Any reason to stay up to check in if using DCL transport from WDW?

[Anthony Vito]

We used DCL transport from Hyatt MCO last time, but I still stayed up and did online check-in. We're staying at WDW pre-trip and using DCL transportation to the port, but I was still planning on checking in at midnight tonight anyway. I know a Port Arrival Time doesn't matter in this instance since it'll be only based on when the bus gets us to the port, but I'm trying to remember if there's any other reason to stay up and do it tonight as opposed to just waiting until tomorrow at a normal time. I can't think of any reason to stay up, but I want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything.

 

[Mommb]

If you don’t want/need to get a port arrival time, you don’t need to book as soon as possible.

The Royal Gathering (or similar activity on the Wish) becomes available 30 days before sailing. If you’ve cruised before, that’s after your online check-in window opens, so if you want that, you could stay up late and do your check-in a few days later. Otherwise, any time up until a few days before sailing would work.

 

[Anthony Vito]

And here I thought I knew most of the activities - don't know the Royal Gathering, but will now be researching. We're Silver, so we do have a couple days before 30 day window (Thursday midnight, I think), so I'll have to see about that. It's actually our 3rd trip on the Fantasy too, but still didn't know about it.

 

[Akck]

I’m guessing the earlier you check in, the lower your Boarding Group will be.

 

[KarenMom]

Akck is correct. Your boarding group number (not your port arrival time if arriving by DCL transportation) is determined by your check-in time. The earlier you check in, the earlier the boarding group number. Unless you are traveling concierge, in which case you automatically get boarding group #1. If you don't care about getting the earliest boarding group you don't need to check in right at midnight.

 

[ljhayes]

Akck is correct. Your boarding group number (not your port arrival time if arriving by DCL transportation) is determined by your check-in time. The earlier you check in, the earlier the boarding group number. Unless you are traveling concierge, in which case you automatically get boarding group #1. If you don't care about getting the earliest boarding group you don't need to check in right at midnight.

If using Disney transportation from WDW or the MCO Hyatt you get assigned a boarding group automatically.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

I have used DCL transport from WDW the last 2 cruises and have checked in the following morning and still have low been 6 or lower. It’s already assigned to you because of the transportation so your check in time really doesn’t matter.

 

[kiford]

I checked in the afternoon of the day we were able to when we stayed at the MCO Hyatt and got boarding group 6 and boarding group 4 when we stayed at AKL and took the DCL transfers. We are Platinum, so we did have a couple of days jump on others, but if you are taking transfers with preset times, I don't think check-in time factors much into your boarding group. I believe that the transportation methodology in this case dictates the boarding group not your check in time nor your Castaway status (except slightly at MCO Hyatt).