Travel Advice Needed

[lostcarpark]

We're looking at Florida for a honeymoon destination. Probably should have booked it months ago, but you know how it goes. I know there are some frequent flyers here, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. Oh, and if you know someone who has a lot of travel experience, please ask them to have a look.

There aren't any direct flights between Dublin and Orlando, so we're going to have to change somewhere.

I've done some searching on various sites, and depending when we travel the price is generally working out around €650-€800 per person. However, if I book a direct flight to JFK with Aer Lingus, I can get it for under €300 per person. A Delta flight from JFK to Orlando comes in at around $140, so it would add up to a fairly substantial saving when you multiply it by three.

When I look up the price on Expedia, it offers me hotel and car packages and tells me I save loads by booking them together. It works out around $100 per night for a 3.5 star hotel close to Disney, and about $20 per day for the car.

So some questions:

1. Is it a good idea to book the flights separately?
2. Is JFK a good airport to connect in?
3. How long should I leave between flights for baggage collection and check-in?
4. Will travel insurance cover it if one flight is delayed and we miss the other?
5. Is it worthwhile booking flight, hotel and car together?
6. Is there somewhere else I could get a cheaper deal?
7. Any general advice on traveling to the US these days?

Eagerly awaiting suggestions!

Comments

[jamesb.livejournal.com]

Visa - U may get turned down anyhow at point of entry, and sent home, you have an appeal if you fail to get a Visa when you apply, the process is time consuming and paperwork heavy.

Visa Waiver - U may get turned down at point of entry & you go home, paperwork is minimal.

I was keen to get a Visa for my Taff trip, but when I went to San Diego, I used the Visa Waiver and to be blunt it saves loads of time.

You need to apply for a Visa at least 6 weeks ahead and have Passports for everyone and all your details. There is an online pdf form, you can see it from the Dublin embassy's website. Its serious. Then you phone an expensive phone line and you get an interveiw date and you blah blah blah.

Ok, I was keen to do this because the last thing I want is to be turned back.

But the Visa Waiver, I read it carefully, and filled it in absolutly correctly on the flight, Immigration took a few minutes (15) and that was it.

So I am opting for Visa Waiver to Boston, also at least if I do get turned down, Immigration is in Dublin, well it will be the shortest Taff Trip ever.

James

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

This is true. With a full Visa you're still not guaranteed entry, though you would assume if you clearly won't be admitted you'll be denied at the visa stage. But if you go through the visa process and could still be denied entry, what's the point? I used the visa waiver a couple of years back and had no problems.

But I do want to make sure it's okay to use it when travelling with children.

[daveon.livejournal.com]

I've been to the US a couple of dozen times in the last 3 years on the visa waiver and never had a problem. As long as you fill in the form right, and answer a clear and honest NO to all the questions you shouldn't worry about it.