6th International Conference on Civic Education

Orlando Hilton at Walt Disney World

1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

United States of America

Nearest major airport:

Orlando, FL (MCO-Orlando Intl.)

Area:

Downtown Disney® area/Lake Buena Vista

Downtown Disney ® area is Disney for the adult set. Here, restaurant options range from fast-food fare to white-linen service. Entertainment choices include dancing, live music, and a multiplex cinema. Shops offer children’s toys, as well as Harley-Davidson gear and hand-rolled cigars. Downtown Disney ® area’s other appeal is its proximity to both non-Disney and Disney-owned golf courses.

Transportation: For airport transportation, contact Mears Transportation http://www.mearstransportation.com/). Taxi service is available outside the baggage claim area at the Orlando International Airport.

Nearby Points of Interest:

Downtown Disney® area - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
DisneyQuest® - 1 km / 0.6 mi
Typhoon Lagoon - 1.6 km / 1 mi
Lake Bryan - 1.7 km / 1 mi
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course - 3.2 km / 2 mi
Epcot® - 3.7 km / 2.3 mi
Grand Cypress - North, South and East Courses - 3.9 km / 2.4 mi
SeaWorld Adventure Park - 6.3 km / 3.9 mi
Orange County Convention Center - 7.2 km / 4.4 mi
Walt Disney World® - 8.3 km / 5.1 mi
Wet N' Wild - 10.8 km / 6.7 mi
Universal's Islands of Adventure - 11.9 km / 7.4 mi
Gatorland - 12.1 km / 7.5 mi
Universal Studios Orlando - 12.2 km / 7.6 mi
Florida Mall - 14.2 km / 8.8 mi

For the International Traveler

All international visitors regardless of country of origin must present a passport or secure document when entering the United States. Most travelers to the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six months longer than the intended visit.

Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?

The purpose of the visit determines what type of visa will be needed. Visitors planning to visit or attend a meeting will most likely apply for a B1/B2 visa. More information on this can be found at the State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Citizens of 34 countries do not need a U.S. visa for business or tourism visits of 90 days or less. However, if you will be receiving any compensation for your services or activities (i.e. lectures, presentations, etc.), you may need to apply for a visa. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country for more information. Citizens of all VWP countries must now have machine readable passports to enter the United States. Detailed information on these passport requirements is available at the Department of Homeland Security website. For additional details and updates on the Visa Waiver Program, see the State Department’s Visa Waiver Program website.

Additional Information on Visas and Other Entry Requirements
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Documentary Requirements for Entry to the United States

U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
Visa fees and Reciprocity tables

How do I apply for a visa? As a standard part of the visa process, the State Department is now requiring that consular officers interview almost every applicant. Some consulates may have a long wait for an interview so applicants should contact the consulate to schedule an interview as early as possible. Furthermore, many visa applications are sent to the State Department in Washington, D.C. to be reviewed by several agencies. Because of the number of visa applications and the need for thorough security reviews, the process can take several months. Therefore, it is advisable for travelers to apply for their visas as early as possible. Contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy in your country for details on visa application procedures at that post.

Letters of Invitation You will need a letter of invitation from the organization that is holding the conference. All letters of invitation will be sent via regular mail unless you provide a Federal Express or DHL account number. In most cases, Visa Offices will not accept faxed or e-mailed invitation letters. Please provide the following information in your request:

· A completed registration form with a method of payment included

· Your full name (Please specify family name and given name)

· Title (Dr., Professor, Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms, etc.)

· Organization Name and URL

· Full mailing address

· Telephone and Fax numbers

· Email address

· Additional information such as if you are presenting a paper at the Conference

What should I do once I arrive in the United States?

All travelers arriving in the United States are met by an immigration officer who examines each passport and visa, validates the Arrival-Departure (I-94) card, and determines the length of time the visitor may stay in the United States. While the visa issued by the consulate allows a visitor to apply for admission to the United States, the final decision is made by the immigration officer. Visitors should be prepared to explain what they will be doing during their visit, where they will stay, and when they plan to return to their country.

U.S.-Visit U.S.-VISIT biometric procedures apply to all international travelers holding a non-U.S. passport or visa. This also applies to all visitors under the Visa Waiver Program. For further information see the Department of Homeland Security U.S.-VISIT Program.

Visa Validity, Single and Multiple-entry Visas, Length of Stay The visa validity date is the time period during which the applicant must use the visa to enter the United States. A person with a multiple-entry visa valid for one year can make several trips to the United States during that year. Some people will be issued single-entry visas only; therefore if they travel outside the United States they must apply for another visa before they return. The visa validity date has nothing to do with the length of stay which is determined by the immigration official at the port of entry.

Additional Information

Health Insurance. Medical care in the United States can be very expensive. All visitors should carry adequate health insurance valid for the duration of their stay in the United States.

Driving in the United States. Visitors who wish to rent cars must have a major credit card and a valid driver’s license from their own country. In some cases, an international driver’s license may be required. Contact the car rental company directly for specific information.

Registration Federal law requires that all non-U.S. citizens carry evidence of their lawful status with them at all times. This is especially important for all travel, international or domestic. It is advisable to keep copies of all pages of the passport, visa, I-94 Arrival-Departure card, and supporting documents such as DS-2019 forms, in a safe place in case of loss of the original documents.

Customs Need information about customs and U.S. border regulations? Click here for more information.

Ease of Travel into the U.S. We want to make your travel to attend the conference as easy as possible. Click here for tips from the Transportation Security Administration.

Other Helpful Tips The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers additional tips to travelers. [more]