Halifax-Toronto-Orlando/Disney Question!!

[butterflyheart]

Hi everyone, I am new here and just booked our FIRST trip to Disneyworld for May!

Question regarding customs: We are flying halifax to toronto to orlando - where will we go through customs??

Any suggestions/tips you have for first timers flying into Orlando that would be greatly apprecieated!! I look forward to reading the forums here!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You will clear customs before leaving Canada.

That is a horrible routing. I assume it is the best you could get?

 

[butterflyheart]

Yes. We booked throguh WestJet vacations. we only have 1 hour in toronto to connect flights... can we clear customs in halifax to save time??

I am scared that we will miss our connecting flight!!

 

[crashbb]

To be more specific, you'll pre-clear customs/immigration in Toronto. I've never transferred in Toronto, but I'm told that they've started to do what a couple of other Canadian airports are doing - when connecting, you no longer need to claim your luggage. The agent will have a photo of the luggage for you to confirm that it is yours. Only if there is an issue (or a random spot check) will they get your luggage.

ETA - NO, you cannot choose where to pre-clear customs/immigration.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

can we clear customs in halifax to save time??

No. Your flight from Halifax to Toronto is a domestic flight. You clear customs in Toronto.

 

[butterflyheart]

Ok thanks! Hopefully it will be easy!

 

[ccudmore]

Yes. We booked throguh WestJet vacations. we only have 1 hour in toronto to connect flights... can we clear customs in halifax to save time??

I am scared that we will miss our connecting flight!!

You should be fine with time as long as the flight from Halifax arrives on time. You'll be using Terminal 3 which is the smallest of the terminals and easiest to get around.

A few tips for you:
- if it looks like you'll be tight on your connection, tell someone at the US pre-clearance area and they should be able to move you to the front of the line, especially if you have children. I've done this in both Montreal and Toronto and in both cases they were happy to help out.
- Familiarize yourself with the terminal. There's a video walk-through of what to do and where to go at http://www.airportwayfinder.com/wayfinders/yyz/ - select Terminal 3 Connections and then Canada to U.S.

Have a great trip.

 

[butterflyheart]

This seems complicated. I don't know if we will have enough time. How long does it take to get through customs? Is there usually long waits on sunday mornings??

 

[ccudmore]

It's actually fairly straight forward and well marked. The line-ups move quickly. Your longest wait will probably be waiting for your bags in Toronto so you can take them through customs. Just make sure you have your documents (boarding passes, US customs cards and passports) all ready.

Also, last time I had to do this through Toronto my inbound flight was delayed and it I had only 25 minutes to make it through the whole process. It took longer than 25 minutes but WestJet knew that I was in the airport and held the flight an extra 15 minutes so that another passenger making the connection and I could make it. So if you're at all worried, make sure you ask someone (either at customs or a WestJet rep).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In the past when there was long line at US Customs someone would announce when various flights were leaving and was asking if anyone in line was on them? If they were then they were allowed to go right up to the Customs agent so they could make their flight. However after clearing US Customs you then need to clear the security screaning and over they don't announce when certin flights are about to leave and letting you go up front like at US Customs, so if there is a long line you have to wait your turn.

 

[gilsan]

To be more specific, you'll pre-clear customs/immigration in Toronto. I've never transferred in Toronto, but I'm told that they've started to do what a couple of other Canadian airports are doing - when connecting, you no longer need to claim your luggage. The agent will have a photo of the luggage for you to confirm that it is yours. Only if there is an issue (or a random spot check) will they get your luggage.

ETA - NO, you cannot choose where to pre-clear customs/immigration.

I flew out on Westjet through Toronto a few weeks ago and we had to collect our luggage before we cleared customs. Where we picked our luggage up and customs were very close, but it was a hike to get to the luggage carousel.

We asked for directions when got off the plane, which was good because we would have followed the signs to another spot. When we arrived at the spot we were told to go Westjet was making announcements to check with a representative if you you were traveling to the USA. We were then directed to another spot to collect our luggage and clear customs.

Definitely ask the Westjet representative when you get off the plane where to go, it will make it easier.

We were arriving in Toronto in the afternoon so the lines through customs and security were quick.

While it wasn't that difficult I will say I prefer clearing through Halifax it is much simpler.