ESTA MOBILE 

ESTA Mobile is a convenient way for eligible travellers to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) using their mobile phone. 

The ESTA allows citizens of participating countries, including the United Kingdom, to travel to the United States for tourism, business or transit without obtaining a traditional visa, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. 

Apply as soon as you can and is valid for for 2 years. 

MPC

The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is an official, free mobile application developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is designed to help eligible travellers complete parts of the US customs and immigration process using their smartphone, potentially reducing waiting times when arriving in the United States.

The app allows travellers to submit passport information, answer customs inspection questions and provide a photograph before speaking to a CBP officer. It is available at participating US entry points and certain locations where US immigration checks take place before departure.

MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE 

The My Disney Experience app is the official mobile application for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It helps visitors plan their holiday, organise park tickets and reservations, navigate the theme parks and manage many aspects of their Disney experience directly from their smartphone.

The app is free to download and is particularly useful for guests visiting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom

UNIVERSAL APP

The Universal Orlando app is designed to help visitors plan and manage their holiday at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.

It provides useful information for the resort's theme parks, including Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe and Universal Volcano Bay. Visitors can use the app to check ride wait times, explore park maps, view show schedules, order food and manage eligible tickets and bookings.

INSTACART

Instacart is a grocery shopping and delivery service that connects customers with local supermarkets and retailers. You can order groceries right to your villa door - especially useful if you are arriving late.

VISITOR TOLL PASS

The visitor toll pass lets you pay road tolls in Orlando. It works for eligible rental cars collected and returned at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The post Apps to download if you're visiting Orlando from the UK appeared first on Sungrove Villas.

✅ DO 

• Drive on the RIGHT. Keep right on ordinary roads and overtake on the left. Take extra care when turning onto a road, particularly after leaving a petrol station or car park.
• Carry your driving licence. UK visitors should carry their valid full UK licence and hire-car documents. Check your rental company's requirements before travelling.
• Stop at red lights. In Florida, you can usually turn right on red after a complete stop, provided there is no sign prohibiting it and the way is clear. Give way to pedestrians and other traffic.
• Understand four-way stops. At a junction where all approaches have STOP signs, vehicles generally proceed in the order they arrive. If you arrive together, the vehicle on the right generally goes first.
• Use your indicators. Signal early when turning or changing lanes, and check your blind spots.
• Give school buses space. Flashing red lights and an extended stop arm mean you must stop. On a two-way road, traffic in both directions generally stops. On a divided highway with a physical median, opposite-direction traffic may proceed cautiously.
• Give emergency vehicles room. Move over when safe for emergency vehicles with flashing lights. If you cannot safely move over, slow down as Florida law requires.

❌ DON'T 

• Don't stop in the middle of a junction because you aren't sure where to go. Follow your sat-nav and pull over safely if you need to check it.
• Don't use your phone while driving. Set up your sat-nav before moving; handheld phone use is prohibited in designated school and work zones, and hands-free is the safer choice everywhere.
• Don't ignore pedestrians at crossings or assume they will wait for you.
• Don't panic if you miss an exit. Continue to the next exit and reroute; never reverse on a motorway or cross solid markings dangerously.
• Don't underestimate Florida weather. Heavy rain can reduce visibility dramatically. Slow down, increase your following distance and never drive through floodwater.

Before you set off

• Take a few minutes to familirise yourself with the car.
• Adjust mirrors and seat before leaving the rental depot.
• Remember the driver sits on the left side of the car, but drives on the right side of the road.
• Keep a safe distance: American roads can be wide and traffic moves quickly.
• Watch for vehicles joining from slip roads and be prepared for multi-lane junctions.
• Take your time and stay in the right hand or middle lane.Turnings can quickly approach so you will always be ready to pull off.

The post Driving in Florida appeared first on Sungrove Villas.

One of the most common questions when planning a Florida holiday is simple:

How long should we stay in Orlando?

The answer depends on what you want to do.

One week

A week can work if you have limited holiday time, but you'll need to prioritise.

If you're planning several major attraction days, shopping, restaurants and some time by the pool, your week can become very busy.

The key is not trying to do absolutely everything.

Two weeks

Two weeks gives you considerably more flexibility.

You can spread your attraction days out and include rest days between them.

This is where staying in a villa can really help.

You can have a pool day, cook at home, relax and then head back out the following day.

Three weeks or longer

A longer stay allows you to experience Orlando differently.

Instead of thinking about what you must fit into your holiday, you can choose what you actually want to do.

There is time for golf, shopping, local restaurants, sightseeing and relaxing.

Don't underestimate rest days

One mistake visitors sometimes make is filling every day.

Theme parks and attractions can be tiring, especially for children.

A day at the villa isn't a wasted day.

It's part of the holiday.

Our ideal approach

For a longer Orlando holiday, think about creating a balance:

Attractions → Rest → Attractions → Villa day → Golf/shopping → Attractions → Rest

This gives everyone something to look forward to without making the entire holiday exhausting.

The perfect length isn't necessarily about seeing everything.

It's about having enough time to enjoy what matters to you.

The post How Many Days Do You Need in Orlando? A Holiday Planning Guide appeared first on Sungrove Villas.

Planning a holiday to Orlando can feel overwhelming. With theme parks, shopping, golf, restaurants and plenty of sunshine, there is something to enjoy throughout the year.

But when is the best time to visit Orlando?

The answer depends on what matters most to you. Some families want the lowest possible crowds, while others prioritise warm weather, school holiday dates or the best value for their villa.

April, May, October, and November are ideal times to visit, offering pleasant temperatures, smaller crowds at theme parks, and a lower chance of experiencing extreme heat.

Winter in Orlando

The winter months can be a fantastic time to visit Orlando, particularly for visitors escaping the colder weather in the UK.

Temperatures are generally more comfortable than during the height of summer, making it easier to enjoy days out without the intense heat.

Winter can also be particularly appealing to snowbirds and longer-stay visitors looking for some sunshine during the colder months back home.

Spring in Orlando

Spring is one of the most popular times to visit.

The weather is often warm without reaching the hottest temperatures of summer, making it a good choice for families who want to combine theme park days with time around the pool.

Spring school holidays can make certain periods busier, so it is worth considering your dates carefully if avoiding crowds is important.

Summer in Orlando

Summer is a popular choice for family holidays because it coincides with the main UK school holidays.

Expect hot weather and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. The advantage is that you can make the most of long days and return to your villa for a swim and some downtime after a busy day.

The last two weeks in August are generally quieter as US schools return.

Autumn in Orlando

Autumn can be an excellent time to visit Orlando.

The weather remains warm, while the period outside the main summer holidays can offer a different pace.

October is particularly popular with visitors who enjoy seasonal events and Halloween-themed entertainment.

So, when should you visit?

There isn't one perfect month for everyone. Lets be honest, Orlando is ALWAYS busy.

Peak times to consider are Xmas/NY, Spring Break, Easter and Thanksgiving.

The most important thing is choosing dates that suit the type of holiday you want.

The post Best Time to Visit Orlando: A Month-by-Month Guide appeared first on Sungrove Villas.