How have you gotten a # 2 or 3 boarding pass?

[WDWLODGE]

On our last cruise we drove to port and we were about the 4th vehicle in line. We drove up to the curb where I dropped off my DW and DD off with the luggage. They proceeded into the terminal while I parked and they got a #4 boarding pass. I know it doesn't make much of a difference, but would we get a lower number if they lined up by the fence while I waited in the vehicle line by myself?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

On our last cruise we drove to port and we were about the 4th vehicle in line. We drove up to the curb where I dropped off my DW and DD off with the luggage. They proceeded into the terminal while I parked and they got a #4 boarding pass. I know it doesn't make much of a difference, but would we get a lower number if they lined up by the fence while I waited in the vehicle line by myself?

Yes, a 2 and a 3 on my own work, but last one was an automatic 1 with a suite, and a freind got me an 2 once! Thanks Julie!

They will start at a 2. but there are a few CM's so one might give out more boarding cards than others, ie proactive, and swap to 3 early, worth looking at what All CM's have.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

On our last cruise we drove to port and we were about the 4th vehicle in line. We drove up to the curb where I dropped off my DW and DD off with the luggage. They proceeded into the terminal while I parked and they got a #4 boarding pass. I know it doesn't make much of a difference, but would we get a lower number if they lined up by the fence while I waited in the vehicle line by myself?

You need to get there before the Disney bus that leaves from the Hyatt MCO arrives

 

[Homemom]

You need to get there before the Disney bus that leaves from the Hyatt MCO arrives

What time is that?

 

[TheBeadPirate]

We were there at 10am for our last cruise. Already unloaded and parked. When the porters came out they said leave the bags- we tipped, showed our IDs and headed in. We were probably 10 families down in the Castaway Club line and ended up with a 2.

Early Early Early! is the key.

The only ones in the #1 group are suites and Castaway Club Platinum peeps.

 

[Mom 3 mouseketeers]

We got #2 last week. We got to the port a couple minutes after 10:00, we were dropped off by Hertz van. They weren't even letting people in at that time. As soon as the porters showed up we flagged one down and went right in. When we got inside we were probably in the first 20 or so people there. No one was manning the check in desks yet. I kept looking around and as soon as I spotted the lady with the cards I booked it over.

I think the key is to go in as soon as they let people so I'd drop your luggage off first and then someone else to park.

Good Luck!

 

[barney4liz]

We had something like a 6 the last time. We were hanging around in the back of the terminal waiting for our group to be called, and a CM came over and changed our pass to a "3" because she said we looked "hungry".

 

[atm55]

What is the advantage of having an early boarding pass?

 

[barney4liz]

What is the advantage of having an early boarding pass?

I don't think there is any advantage, people are just anxious to get on the ship ASAP once they are at the terminal.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

What is the advantage of having an early boarding pass?

Well, we kinda like getting onboard and grabbing lunch before the crowds and lines get there. Then changing into swimsuits and watching as everyone else gets onboard.

An early boarding pass is really a side benefit for us though- DH is so keyed up to get on the boat we'd probably be there at dawn if it were up to him.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

What is the advantage of having an early boarding pass?

Book Palo and change dinner rotation, or table, if you are in early you have far more options. If you are unsuccessful on booking Palo online its your last chance.

 

[Momfromva]

My family was on the 10:00 AM Raddison shuttle in August. We were among the first people to arrive at the terminal. All but one family was in the CC line so I decided to wait in the "regular folks" line. When the counter opened up, I was assisted immediately and given the much coveted #2 boarding card. I was so happy I hugged the CM!

 

[sharen24]

My SIL gave me her #2 pass from a previous cruise. Apparently the CM forgot to collect it from her when she boarded. We were given a #8 because we came on the bus from the Hyatt MCO, but we got to board with a #2 as soon as we arrived.

 

[mmouse37]

Our last 4 cruises we have gotten #2. We get there very early. Last month we arrived via the Budget van at about 9:45. We waited around for a bit and right around 10:00 a porter came out and I flagged him down ASAP. We were about 3rd in line to check in.

There was no one manning the desk yet either and curiously there was a sign that said check in did not start until 11:00 but they started earlier than that.

The shuttle drop off area



Sign says check in starts at 11:00 am



The check in desks sans CM's



And fairly empty terminal



MJ

 

[kcashner]

Book Palo and change dinner rotation, or table, if you are in early you have far more options. If you are unsuccessful on booking Palo online its your last chance.

This is only true on the Magic. On the Wonder, they don't open the bookings till 1 pm, and they won't let you line up early.

 

[skh716]

On 10/17, we got to the terminal really early (probably around 9.15). Our kids were up early anyway and we had such terrible issues with Budget renting a car the day before at MCO that we returned the car early in case of any problems. We had none and hopped on the shuttle. The driver warned us that we woud probably have to wait outside the terminal but we didn't care. When we got to the terminal peopel were still by the curb waiting for the transportation to leave so we waited about 10 minutes and then a porter took our bags. We expected to have to wait to get into the terminal but they said go right in and when we got upstairs, I think there were 2 other people there! That was really neat.

There were no CM's at the check-in counters so we walked around a bit and there I got in the non-casatway club lne behind one other family. A CM came along and handed out cards and gave most of them to the CC members and just gave us and the family in front of us the Group 2 cards from the non-cc line.

It was great getting on the ship early. We snagged a great table right next to the Mickey Pool and my kids were in the pool with 3-5 kids for a long time before others started to show up.

Pack or wear your swimsuits!! We saw one family who hadn't and their daughter was crying to go into the pool and I felt very bad for them.

Good luck!

 

[poohj80]

When we last cruised on the Wonder, we used DCL transportation from the airport and were able to check in and receive our KTTW cards there. We were given boarding passes #2.

 

[Mickey4me!]

Here's ours from the Oct. 17th Western. We stayed at the Residence Inn the night before the cruise and planned on DH dropping us and the luggage off and then returning to the hotel to park the car and take the shuttle back to port. The hotel told us that the DCL shuttle left at 10AM so we headed to the port at 9:25AM. When we got there the CM tried to direct us to a lot to wait but we explained that DH was just dropping us and had to return to the hotel to catch a shuttle. He then told just to drop everyone and the luggage off next to where the shuttle vans were picking up passengers that were departing the ship. As soon as DH took off, a porter was there with extra luggage tags and told us he would take care of everything and to go wait by #1 shuttle pick up for the terminal to open. We headed down that way and after about 10 min we noticed there was someone checking IDs and letting people cross over to the terminal building so we showed out IDs and headed in. This was probably about 5 til 10. We got in and didn't immediately get in line but took the opportunity to take some photos. When we did get in the CC line there were maybe 4 or 5 groups in front of us. The desks opened about 10:15 and voila, we had a big 'ole #2!!

I like getting in early to get through the buffet line quickly and be able to take lots of pics of an empty ship. The terminal did fill up very fast once we checked in and it became very chaotic.

This is after we got checked in and our pics taken.

Almost empty ship

 

[mmouse37]

Here is another pic from our 9/19 cruise that I didn't put in my other thread....great minds think alike, I guess!! LOL!!



MJ

 

[ibouncetoo]

The difference on boarding time between a 2 and a 4 was about seven minutes on my last cruise. On an earlier cruise the difference between a 2 and a 11 was less than 20 minutes.

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