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Here are a selection of the questions I get asked the most. If
you have any other questions to ask, please visit our message
boards.
Should I book with a package deal, or book everything myself?
Package deals can work out more expensive than booking everything
yourself, although it can take up quite a bit of time booking things
separately. see the price comparison page
for details. Some people enjoy DIY booking, you can have more control
over things. If you have an Annual Pass you can get discounts
on Disney Resorts at certain times of the year.
Discount flights are also quite easy to find. On my stay in September,
I saved over $100 (£70) a night on my stay at the Yacht Club,
using an Annual Pass discount. the Annual Pass paid for itself with
the money I saved, plus I didn't have to buy separate park passes.
You can book resort rooms directly with Disney via the phone or
internet. If you use expedia.co.uk,
you will often find the same discounts on Disney resorts, that you
can get by using codes with CRO. Visit
our Disney
Travel Centre to get a quote.
Is it cheaper to buy tickets in the UK, or wait until I get
to Florida?
If the currency exchange rate is under £1:$1.44, then it may
be cheaper to buy tickets here. If it is higher, then it may be
cheaper to buy tickets over in the US. Discounted tickets can be
bought from our online
ticket store, in partnership with Orlando Ticket Deals. They
offer a best price guarantee, and issue real tickets not vouchers.
If you prefer you can buy tickets direct from our
Ticket Agent in Orlando, who also offers a best price guarantee,
and will deliver your tickets to your hotel. Click
here for Maple Leaf Tickets.
Both of our Ticket Agents are highly recommended by our readers.
I'm going for 2 weeks, what is the best ticket to buy?
If you intend to spend more than 8 days at the Disney parks, then
I would suggest the 10-Day
World Pass, although it may work out cheaper to buy an Annual
Pass if you won't be spending much time at the water parks or Pleasure
Island. See the ticket page for a comparison
of the best tickets to buy.
I have a hopper pass left from my last visit, which still has
a few days left on, can I exchange it for a new full pass?
You can use the ticket as credit towards buying a new ticket. If
you have ona day left on your ticket, and it's worth $30, then you
can use that ticket as $30 credit towards your new ticket. You'd
then get $30 off the price of the new ticket. ($30 used as an example,
not the actual price of a ticket). You can also use up the days
on your hopper pass as they never expire.
I'm only going for a couple of days, so it's not worth buying
a park hopper pass. I've seen passes advertised for sale, that have
a couple of unused days on them, sould I buy one of these?
My advice would be to stay well clear of them. Firstly, Disney passes
are non-transferrable, and certain older passes had the users photo
on them. Secondly, how do you know for certain that there are days
still left on the pass? You have no way of telling until you get
to the turnstiles at the park!
My friend has an annual pass, can I use this when I visit WDW?
No. When somebody activates an annual pass, an image is taken of
their fingerprint. every time they use the pass to enter a park,
they have to scan their fingerprints to identify themselves. They
may also be asked for ID (passport, driving license).
If I'm not staying at a Walt Disney World Hotel, what kind of
ticket can I buy for the Parks?
There is a variety of multi-day tickets designed especially to meet
your holiday needs. These are highlighted on the tickets
page. For an average UK holiday of two weeks, we recommend at
least seven days at Walt Disney World. If you want to stay longer,
there is a 10 Day World Pass created specifically for UK guests.
Discounted tickets can be bought from our online
ticket store in association with Orlando Ticket Deals.
How do I get there?
Many airlines now offer non-stop flights to Orlando. When you
book, ask your local travel agent or tour operator for advice on
the best carriers and routes. In the meantime here are few things
to remember.
From The United Kindgom - Non-stop and connecting service to Orlando
is offered at varying times of the year from: London (Gatwick),
Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Prestwick,
Edinburgh and Teeside.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) - Orlando International Airport
welcomes global visitors on more than 40 scheduled airlines and
32 charters. They provide non-stop service to 74 US destinations
and 24 international cities as well as direct service to more than
100 cities world-wide. The airport is within 15 miles (24 kilometres)
of major attractions, meeting facilities and downtown Orlando. Shuttle
vans, buses, taxis, limousines and hire cars are readily available.
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) This airport covers
the Orlando resort areas, as well as Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach
and other holiday havens along the Sunshine State's East coast.
How long will it take to travel to Florida?
Probably less time than you think as many airlines now offer non-stop
flights to Orlando! On direct flights, it is approximately 8 to
9 hours from the UK. As most airlines offer in-flight entertainment
for both children and adults, time passes relatively quickly.
How do I get from the airport to WDW?
See the Airport Transportation page
for details.
Will I need to hire a car?
If you are staying at a WDW resort, and not planning to go far
away from WDW, then there is no reason for you to hire a car. Disney
transport is excellent & free. If you need to go off-site, there
are plenty of options, from taxis & shuttles to limos! Costs
are listed below. If you are staying off-site (not in Disney World),
most hotels provide shuttle buses to the major parks, although they
don't run as frequently as Disney buses. If you want to travel further
afield, then a car may be necessary. Large tour operators such as
Virgin, run their own buses to out-of-the-way places like Busch
Gardens & Kennedy Space Center, but you will be restricted to
certain days & times. Transport options in Orlando include taxis,
limousines, Lynx buses, & I-Ride trolleys on International Drive.
Remember that although your package deal may include a free hire
car, they are never free, you will end up paying quite a bit. See
the car hire page for details.
| Approximate costs |
| From airport to- |
By taxi |
By shuttle bus (per person) |
| International Drive |
$25 |
$12 |
| Lake Buena Vista |
$30 |
$14 |
| WDW |
$45 |
$14 |
| Downtown Orlando |
$26 |
$12 |
| From & to |
By taxi |
| WDW to Sea World |
$20 |
| Epcot to Port Orleans |
$9 |
| Dixie Landings to Polynesian |
$8 |
Will I have to show ID anywhere?
Photo ID (driving license, passport) may be needed if you rent a
car, or use an annual pass. You will also need photo ID if you wish
to purchase alcohol. You must be 21 or over to drink alcohol in
Florida, and they are very strict about it, I know someone on the
wrong side of 30 who was asked for her ID when she wanted a drink!
I want to make Priority Seating for
restaurants at WDW, what number do I ring?
Call 001 407-939-3463.
To keep costs down phoning America, use a scheme such as one.tel,
which has call charges of 3p a minute to the US (no hidden costs!).
Is the food expensive in the parks?
Food is very cheap in America, and the portions are huge! Prices
in the theme parks are dearer than general, but are still quite
reasonable when compared to prices back here. For rough prices of
food in WDW, see the food prices page. Also
see the dining section for information
and tips, and the money saving tips page.
Can I use traveller's cheques to pay for things, or do I have
to use cash?
Traveller's cheques can be used like cash in most places. the only
places you really need to use cash are at food carts (ice cream,
popcorn, etc) in the parks. Credit cards are also widely accepted.
Where can I exchange money?
Foreign currency exchange is available at the Orlando International
Airport in the baggage claim area and at the international gates,
as well as many banks throughout the area. Currency exchange is
also available at Orlando Sanford International Airport in the international
departure lounge as well as at the welcome center. Many hotels and
attractions also offer currency exchange facilities.
Does it cost anything to get into Downtown Disney?
Entry into Downtown Disney Marketplace & Downtown Disney WestSide
is completely free. Entry into Pleasure Island is free during the
day, but after 7pm there is an admission charge, although your pass
may include entry.
How do I work out what $x is worth in ££?
Find the current exchange rate (in the newspaper, travel agents
or bank), divide the number of $ by the exchange rate, e.g.
Want to know how much $100 is worth. Exchange rate is 1.40.
100 divided by 1.4 = 71.428 = £71.43
Or use our Currency
Converter!
What banking facilities are available at the Walt Disney World
Resort and where are they located?
Currency exchange and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available
at all four Disney Theme Parks and at all Disney's Hotels.
Do the ATMs accept international banking cards/credit cards?
Yes. Cirrus®, Star®, Honor and Plus banking systems are recongnized
by the ATMs in our parks; American Express®, MasterCard® and VISA®
are also accepted for cash advances provided you have arranged in
advance for cash advance eligibility with your bank.
How much should I tip at the restaurants?
Service charges or gratuity (tips) are not customarily included
in your bill in the United States, and tips are always expected.
For most restaurant waiters and bartenders, the average tip is 15
to 20%. See the tipping guide for more
information.
Do you need a tourist visa?
No. Not if you're a British citizen holding a British or EC passport,
a return or onward ticket, and are staying for less than 90 days.
However, there are conditions, so check with your carrier or Visa
Services at the American embassy.
24 Grosvenor Square London, W1A 1AE United Kingdom
Automated Visa Information Line: 09068-200-290 (24 hour) * 60p/min;
only available in the UK
Operator Assisted Visa Information: 09061-500-590 Lines are open
Monday to Friday, 8.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m., and on Saturdays from
10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. 1.50/min; only available in the UK
All British travellers to the US must have a full 10-year passport
valid for 90 days. A British visitor's passport is not valid.
Where can I get a free WDW vacation planning video?
Ring 0870 7339090
How old do I need to be to buy alcohol?
The minimum age for buying alcohol or consuming alcoholic beverages
is 21 years of age. A valid photo identification (passport or international
driver's licence, etc.) may be required upon purchase of alcohol
or for entry to bars and nightclubs. Please note that it is also
against the U.S. law to:
Be intoxicated in public;
Possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while driving
or as a passenger in a vehicle;
Drink alcoholic beverages in a public place such as a public park
or lake. Note that Disney's parks are private property and alcohol
purchased here may be consumed in public as long as you are 21 years
or older.
Where can I get more information?
You'll find loads of useful information to help you plan your trip
on this site. You can navigate the site using the menu on the left,
or see the sitemap for a full list of pages. I'd highly recommend
getting a copy of 'Brit's
Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World', which is an excellent
guidebook. Also, if you have any questions, visit our message
boards, there's even a special board just for UK visitors!
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