Disney for 2022 and through a travel agent for 2024 and received 14 days of park tickets for the price of 7 both times.
Passports
Ensure that your passports are in date for the duration of your holiday and beyond. The button below will take you to the UK passport site.
Insurance
Ensure that you have purchased holiday insurance and that it covers your needs and your entire party.
Pre Flight Compliance
There are a number of compliance matters that you have to complete before flying. We travelled with British Airways in 2022 and were asked for the following;
Additional Passenger Information
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Government that issued passport
- Confirm full names
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Address while in the US
- Green card or US visa details (if you have them)
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Secondary contact details
- Declaration
ESTA
You will need to apply of an ESTA visa in order to enter the USA. This needs to be in place at least 72 hours before departure and costs $14.
Covid Compliance
As of 12 May 2023 there is no requirement to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or complete an attestation form for all customers arriving by air to the USA, including foreign nationals.
Park Reservations
Theme park reservations are required to enter a theme park through January 8, 2024. Beginning January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required. Learn more about theme park reservations.
Dining Reservations
60 before your trip you can make your dining reservations, check out the video below for full details.
UK Airport Transfers
How will you get to the airport in the UK? Will you travel the day of your flights or the day before? Your options are;
- Drive & book parking
- Public transport
- Private airport transfer
Florida Airport Transfers
From 2022, there will be no cmplimentary Magic Express bus taking guests from the airport to the Disney Resorts, so you will need to sort out your own transportation.
Your options for airport transfers in Florida are;
- Mears Connect – the paid for replacement for the Magic Express
- Book a private taxi
- Hire a car
DAS – Disability Access Service
Check out the video below for full details of the Disability Access Service (DAS) in Walt Disney World, including who qualifies and how to register.
Travel Money
It may be worth mentioning to your bank or credit card provider that you will be travelling to avoid them stopping your card under suspicion of fraud when you use it abroad. We will be taking some dollars, although mainly plan to use cards.
Monzo
The card I use when travelling abroad is my Monzo card as it does not incur currency conversion fees. I use the free plan and it works great.
If you want to grab a Monzo card fro yourself, click here to get £5 added to your account when you make your first purchase (full disclosure, this is not an ad, just a personal referral code, but I will get £5 added to my account too).
Mobile Phones
Check with your mobile phone provider that you have international roaming attached to your package.
Outfit Planning
One of the joys of planning a Disney trip is planning what to wear!
What Is Disneybounding
When adults dress up at Disney, not in costumes, but in the style of their favourite Disney characters, Disney rides or even Disney snacks, it’s referred to as Disneybounding. Check out my top tips for putting together Disney Bound outfits below.
What We Are Wearing To Walt Disney World
What We Wore On The Disney Cruise
Cases
Check with your airline about the baggage allowance for both check in and hand luggage for your specific flight. We flew with British Airways and these were the luggage allowances for our trip to Florida in January 2022.
Carry On Luggage
As you can see from the table above, we are permitted to take one cabin case and one hand bag per passenger.
Cabin Cases
Handbags
Check In Luggage
Packing
Check out my full “Pack With Me For Disney” video and blog post.
You can also take a look at my “Pack With My For A Disney Cruise” for more packing inspiration.
Get The Ultimate Mum Bundle Now
Read It Next
Why Not Pin This For Later?
