Following a review of security procedures at all airports in the USA, the US Immigration Department has updated its policy on passengers entering the United States using the current Visa Waiver Programme, of which the UK is a participant. All British passport holders will only be permitted to enter the United States if they hold a machine readable passport. The majority of 'new style' red British passports are machine readable, although those issued outside the UK or those not in the new style may not be. Should your passport not be machine readable it will be necessary to either obtain a new passport or to obtain a US visa.

A machine readable passport has the holder's personal details e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine. Almost all passports are now machine readable.

No. Although most of the 'new style' British passports issued in the UK since 1988 will be machine readable, those issued outside the UK may not be.

There is a machine readable strip at the bottom of the data page. This means that the passport details can be read by a machine at Passport Control. If you are in doubt as to whether your passport is machine readable, you should contact the British Passport Office on 0870 521 0410 for further information.

Yes. You should obtain a new passport for your child. As machine readable passports typically have bio data for only one traveller in the machine readable zone, children will therefore require their own individual passports in order to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

You must either obtain a new machine readable passport and use the Visa Waiver Program, or apply for a US visa using your current passport. If you decide to obtain a new passport, we strongly recommend that you review the information on visa free travel to ensure that you are indeed eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

An adults new passport currently costs from £33 and a childs new passport currently costs from £19. For further information please contact the British Passport Office on 0870 5210410 or www.passport.gov.uk.

Health and Hygiene standards vary around the world, as do the requirements for Vaccinations or other health precautions. If you are travelling to the USA, there are currently no compulsary health requirements for British Citizens.

You must have proper travel insurance, purchased prior to your departure from the U.K. For your peace of mind, it is important to check that you are fully covered, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are participating in any sports or activities. The U.S. doesn’t have a reciprocal health agreement with the U.K. so adequate health insurance is essential.

Some passengers may have been concerned by recent reports suggesting that their health could be threatened by flying long haul. Fortunately, medical experts have reassured us that most of this coverage greatly exaggerates the real risks. Statistically, you have more chance of having a fatal accident on the roads or at home than developing a fatal condition while flying. You'll need to take medical advice before you fly if any of the following affect you:

You should not fly if you have been scuba diving within the last 48 hours.

You are encouraged to take advantage of this service to save yourself some waiting time at certain restaurants. When you call you will get a Priority Seating number. Upon your arrival at your dining location, please present your name and Priority Seating number at the podium. This is not a reservation and your party will be seated at the next available table that will accommodate your party size.

Telephone numbers:
If calling from the US - 407 939 3463
If calling from the UK - 001 407 939 3463

There are several places around the Walt Disney World Resort where you can spend some time with the Disney Characters:

Magic Kingdom Park
Get the latest Daily Entertainment Schedule at the International Information Centre at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom Park and be sure to catch all the Characters!

Mickey's Toontown Fair
Mickey Mouse at the Judge's Tent; Minnie Mouse in the Toontown Hall of Fame; various Disney Characters in the Toontown Hall of Fame. Daily appearances. Characters also appear daily at the following locations:

Adventureland
Captain Hood and Mr. Smee at Pirates of the Caribbean. Characters from Aladdin near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Fantasyland
Mad Tea Party Fantasyland Character Festival Ariel's Grotto

Castle Forecourt Stage
Visit the "stars" of Cinderella's Surprise Celebration.

Epcot
Discover Disney Characters on holiday everyday at the Fountain of Nations

Disney-MGM Studios
Find out where the Characters are in action in the Daily Entertainment Schedule, available at the International Information Centre at Crossroads of the World in the Disney-MGM Studios.

Mickey Avenue
Featuring Mickey Mouse, daily, and other Disney Characters appearing throughout the day.

Al's Toy Barn
Operation: TOY STORY. It's your chance to meet Buzz, Woody and all of your favourites in special Character appearances held daily.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Visit Camp Minnie-Mickey, an old-fashioned summer camp where the characters go when they're on holiday. Throughout the day, this is where you'll find Mickey and his pals waiting to greet you!

Discovery Island Character Landing
Your favourite friends from the 100 Acre Woods appear daily. What's more, Character Dining is available at a variety of locations within the Walt Disney World Resort. *Entertainment is subject to change without notice. Performances may be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather.

All over the place! Get the latest Daily Entertainment Schedule at the International Information Centre at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Disney cast members speak multiple languages. Check their name tags for flags representing the languages they speak. If you need assistance and you can't find anyone who speaks your language, a cast member can contact a language assistance line or you can return to the International Information Centre near the Park entrance for immediate assistance.

Picnic areas are located in each Water Park, and coolers are welcome! But please, no glass containers or alcoholic beverages.

The water at all of Disney's Water Parks is temperature controlled year-round, so it's tropically toasty, even on cool days!

Yes, all of Disney's Water Parks have life vests available at no additional cost, but guests must leave a deposit.

It's always a good idea to arrive early at the Water Parks, especially if you want to get a sunbed! It's best to get there before noon.

Sure, for an additional cost. Typhoon Lagoon offers surfing lessons every Wednesday morning before the Park opens.

Bellhops or porters should get US$1 per bag. You do not have to tip hotel maids, although US$1 a day per person is appreciated for good service.

Service charges or gratuity (tips) are not usually included in your bill in the United States, and tips are always expected. For most restaurant waiters and bartenders, the average tip is 15 to 20%

Both are possible at Walt Disney World, where any one of these credit cards is accepted everywhere (with the exception of cart vendors and some stores): VISA, VISA Electron, Japanese Credit Bureau (JCB), Diners Club, Discover Card, MasterCard, American Express, The Disney Credit Card. Visitors who wish to convert currency into U.S. dollars can do so at any Disney resort hotel or theme park guest relation counter. Please note that there is a limit to the amount of currency that can be exchanged in a single session. Inquire upon arrival for more details.

Walt Disney World provides a service to Disney resort hotel guests whereby you can have your purchases delivered directly to your hotel. Because delivery may require one and a half days, this service is not recommended for guests who are departing on the following day. This service is not available for some purchases. Inquire at time of purchase. Guests may not have personal items delivered, only purchased items

Currency exchange and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available at all four Disney Theme Parks and at all Disney's Hotels.

Yes. Cirrus, Star, Honor and Plus banking systems are recognized by the bank machines, or ATMs, in Disney Parks; Visa MasterCard and American Express are also accepted for cash advances, provided you have arranged in advance for cash advance eligibility with your bank.

There are designated areas within each Theme Park where smoking is permitted. All the Walt Disney World restaurants however, are non-smoking.

Bookings for all Disney dining options, character breakfasts or table reservations in any restaurants etc can be booked using the Disney Priority Seating Number: When calling from the US - 407 939 3463 When calling from the UK - 001 407 939 3463

You can turn right at the red light as long the road is clear, there isn't a sign that says you can't, and you have come to a complete stop before turning. Try not to be in the right lane at traffic lights if you intend to go straight ahead, as you'll probably get hooted.

No lanes are designated as either "slow" or "fast". However, some motorway signs ask slower drivers to use right lanes.

Overtaking from either lane is permissable as long as you check and the lanes are clear (not in Canada).

They indicate the name of the road that you are crossing, not the one you are travelling on.

A "4 way stop" is a junction where no particular direction has priority. All drivers should come to a stop and the driver who got there first has the right of way.

They are usually at a road junction and they mean proceed with caution. If they flash red it means stop and treat it like a "4 way stop".

Many roads without a central reservation have a lane in the middle that allows a driver to enter if they intend to turn left across the other carriageway. Check that the lane is clear and enter the lane using your indicator. Do not use this lane to overtake other vehicles.

Both studios are authentic production centres with many exciting tours and shows. However, they feature different films and themes. For instance, Universal is home to Jaws, Spiderman, ET, Back to the Future and Earthquake. MGM features the Disney Animation Studio, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Great Movie Ride.

Most theme parks charge approximately $7-8 to park.

Yes, just remember to keep your ticket and have your hand stamped as you leave the park.

With the exception of the waterparks which may close due to inclement weather, all theme parks are open 365 days a year. Park hours vary from season to season.

Orlando has many great shopping malls, including the Mall of Millennia. The Florida Mall is the largest and is centrally located. The Belz Factory Outlet Malls and the Premium Factory Outlets are the best for bargain shopping. The Pointe on I-Drive features exclusive shops and boutiques as does the Mercado Centre on I-Drive.

Shops in Orlando generally open between 9am and 10am and close between 8pm and 9pm. Most shops open on Sunday, but usually from 11am until 6pm.

Cocoa Beach on the east coast of Florida is just over an hours drive from Orlando. To the west, St.Petersburg is about 2 hours drive.