First trip to US - Orlando

23Skidoo

Hi All, hope you can help me with a few questions I have about my first trip to the US. Myself and the husband are planning on going to Orlando for about 12 days next May, and since it's our first holiday stateside and our second honeymoon (since the first one was crap!) I want it all to go smoothly.

I'm trying to book with Aer Lingus since they seem to be the only airline to fly direct, the prices for next year seem to be a bit on the high side. Should I be booking now and just take what I can get, or should I wait a while and see if they have any sort of sales coming up?

I'm also a bit concerned about the whole customs/immigration thing? What actually happens when you check in at Dublin airport? Will we have to fill in any forms or anything (I know I'll have to get the ETSA thing anyway). And when we arrive in the US, what do they actually do with your bags, etc? Will we have to queue for hours at the passport checking bit or what?

Sorry if I sound a bit thick, I've never been outside the EU so I'm used to not having to worry about this kind of stuff. Thanks in advance.

BuffyBot

I believe the Orlando flight will only clear immigration on arrival, so check-in at Dublin will be normal. You'll provide Aer Lingus with Advanced Passenger Info online. You'll do your ESTA and at the check in desk they'll give you an immigration and customs form to fill out before you get to Orlando where they'll be checked.

I don't quite understand your question about bags. They'll take them in Dublin, you'll see them on a baggage belt in Orlando (if all goes well )

Berty

If you fly with a carrier through New York or Boston you will clear Immigration in Dublin.

Re: Being Concerned about Immigration.

As long as you do not have a known criminal record, previous visa refusals etc then have no problem.

You need to know the address of your first night in the US, Passport number, DOB etc etc.

TingTong

BuffyBot wrote: »

I don't quite understand your question about bags. They'll take them in Dublin, you'll see them on a baggage belt in Orlando (if all goes well )

Uh Uh they do not. When you get off the plane in MCO you collect your bags of the carousel close to where you got off the plane. Then you go through the customs check and then they ask you to put them back on a conveyor belt to be collected in the main arrivals hall. A crazy system but the reason for this is that you get on a little monorail from the gated area to the main terminal building and they dont like you clogging up the monorail with your bags. Weve done this trip loads of times and we give out about it every time we go over.

23Skidoo

TingTong wrote: »

Uh Uh they do not. When you get off the plane in MCO you collect your bags of the carousel close to where you got off the plane. Then you go through the customs check and then they ask you to put them back on a conveyor belt to be collected in the main arrivals hall. A crazy system but the reason for this is that you get on a little monorail from the gated area to the main terminal building and they dont like you clogging up the monorail with your bags. Weve done this trip loads of times and we give out about it every time we go over.

Thank you, that's exactly what I meant. Sorry I didn't phrase it right. That sounds like a load of crap. Anyway, some of the flights with stopovers in JFK were cheaper than with Aer Lingus (I think they were with Delta) Would it be worth the 2 1/2 hour layover in JFK to clear immigration here and to get the cheaper flight? Coming back the layover would be in Atlanta, but I presume there would be no need to do anything other than check in in Orlando since I'd be flying home?

flikflak

23Skidoo wrote: »

Thank you, that's exactly what I meant. Sorry I didn't phrase it right. That sounds like a load of crap. Anyway, some of the flights with stopovers in JFK were cheaper than with Aer Lingus (I think they were with Delta) Would it be worth the 2 1/2 hour layover in JFK to clear immigration here and to get the cheaper flight? Coming back the layover would be in Atlanta, but I presume there would be no need to do anything other than check in in Orlando since I'd be flying home?

I would say if it is cheaper to fly with a stop then do that if not then go direct. The bag thing at MCO is a piece of cake and immagration is also no problem at MCO. Just be aware that there are more desks that the first few -head down further for quicker processing.

Check out thedibb.co.uk for loads of Orlando tips

Berty

FYI on MCO. Its a better airport with less passengers arriving at the same time than Sanford. Sanford is the package flight airport and their rental cars are not as good as MCO.

You stand a higher chance of a speedy transition through the airport in MCO and stand a higher chance of an upgrade of a car in MCO.

elvis jones

A little Orlando info

Magic Kingdom.
It has to be the 1st park you go to as it has the disney WOW factor for both kids and adults.
The rides in it are
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
They are good for all, not to fast and no inversions or anything like that.
There is the classic ride pirates of the caraibeen which is old but a must for all.
There is buzz lightyear ride that is good as well.
BUT THE LILO AND STITCH IS SCARY FOR KIDS AND ALL THAT WENT WITH US IN JAN DIDN'T LIKE IT.
Fantasmic is a 3d show with mickey, minnie and the rest and is really fun and good to get out of the sun.
The haunted house is great as well and not scary.
The night parade thers is bril. If you are going to it then go to the park in the afternoon as its on late and it’s a very long day.
Get a place on the main st as it’s a great place to see the parade and your out quick.
When you are going to the park you have to go by either boat or monorail….going over on the boat is great.

Animal Kingdom
This is the newset park of disney's 4 and its just a big big zoo in a way.
Everst is a rollercoaster and is new so long lines and is a lot like big thunder.
There is a really reaaly good safari in which you will see all the animals and is a must.
There is a big tree and underneath is a 3d thing again about a bugs life but the kids didn't like it either.
Dinosaur is a little scary too but is good as well.
There is no parade in this park but lots of animal shows and talks.

Epcot
This is the one with the big golfball thingy.
There are only a few things to do here and kids can get bored easily.
GM do a thing called test track and its done that you are a crash test dummy and is really good.
Soarin is the best in the park and is a ride that makes you think you are flying over america. Its just amazing and will have very very very long ques so get fast pass for it but you can only have 1 fast pass at a time.
There is also mission space which is like taking off in a shuttle and can be hard on the stomach so not all like it.
The night fireworks here are my fav and start late again so best to go late afternoon to see it.
Food is good in this park and has lots of different cultures as p[art of the world showcase.
The big ball is a history of the world and is fun to use up some time.


Hollywood Studios

This is my fav of the Disney parks and has lots to do.
Tower of terror is based on the twilight zone and I think its great. It’s a dropping lift. It’s a little scary but good.
Rockin rollercoaster is fast and inverts so nuff said ( done to aerosmith )
There are 2 good shows, Indiana jones stunt show and Car stunt show ( both fill early and check times when you arrive )
Muppet 3d is fuuny an d star wars is good for us older people who remember it.
Toy story mania is new and very busy so fast pass it ( its 3d and moving at the same time and really good, kids will love it )
If the kids like high scoool musical there is a parade there a few times a day that under the big hat. Turkey legs are the big food in this park.




OVERALL DISNEY
Merchandise in the parks can be expensive so try to big in the larger gift stores.
When you go into parks turn right as the majority of people turn left and you can ge the smaller ques !!
Watch out for places where mickey etc appear for photos. There is a special place in Epcot beside soarin where you can get them all.
Get a map every day and this will tell you parade times etc.
They also have a place called downtown disney which has lots of restaurants, shops and a cinema. This has a place called GIARDELLIS that do ice cream and chocolate….yum yum



UNIVERSAL
They have 2 parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios
This is the org park based on the films
Shrek 4d is just inside the gate and really fun.
The main NEW attraction in this park is the Simpsons ride and is very very busy so if you are there 2 different days go straight to it ( they have a store there too )
Men in black is a shooting ride and really go for all.
Jaws is scary for some but good and old school for us.
Jimmy neutron is fun for kids.
There is a mummy rollercoaster and its in the dark and a little scary but no inversions etc.
T2 3D is a show and 3d and really good but a little scary and noiesy.
There is a beetlejuice musical and fun.
A new rollercoaster is being built but not open yet.
There is also a fun animal show, ET ride and small rollerscoaster based on woody peeker.

Islands of Adventure
This is a new park and a lot is based american comics.
There is abig hulk rollercoster and wow……just look and decide.
Spiderman is my fav ride in orlando, its 3d and so so so cool.
Jurassic park is a slight water ride and really good.
There are 2 main water rides AND YOU WILL GET WET, popyee and Dunley do little.
Mythos is a restaurant there and has won best theme park restaurant in the world 5 years in a row……..only park restaurant I will eat in. Amazing stuff.
There is also dueling dragons which is a serious rollercosaster.
Harry potter is being built but won't open for a year.



So there are the parks.
Try not to eat in the parks if you can as it can cost a forture.
We always have breakfast at home, a snack in the park and then eat out at night which can be great value.
Buy gifts etc in gift shops and not in the parks if you can as they are seriously expensive.
Between 6 and 9 are the peak times in the restaurants and there can be a lot of waiting times.
We went to a supermarket and stocked up on stuff for breakfast and snacks.
You will need rest days as there is an awful lot of walking.
For evenings you are going to parades go in the afternoon as it’s a very long day.
For shopping look up the florida mall and outlet centres as they are cheap and good for clothes.
Oh and look out for restaurant called Logans……when I die I want to go there as heaven.
Most important enjoy and take lots of pictures…...