On Line Check In

[mcrabeck]

We will be cruising for the first time in December. Will checking in on line now vs waiting effect our boarding time or anything else? Thanks

 

[SuperDry]

We will be cruising for the first time in December. Will checking in on line now vs waiting effect our boarding time or anything else? Thanks

Boarding times are chosen at online check-in time, so the longer you wait, the fewer choices will be available. The earlier ones tend to fill up first.

 

[xlxo]

Agreed.... the sooner you book one of the earlier boarding times the better.

• you get a free bonus lunch that closes at 2pm (you've paid for it).
• there's extra bonus opportunity for character pictures at the terminal
• you have extra time for security clearance (health evaluation, baggage search, weapons search, body search, hand search, cavity search.... full meal deal)
• you can always show up later if you have an earlier boarding time
• earlier arrival means a contingency if you encounter traffic delays

 

[NCConch]

You can also book excursions and special dining. When I checked in and booked my excursions there were two cabanas available on the adults only beach.

 

[lanejudy]

Just a clarification -- you will select a Port Arrival Time (PAT) when you do online check-in; you are not directly selecting your "boarding time" but unless you are cruising concierge or platinum Castaway Club status, your actual boarding number will be directly tied to your PAT. So an earlier PAT will have a lower (earlier) boarding number; that said, open boarding is typically called around 12:15/12:30pm and your boarding number becomes irrelevant.

If you wish to reserve anything in advance such as port excursions, adult dining, spa services or nursery time -- you can also so this as of your online check-in date assuming you are PIF. Popular excursions can sell out, adult dining may book-up but you can book onboard as well.

Will you be significantly negatively impacted by not doing online checkin at your first opportunity? No, unless you have strong preferences for some of the most popular things.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[MnMzMoMi4LiFe]

When checking in I received this message: "As a pre stay guest, you do not need to pick the arrival time as Disney staff will escort you to the cruise".

Does that mean that as soon as I get dropped off by Disney Transport I board?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When checking in I received this message: "As a pre stay guest, you do not need to pick the arrival time as Disney staff will escort you to the cruise".

Does that mean that as soon as I get dropped off by Disney Transport I board?

Not necessarily, it just means that, if arriving by DCL transportation, you will be allowed to enter the terminal whenever you arrive. Your boarding number is most likely tied to the probably port arrival time of the DCL transportation (they generally know when the busses are arriving).

I'll just point out that most WDW resort busses arrive after the Open Boarding call anyway, so you're likely to just be able to board directly after checking in at the port.

 

[mizzoufinal4]

Well that better not be the case! I booked through Disney the Hyatt MCO pre cruise and it said the smae thing for me as far as picking an arrival time. I WILL be one of the first couple of busses (last time was the first) to the port so I better not have to sit in there for hours just because they wouldn't let me pick my arrival time this cruise. Last time I stayed at Hyatt MCO but didn't book it through Disney. I had the earliest port arrival time and was in boarding group 4.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Well that better not be the case! I booked through Disney the Hyatt MCO pre cruise and it said the smae thing for me as far as picking an arrival time. I WILL be one of the first couple of busses (last time was the first) to the port so I better not have to sit in there for hours just because they wouldn't let me pick my arrival time this cruise. Last time I stayed at Hyatt MCO but didn't book it through Disney. I had the earliest port arrival time and was in boarding group 4.

As I said, DCL is aware of when the busses are arriving. It's generally felt that those people who are not being required to select PATs are being accounted for by a little "wiggle room" for the times each bus is scheduled to arrive at the port.

So, you'll most likely get a PAT corresponding with when you arrive at the port.

Generally most PAT windows seem to have 3 or 4 numbers assigned to them.