Guides & Essentials
Your Ultimate Florida Holiday Planning Checklist
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There's a Lot to Organise - But FloridaTix Has Got You Covered
Planning a Florida holiday is one of the most exciting things you'll ever do. It's also one of the most involving. Between ESTAs, park tickets, dining reservations, apps to download and remembering to actually pack your toothbrush - there's a lot going on.
As Florida specialists, we've helped thousands of families and groups plan the perfect Florida escape across Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks, Discovery Cove and beyond. So we've put together this checklist — your no-nonsense, nothing-missed guide to getting holiday-ready. Bookmark it. Print it. Stick it on the fridge. Whatever works.
1 Year to Go — Once the Annual Leave is Approved
The annual leave is approved, the family or friends are on board and the dream is officially becoming a plan. Here's what to do first before the excitement takes over completely.
✓ Sort your ESTA immediately
Anyone travelling to the USA on a British passport must have an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before they travel. It's quick and straightforward to do online — so do it now, not the night before you fly.
Not a British citizen? You may need a Visa from the American Embassy instead. This can take considerably longer to process, so get this sorted as soon as possible.
✓ Book your park tickets — and do it early
This is one of the most important things you'll do for your Florida holiday, and the sooner the better. Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks and Discovery Cove can sell out during peak season — and prices tend to rise the closer you get to your travel date. Booking early locks in the best price and gives you one less thing to worry about.
FloridaTix Top Tip: The Ultimate Florida Combo pairs Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Parks together into one unforgettable ticket — and you'll save more than booking each park separately. It's the smartest way to do Florida. Explore Ultimate Florida Combo Tickets →
✓ Thinking about Discovery Cove? Book it now
Discovery Cove is unlike anywhere else in Florida - but it has a limited daily capacity and can sell out well in advance, especially during peak season. If a swim with dolphins is on the agenda, don't leave this one to chance. Book as early as possible to avoid missing out. Explore Discovery Cove Packages →
✓ Book your accommodation
Whether you're staying on-site at Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, or in a private villa, popular options go fast — especially during school holidays. Private villas can book up two years in advance for peak periods, so get this locked in early. Book Florida Hotels →
✓ Set up your My Disney Experience account
If you're heading to Disney World, create your My Disney Experience account and link your resort details. It's the hub for everything Disney - dining reservations, experiences, ride times and more. You won't be able to link your tickets until they're delivered 31 days before travel, but getting your account set up now means you're ready to move the moment they land.
6 Months to Go — The Planning Gets Serious
Half a year might sound like ages, but Florida plans have a habit of sneaking up on you. These are the steps that catch people out most often.
✓ Check your passport
Make sure your passport has at least 6 months' validity remaining beyond your travel dates. If it doesn't, renew it now - passport delays are not the kind of surprise anyone wants when a Florida holiday is on the line.
✓ Book Disney Advanced Dining Reservations
Don't sleep on this one. Disney's most popular restaurants open for reservations 180 days before your visit and they fill up fast. If you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can book dining for your entire first 10 days at that same 180-day window — use it. Character dining, signature restaurants, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom Park — all of these need to be in the diary well in advance, especially if you're travelling in peak season.
✓ Start buying your dollars
No need to buy everything at once — spread the cost by picking some up each week, or drop hints for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day... any excuse works.
✓ Sort your pet-sitter
Particularly important in peak season. Don't leave this to the last minute.
3 Months to Go — Tickets, Passes & Apps
✓ Confirm your park tickets are booked
If you haven't already sorted your Florida park tickets, now is definitely the time - prices only go one way as your travel date approaches. If you're already booked, you're ahead of the game.
✓ Consider a Universal Express Pass
Want to skip the regular queues at Universal Orlando Resort? A Universal Express Pass lets you do exactly that - and it's worth thinking about sooner rather than later. You can pick one up at the time of booking your tickets to, or grab them around the 3-month mark to spread the cost. Either way, it's one of those things you'll be very glad you sorted once you're in the park. Book Universal Express Passes →
✓ Download your park apps
Get ahead by downloading the apps for the parks you're visiting:
My Disney Experience — wait times, dining, reservations and more for Walt Disney World Resort
Universal Orlando Resort app — track wait times, dining options, parades and events
SeaWorld Orlando app — wait times, show schedules, dining and events across the park
Having these set up before you travel means you hit the ground running on day one rather than faffing about with downloads on the hotel Wi-Fi.
2 Months to Go — Lock In the Fun Stuff
✓Set up your free eSIM before you travel
With every booking made through FloridaTix, you'll receive a complimentary 1GB eSIM from Hubby eSIM — you'll be sent all the details on how to redeem it via email. Get it sorted well before you fly so it's ready to go the moment you land in Florida. No hunting for local SIM cards, no nasty roaming charges, no faff.
Once you're there, it means maps, messaging, ride apps and park wait times are all at your fingertips from the second you step off the plane. Hubby eSIM data bundles run on the largest and most reliable 5G network in America — and are up to 95% cheaper than standard roaming rates. One less thing to think about, so you can focus on the fun stuff.
✓ Give all your bookings a thorough once-over
Flights, hotel, car hire, park tickets — check everything. Your peace of mind costs nothing, and spotting an error now is infinitely better than discovering it at the airport.
1 Month to Go — Almost There!
✓ Link your tickets in My Disney Experience
Your Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort tickets will arrive digitally around 31 days before travel. Get them linked in My Disney Experience straight away — this unlocks the next steps in your planning.
✓ Stock up on travel essentials
Sun cream (Florida sun is serious — do not underestimate it), US plug adaptors, and any toiletries you'd rather buy at home than pay resort prices for.
✓ Travel insurance
Make sure your policy is in place and that you've declared any medical conditions. Check that all medication is in-date and properly sealed, and request any repeat prescriptions or GP letters you might need.
✓ Let your bank know
Give your credit card provider or bank a heads-up that you'll be spending in the US. Getting your card blocked at the checkout of a Florida outlet mall is nobody's idea of a holiday.
✓ Start the packing process
Get the suitcases down from the loft. Start washing and folding. It's officially happening.
2 Weeks to Go — Get Organised
✓ Print or save all your documents
Reservations, tickets, hotel confirmations, car hire details — print copies and save digital backups. Create a dedicated "Florida" folder in your email and on your phone so everything is in one place when you need it.
✓ Screenshot key My Disney Experience info
Important dates, booking references, dining reservation times — screenshot these and save offline. Mobile signal at airports is notoriously unreliable exactly when you need it most.
✓ Check your park apps are up to date
Give the My Disney Experience, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando apps a refresh so you're not waiting for updates on the day.
✓ Cancel regular home deliveries
Newspapers, milk, that weekly meal prep box - sort out anything that'll pile up on the doorstep while you're away.
The Final Countdown!
5 days to go
Aim to have packing 90% done. Book your taxi to the airport — both ways, including the return journey (it's always the one people forget).
3 days to go
Lay out your travel outfit so it's stress-free on the morning. Sign up for discount vouchers for Florida restaurants and shopping — there are brilliant deals to be found if you know where to look.
24 hours to go
Online check-in for flights and car hire
All travel documents to hand
Suitcase and hand luggage fully packed
Passport?✓ Toothbrush? ✓
All devices charged, cables and adaptors packed
Alarm set. Good night's sleep. Florida, here you come!
Your Florida Holiday Checklist at a Glance
Everything in one place — save this, print it, or screenshot it for easy reference.
When | What to do |
|---|---|
1 year out | Apply for your ESTA (or Visa if required) |
1 year out | Book your Florida park tickets — Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks, Discovery Cove |
1 year out | Book the Ultimate Florida Combo to save across Walt Disney World, Universal & SeaWorld |
1 year out | Book Discovery Cove early — limited daily capacity, sells out fast |
1 year out | Book accommodation — peak-season villas fill up to 2 years in advance |
1 year out | Set up your My Disney Experience account |
6 months out | Check passport validity — must have 6+ months remaining |
6 months out | Book Disney Advanced Dining Reservations (opens 180 days before travel) |
6 months out | Book Disney experiences e.g. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (180 days in advance) |
6 months out | Start buying US dollars — spread the cost |
6 months out | Arrange a pet-sitter |
3 months out | Confirm all park tickets are booked — Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks, Discovery Cove |
3 months out | Purchase a Universal Express Pass to skip the queues |
3 months out | Download the My Disney Experience, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando apps |
2 months out | Redeem your free Hubby eSIM — check your email for details |
2 months out | Set up your eSIM before you travel for instant connectivity on arrival |
2 months out | Double-check all bookings end-to-end |
31 days out | Walt Disney World Resort & Universal Orlando Resort tickets delivered — link to My Disney Experience |
1 month out | Buy sun cream, US plug adaptors and travel toiletries |
1 month out | Confirm travel insurance covers all medical conditions |
1 month out | Notify your bank/credit card provider |
1 month out | Get the suitcases down and start packing |
2 weeks out | Print/save all documents and confirmation emails |
2 weeks out | Screenshot key My Disney Experience booking info |
2 weeks out | Check all park apps are up to date |
2 weeks out | Cancel regular home deliveries |
5 days out | Finalise packing and book airport taxi (both ways!) |
3 days out | Lay out travel outfit and find restaurant/shopping discount vouchers |
24 hours out | Online check-in, final pack, passport & toothbrush check, charge all devices |
Ready to Get Your Florida Holiday Sorted?
From Walt Disney World Resort tickets to Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks, Discovery Cove and our exclusive Ultimate Florida Combo — FloridaTix makes it simple to book the best of Florida at the best price. And if you're not sure where to start, our team of Florida experts are here to help.
Browse Florida Park Tickets → | View the Ultimate Florida Combo → | Talk to Our Florida Experts →