Would you spend the extra??

[Lollipop's Mom]

We are taking the dcl bus from resort to port. Just 2 of us so its cheap that way. Considering getting a towncar instead so we can get there earlier. Is it worth an extra $60 to board earlier? Last time we used dcl bus there was a hold up and bus got in at 3pm! Does that happen often?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are taking the dcl bus from resort to port. Just 2 of us so its cheap that way. Considering getting a towncar instead so we can get there earlier. Is it worth an extra $60 to board earlier? Last time we used dcl bus there was a hold up and bus got in at 3pm! Does that happen often?

Just because you get there earlier, doesn't mean you will board earlier. It depends on your Port Arrival Time you selected during your online checkin.

Arriving with DCL transfers means you will enter the terminal and checkin when you get there. Your actual boarding number is tied to your PAT. The earlier your PAT, the lower your number.

Arriving early (prior to your PAT), you may be allowed to enter the terminal and checkin early, if the terminal isn't crowded. But you will still have the same boarding number.

Boarding begins about 11:45 (sometimes earlier). By about 12:30-12:45 Open Boarding is announced, and anyone holding any boarding number may board at that time.

Personally, we've always just gone with the DCL transfers (there's only 2 of us, also). No, the late arrival at port doesn't happen often, but it can happen. It can happen with private trasfers also, depending on the traffic/highway conditions.

 

[lbgraves]

There can be a delay with entering the terminal as well. We arrived at 9:45 in 2006 for the 10 a.m. opening and didn't even see the inside of the terminal until close to noon. There was a cold inspection being conducted. That required all CMs to be off the ship for the inspection to be done. We ended up having an early DIS meet in the parking lot across the street. Everyone was in line and got out of their cars until they opened the port lot. The kids had a good time. The only thing that was lacking was a bathroom.