Orlando Travel Facts:

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 110 volts, 60Hz. Plugs are mainly the two, flat-pin type, though three-pin plugs are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter, which can be purchased in most major departure airports.
Money: The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm

Language: English is the official language.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK passport holders require a valid passport for travel to the USA. Under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), most British citizens do not require a visa for holiday, transit or business purposes providing their passports are machine-readable, the stay does not exceed 90 days and a return or onward ticket is held. Note: Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Protected Person, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do require a visa.
Passport/Visa Note: Visitors entering the country under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a bar code on the photo page. From 26 October 2006 eligible travellers under the VWP must include biometrics in their machine-readable passports if they wish to enter the country without a visa, containing unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All new passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. Due to new security measures, all visitors to the USA will have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the Visa Waiver Programme.
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.
Tipping: A 15% tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but don't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties tip 20% of the bill. It is normal to tip staff in hotels. In more expensive accommodation there is sometimes a bed tax, often as high as 15%, and it is worth checking that this is included within the quote.
Safety: Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, however travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened particularly at airports. Visitors are cautioned that terrorist attacks in the past have occurred in public areas and there is a risk of being caught up in any future incidents. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Visitors should avoid wearing expensive jewellery and walking in run down areas and try to stick to main highways and use well-lit car parks. Do not sleep in your vehicle on the roadside or in rest areas and avoid leaving luggage on display in cars. If hit from behind while driving, indicate to the other driver to follow you to a public place and call for Police help. Lighters are now officially banned from all domestic and international flights. The ban means that no lighters will be allowed anywhere on the airplane, not even in the baggage hold. Hurricane Katrina: One of the worst and most costly hurricanes ever to hit the United States, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast on 30 August 2005, causing extensive damage, loss of life and flooding along the coast, particularly in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The southern Gulf Coast communities were declared Federal Disaster Areas. It is estimated that it will take months for the clean-up operation to take place, particularly in New Orleans.
Customs: Laws vary from state to state, including speed limits, the age of consent and the age at which you may legally buy and consume alcohol, but this is usually 21 years.
Communications: The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. The outgoing code is 011, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The US has numerous area codes, which must be dialled before the local number required (e.g. New York Manhattan, 212, and Washington DC, 202). Mobile networks cover most of the country, including all urban areas, however unless you have a tri-band phone it is likely your cellular phone from home will not work in the United States. The largest GSM networks are T-mobile and Cingular. Internet cafes are prevalent in most towns and cities.

ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays