Thursday, September 1st
11am-12pm
We entered the terminal around 11am and immediately filled out a Health Questionnaire Form that was located at various tables throughout the terminal (they also had copies of the form at the check-in desks). The form had two questions, both related to whether any members of our party were recently ill (1--fever and cough, or 2--vomiting). We took the form to the next available check-in counter and started the check-in process. We pulled out our passports and the Online Check-in Form we previously filled out and printed off at home. We changed our onboard account from cash-based to credit card-based, and they took a picture of our family. Our pictures were used throughout the cruise to identify us as we boarded or disembarked the ship at our ports of call. Also, when taking pictures with photographers on board the ship, no Disney World Photopass cards are used. They simply use facial recognition technology to assign your photos to your account. Somewhat cool and weird at the same time!
View of the Terminal and Check-In Counters
The last part of the check-in process was being assigned a group boarding number. Boarding groups are relatively small and they run through boarding numbers quickly. Our number was 10, which equated to an approximate boarding time of 12pm.
After we finished checking in, we took time to explore the terminal and take a bathroom break. Although we had previously registered our children online for the ship's kids clubs, we went to the children's registration desk to obtain a waterproof wristband that our oldest daughter would wear throughout the cruise. It is an electronic Mickey Band that children use to check-in and out of the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab onboard.
View of the Mickey Band
There is also a model ship of the Disney Magic inside the terminal, which was really neat to see. It beautifully displayed all the exterior and interior spaces of the Magic. In front of the model ship is where Disney characters will pose with guests for photo opportunities. We arrived so early that we got in quickly to see Mickey. Minnie arrived shortly after, but we didn't get back in line, since it had grown exponentially and we were already close to boarding time.
View of Character Photo Area in Front of the Disney Magic Model Ship
All-in-all, we were done with the check-in process, kids clubs registration, photo ops, and bathroom breaks by 11:20am. We then sat and watched Disney movies until 11:50am when they called our boarding number. Once our number was called, we got in line and quickly moved through the Mickey-head exit at the back of the terminal. Then we waited in line to take a family boarding photo. After walking the gangway, it was around 12pm when we finally crossed from land onto the Disney Dream!
View of the Mickey Exit Leaving the Terminal
View of the Gangway Connecting the Terminal to the Disney Dream Atrium!
