check-in tips???

[MichelleB]

We are boarding the Magic on Saturday. It's been 5 years since our last Disney cruise and I'm sure a lot has changed since then. Anyone have any tips or advice for us?

 

[anne930]

If you're checking in before 1:00 or 1:30, you can't go straight to your stateroom, so try not to take too much carry-on luggage with you. You'll have to lug it around and deal with it until you can get into your stateroom.

 

[MichelleB]

bumping

 

[mollygirl13]

My tip would be to get to the Port eary but not too early. The gates opened at 10 am sharp but we were there at 9:30am. We were driving from PA AND a tad bit too excited.......
Make sure you have all of your documents in hand and already completely filled out. Also have your picture ID ready. Our check-in was literally 5 minutes because we had everything filled out, signed and ready to go!
We were able to board the ship at 12 noon but our room wasn't ready until 1:30. So we just headed to Topsiders and ate outside. Since it was our 1st Disney Cruise, we had some time to explore the ship when it was almost empty!

**Another tip: Parrot Cay & Topsiders were both open for lunch. The cast members seemed to be funneling (sp??) everyone to Parrot Cay. We went to Topsiders and it was nearly empty! So go to the restaurant that the people are NOT going to!!**

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My tip would be to get to the Port eary but not too early. The gates opened at 10 am sharp but we were there at 9:30am. We were driving from PA AND a tad bit too excited.......
Make sure you have all of your documents in hand and already completely filled out. Also have your picture ID ready. Our check-in was literally 5 minutes because we had everything filled out, signed and ready to go!
We were able to board the ship at 12 noon but our room wasn't ready until 1:30. So we just headed to Topsiders and ate outside. Since it was our 1st Disney Cruise, we had some time to explore the ship when it was almost empty!

**Another tip: Parrot Cay & Topsiders were both open for lunch. The cast members seemed to be funneling (sp??) everyone to Parrot Cay. We went to Topsiders and it was nearly empty! So go to the restaurant that the people are NOT going to!!**

How many people were in line ahead of you at the port or were you the 1st there? We're hoping to get a cheap/reasonably priced upgrade if it's not sold out.

What time did Topsiders start getting crowded? Did you really have to sit around the terminal for 2 1/2 hrs?
thanks

 

[mattmommy]

Bring your suit in your carry one luggage with some sunscreen. You can enjoy the pool because everyone else has packed theirs. Except the smart DISers.

 

[Takia]

Sorry.... Not wanting to take your pixie, but the prices for upgrades are established in advance.... Early or late they are the same......

As another tip, fill out as many documents online.... this will keep you from having to give them a whole bunch of documents.... For the Kid-O's register them while you are waiting if they are letting you at port. Saves a little time on the boat!

 

[mollygirl13]

How many people were in line ahead of you at the port or were you the 1st there? We're hoping to get a cheap/reasonably priced upgrade if it's not sold out.

What time did Topsiders start getting crowded? Did you really have to sit around the terminal for 2 1/2 hrs?
thanks

We were about 3rd going into the parking lot. By the time we got things settled in the car & headed inside the terminal it was about 10:20 or so. We got a boarding pass & it was #3. We checked in almost immediately (there was no line at that point yet) and it was about 10:30 when we sat down. We only had to wait 1.5 hours until they boarded and that was at noon. Even w/ boarding pass #3 we got on very quickly. The 1.5 hours went by very fast! Talking w/ my family moved the time along, I guess!
I don't remember when Topsiders got busy. It was relatively slow when we got there around 12: 15 or so. I think we left Topsiders at 1:00 to walk around the ship.

 

[mollygirl13]

Bring your suit in your carry one luggage with some sunscreen. You can enjoy the pool because everyone else has packed theirs. Except the smart DISers.

Oh how I wished I had done that! The pool was completely empty!!!

 

[cruisinluver]

The best time to arrive at the port is about 1:30-2pm. You can always walk right on and go right to your stateroom without any lines or without having to worry about lugging your carryons around. You have no crowds to speak of. Everyone is leaving at the same time when the ship pulls out of port. We have even been able to still make Palo reservations and Spa appointments walking on at such a late hour. Usually Pirate night is wide open for Palo so that is what we take. Also we put our name down for a brunch opening and have never NOT been called due to a cancellation.

 

[crisi]

Use the Castaway Club line. You get lanyards and pins at check in if you are a Castaway Club member. The regular lines won't have them handy.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

Sorry.... Not wanting to take your pixie, but the prices for upgrades are established in advance.... Early or late they are the same......

As another tip, fill out as many documents online.... this will keep you from having to give them a whole bunch of documents.... For the Kid-O's register them while you are waiting if they are letting you at port. Saves a little time on the boat!

Can one of us check in for the cruise and the other check in for the kids club? Or do we all have to check in for the cruise as a family?

 

[goofyforlife]

Stay away from the large group of green people!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding Michelle!!!!

Come on over and introduce yourself......The more the merrier!!!!

 

[niccic]

We got to the port on our nov 11 double dip about 10:30-10:45 (we had disney transportation from airport hyatt). The line looked long but we only waited about 20 mins. Even better we still got an upgrade from a cat 10 to cat 5 for $700.00. I thought that was cheap, but it depends on the family and this was our first cruise.

Good Luck

 

[kcashner]

The prices for upgrades are established in advance. The availability is a matter of luck! For instance, the family above upgraded from a 10 to a 5. Suddenly, there was a 10 open if someone wanted to go from a 12 to a 10. It is basically a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Most people wouldn't think a 12 to a 10 was a big deal....but they might if it was a 12 to a 9 or whatever.

All adults have to present themselves and their photo IDs in the check in line. You will have plenty of time to do kid activity check in either after you have gotten your KTTW cards at the terminal or later on board the ship.

You don't need to get to port early. The gates open at 10, the counters open for check in at 10:30. There is a line of the "early birds" who get there by 11 or so. Then there is a bit of a lull until the busses start to arrive from WDW. If you arrive after the initial boarding line has entered, you generally walk right in. We usually arrive about 11 if driving or flying in night before. Gives us plenty of time for lunch and a swim before the rooms are ready.

Best hint is either swimsuits under clothes or in carry on bag--the pools are empty right after boarding.

 

[Vanvmom]

We were at the port for about 2 hours, but the time flew by. I was able to check in our entire family while DH was returning the rental car. He then joined me in line to check our kids into the program. The boys walked around the port, and watched stuff get loaded onto the ship.

Take a quick look before you head up the staircase as to what boarding number the CMs are handing out. We took the left staircase and got group 12 (at 10:40 am) and the people going up the staircase to the right got group 3.

When we boarded, the kids went to deck 4 to play foosball and ping pong. Also, Plutos is open (they were dying for chicken fingers, and not buffet food).

 

[Rambler5678]

Can one Adult check in there spouse while there parking the car?

 

[Takia]

Actually the adult members of the group have to present themselves with proper ID.........

 

[scrapperjill]

Unless things have changed...we only had to have one adult check our whole group in for our last cruise in 05. DH stayed with the kids and secured us a spot in line while I checked us all in. I did have to have all the documents and his id with me....but he didn't need to be in line and show his own ID. Of course this was a year ago (before they started handing out numbers)....so things may have changed.

 

[mrsnesbit]

Can someone explain what the numbers mean. They hand them to you as you walk up the stairs?? Does it affect how long you wait to board or check-in. When did this start. My last cruise was Feb 2005 and we are going on the Christmas 10 day this year. Thanks in advance for any information!