If you are ready to book your Walt Disney World holiday, the first step you need to take is to get an ESTA. This is an acronym for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. You cannot enter the USA without one. If, for any reason, you don’t get one, it could ruin your holiday and cost you money if you have already booked without taking this step first. Travel insurers and booking agents will not refund you if you cannot get an ESTA.
What is an ESTA?
An ESTA is a form that you fill out online which decides whether you are eligible to visit the USA. It is part of the Visa Waiver Program in the US and is designed to be more accessible and less time consuming than filling out a full visa application. It has been mandatory since 12 January 2009, so you have to complete it before you can travel to the USA. If you are off to Disney World for your holiday, then the ESTA is the form for you. All UK citizens travelling to Walt Disney World Resort for their holiday need to pay for an ESTA.
Cost
An ESTA will cost you $21, which converts in pounds to roughly £17 in 2024. The cost is per person travelling, as each person needs an ESTA and this is an essential cost you need to work into your budget. For four that cost is $84, approximately £68 in 2024. We advise filling in the application form and paying the cost before proceeding to book.
Applying
You apply for an ESTA through the US government and can do so directly by following this link: Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov)
All of the information that you will need to complete the application process can be found on this website and the site states that the application process itself takes on average 23 minutes to complete.
Wait until it comes through to book
Do not be tempted to head out and book your holiday just because you have applied. You need to wait until the ESTA comes through to you for each member of the party that you intend to book for.
The ESTA can take up to 72 hours to come through. It is shorter than this for some people.
You’ve got it!
The ESTA is valid for periods of entry into the USA of 90 days or less and are valid for two years or until your passport runs out, which ever happens first. With ESTA in hand, you can now book your holiday. Head on over to the booking guide where you’ll find more information and handy guides to help you with the Walt Disney World booking process.
You don’t get an ESTA
If you do not qualify for an ESTA you can still apply for entry to the US but you will need to do this through the visa entry program. This will require an in-person interview at the US Embassy in London. The process takes substantially longer and you will need the visa before you can enter the US.
FAQs
Do I need one every time I visit Walt Disney World?
If you are lucky enough to be heading off to Walt Disney World on holiday more than once in a two-year period, you will not need to apply for another ESTA as long you have not changed your passport during this time. (This also assumes you have not also changed your name, sex, country, or committed a crime – the full list is available here).
If you are visiting Disney World and it has been longer than two years since your last visit you will need a new ESTA. You should not book until you have got it.
I got one before; I’ll get one again, so can I just book?
No. We would not advise that you go ahead and just book your holiday, even if you have had an ESTA before. The US government system is not static and requirements change to meet their national security standards. We would strongly advise you not to book your holiday until you have your new ESTA.