Can we do better on our own?? (re: PAT)

[kkayluvsdis]

Hi There,

Does anyone happen to know what time the Port opens up to private vehicle transportation?

We just returned from our first sailing on the Fantasy. Last February we sailed on the Dream and used a stay, cruise and park package through the Radisson. Everything went totally seamlessly-we were on the first shuttle from the hotel and arrived at the port with few crowds. Even though it was our first sailing, we scored a boarding number 6 and were on the ship in no time. So, naturally, after such a great experience we booked the same type of package again.

This year, however, we waited over an hour to board a shuttle from the Radisson. According to the transportation coordinator the traffic at the port was backed up and the shuttles were having a hard time getting in/out. Also, there were two other cruise ships leaving so the first few shuttles that did arrive at the hotel were filled with those cruise lines' passengers first. When we finally arrived at the port it was over an hour after our PAT and the crowds were huge! We were giving boarding number 2 upon check in but by that time they were already boarding numbers 1-14. So, that leads me back to my question...

If we had just jumped in our van that morning and paid to park at the Port would we have been able to avoid the traffic issues? Would they have let us in to the parking deck? Is the reason we saw such an appreciable difference from one year to the next due to the fact that on the Dream we were sailing out on a Monday versus sailing out on a Saturday on the Fantasy?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Best,
Kelly

 

[Barbydoll8]

It's normally around 10:30 but you won't get on the ship then. They normally start boarding around noon. We always get there early with an early PAT as we are not breakfast people and are normally starving by the time we get on the ship. DH wants to eat asap and then get on with the rest of the early stuff. We are gold so we normally get a #3 board number and are well into the buffet by 12:30-ish.

You are probably going to hit some traffic no matter what but it would be worse at the Miami port (which I still didn't think was awful).

 

[Weedy]

At Port Canaveral the parking garage typically allows people to start parking by 9:45-10:00. The terminal opens at 10:30. They usually start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30.
Every once in awhile there will be a problem and boarding is delayed. But I do think you would have had more control if you drive yourself.

 

[Trera]

every time we have been, they hold the line to get into the check in area until 10:30. We try to get there 15 min or so before that.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I remember the first couple times we stayed at the Radisson for DCL. They had a shuttle that was just for DCL. Those were the days.

 

[apathetic]

We've driven and it is easy. I think they start letting you drop off bags at 10am. After that, it is a quick process into the parking garage. As stated above, you can't get into the terminal until about 1030am. There were lines, but Disney moved things quickly. The longest part was going through bag xray for carry-ons. Keep in mind, times are always subject to change, especially if the ship is late getting into port.

 

[OKW Lover]

We not fans of trying to get to the terminal very early. All it does is put you into a large crowd waiting inside the terminal without a lot to do until boarding starts. Instead we plan on arriving around noon. At that time the crowds have boarded and you can walk right up to the registration desk to get checked in and board immediately. All you've lost in shipboard time is maybe an hour.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We are get there early people. We are in line on the bridge by about 10 and are usually on the boat pretty quickly after they begin boarding. Waiting in the terminal is part of the fun for us. We are up anyway and excited to get on our way. We would rather wait there than at the hotel.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Thanks for the responses everyone. So, it sounds like the PC parking opens at 10:00? Do those who are disembarking that morning and leaving the parking area have a different exit road than those coming in? In other words, is it on the opposite side of the parking deck? Just curious what the traffic flow is like. It was hard to tell from the shuttle.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

I remember the first couple times we stayed at the Radisson for DCL. They had a shuttle that was just for DCL. Those were the days.

Oh man! That would be awesome! Do you happen to know if any of the Port Canaveral areas hotels have dedicated buses for each cruiseline? We almost tried a different hotel this time but my kids loved the pool at the Radisson (and dh and I the pool bar area) so we went with what we knew.

 

[OKW Lover]

Do those who are disembarking that morning and leaving the parking area have a different exit road than those coming in? In other words, is it on the opposite side of the parking deck? Just curious what the traffic flow is like. It was hard to tell from the shuttle.

By 10 am most of the previous passengers are long gone.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Oh man! That would be awesome! Do you happen to know if any of the Port Canaveral areas hotels have dedicated buses for each cruiseline?

I kinda doubt it. I think the combining of multiple cruiselines onto a single bus, and sometime multiple hotels, is a result of cost cutting. Plus it depends on how many ships are in port that particular day. I'm assuming which ship the visit first depends on how many for each ship are on the shuttle. We've done DCL first, Carnival first and RCCL first.