Earliest arrival time at Port if conceirge?

[Debs Hill]

Hi guys,
Please can someone tell me what the earliest time is that we will be able to get into the port and check in as conceirge as I am assuming that we won't be allocated a boarding time/number when we check in on line? What time should we arrange pick up at WDW?
Thanks so much
Debsx

 

[pdwimmer]

Give yourself 45 - 60 minutes from WDW to the port. You can arrive as soon as the port opens. You will then go directly to concierge check-in. They will escort you through the lines directly onto the ship. From there you can proceed directly to concierge lounge. They will have a small buffet and drinks ready for you. If you have kids they'll make them smoothies or fetch ice cream, whatever they want. If your room isn't ready you can leave your things with them to go explore the ship. When you come back all your items will be waiting for you in your cabin. Our checked luggage even made it to our room before we did. It was neatly placed inside the cabin upon arrival.

Wish I could afford concierge again this time. We're going on the cheap this time.

Have a great time on your cruise!!!!

 

[FJS961]

You can arrive as soon as the port opens if you wish.

Our experience has been that boarding usually start approx 11:45am give or take. If you plan to arrive by 11:30 or just a little earlier you can enter the port, walk straight to the right in the back, check in, and after the family of the day you can get on the ship among the first.

 

[bmer1rick]

I would depart by 10am to arrive before 11am. It takes about 10-15 mins to get through security, fill out your health form and check in. In our 8 times sailing in concierge out of PC, the earliest we have been able to board in 11:10 and the latest is 11:35. Concierge normally starts boarding between 11:15 and 11:30.

 

[jrbdad]

We checked in about 11:00 am and boarded about 11:30 am - as others stated, we were escorted to the concierge lounge. Loved having a spot to store our carry-ons.

Well - loved everything about concierge .

 

[cypressmom]

We checked in about 11:00 am and boarded about 11:30 am - as others stated, we were escorted to the concierge lounge. Loved having a spot to store our carry-ons.

Well - loved everything about concierge .

I've never heard of this before. So, you are able to leave you carry-on items while you have lunch? Is this also true for the Magic and Wonder?

 

[pdwimmer]

I've never heard of this before. So, you are able to leave you carry-on items while you have lunch? Is this also true for the Magic and Wonder?

Sorry I don't know. I am curious as well. We have only been on the Dream Concierge. It was fabulous not having to schlep around 2 bottles of wine.

 

[jrbdad]

I've never heard of this before. So, you are able to leave you carry-on items while you have lunch? Is this also true for the Magic and Wonder?

Only sailed concierge on the Dream. Left our couple of carry-ons in the lounge.

 

[smootenloopers]

I've never heard of this before. So, you are able to leave you carry-on items while you have lunch? Is this also true for the Magic and Wonder?

The Magic and Wonder don't have a lounge.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I've never heard of this before. So, you are able to leave you carry-on items while you have lunch? Is this also true for the Magic and Wonder?

Sorry I don't know. I am curious as well. We have only been on the Dream Concierge. It was fabulous not having to schlep around 2 bottles of wine.

True the Magic and Wonder do not have concierge lounges. However, your embarkation concierge meeting will usually be in Sessions. You are welcome to leave your carry-on bags there until your room is ready. In fact, in our experience, the concierge staff will slap a luggage tag on it and have it delivered to your room.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

True the Magic and Wonder do not have concierge lounges. However, your embarkation concierge meeting will usually be in Sessions. You are welcome to leave your carry-on bags there until your room is ready. In fact, in our experience, the concierge staff will slap a luggage tag on it and have it delivered to your room.

That would be Sessions on the Magic, Cadillac Lounge on the Wonder.

 

[AlexandNessa]

That would be Sessions on the Magic, Cadillac Lounge on the Wonder.

Woops. Yes, thanks for the correction.

 

[kcashner]

While in the past we have always experienced the 11:45 start of boarding, on our May Fantasy cruise boarding actually started somewhere between 11:15 and 11:30 (we were on the ship by 11:30).

As a concierge level guest, you are welcome to arrive at the terminal any time after it opens--this was about 10:25 in May. We were literally the first people in the terminal as we were on the first bus from MCO and didn't have any luggage under the buis. When you arrive, you will go to the concierge check in line. You will then go to the concierge waiting area and be boarded BEFORE they announce "family of the day" if you are at Port Canaveral. At other ports, you will be the first group boarded. You can then go to the concierge reception or lounge (as applicable to your ship) and drop your carry on luggage there. No need to take it to lunch.

As above, it is about 45 minutes driving time from WDW. There is NOTHING to do while sitting in the terminal. Since your boarding will not depend on your arrival time and you will automatically get any and all reservations you haven't made in advance, there is nothing to be gained by arriving more than about 15 minutes before boarding starts. Thus, I'd shoot for an arrival at the terminal of about 11:00 or a few minutes later.

 

[disneyholic family]

Give yourself 45 - 60 minutes from WDW to the port. You can arrive as soon as the port opens. You will then go directly to concierge check-in. They will escort you through the lines directly onto the ship. From there you can proceed directly to concierge lounge. They will have a small buffet and drinks ready for you. If you have kids they'll make them smoothies or fetch ice cream, whatever they want. If your room isn't ready you can leave your things with them to go explore the ship. When you come back all your items will be waiting for you in your cabin. Our checked luggage even made it to our room before we did. It was neatly placed inside the cabin upon arrival.

Wish I could afford concierge again this time. We're going on the cheap this time.

Have a great time on your cruise!!!!

will they make me a smoothie?
no kids, but i'm a kid at heart (and i don't drink alcohol or soft drinks, though water works in a pinch)...

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks so much for all the responses.......it's really helpful.
Can I ask, for those of you who have cruised conceirge on Fantasy/Dream do you go straight to the lounge when you board or do you go to one of the restaurants for lunch? Do they have a happy hour when you first board? Is it just nibbles to eat or is it a lunch?
Thanks so much!
The only time I have ever done conceirge was on the Magic and we didn't go to the lounge until after lunch and there were free drinks and canapes whilst they went over your itinery etc. Lovely!
Debx

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks so much for all the responses.......it's really helpful.
Can I ask, for those of you who have cruised conceirge on Fantasy/Dream do you go straight to the lounge when you board or do you go to one of the restaurants for lunch? Do they have a happy hour when you first board? Is it just nibbles to eat or is it a lunch?
Thanks so much!
The only time I have ever done conceirge was on the Magic and we didn't go to the lounge until after lunch and there were free drinks and canapes whilst they went over your itinery etc. Lovely!
Debx

i was debating this as well, but the fact that i can leave my carry ons with the concierge staff has swayed me in favor of going to the lounge first..

now i have to decide where to go for lunch...enchanted garden or cabanas

 

[AlexandNessa]

Thanks so much for all the responses.......it's really helpful.
Can I ask, for those of you who have cruised conceirge on Fantasy/Dream do you go straight to the lounge when you board or do you go to one of the restaurants for lunch? Do they have a happy hour when you first board? Is it just nibbles to eat or is it a lunch?
Thanks so much!
The only time I have ever done conceirge was on the Magic and we didn't go to the lounge until after lunch and there were free drinks and canapes whilst they went over your itinery etc. Lovely!
Debx

Yes, by all means, go to the lounge first, grab a free drink (they will offer you whatever you'd like as the concierge sits with you to review your itinerary). There will be nibbles (& no warm nibbles either). If you want a full lunch, go ahead and do it after your concierge meeting.

 

[WDWDeb]

Regarding whether to go to the lounge or lunch first....we prefer lunch. Since concierge is the first on the ship, there is no crowd at Cabanas, which we prefer for lunch. We have no problems finding a table outside in the shade and no lines at the buffet. It gets more crowded as time goes by but we can start out with the place to ourselves basically. Then when we are done, we go to the lounge, do the meet and greet, and can usually get into our room immediately after that.

 

[cypressmom]

True the Magic and Wonder do not have concierge lounges. However, your embarkation concierge meeting will usually be in Sessions. You are welcome to leave your carry-on bags there until your room is ready. In fact, in our experience, the concierge staff will slap a luggage tag on it and have it delivered to your room.

Thank you so much!

 

[lucyem]

We went right to the lounge. My DH & DS went to the Auquaduck and got some rides in. I sat and had snacks with my younger DS. By the time they got to me our room was just about ready. Knowing my family we will probably do the same thing again. Our last cruise had really bad weather, missed Castaway Cay, and the aquaduck was often closed or required 2 people at a time. My DS was unable to ride much and still talks about it.