Disney Boarding Time

[Markw]

Good morning all. Next weekend will be our first Disney Cruise after 9 RCCL cruises. I am pretty excited to see what a competing line has to offer. From what I hear, I will not be disappointed.

 

How exactly does this boarding time thing work? I am checking in online and they are telling me to pick a time when I will arrive. I am not sure when I will get there but it will likely be very early. Will they let us on the ship? Or will we have to wait hours in the terminal?

 

Thanks for your help.

[Maddysdaddy]

Unless things have changed in the last year, you could have done your online check in quite some time ago. I would expect that at this late date, the availability of 'early' birding a times is likely slim to none. Maybe you'll get lucky (or maybe they have changed the procedure since I last sailed).

 

Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news.

[chamima]

We also have sailed many, many times but are looking forward to our first on Disney.

Booking a boarding time in advance is new to us.

Just how early can you do this? Final payment?

Thanks in advance.

[moki'smommy]

OK, let's clear up a few things. You do NOT select a boarding time. You select a Port Arrival Time (PAT). Yes, ultimately your PAT is tied to the time you will be allowed to board, but they are not the same.

 

You can select your PAT as part of your on line check in. The date for this is based on whether you booked concierge and the number of previous DCL cruises. First timers can do it at 75 days before embarkation. When you do the on line check in, the computer program will show you the times still available--you choose one.

 

IF you show up at the terminal before your PAT, you may be kept waiting outside for a short time due to the number of people in the terminal. Terminal opens officially at 10:30 (really a little earlier), and boarding starts about 11:15. If you show up after boarding starts, you will be able to get into the terminal without waiting, get in line, and check in. When you check in at the terminal, you get a boarding group number that is tied to your PAT. Your group number will be the same whether you arrive at 10:30 or at 1 pm. You will board when your boarding group number is called. When the number of people in the terminal is down to a minimum, they will announce "open boarding" which means that you can board as soon as you are checked in. (no more using the number system). This usually happens about 1 or 1:30.

 

My suggestion--if you have a PAT before 12 or 12:30, show up at that time. Showing up more than about 15 minutes early is not likely to get you onto the ship any earlier. If you have a PAT after 12:30, show up about 12:30. You will likely be able to board very shortly after you have checked in.

 

Concierge and platinum castaways do not need to choose a PAT. Concierge boards first, then platinum....and then the numbered groups. If platinum or concierge shows up after boarding has begun, they can board as soon as they check in.

 

Even if your PIF date was long ago, it is to your benefit to do on line check in. You never know what times might be available (and you can check back and change it if a better time is open). People DO change times, which sometimes means an earlier time might open up. Even if you don't get a time you are happy about, doing on line check in will save you time in the terminal.

 

There is not a lot to do while waiting in the terminal. There is a model of the original Magic--interesting to note the changes. A character periodically comes out. There are some TV screens running cartoons. You can register your kids for the programming and get their wrist bands. This is done more efficiently (less waiting) on board, so if your number is called, go ahead and get on the ship. Then at your convenience you can register the kids.

Edited June 18, 2015 by moki'smommy

[chamima]

I just read this on the Mousesavers website that someone recommended..

Is it accurate?

(We're staying at the Hyatt and planned on taking the Disney bus)

If you are staying at an official Walt Disney World resort or at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport the night before your cruise AND you are using Disney’s bus service to the port, you do not choose a port arrival time during online check-in. You just take the bus and you get to the port when you get there. Your embarkation group number will be assigned based on when you arrive. If it’s important to you to be on the ship early, try to get an early bus.

[Shmoo here]

I just read this on the Mousesavers website that someone recommended..

Is it accurate?

(We're staying at the Hyatt and planned on taking the Disney bus)

If you are staying at an official Walt Disney World resort or at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport the night before your cruise AND you are using Disney’s bus service to the port, you do not choose a port arrival time during online check-in. You just take the bus and you get to the port when you get there. Your embarkation group number will be assigned based on when you arrive. If it’s important to you to be on the ship early, try to get an early bus.

 

Yes and no.

 

If you booked your stay at the Hyatt MCO (or a WDW resort) through DCL, you most likely will not be prompted to select a PAT.

 

If you did your own booking at either location, you will still be prompted to select a PAT.

 

Now, if you arrive at the port via DCL transfers, you will be allowed to enter the terminal at whatever time you arrive, regardless of what PAT you selected (if any). But your boarding number will be the same (tied to your actual PAT). There have been reports of some people, with later PATs checking in early, and the DCL check in CM has manually changed the boarding number they got, but it's not a regular occurrence.

 

Busses from WDW resorts do not arrive at the port until at least 12:15 and as late as 2:30. From MCO the earliest bus is 9:00 (arriving at the port around 10:15).

[moki'smommy]

I just read this on the Mousesavers website that someone recommended..

Is it accurate?

(We're staying at the Hyatt and planned on taking the Disney bus)

If you are staying at an official Walt Disney World resort or at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport the night before your cruise AND you are using Disney’s bus service to the port, you do not choose a port arrival time during online check-in. You just take the bus and you get to the port when you get there. Your embarkation group number will be assigned based on when you arrive. If it’s important to you to be on the ship early, try to get an early bus.

 

Unless it has changed very recently, this is only "sorta partially" true. You do choose a PAT which is tied to your boarding card. And, because it is true that people change transportation plans, it is a very good idea to choose one.

 

What is true is that if you are riding a DCL bus from either the airport or WDW, you will be allowed into the terminal as soon as the bus gets you there. They don't check your arrival time if you come off their bus. Also, because the WDW bus usually gets you there after they have announced "open boarding", you often don't need to boarding card or even get one issued. But if you get there and they are still on the card system, you will get a later number because you did not choose a PAT when doing the on line check in. Usually the bus from WDW gets you to the terminal about 1:30.

 

If you show up without having a PAT, you will get a higher boarding number than those who have chosen in advance. That means the possibility of more waiting, but at 1:30 is not likely to make a difference. Play it another way--if you think you are going to ride the DCL bus and then chose instead to rent a car or use a private transportation service and arrive at the terminal without a PAT...you'll have a longer wait than had you chosen one.

 

If you select "using DCL transportation" on the web page, you are directed to select an arrival time. You CAN bypass this selection if you wish. If you are in the system as platinum or concierge, you get a message that says you do not need to select an arrival time.

Edited June 18, 2015 by moki'smommy

[monty913]

I have used the DCL transport twice from a WDW resort.

Both times I did select a PAT. I had read that busses start picking up a little later so I chose a later PAT.

Both times my bus did not pick me up until around noon.

I did not get to port until around 1pm. I actually don't mind this. The port is not that busy at this time and we have been able to board right away. Yes, we miss out on some time on board in the early afternoon, but the bus transfer has just been the best option for us.

[Markw]

Thanks all for the info. We have sailed RCCL 9 times and never have chosen a time. We really like getting to the port at 10:30-11:00 to board early since we live only 45 minutes or so from the port. My online check in PAT is 2:00. Does this mean it is totally pointless to show up at 11:00? When will open boarding start? I must say this is a let down. RCCL check in is quick and easy almost always without picking a PAT.

[moki'smommy]

Thanks all for the info. We have sailed RCCL 9 times and never have chosen a time. We really like getting to the port at 10:30-11:00 to board early since we live only 45 minutes or so from the port. My online check in PAT is 2:00. Does this mean it is totally pointless to show up at 11:00? When will open boarding start? I must say this is a let down. RCCL check in is quick and easy almost always without picking a PAT.

 

It would be totally pointless to show up at 11. In fact, you may not even be allowed to enter the terminal that early if you are one one of the newer ships because the fire marshall limits the number of people in the terminal at any one time. At 11:15, they will start boarding the ship. Since people will move rapidly from the terminal to the ship, there will no longer be an issue of numbers in the terminal. If you show up at 11:30, you will be allowed to enter the terminal without delay outside. You will go thru security and enter the check in line. After checking in, you can register any kids 12 and under for the kid programming (collect their bands). And then you will sit and wait till about 1:00 when they will announce open boarding.

 

Open boarding typically starts about 1:00 or 1:30 when they have essentially caught up with the numbers (relatively few people remaining in the terminal).

 

Yes, other lines we've cruised had us show up whenever it worked for us, check in and board as soon as we got to the terminal. However, they didn't have the crowds that show up before the terminal even opens like DCL does. The PAT system is designed to spread out the guest arrivals and to eliminate people having to wait a long time.

 

OK, my personal ideal situation if I had a 2:00 PAT....I'd show up about 12:30. By the time I'm thru security and check in, they have either announced open boarding or are very close to it.

[bmc alabama]

Thanks all for the info. We have sailed RCCL 9 times and never have chosen a time. We really like getting to the port at 10:30-11:00 to board early since we live only 45 minutes or so from the port. My online check in PAT is 2:00. Does this mean it is totally pointless to show up at 11:00? When will open boarding start? I must say this is a let down. RCCL check in is quick and easy almost always without picking a PAT.

 

 

Our RCCL cruise had the worst embarkation of any we have done, though in fairness, it could just be the Port of New Orleans. It took some of our friends over 3 hours to board.

 

Personally, I find Disney's PC terminal to be about one of the best ones out there. PAT is just used to control flow onto the ship. We've been in the 20's and still gotten on the ship fairly quickly. Note that rooms will not be opened for passengers until 1:30pm.

 

You will immediately notice differences when you board the ship, mainly, that you won't be assaulted by a barrage of people trying to sell you beverage packages or trying to sign you up for MyTime Dining. You will not need a coke card (they are included and there are fountain dispensers on the pool deck) and you can carry whatever liquor you want on board. Also, if you buy booze in port, you can carry it right on the ship with you. There will be no casino, but an excellent full-size movie theater. Also, there is not a charge for the kids clubs after 10pm.

 

Also, make sure to see the main shows, especially if you are a Disney buff. They are all very good to excellent.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Tigger05]

Maybe I'm reading something wrong, or maybe it's just my warped sense of thinking, but if we cannot get into the rooms until 1:30, is it a bad idea to board the ship later, like at 1PM? I am not anxious to lug around my carry-on (with our diet pepsi!! and of course, all the essentials) all over the ship. I'd rather board closer to the time we can enter the staterooms.

 

Is this really that bad of an idea?

 

Thanks!

 

Trish

[Shmoo here]

Maybe I'm reading something wrong, or maybe it's just my warped sense of thinking, but if we cannot get into the rooms until 1:30, is it a bad idea to board the ship later, like at 1PM? I am not anxious to lug around my carry-on (with our diet pepsi!! and of course, all the essentials) all over the ship. I'd rather board closer to the time we can enter the staterooms.

 

Is this really that bad of an idea?

 

Thanks!

 

Trish

 

Not at all. There are many of us (mostly "old-timers" who've "been there, done that") who don't arrive until 12:30-1:00. Much nicer as there's typically a lot less people in the terminal and you basically can board as soon as you check in.

[moki'smommy]

Maybe I'm reading something wrong, or maybe it's just my warped sense of thinking, but if we cannot get into the rooms until 1:30, is it a bad idea to board the ship later, like at 1PM? I am not anxious to lug around my carry-on (with our diet pepsi!! and of course, all the essentials) all over the ship. I'd rather board closer to the time we can enter the staterooms.

 

Is this really that bad of an idea?

 

Thanks!

 

Trish

 

It is not a bad idea at all. If you show up any time after 12:30, you'll find minimal crowding in the terminal and spend little or no time in line for either check in or boarding. When you board, you can go to lunch (if before 1:30) or drop your things at the cabin and then to lunch (if after 1:30). In fairness, we usually go to lunch, but then by the time lunch is over the cabins are open. And we do the MDR restaurant for lunch (name varies with the ship, but there is always one). It is a buffet lunch but you are escorted to a table and beverages served. We can easily store our carry ons under the table and out of the way.

[Tigger05]

It is not a bad idea at all. If you show up any time after 12:30' date=' you'll find minimal crowding in the terminal and spend little or no time in line for either check in or boarding. When you board, you can go to lunch (if before 1:30) or drop your things at the cabin and then to lunch (if after 1:30). In fairness, we usually go to lunch, but then by the time lunch is over the cabins are open. And we do the MDR restaurant for lunch (name varies with the ship, but there is always one). It is a buffet lunch but you are escorted to a table and beverages served. We can easily store our carry ons under the table and out of the way.[/quote']

Thanks, folks! Our son is rather active so I think that a later arrival is fine and stowing the carry ons at the table is perfect. There's an hours time difference for us so eating at 12:30 or later in FL won't be that far off our schedule.

 

As always, your feedback is much appreciated!!