WALT DISNEY WORLD

Dip Site Name Change

Currently closed for refurb, the Dip Site near Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is set to have a name change. When it reopens on July 2 it will be called the Oasis Canteen.

Monthly Payment Plan

Florida Residents can now spread the cost of buying Annual passes using the new monthly payment program. Florida Residents make a down payment equal to the price of a non-discounted one-day Magic Your Way base ticket and then pay the remainder through 12 recurring automatic monthly payments scheduled for the year. It’s interest and finance charge free. Click here for more details. No word yet on in and when this will be available for regular Annual Passholders.

Disneyland Paris

Toy Story Playland

The official opening date for Walt Disney Studios‘ new Toy Stroy Playland is August 17, less than two months away.

Pizza Planet Change

Pizza Planet in Disneyland Park’s Discoveryland is now an all-you-care-to-eat buffet.

GENERAL

ESTA Charges Ahead

For those visiting the US from a different country who have to register with ESTA before traveling, you may want to consider doing it soon, even if you’re not traveling for a while. At some point in the near future everyone who puts in an ESTA application will be charged $10 per person for the privilege. The date fees are brought in hasn’t yet been determined, but is likely to be before September this year. Everyone traveling to the US (non-US citizens) must have completed an ESTA otherwise they will not be allowed into the country – no exceptions.

You need to fill one in:

  • If you’re a citizen of one of the 36 countries (incl. UK) that are part of the US’s Visa Waiver Program  (see US Department of Homeland Security’s website for a list).
  • If you don’t have a US visitor’s visa.
  • If you won’t stay in the US for longer than 90 days.
  • If you’re only travelling to the States for business or pleasure.
  • If you have a return or onward bound ticket
  • On behalf of all infants and children.
ESTA is currently free to apply for (don’t be conned by the many websites that charge for it at present) and once granted is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is soonest.
Visit the official ESTA website to apply.