12:15 port arrival time, when should we leave Disney?

[Jenn504]

Hi, everyone. This my first cruise in February. I did on line check-in a few days ago. I was assigned a port arrival time of 12-12:15. I am taking a private van service from the Boardwalk Hotel. There are 7 of us. What time would you recommend the van picking us up. The van driver said most people ask for 9. That seems early. If we get there around 10 do we get on early. Is the port arrival time more a suggestion.

Also what time would you have the van pick you up. We are going back to Disney for a few more days in the park. We will not be in a hurry. Thanks for help.

 

[Weedy]

I think 10:30 if you’re going to make a grocery stop. If no stops 11:00. It’s about a 1 hour drive.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If we get there around 10 do we get on early. Is the port arrival time more a suggestion.

The terminal doesn't open for new cruisers to check in until 10:30. If you are earlier than your Port Arrival Time selected, you may be asked to wait, if the terminal is full. Boarding doesn't begin until 11:30ish. When you check in at the port, you receive a boarding number (tied to your PAT). When boarding starts, they board Concierge, back to back cruisers, Platinum Castaway Club members and family of the day first, then start calling boarding numbers about every 5-10 minutes (depending on how quickly the line is moving).

Once the boarding number being announced for boarding catches up to the boarding number being issued at check in open boarding is announced and anyone, holding any boarding number may board. This typically happens around 12:15-12:30.

 

[Jenn504]

Thanks, so we should plan on arriving closer to the port arrival time. So, there is no real benefit to arriving early? Will we still have to “check in” with someone. Is there a character to meet or anything. Thanks for any advice.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks, so we should plan on arriving closer to the port arrival time. So, there is no real benefit to arriving early? Will we still have to “check in” with someone. Is there a character to meet or anything. Thanks for any advice.

There could be a character in the terminal. Or not.

Yes, you have to check in, just like at a hotel.

 

[Weedy]

Typical first day at Port Canaveral:
9:30-9:45 Parking garage/drop off opens. You will wait outside until the terminal opens
10:30 Terminal opens. When you arrive and check in you will be given a boarding number. The earlier your Port Arrival Time the lower your boarding number.
You pick your PAT when your booking window opens. For first time cruisers it’s 75 days prior to your cruise. The earliest PAT at Port Canaveral is 10:30-10:45
11:15-11:30 boarding begins. Concierge and Platinum board first. Then they start with everyone else. They call the next number(s) every 4-5 minutes.
11:45-12:00 all pools, slides, restaurants and bars open
1:30 cabins available.
Luggage may not be delivered until 4-5:00
3:30 all pools and restaurants close to get ready for the lifeboat drill.
4:00 lifeboat drill
4:30 quick service restaurants reopen
4:30 sail away party

 

[Jenn504]

Thanks for that break down. So if we get there at 11:45-1200. We could hope to be on the boat by 12:30 or do you think it takes longer, or is there no real way to tell. But looking at your breakdown, you can’t even get into the port until 10:30. I think I will change my pickup time at Boardwalk from the 9 To 10:45. I think we might even have time to walk to the studios to see if we can get an early boarding group to rise that morning.
thanks everyone.Sounds like if we arrived earlier than noon we would just be sitting around the port Anyway.

 

[lanejudy]

So if we get there at 11:45-1200. We could hope to be on the boat by 12:30

I don't think you should expect to be onboard before 12:30. Boarding typically begins around 11:30 -- so anyone with a PAT prior to yours will board first. It takes about an hour to work through that backlog. If you arrive around 12noon, you should have a short wait in the terminal. If you arrive around 12:30 - you may be able to walk on as soon as you finish with check-in.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[OKW Lover]

The ride from BW to the port should take about 75 minutes.