Useful Tips

You must have a FULL and valid passport to visit the USA.  If your passport shows you are a British or Irish Citizen you do not usually need a visa but can use the Visa Waiver Scheme.  (forms supplied at airport or on the plane). Make sure all parts of the form are filled in with no mistakes or alterations.  US immigration is very strict and will send you to the back of the line if wrong.  Under certain circumstances (i.e. if you have a criminal record), you will need a visa.  If your passport shows you are a British Subject you will need a visa.  This particularly applies if you are Irish but have a British Subject passport. (If you are in doubt about your passport check with the US Embassy).    click for link to the US Embassy

Make sure you take US Dollar travelers cheques or cash.  Not Sterling.

Most places in the US will accept travelers cheques like cash and even give change. (you may need I.D.)

Take travelers cheques in small nominations i.e..  $20 and $50  This way they are easier to use like cash.

Take some $1. bills and change with you.  When you arrive in Florida you will need money for tips (car hire attendant, hotel porter) and tolls (roads)

Be careful with your American dollar notes!  They are all the same size and color (green).  It is very easy to mistake $10 for $1 when you have a lot in your wallet.  (don't tip $10 thinking it's $1)

If you don't mind waiting at the hire car depot, let the mad rush of people go, when you get to the counter the grade of car you booked may have gone and you may get a free upgrade to a larger size.

Although the holiday brochure says "Free car hire included" when you pick up your vehicle there will be state taxes and other charges to pay including insurance unless you have pre-paid in the UK.  This could be £200-£300 or more depending on what you include and size of vehicle. Third-party insurance is included but this does not cover any damage to the hire vehicle itself, so Loss Damage Waiver Insurance (CDW or LDW) is a must, if you do not take this you are liable for all damage to the rental vehicle.  Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI) tops up the third-party insurance (check the cover) to $1 million per accident and is worth considering.  Personal Accident Cover is normally included in travel insurance so there should be no need to pay this.

If you arrange car hire separately from your holiday booking, make sure you are fully insured.  Don't cut corners as the financial consequences can be devastating!

If you are planning to pre-pay all extra car hire costs in the UK, check the $ exchange rate as it may work out less expensive to pay when you arrive in the US.

The hire vehicle will have a full tank of gas (petrol) when you pick it up.  You will probably be charged a higher than pump price for it.  Ask if you can return the vehicle full.  This is a way round being charged the higher price for the fuel.

Tipping in the US is a way of life.  In restaurants etc. it is customary to tip 10% - 15% of the total bill.  You may find the tip or service added to your bill.  Check this first.  If not, a tip will be appreciated as staff rely on tips as part of their income.  The hourly rate for staff is low.

Its a good idea to pick up the FREE local guide and voucher books.  These can be found outside shops, in your hotel and numerous other places.  You will find discount vouchers inside for hotel rooms, restaurants and attractions.  If you intend using one of the hotel room discount vouchers, ask availability first and then present your voucher.  By presenting the voucher first you may hear  "Sorry we have no standard rooms left" or "Sorry we are full".

Buy an insect repellant.  The Mosquitoes bite!!!!!!!  Its not bad in Orlando but anywhere near water in the summer months (especially the Everglades) they will find you!

When buying Disney passes, the best value is the Hopper or Hopper plus.  With this you can visit different parks on the same day and even go from one to another and then back again.

If you are driving and plan to visit Epcot and Magic Kingdom on the same day (with Hopper pass) leave your car at the park you intend to visit last. i.e. If you are going to The Magic Kingdom and plan to finish at Epcot, park at Epcot, take the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom, then return to Epcot by Monorail.  At the end of your day, your car is in the right place.  There is currently no Monorail link to Disney MGM.

Check Theme Park hours and check parade times in advance.  Plan your park visit.  Some parades and firework displays are only on set nights. i.e. weekends. 

Take a bottle of drinking water with you to the parks and when it's empty fill it at a water fountain (they are always nice and cold).  Buying drinks all day can become very expensive.  Coke, water and other soft drinks are about $2. per bottle and you are sure to get through a few.

At EPCOT  places to stand for a good view of Illuminations are at Mexico and Canada.

At Disney MGM go to Fantasmic at least 30 minutes early (it fills up very quickly) and sit in the centre seats for the best view.

At the Magic Kingdom for a good view of Fantasy in the Sky - go down Main Street USA towards Cinderella Castle, just before the bridge take the footpath on your left in front of  "Casey's Corner hot dog snacks" and watch from here.

Beware of sellers who want you to visit property and offer free breakfast to qualify for cheap tickets.  They are only trying to sell time share or other schemes!

When in the Disney parks during busy times use the Fastpass line.  You book a time for your ride then come back and by-pass the long queue!  During not so busy times check the length of  the normal queue, you may find everyone is using Fastpass and taking the normal line is quicker. 

If you are traveling from the Keys or Miami and heading for the west coast of Florida or traveling from the west coast to Miami and the Keys, try using US 41 (Tamiami Trail) instead of I-75 and stop off at Wooten's, Ochoppe or the Miccosukee Indian village on your route.                         click for link to pay a visit

If you wish to phone the UK it is best to buy a phone card.  It will be a lot cheaper than a public phone and who wants to keep pumping Quarters into the slot anyway.  If you phone from your hotel room beware of the cost as there is normally a surcharge. (check at the front desk).   When you phone dial 011 44 then the number leaving off the first 0.   If the number is 01625 987567  dial 011 44 1625 987567.

Before you go swimming in the Ocean or Gulf watch the local news or check for signs warning of a strong undertow or rip tides.  If there are signs DO NOT go swimming.   

If you wish to drink alcohol you must be at least 21 years old.  Carry some form of identification to prove your age.

Electricity in the US is 110 volts.  Plugs are usually two flat pins.  Adaptors (240v - 110v) will be required for any UK electrical items you take.

When buying videos make sure they are the UK "PAL" format and not the US "NTSC" unless your VCR is able to play NTSC tapes.

If you are tempted to buy a Camcorder make sure it is the UK "PAL" format and make sure it has world wide warranty.  Lots of goods in the US only carry a US warranty.

An American style continental breakfast is much more than you would expect!  and usually contains Coffee, Tea, Juice, Cereal, Toast, Donuts, Muffins, Danish Pastries etc.

Copyright 2002-2003  Site by D.Goddard