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Credit: Inside the MagicDisney World may be going through tons of change, but millions of guests still want to visit the iconic Florida resort in 2025.
The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Central Florida, is expanding in a big way—both in terms of the IP on offer and the actual footprint of the theme parks themselves. Even though change is exciting, change takes time, and many Disney park fans have discussed whether trips should be postponed until 2026 and beyond to capitalize on the many new offerings coming down the pipeline.
That said, as others pointed out, Disney World—like its West Coast counterpart, Disneyland Resort—is in a constant, never-ending state of evolution, meaning visitors will never be free of construction, development, and refurbishments.
While a Disney World vacation can be extremely exciting, there is a level of pressure that comes with planning the perfect trip. And that starts before guests even get into the resort. For international visitors, it starts before they have even landed on U.S. soil.
A Disney World Vacation Goes Wrong in the Worst Way
Becky of @thegeordiedisneyma on TikTok had been dreaming of her family’s Florida adventure for years—three years of planning, and a holiday booked a full 18 months ahead. The journey was meant to be perfect: herself, her husband, and their teenage twins flying from Newcastle Airport to the magic of Walt Disney World.
But on the morning of August 10, perfection came crashing down at the check-in desk. A TUI staff member refused to process her husband’s ticket. The reason? His ESTA—approved and seemingly in order—carried a date of birth that didn’t match his passport.
It was a small error, but it threatened to unravel everything. With the clock ticking and panic rising, Becky even began shifting her husband’s belongings into her own luggage, preparing for the unthinkable possibility of travelling without him.
What is an ESTA?
An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is an online approval required for citizens of countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program who are visiting for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days.
It’s not a visa, but without it, airlines won’t let you board a flight to the U.S. Applications are made through the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, where you submit personal and travel details and pay a fee. An ESTA is typically valid for two years or until your passport expires, and all information must exactly match your passport details to avoid being denied boarding.
What Happened to the Guests in the End?
Desperate for a fix, the couple tried every avenue—border control, the U.S. Embassy—only to be told that Homeland Security was the only authority that could resolve the problem. There was just one catch: they wouldn’t open until 11 a.m., the time their flight was scheduled to leave.
It seemed hopeless until an unexpected twist brought them precious time. The flight was delayed by three hours, giving TUI staff a window to reach Homeland Security. The advice was clear: cancel the faulty ESTA, submit a new application, and hope it was approved in time. But approval could take days, not minutes.
As midday approached, the old ESTA was cancelled and the new one sent off, leaving the family in a limbo of anxious waiting. Then came another stroke of fortune: the flight was delayed again. Check-in was extended to 2 p.m., and with just 15 minutes to spare, the new ESTA was approved.
Her husband went through security, boarding the aircraft with barely a moment to spare. Her advice to fellow travellers was simple but urgent—never assume your ESTA is correct just because you’ve checked it once, or even three times. In her case, a lucky series of delays saved the holiday.
Watch Becky tell the story on her @thegeordiedisneyma TikTok here:
@thegeordiedisneyma Still can’t actually believe this yesterday, whole day feels like some fever dream!! #waltdisneyworld #disneytravel #travel #disneyadult #feverdream
The moral of this story is to make sure all your paperwork is correct and there is no false information on any documentation–accidental or not. Luckily, for this family, it all worked out in the end, but it could have ended up quite different if the airline delays had not been on their side.
Has anything like this ever happened to you? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!