MCO Cruise Checkin

[TamieH]

We were on the October 24th Magic and stayed at the Hyatt the night before for the 1st time. I must say that this was GREAT and we will always do this in the future. The entire process was smooth and hassle free using Disney Transportation and the extra coordination features offered by the Hyatt (luggage pickup from room, gathering in lobby & etc).

In addition, I went down to the Disney transportation desks in the airport about 8:00 on Saturday morning and "completely" checked in for the cruise. I had been reading about this unadvertised feature for Wonder cruises, but they did it for our Magic cruise as well. I received a "#2" boarding pass. I was the only person in line at that time. It couldn't have been simplier or more convenient. I went back to our Hyatt room and we joined the others later in the Hyatt lobby to board the 1st bus from that location headed to the port. At the port, we went through security and then straight to the line to get our individual pictures taken. We had to wait quite awhile in that line since the computers went down, but no big deal. After this process was completed, we picked up our pager for our 8 year old in the Children's club counter and chatted with a CM until they began boarding the ship. Since we had a #2 boarding pass, we were on very quickly.

We also took advantage of the On-board Airline check in process for the first time using Air Tran. That was also super easy and convenient. Each of these new processes (new to us since our 2007 cruise) made this the best cruise yet for our family. Zero stress, hassle and opportunities for unneeded drama when traveling with kids.

We had perfect weather, totally enjoyed the Halloween trick-or-treating & deck party and everything else about this trip with one exception. We spent the extra money on the balcony (Cat 6) and were rarely able to use due to excessive smoking by our neighbor. The same neighbor's 2 year old screamed excessively (blood-curling fits) during dinner and in the room starting at about 5:30 am each morning throughout the day & evenings. The parents screamed back at her to "shut up" just as loudly. So much for sleeping in on vacation. This bothered other guests even 2 cabins away on either side. The worst was the last night when their kids were body-slamming the wall while jumping on the beds. Our walls were shaking. This went on along with more screaming for 2 hours that evening. My husband placed several calls to Guest Services to get somebody up to our room to hear the problem and address it, but no one ever responded or came up.

Otherwise, perfect trip!

[mommykeg]

So what did you tell them when you went down to the airport check-in area (Is it the Magical Express area)? Did you just say that you were sailing on the Magic that day? Also...where exactly is this check-in area? I'd love to do this for our cruise on Nov. 14th!!! Did the whole family have to be there at check-in, or just one representative?

[TamieH]

I called down to Hyatt Guest Services 1st to see if they knew if this was an option. They said "yes" Disney was performing this service for Magic cruises as well as the reported Wonder. (Disney Customer Service knew nothing about this when I tried to inquire about it before the cruise). The cruise checkin desk was right beside the Magical Express desk on the same level as all of the car rental agencies. It is the same location that you check into the Disney Cruise transportation later in the morning for the cruise. They had a DCL table in the aisle where you stopped first to have them check your paperwork and sign the document ensuring that no one from your party had been sick with a fever recently. After they verify that you have everything filled out, I went straight to the desk and they took care of the rest. SO EASY and I loved having a #2 boarding pass with no hassle. I didn't, but probably should have inquired about upgrades just to see how much a suite would have been. Next time.....

[kcashner]

This is so typical....I read about this service. I called DCL to ask if it would be available on our September Wonder sailing and was told no. Surprise, it's still happening. Oh well.....no big deal.

[scrapycruiser]

We are staying at the Hyatt in Feb before our Magic cruise. I had called DCL and asked about this service and was told to check with the hotel. I can't understand why Disney res doesn't kn ow about this. I don't think I would bother asking DCL about this. We'll just ask about it when we check in.

As far as luggage....how did you know it had been picked up ? They told you to leave it in the room, right? Someone in our group is concerned that it will not make it to the ship.

[kcashner]

They want the luggage at 8 am. Bus doesn't run till 9:30-9:40. I wait till I see the luggage has been taken (can you say trust but verify!?) If you can check in before that, great...but I'm not leaving the hotel for the last time before the luggage is gone.

[scrapycruiser]

Thanks ! Did you take the luggage to the lobby or to the place where you get the bus ?

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by scrapycruiser

Thanks ! Did you take the luggage to the lobby or to the place where you get the bus ?

The bellman will come to the room for the luggage...but I'll see him get it! In my experience, they said 8:00 and they were there for it at 7:55.

You can take it with you to the welcome center where you get the bus, but you don't need to. If you do this, you will be directed to hand it over to a guy who is loading bags onto a truck...he has a whole bunch of bags off to the side of where the buses load.

[mmouse37]

Originally Posted by TamieH

We were on the October 24th Magic and stayed at the Hyatt the night before for the 1st time. I must say that this was GREAT and we will always do this in the future. The entire process was smooth and hassle free using Disney Transportation and the extra coordination features offered by the Hyatt (luggage pickup from room, gathering in lobby & etc).

In addition, I went down to the Disney transportation desks in the airport about 8:00 on Saturday morning and "completely" checked in for the cruise. I had been reading about this unadvertised feature for Wonder cruises, but they did it for our Magic cruise as well. I received a "#2" boarding pass. I was the only person in line at that time. It couldn't have been simplier or more convenient. I went back to our Hyatt room and we joined the others later in the Hyatt lobby to board the 1st bus from that location headed to the port. At the port, we went through security and then straight to the line to get our individual pictures taken. We had to wait quite awhile in that line since the computers went down, but no big deal. After this process was completed, we picked up our pager for our 8 year old in the Children's club counter and chatted with a CM until they began boarding the ship. Since we had a #2 boarding pass, we were on very quickly.

We also took advantage of the On-board Airline check in process for the first time using Air Tran. That was also super easy and convenient. Each of these new processes (new to us since our 2007 cruise) made this the best cruise yet for our family. Zero stress, hassle and opportunities for unneeded drama when traveling with kids.

We had perfect weather, totally enjoyed the Halloween trick-or-treating & deck party and everything else about this trip with one exception. We spent the extra money on the balcony (Cat 6) and were rarely able to use due to excessive smoking by our neighbor. The same neighbor's 2 year old screamed excessively (blood-curling fits) during dinner and in the room starting at about 5:30 am each morning throughout the day & evenings. The parents screamed back at her to "shut up" just as loudly. So much for sleeping in on vacation. This bothered other guests even 2 cabins away on either side. The worst was the last night when their kids were body-slamming the wall while jumping on the beds. Our walls were shaking. This went on along with more screaming for 2 hours that evening. My husband placed several calls to Guest Services to get somebody up to our room to hear the problem and address it, but no one ever responded or came up.

Otherwise, perfect trip!

So by "completely" you mean you were given a KTTW card at the airport? If so that is great that they are now doing that service for the Magic.

I bet DCL doesn't want to hold themselves to this if it is in the experimental stages still for the MAGIC. They probably don't want to commit to it being an official process yet unitl they are sure it will work and continue.

MJ

[Candy Apple]

My thoughts on this are that Disney is trying to get more people to use the DCL buses instead of other transportation. If you know you could check in and get a #2 boarding pass at the hotel, why not just use the DCL bus instead of trying to get to the port right at 10AM?

So, the big question is, has anyone else had the same experience with the Magic?

[TamieH]

We were still in our room about 8:30 when Hyatt came and picked up our luggage from our room. No problems.

Yes - totally checked in including our KTTW cards for each family member including our Silver CC lanyards. It was wonderful!

When we were boarding the Disney bus from the lower level of the Hyatt, we walked right by the guys loading the luggage into a big enclosed truck to take to the terminal. Our luggage arrived in our room between 3-5 pm at different times.

[alwayslisad]

Can you only do it on Saturday morning - or do you know if you can do it on Friday when you arrive at airport...

[Vegaslover]

This is great to know! I will be using DCL transfers from the airport for my trip in March. I will try to check in while waiting for the transfer to take me to the ship.

[mmouse37]

Originally Posted by alwayslisad

Can you only do it on Saturday morning - or do you know if you can do it on Friday when you arrive at airport...

DCL staff are not usually at the airport on non cruise days so I doubt you would be able to check-in on Friday.

MJ

[No Wheat Pete]

My husband and I were on the same 10/24 magic cruise. We were not able to leave the night before, but had the first flight out of Philadelphia on Saturday morning. We arrived at the Magical Express area at MCO around 10 am and were directed over to a little table area where they checked our documents, asked health questions then sent us to the DCL line. I was really surprised when the CM handed us our KTTW, a map of the ship and a boarding pass (#6 I think). This is the first cruise we have ever been on so I was expecting to do the check in at the terminal. Next we were sent to a little seating area to wait for the next bus - a short wait as we were called almost as soon as we sat down. Once we arrived at the terminal there was a very, very long line for pictures, although it seemed to move pretty quickly. Maybe about half way through the picture line boarding started. By the time we finished at the cameras, we were sent straight into the boarding line.

It was a fabulous vacation. We had high expectations for DCL to begin with, but this trip surpassed anything we could have imagined. Can't wait to start planning the next one!