ESTA For UK Visitors To Disney World And Florida: Apply Before You Book
The first step every UK visitor to Disney World needs to take before booking their holiday is to get an ESTA, or make sure their current one is valid. You need an ESTA to enter the USA. If for any reason you do not get one, it could ruin your holiday plans and cost you more money if you book a Florida holiday from the UK without taking this step first. And worse, travel insurers and booking agents will not refund you if you cannot get an ESTA.
Key ESTA Information:
Why get an ESTA before you book?: They are a legal requirement to enter the USA and you can be refused
ESTA Cost: $40.27 (£29.83) per person
ESTA validity: 2 years (unless you change your passport during this time)
Where to apply for an ESTA from the UK?: Official ESTA Application Website - Home
What is an ESTA?
ESTA is an acronym for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is part of the Visa Waiver Program in the USA that is designed to make entry into the US more accessible and less time consuming than filling out a full Visa form. To apply for an ESTA you have to be a member of one of the 42 eligible countries, and the UK is.
An ESTA has been mandatory since 12 January 2009, and it is necessary to complete the form ad receive an ESTA 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.
How Much Does An ESTA Cost?
An ESTA will cost $40.27 (£29.83) in 2026 and the cost is per person travelling. There are no exceptions or price differences for children, everyone pays the same flat rate. This is a cost you need to budget for as part of your Disney World and Florida holiday from the UK.
ESTA cost for a UK couple: $80.54 (£59.66)
ESTA cost for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children): $161.08 (£119.32)
Remember: ESTA is charged per person, age makes no difference to cost
Applying
You apply for an ESTA through the US government and can do so directly by following this link: Official ESTA Application Website - Home
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.
There are a lot of other website out there claiming to be official, but this is the only official website and the one we recommend you use.
Do I need a new ESTA every time I visit Walt Disney World?
If you are visiting Disney World from the UK again within the two year validity period on your ESTA you will not need to apply for a new ESTA as long as your are travelling within the dates shown on the ESTA. You will however need to update your ESTA.
If you have changed your passport since your last trip you will need a new ESTA. And if you last visited Disney World over two years ago, you will need another ESTA.
How Long Does An ESTA Take To Come Through?
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. An ESTA can take up to 72 hours to come through, although it is shorter than this for some people.
When your ESTA comes through
Once your ESTA comes through by email for every member of your holiday party, you can then book your trip. We do recommend printing off your ESTA to take with you, or downloading the ESTA app so you can show it if requested. We also suggest that you check your ESTA before you travel too.
If an ESTA is refused
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.
How Long Is An ESTA Valid For?
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. This means that if your passport expires during that two year ESTA validity window you will need to reapply for an ESTA, as the passport and ESTA are linked.
Using The MPC App At MCO With An ESTA
In MCO, you can use the free MPC (Mobile Passport Control) app to help you get through immigration faster if you have visited the US before and have a valid ESTA. It is ideal for UK visitors returning to Disney World who are looking to get through passport control as fast as possible.
FAQs
How much is an ESTA for UK visitors?
An ESTA costs $40.27 (£29.83) per person, not matter the age of the traveller.
I had an ESTA before, can I just book my holiday?
We would advise that you always apply for your ESTA before booking your Disney World and Florida holiday from the UK first. Personal circumstances can change and the US government system is not static which means requirements can change to meet their national security standards.
What happens if I land in the US without an ESTA?
If you land in the US without an ESTA you will not be able to clear immigration and you will be sent home.
Do Brits need an ESTA to visit Disney World?
Yes, all UK visitors heading to Disney World need a valid ESTA. It is part of the Visa Waiver Program and if you do not qualify for an ESTA you will need a VISA to visit Disney World from the UK.