Concierge Level Boarding Times - The DIS Discussion Forums

Disney_Princess83 · 10-20-2012, 06:34 AM

Hi everyone,

We are doing our first cruise next year on the Dream and already can't wait! We are staying concierge level and from what we can gather, we won't get a PAT time, we can show up anytime from 11am. Is there a "good time" to arrive where the crowd won't be too crazy? My sister gets really bothered by crowds so hoping to make the check in and boarding as smooth as possible.

We are going to do online check in and I know that concierge have a separate desk. We will be arriving from WDW but by Town Car so we can arrange them for anytime.

Thanks for any information you can provide

jrbdad · 10-20-2012, 07:13 AM

We did this in July of this past summer. Loved it!

Because everything is separate, you really don't need to be concerned about crowds. We were there at 11 am, had to wait maybe 5 minutes through the security line, then walked up to the concierge check-in, over to the concierge waiting area, then a few minutes later we were boarding and on to the reception in the lounge.

The whole boarding process convinced us to book concierge on the Fantasy for next summer.

Enjoy!

magrudersmakes3 · 10-20-2012, 07:24 AM

We arrived at the port around 10:45 on the hopes of upgrading, never dreaming we would do concierge, but the price was right so we did it. We were walked to the concierge area which was not crowded at all. We decided to step out on the viewing deck to take some pictures and before we knew it we were boarding, which was around 11:15. It was completely different than the last time and there were no crowds at all.

CoolHandsGirl · 10-20-2012, 10:28 AM

We arrived around 11:45 when the rest of boarding was well underway. Being concierge, they let us through a door on the side and we went past hundreds of people lined up for boarding to get our pics taken and get on board. Right then we knew concierge was for us!

That being said, if your sister has real anxiety concerns in crowds, you might want to arrive earlier than we did so she can avoid walking past that crowd. Arriving when we did also meant the concierge lounge was full (only time it was full all week) as rooms were not quite ready yet.

kcashner · 10-20-2012, 10:33 AM

If you arrive before boarding begins, you'll wait in the concierge lounge (no crowds). Boarding normally starts about 11:45, but in May it began at 11:15 o our Fantasy cruise.

If you arrive after boarding begins, you'll walk in, check in, and board. No waiting at all.

No, concierge guests do not need a PAT. You are admitted when you arrive.

Namsupak · 10-20-2012, 11:08 AM

The earlier the better. It is generally a very short wait if at all in the port terminal. THen like the other have said you exit through a side door and then they rush you to the front of the picture line, then on the ship. But if you get there earlier then when you go up to the concierge lounge you have plenty of time to leave your bags in the lounge and go get lunch because likely your room will not be ready yet for you to leave your bags in. You can also meet with the concierge to go over your cruise itinerary, make changes, get those last reservations in, etc.

Also just to make a case for getting to the port late, that has worked well for us as well. We have come to the port around 1-2 after getting a late breakfast or early lunch prior and then walked on this ship without the early morning crowd, gone up to the lounge and worked on our itinerary with the concierge. Its nice as well since then usually the remy/palo people, spa people, and youth counselors can get you setup very quickly too.

cblack · 10-20-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namsupak

Its nice as well since then usually the remy/palo people, spa people, and youth counselors can get you setup very quickly too.

Sorry, this is off topic, but this sentence made me curious...if you are in concierge, do you need to get the tracking device bracelets for kids in the terminal, or can the youth counselors do it in the concierge lounge?

janpluto · 10-20-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cblack

Sorry, this is off topic, but this sentence made me curious...if you are in concierge, do you need to get the tracking device bracelets for kids in the terminal, or can the youth counselors do it in the concierge lounge?

You can get the bracelets in the concierge lounge.

geekboy · 10-20-2012, 08:20 PM

Back in January (2012), we arrived at the port just after 10:20AM. We went through security, checked in, walked over to Concierge/Platinum waiting area, and then walked on to the ship within 10 minutes. I think we were on board shortly after 11AM. (My first pictures of the Concierge Lounge were at 11:21AM) A ship's officer then escorted us right up to the Concierge Lounge on 12.

cblack · 10-20-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janpluto

You can get the bracelets in the concierge lounge.

That is great! Thank you!

Disney_Princess83 · 10-20-2012, 11:19 PM

Thanks everyone for the wonderful information and advice! Great to know that we can bypass most of the crowds at the Port. My sister is alright being near crowds as long as she's not "in" the crowd, if that makes sense.

We were thinking about booking an early character breakfast (we might be staying at the Contemporary or Polynesian the night before so it would be in the same hotel) probably 7:30am - 8am. Our suitcases will be already to go so we will just be able to have breakfast, check out and get the car service for 10am. We're allowing an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes from WDW to Port so we should get there for 11:15am-11:30am.

Laila Bryce · 10-21-2012, 07:12 AM

We did something similar last week, we had a 730 breakfast and our limo picked us up around 915 we were in the conc. lounge by 1115 .

Disney_Princess83 · 10-21-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laila Bryce

We did something similar last week, we had a 730 breakfast and our limo picked us up around 915 we were in the conc. lounge by 1115 .

Great, this is what we were thinking. A character meal (since it will be in our hotel) might be a great way to start the day before we head off to Port.

zstyles · 10-21-2012, 09:17 PM

We just got back from Galveston, so not sure about other ports but they called out boarding group numbers, we were concierge and given group number 1...we walked on..took our photos on arrival and were on board and being ushered to the private welcome reception with food and drinks...

jjones144 · 10-25-2012, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zstyles

We just got back from Galveston, so not sure about other ports but they called out boarding group numbers, we were concierge and given group number 1...we walked on..took our photos on arrival and were on board and being ushered to the private welcome reception with food and drinks...

Will you please tell me all about the Concierge perks on the Magic. We are thinking about upgrading, and are curious about what perks you get. Thanks so much.

10-20-2012, 06:34 AM	#1
Disney_Princess83 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3,149	Concierge Level Boarding Times Hi everyone, We are doing our first cruise next year on the Dream and already can't wait! We are staying concierge level and from what we can gather, we won't get a PAT time, we can show up anytime from 11am. Is there a "good time" to arrive where the crowd won't be too crazy? My sister gets really bothered by crowds so hoping to make the check in and boarding as smooth as possible. We are going to do online check in and I know that concierge have a separate desk. We will be arriving from WDW but by Town Car so we can arrange them for anytime. Thanks for any information you can provide __________________

10-20-2012, 07:24 AM	#3
magrudersmakes3 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa, IL Posts: 802	We arrived at the port around 10:45 on the hopes of upgrading, never dreaming we would do concierge, but the price was right so we did it. We were walked to the concierge area which was not crowded at all. We decided to step out on the viewing deck to take some pictures and before we knew it we were boarding, which was around 11:15. It was completely different than the last time and there were no crowds at all. __________________ Me DH DD (10) Bear Finley 1998 First trip offsite, 2003 CBR, 2004 Sea World, 2005 POR, 2007 POR, 2008 BW, 2010 CCL, 2010 HRH Universal, 2011 Disney Dream, 2012 Disney Dream, 2013 POP/POR (Princess 1/2 Marathon)

10-20-2012, 10:28 AM	#4
CoolHandsGirl Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 173	We arrived around 11:45 when the rest of boarding was well underway. Being concierge, they let us through a door on the side and we went past hundreds of people lined up for boarding to get our pics taken and get on board. Right then we knew concierge was for us! That being said, if your sister has real anxiety concerns in crowds, you might want to arrive earlier than we did so she can avoid walking past that crowd. Arriving when we did also meant the concierge lounge was full (only time it was full all week) as rooms were not quite ready yet. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a Fantasy come true in April 2012 for our and

10-20-2012, 11:08 AM	#6
Namsupak DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,798	The earlier the better. It is generally a very short wait if at all in the port terminal. THen like the other have said you exit through a side door and then they rush you to the front of the picture line, then on the ship. But if you get there earlier then when you go up to the concierge lounge you have plenty of time to leave your bags in the lounge and go get lunch because likely your room will not be ready yet for you to leave your bags in. You can also meet with the concierge to go over your cruise itinerary, make changes, get those last reservations in, etc. Also just to make a case for getting to the port late, that has worked well for us as well. We have come to the port around 1-2 after getting a late breakfast or early lunch prior and then walked on this ship without the early morning crowd, gone up to the lounge and worked on our itinerary with the concierge. Its nice as well since then usually the remy/palo people, spa people, and youth counselors can get you setup very quickly too. __________________ Lauren Married May 26, 2008 Epcot's Japan/Adventurer's Club/Living Seas Salon DD Lorelei Born July 30, 2009, Jameson Born Sept 15, 2012 WDW: 1998, March 2002, Dec 2006, Dec 2007, May 2008, Sept 2008, Dec 2009, Sept 2010, Jan 2011, July 2011, Jan 2012, Feb 2012, Aug 2012, Dec 2012 DCL: June 2008, Feb 2009, Dec 2009, Nov 2010, Jan 2011 (MV Dream), WBTA Sept 2011, Dec 2011, NYE Dream 2011-12, Jan 2012, March 2012 MV Fantasy, Dec 2012 Fantasy DLP: Sept 5, 2011 Coming Up: May 2013 WBPC, Dec 2013 Fantasy

10-20-2012, 08:20 PM	#9
geekboy Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 27	Back in January (2012), we arrived at the port just after 10:20AM. We went through security, checked in, walked over to Concierge/Platinum waiting area, and then walked on to the ship within 10 minutes. I think we were on board shortly after 11AM. (My first pictures of the Concierge Lounge were at 11:21AM) A ship's officer then escorted us right up to the Concierge Lounge on 12. __________________ Disney Wonder (3-Night Bahamian) 10/2010 Disney Dream (4-Night Bahamian) 2/2011 Disney Dream (4-Night Bahamian) 1/2012 Disney Dream (4-Night Bahamian) 9/2012 Disney Magic (7-Night Western Caribbean) 11/2012 Disney Dream (3-Night Bahamian) 12/2012 Disney Fantasy (7-Night Eastern Caribbean) 1/26/2013 Disney Magic (6-Night Western Caribbean) 04/20/2013 Disney Dream (3-Night Bahamian) 9/05/2013 Disney Dream (3-Night Bahamian) 11/09/2013 Disney Dream (3-Night Bahamian) 9/04/2014 Last edited by geekboy; 10-20-2012 at 08:21 PM. Reason: Ugg, my clock was off!

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10-20-2012, 07:13 AM	#2
jrbdad Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 459	We did this in July of this past summer. Loved it! Because everything is separate, you really don't need to be concerned about crowds. We were there at 11 am, had to wait maybe 5 minutes through the security line, then walked up to the concierge check-in, over to the concierge waiting area, then a few minutes later we were boarding and on to the reception in the lounge. The whole boarding process convinced us to book concierge on the Fantasy for next summer. Enjoy!

10-20-2012, 10:33 AM	#5
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	If you arrive before boarding begins, you'll wait in the concierge lounge (no crowds). Boarding normally starts about 11:45, but in May it began at 11:15 o our Fantasy cruise. If you arrive after boarding begins, you'll walk in, check in, and board. No waiting at all. No, concierge guests do not need a PAT. You are admitted when you arrive.

10-20-2012, 11:19 PM	#11
Disney_Princess83 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3,149	Thanks everyone for the wonderful information and advice! Great to know that we can bypass most of the crowds at the Port. My sister is alright being near crowds as long as she's not "in" the crowd, if that makes sense. We were thinking about booking an early character breakfast (we might be staying at the Contemporary or Polynesian the night before so it would be in the same hotel) probably 7:30am - 8am. Our suitcases will be already to go so we will just be able to have breakfast, check out and get the car service for 10am. We're allowing an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes from WDW to Port so we should get there for 11:15am-11:30am. __________________

10-21-2012, 07:12 AM	#12
Laila Bryce Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 102	We did something similar last week, we had a 730 breakfast and our limo picked us up around 915 we were in the conc. lounge by 1115 .

10-21-2012, 09:17 PM	#14
zstyles Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 327	We just got back from Galveston, so not sure about other ports but they called out boarding group numbers, we were concierge and given group number 1...we walked on..took our photos on arrival and were on board and being ushered to the private welcome reception with food and drinks... __________________

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