Boarding the Magic at PC

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I am sorry, another boarding question.
I have been reading the boarding stories about numbers, lines, waits, etc, but they seem to refer to the Dream.

We are planning to arrive at Port Canaveral around 11:30 to board the Magic.
I am planning to request this arrival timeframe for online check in as well.

We will not need upgrades, Palo ressies, etc, so no need for me to board ASAP for those. I'd rather just not spend hours in line or hanging around the terminal. Last time we arrived at 10, but our kids wanted to meet up with their DIS friends, so it was fine. This time, it's just DH and I.

What should we expect around that time for lines and time waiting to board? I've read that it's not as bad as the Dream but would just like some clarification.

TIA

 

[jcarwash]

We cruised on the Magic last month. By 11:30 the terminal will be full of people, but mostly just sitting on the couches and hanging around.

The only lines will be for 1. kids club Mickey bands (which you don't need) and 2. characters.

Those in the first boarding groups (and even some who are not) will start milling around the Mickey ears waiting for their group to be called. There is no exact line, just a lot of eager people waiting to go through.

 

[mmouse37]

Some info from this thread from this morning may help you...it is similar.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2710805

MJ

 

[kcashner]

You shouldn't have a bad time at all. In part, it depends on where you are arriving from--if you fly in and take DCL transport from MCO, you can even check in there.

Boarding starts about 11:45, so the "earlybirds" will have checked in long ago and be standing around waiting to board if you arrive at 11:30. However, once boarding starts, it goes quickly (on one of our Magic cruises, the difference between "family of the day" and boarding number 8 being ON the ship was 18 minutes).

If you arrive at 11:30, you will go thru security and into the check in line. You'll probably check in about 11:45, and then wait 1/2 hour or so till your boarding number is called. If you arrive about 12, boarding will have already begun. Again, you'll probably check in about 12:15, and have a very short wait till you are walking onto the ship. It doesn't make you one of the first people on, but it does eliminate most of the waiting!

Of course if the DCL computers go down....all bets are off!