Best Time to Board???

[Griggle]

We're on the May 15 Wonder, after 4 days at WDW....I'm wondering is it better to get to the port and on the ship earlier - or is stopping at a park (or DownTown) for a while and heading out later just as good??

We're not getting reservations for anything - no Palo, no spa, no Flounders....

Thoughts??? We've never done this before, so don't know what or if we'd be missing anything....

 

[Tooth Fairy]

I like to go early and get settled in plus your cruise starts the minute they start loading and you paid for it!!! Have a great trip!!!

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

Hi. I personally like to get on the ship as early as possible so I can make the most of every minute. The ship is GORGEOUS, the embarkation buffet is GREAT (hope they still have those jumbo shrimp!), and you can enjoy it before it gets crowded. You'll have a WONDERful time!

 

[beattyfamily]

I've done both.

Our first cruise we were at the mercy of the DCL bus and got there pretty late in the day. Didn't have much time from when we boarded to setting sail. They did not announce our name and no character greeting us when we boarded.

Then this last cruise (our second) we drove. We were probably on the ship by 12:00 - 12:30 and I thought it was better! We had lots more time to enjoy things before the sail away party and the mandetory drill they make you do. We actually swam in the pool for awhile too. We were greeted when we boarded by Mickey waving and they announced our name.

I prefer getting there early!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I like to board as early as possible. We have kind of a system. Since we arrive the night before the cruise, we like to get to the port well before boarding starts. When we get on board, everyone is crowding around the mid-ship elevators on deck 3, or clogging the hallway back to Parrot Cay. We head up the stairs next to Lumière's and head aft on deck 4, then grab the aft elevators up to deck 9. This allows us to beat most of the crowd to Topsider's. We can get lunch and grab a good seat outside on the back of deck 9.

If you don't need to make any reservations, you can finish lunch, head to your cabin and then have the ship essentially to yourself for most of the afternoon. The pools aren't crowded, nor are the deck chairs around the pools. I like to grab my book and a beer and just kind of relax on deck. If it's a hot day, I hit the pool from time to time.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm planning on being there when the gate opens at 10:30! I want every second to count!

 

[inkkognito]

I'm an early bird too. The only times we've ever arrived late was when we did the land/sea package and had to take the DCL bus and when our flight got in late and we took the bus from the airport. We fly in the night before now and use Happy Limo instead of the DCL transfers so we can set our own time. Usually we leave our hotel (MCO area) at 9:30 and get there right when the port opens at 10:30 (we typically do a grocery stop on the way). This past weekend, we made our pickup at 10 a.m. because I thought we had a late-arriving flight (turns out I was thinking of the wrong trip!). The towncar got there a little early, so even with the grocery stop we got there before 11. We like to enjoy a coffee from R.E. Fresh's in the port and relax before boarding. If you have a group, one person can hold your place in line while the others explore. Everyone does it, so no one will get upset. And of course when you get there early, you will have time to enjoy lunch before heading off for Palo and spa ressies, and you'll have the best chance to get a prime time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Griggle]

Well, that settles that!! One less debate going on inside my head - and, thanks to Senor Ferrarri's "road map" to lunch another "tip" to drive DH crazy.... Many, many thanks!!!