The Full UK To US Travel Guide - Including All Forms And Testing Requirements
Guide 14-Nov-2021
Disclaimer: Mickey From The UK might receive a small commission for products linked to at no extra cost to you, which helps support this website and community. This has no way influenced the content of this article. This article was written on November 14th, 2021 and last updated on June 21st, 2022.
Starting 8th November 2021, the US finally reopened their borders to us following a 20-month travel ban. We can now visit our favourite place - the Walt Disney World Resort - once again. Travelling internationally has changed, with extra procedures, paperwork, testing, and costs. This article will walk you through what's required to travel to the US (from a British perspective) following the reopening of the borders, as well as examples of some of the new costs involved.
This might seem super overwhelming and complicated, but stick with it, once you get a picture in your mind of what's required, it's a breeze. Here we go.
ESTA
ESTA's are still required for travel to the US. They cost $21 each and lasts two years. They must be completed through the official ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Please try and avoid third-party companies who try to charge your hundreds of pounds to complete them for you.
COVID-19 vaccination requirement
All travellers aged 18 and over need to be fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines. "Fully vaccinated" means:
2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, or Moderna
2 doses of AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Covishield, BIBP/Sinopharm, or Sinovac
You do not qualify as "fully vaccinated" unless 14 days have passed from your second dose. You will be required to show your NHS app QR code when departing the UK and arriving in the US to prove your vaccination status. The CDC do not require you to have had your booster dose.
The CDC requires unvaccinated travellers - including unvaccinated children between 2 and 17 - to take a COVID-19 LFT/antigen test between 3 and 5 days after arriving in the US. Remember, a child is not "fully vaccinated" unless they've had two doses of a vaccine as outlined at the start of this article. These tests can be done and/or purchased at local pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, etc. Most are just a short drive or taxi from Walt Disney World. The CDC has a search to find nearby testing centers. Or, you could order the"Lateral Flow Antigen Test Kit" for £19 each and take them with you. You can then take the test upload it, and get your negative certificate. This test does not have to be observed, and you do not need to declare it anywhere. However, you have to swear in your attestation form that if travelling with unvaccinated children (as outlined above) they did take one of these tests 3-5 days after arriving.
Attestation form
As well as an ESTA, an attestation form is required by all adults. This is essentially a legal declaration that includes things like declaring you are genuinely vaccinated, etc. Willingly providing false or misleading information may lead to fines and other criminal penalties. Your airline will provide this to you before you're due to fly.
Passenger locator form
Starting March 18th 2022, returning British citizens are no longer required to fill out the passenger locator form.
Summary
Complete your ESTA's ($21 each)
Make sure you have your vaccination proof - the NHS travel QR code is what's needed
Book your Disneyland Paris trip today and travel in safety and comfort of your own car and receive FREE crossing with P&O Ferries with your package booking for stays between 1st January 2024 - 27... Read more >
Welcome to a magical world that swings, slides and rocket-rides your mood until you start to feel a little more... you. Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Welcome back to being you.
... Read more >
For the Brits who enjoy visiting Disneyland Paris, the EU Version of ESTA - named ETIAS - was originally slated to be launched in 2023, but was subsequently delayed in into 2024. Now, sources at ... Read more >
The Walt Disney World guest boat that travels between the Magic Kingdom area resorts is returning October 1st, 2023.
All aboard! 🛥️ Guests at Walt Disney World will once again be able to... Read more >
Disneyland Paris has announced that the new Halloween festival will begin October 1st and run through November 5th, 2023. The full press release is below.
Disneyland Paris Booking Guide
If yo... Read more >
Disney has today announced that the gold Walt Disney World 50th statues situated across the Walt Disney World theme parks will be sticking around a little longer! Disney will be removing the 50th... Read more >
In a new SEC filing, The Walt Disney Company disclosed a 10-year plan to "expand and enhance" its domestic and international parks, and cruise line capacity. Nearly double the amount spent in the... Read more >
Disneyland Paris and McDonald's have announced a new location will be constructed to host a new restaurant at Disney Village, Disneyland Paris.
Work on the new restaurant will begin in Septem... Read more >
Disney Parks live-streamed Disney Treasure event showcased the upcoming new ship. During the presentation Disney Cruse Line announced:
The three rotational dining restaurants will be Worlds Of... Read more >
Disneyland Paris has announced that much loved drone show called "Avengers: Power the Night" at Walt Disney Studios will return on select dates from 1st September, 2024, through January 7th, 2024... Read more >
