How To Use a VPN To Make Walt Disney World Bookings
Guide 09-Aug-2022
We Brits get snubbed when trying to book some of the extras for our Walt Disney World holidays. Why is this? Technical reasons, apparently. Sadly, the UK Walt Disney World website - although looks identical - doesn't have the same functionality as the US version. Annoyingly, Disney will not let us onto the US site to make certain bookings and automatically diverts us back to the UK site. This means we are unable to easily book Savi's workshop, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween parties, and dessert parties - to name just a few - online.
You can call Disney's freephone number on 0800 028 0778 to book over the phone, but there can be a wait at busy times.
Alternatively, to book online, you have to pretend you're in the US. How do you do that? Using a VPN.
To put it simply, when you type in a web address, your data goes through your internet service provider (ISP) to the web page you requested. If you're connected to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) you're bypassing your ISP and going through the VPN network instead. VPN servers are located all around the world. What you need to do is to connect to a US-based VPN. That way, when you go to Disney's website, it looks like you're from the US.
So you'll need to download, signup, and open your VPN, connect to a US server, and then browse Disney's site to make your bookings. It's that easy!
Which VPN service to use is the big question. There are many, many, VPN services. Some legitimate, some not. While many people will search the App Store for "free VPN" not all VPNs can be trusted. Your traffic and data are going through this VPN (hosted on some server somewhere) and not your ISP. You never really know what's on some of these servers, and nothing in life is free- they'll be making money somehow.
My recommendation is always ProtonVPN. They're one of the most trusted providers due to their no logging policies and privacy stances. They sometimes offer a slow free plan which can connect to a US server ProtonVPN.which you find here. Alternatively, services like ExpressVPN are also well respected, and they come with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're just going to use it as a one-off.
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