Boarding? How Early?

[BalooCA]

Ok, this is my third Cruise, but the first time we are driving ourselves to the port. How earlier do they generally board the Magic? What is the earliest anyone has boarded? What time does the Cruise Terminal open? I don't want to get to Port Canaveral so early that I have to sit in the car and wait. Also how does Boarding work if you bring your own luggage? I've always used the Disney Transfers, and they take care of the luggage. But I know lots of people drive too, and yet I don't remember seeing anyone board with their luggage. Small matters I know, I guess I'm very excited and trying to plan every last detail. Thanks.

 

[Verandah Man]

Terminal opens at 10:30am, we boarded at 12:00 noon, on our
8-23-03 cruise.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

When you pull into the terminal, you'll be directed where to go to drop off your luggage. Save time by having the cruise tags on before you arrive. The porters will take your luggage, then you can pull around and park.

 

[Hans Solo]

We arrived by car at 10:30AM on the nose and the parking lot was opening. I dropped off the family and luggage and parked parked the car. We checked in and boarded about 12:10PM. The boarding time varies from 12:00 to 1:00 but most of the time, Disney begins boarding shortly after 12:00 Noon.

 

[GenieDana]

We were the first family to board on the June 7 Western. Much more pleasant experience for us than boarding later on previous trips, but some folks like leisurely boarding too.

If you arrive early, you get good photo opps in the "vacant" terminal (before the crowds).

If you arrive early, you have the best chance for upgrades you might want. I don't know for sure, but it seems upgrades at the terminal were less expensive than during reservations (be a good question to ask online).

Don't forget you can have a carry-on. If you board early, you can do things like enjoy the pools early (with change of clothes, camera, etc. in the carry-on).

My kids were the first in both the Mickey and Family pools (it was about 1:00 P.M., or so, until any other kids / adults came for a swim) - an "exclusive use" & photo opportunity of the pools and upper decks of the ship you will not get later in the cruise.

Kids had their suits already on under their boarding clothes.

Also, boarding early will virtually guarantee you get the ressies you want (Palo, Spa, etc.).

Besides, you get to enjoy the ship longer!

For what it's worth...

 

[BalooCA]

Thanks for the great info. I am really looking forward to cruising.

 

[xABearx]

Also keep in mind the parking cost is $10 per day either with cash or credit card and is due up front.....Andy

 

[ivanova]

Couple o' questions from a newbie here:

1. How early is TOO EARLY for showing up at the terminal?

2. Approximately how much time should we budget for getting from the Orlando airport area to Port Canaveral?

We'll be driving a 15 passenger van and were thinking of leaving the Orlando airport area around 8:30am ... but if it's only a 75-90 minute drive that'll get us to the port by 10am ... is that too early to arrive? If so we'll adjust our Orlando departure time....

 

[xABearx]

Originally posted by ivanova
Couple o' questions from a newbie here:

1. How early is TOO EARLY for showing up at the terminal?

2. Approximately how much time should we budget for getting from the Orlando airport area to Port Canaveral?

We'll be driving a 15 passenger van and were thinking of leaving the Orlando airport area around 8:30am ... but if it's only a 75-90 minute drive that'll get us to the port by 10am ... is that too early to arrive? If so we'll adjust our Orlando departure time....

I can't answer your question about the time to budget from the airport to the terminal because we drive from Ga, but I can say that we normally get to the terminal around 9:30am and they start to let people in between 10-10:30am, so you should be fine by getting there at 10.....Andy

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

We're staying at the Radisson the night before our cruise. What time is the earliest Radisson shuttle? I would love to get to the terminal early!

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by TheGlensideGregorys
We're staying at the Radisson the night before our cruise. What time is the earliest Radisson shuttle? I would love to get to the terminal early!

The first scheduled shuttle is for 10:20am, however, our shuttle left the Radisson at 10:10 and we were one of the first to arrive at the terminal.


We'll be driving a 15 passenger van and were thinking of leaving the Orlando airport area around 8:30am ... but if it's only a 75-90 minute drive that'll get us to the port by 10am ... is that too early to arrive? If so we'll adjust our Orlando departure time....


I only took me 45 minutes to drive form the MCO airport to the port area, and that was driving the posted speed limit.

 

[ivanova]

and that was driving the posted speed limit.

Well, hubby has a habit of thinking posted speed limits are suggestions at best So I think I'll plan for an hour (leaving Orlando airport area around 9am) ... and if there's no traffic/accidents on the way, we should be there by 10am easy.

 

[lauraljp]

What happens if you are there early (before 10:30). If driving, do you just wait in your car?

Laura

 

[xABearx]

Yes....we park across the street until the guard starts to let you in and then I drop off the luggage and park......Andy