The Ultimate Travel Essentials: Your Invaluable Checklist for a Trip to Florida INCLUDING A PRINTABLE PACKING CHECKLIST

Last updated on September 14th, 2023 at 08:31 pm

Good day lodgers!

Planning a trip to sunny Florida from the UK? Whether you’re a relative first-timer or simply looking for a comprehensive checklist to ensure a smooth journey, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential items and preparations to make your trip unforgettable. So grab your sunscreen and let’s dive in!

1. Travel Documentation

• Passport: This may sound obvious but always best to check. Your passport needs to remain valid only for the duration of your stay in the United States.
• ESTA: British citizens need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program. Ensure you apply well in advance. The link for the website is here
• Travel insurance: Don’t risk traveling without it. Ensure it covers any potential health issues or travel disruptions. The USA health care system is usually very efficient and you should be well looked after. If you are a regular viewer of our videos you may have seen when we had to call 911 for Leigh’s Dad. The Ambulance, fire engine, and eleven men arrived with medical equipment. He was in Hospital around 15 minutes later and all we had to do was fill in some forms with his insurance details and they took care of the rest.

• Driving license: If you’re planning to rent a car, don’t forget to take your driving license. This is also handy if you are going to a bar or restaurant as they will usually ask to see your ID. The USA has very strict drinking laws so even if you think you look old enough you will probably find yourself being asked for ID. Watch our “Guide to Driving in the USA” video below for tips on driving.

2. Gadgets & Accessories

• Power adapter: The US uses different power outlets than the UK (2-pin mains plug) so ensure you have the right adapter. A handy tip is to take one socket converter and a UK 4 gang extension in your case. That gives you four UK plug sockets from your one converter
• Portable charger: Don’t miss capturing those memorable moments because your device ran out of juice. With Genie Plus in Disney World, you may find your phone running out a lot faster than it used to.
• Noise-cancelling headphones: Essential for those long-haul flights.
• Waterproof phone case: Useful for beach outings or unpredictable Florida showers.

3. Appropriate Attire

• Comfortable footwear: Whether you’re walking through Universal Studios or the streets of Disney, comfort is key. Many of the outlets in Orlando offer great deals on brands such as Sketchers which are super comfortable for walking around the parks. If you don’t want to splash out too much then you can head to a local supermarket such as Walmart which has a range of cost-effective footwear.
• Lightweight clothing: Florida is sunny and humid. Breathable fabrics will be your best friends. Take a jumper or lightweight jacket for the evenings. If you are heading over there in the winter months then some days can get chilly so pack some long trousers
• Swimwear: You can’t visit Florida and not take a dip, whether it’s the ocean or a hotel pool.
• Sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat: Protect yourself from those intense rays. If you do not want to fill your luggage with these then again, you can pick them up in many of the Supermarkets when you get to Orlando

4. Medications & Health Items

• Prescription medications: Remember to pack them in their original packaging.
• First aid kit: Including plasters, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.
• Insect repellent: The tropical climate can mean mosquitoes. Disney does their best to combat them so you should be fine in the parks but outside we have been bitten more than once so it’s handy to have some in.
• Travel sickness remedies: Whether it’s for the flight or theme park rides, better safe than sorry! (especially on the Guardians ride 🤢)

5. Snacks & Hydration

• Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and eco-friendly. Many places offer refill stations. The price of water in the theme parks keeps on rising so it’s always better to take your own. If you forget your bottle then you can ask at most places that sell food for a free cup of water (it doesn’t taste all that great but at least it will help with hydration)
• Snacks: Like water, food can be expensive in theme parks. If you want to cut down on your spend then think about taking a packed lunch. If you have kids then you can get some cheaper Disney-style snacks from the supermarkets and take them in and dish them out throughout the day.

6. Miscellaneous

• A good book or e-reader: For those downtime moments, beach lounges, or on the flight.
• A backpack: Essential for theme park visits or short excursions. Bum bags are all the rage again so take one of those if you want something a little smaller.

• Travel pillow & blanket: To make that long-haul flight a tad more comfortable.

7. Local Apps & Maps

• Theme park apps: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and others offer handy apps for visitors. Disney now has Genie which will help plan out your day and lead you to the shortest waiting times. You may end up looking at your phone more than you want but it can be a great way to maximise your time. You will also need the app if you want to pay for Genie Plus
• Local transport apps: Useful if you’re relying on public transport. We always have the Uber and Lyft apps installed on our phones.

Here’s a handy travel packing checklist for flying to Florida. Including tick boxes for your convenience. You can download it to your device or print it from this page (remember to set your print options to “fit to page” then it will print it on your full A4 page

Before you set off, always check travel advisories and local guidelines, especially considering ongoing health and safety protocols. The most important thing? Stay curious, stay excited, embrace the Floridian spirit of adventure, and have fun. Make every day the best while you are there.

[Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. It is always recommended to check official travel advisories and consult with relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information regarding travel requirements.]

Leave us a comment below with any packing and travel tips for Florida you may think others would love to see