Go-to guide for a stress-free Florida holiday. You’ll find essential travel tips, practical information, and insider advice on car hire, park tickets, and local rules.
✈️ Traveling to the USA – Important Information
🛂 ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) If you’re visiting the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must apply for an ESTA.
🌐 Apply via the official ESTA website: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
💵 Administrative fee: approx. $21 per person
👨👩👧 Families can link applications for easier retrieval ⏱ Processing time: typically 72 hours
🛂 Passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and ePassport-enabled
📝 Travel Preparation Tips
🚗 Pre-book car hire – paying in advance avoids unexpected fees
🎟 Pre-book theme park tickets
🪪 Driving license – bring the photo ID part and your DVLA driving number (valid 21 days from issue)
🏥 Travel insurance – always recommended
🛫 Airport rules – don’t joke with security, and ensure electrical devices are charged (must be switched on if checked)
🔒 TSA-approved locks – recommended if locking bags
🛍 Shops & restaurants – listed prices exclude sales tax; keep small bills for tipping
💵 Tipping – 15–20% standard; 20–25% for exceptional service
🚗 Car Hire Tips
💳 Book and pay for your car in the UK to avoid unexpected fees
✅ Confirm inclusions: insurance, mileage, car seats, etc.
⛽ Fuel policy: return full or pay for pre-filled fuel. Closest fuel to Orlando Airport: 7-Eleven, 3911 McCoy Rd & Trade Port Dr, Orlando, FL 32812-4109
🔄 Fuel is sold in gallons (1 gallon ≈ 3.7 liters)
🚦 Driving Rules in Florida
🛣 Drive on the right-hand side
🚨 When passing a stopped emergency vehicle on multi-lane roads, vacate the nearest lane and slow to <20 mph under the speed limit
🔴 Traffic lights: red → green → yellow → red (some may just be red)
➕ Right on red is allowed unless otherwise indicated
🔄 U-turns are permitted at most junctions unless marked otherwise
👮 Pulled over by police: stop safely, stay in your car, roll down your window, and follow instructions
🧒 Seatbelts & child safety: Required for all; children 5 & under must be in crash-tested
🎢 Theme Park Tickets
🛒 Shop around online for the best deals
✅ Compare refund policies and ticket delivery options (postal or collection at park)
📸 Memory Maker: Available for Disney — photographers are at character meet-and-greets and around the parks
Recommended websites for tickets:
Florida Theme Parks Guide
✨ Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World®
🏰 Iconic Landmark: Cinderella Castle
🎢 Top Rides: Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
🌟 Fun Fact: Castle is 189 feet tall
⏰ Opening Times: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (seasonal)
🎃 Special Events: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
🌐 EPCOT – Walt Disney World®
🌏 Theme: Technology, innovation & world cultures
🎢 Top Rides: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track
🌟 Fun Fact: Features 11+ international pavilions
⏰ Opening Times: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🎉 Special Events: Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival
🎬 Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World®
🎥 Theme: Movies & entertainment
🎢 Top Rides: Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash
🌟 Fun Fact: Home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
⏰ Opening Times: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🎉 Special Events: Seasonal shows & holiday celebrations
🐘 Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Walt Disney World®
🐾 Theme: Wildlife & safari adventures
🎢 Top Rides: Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris
🌟 Fun Fact: Over 2,000 animals across, 300 species
⏰ Opening Times: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
🎉 Special Events: Pandora evening spectaculars
🐳 SeaWorld Orlando®
🌊 Theme: Marine life & thrilling rides
🎢 Top Rides: Mako, Infinity Falls, Kraken Unleashed
🌟 Fun Fact: Home to over 10,000 marine animals
⏰ Opening Times: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🎉 Special Events: Halloween Spooktacular, Electric Ocean Summer Nights 🦁
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay®
🐘 Theme: African wildlife & rollercoasters
🎢 Top Rides: SheiKra, Montu, Cheetah Hunt
🌟 Fun Fact: Home to over 12,000 animals
⏰ Opening Times: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (seasonal)
🎃 Special Events: Howl-O-Scream, Christmas Town
🎥 Universal Studios Florida™
🍿 Theme: Movies & TV attractions
🎢 Top Rides: Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers 3D
🌟 Fun Fact: Hogwarts Express connects Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
⏰ Opening Times: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (seasonal)
🎃 Special Events: Halloween Horror Nights
🦖 Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ 🏰 Theme: Epic adventures & themed lands
🎢 Top Rides: Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Skull Island: Reign of Kong
🌟 Fun Fact: First fully interactive Harry Potter wand experience
⏰ Opening Times: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
🌟 Universal Epic Universe™ – New Park 🎢 Top Rides: Mario Kart Adventure, Universal’s Dark Water, Fantastic Worlds of Epic Universe
🌟 Fun Fact: Brand-new themed lands never seen before in Florida
⏰ Opening Times: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (expected)
🎉 Special Events: Grand opening celebrations & seasonal events