DCL transfers to get a better PAT

[insureman]

I feel that's a lot of stress just trying to get on the ship a couple hours early nevermind the extra cost. Just my opinion.

 

[Girl of the South]

Are you Concierge or Plutonium (?). Suspect you have BG1 meaning whenever you get there you can board. Are you driving? Maybe they wait until the parked cars clear out so more cars can come in? Someone needs to know when the Port opens. HUCA (hang up call again)

 

[auntlynne]

What is the difference between port arrival and boarding group? Are they supposed to coincide? We just got BG1 for Port Everglades - but the PAT is 11:45-4:30. I called DCL to ask what time the terminal opens and they said they don't know - but maybe either 10:30 or 11:15? so I'm totally confused...

Port Arrival time is an assigned time to get in line for check-in at the port terminal.

Boarding Group is the order you enter the ship once checked in and waiting inside the terminal. They are called in order and move fairly quickly once the process begins. But early PATs may have a longer wait until the process begins.

Both have limited numbers of guests to keep the number of people waiting to a controlled amount.

Boarding Group 1 is usually reserved for those booked in Concierge Level cabins. They DO NOT get an assigned PAT. Once they arrive at the port - at their own chosen time, they have their own check-in line, often a set-apart waiting area, and possibly an escort onto the ship.

As stated above, the parking deck does have an opening time to allow departing guests to clear parking spaces.

 

[dancin Disney style]

It might improve your PAT but not your BG? Can your daughter leave the ship and meet you?

Not sure what you mean. By adding the bus after I do online check in....I could improve PAT but not BG? So what gets the earliest PAT and BG?

Yes, she can leave but that wouldn't always work out due to last minute work related stuff.

 

[auntlynne]

@dancin Disney style - yes, your Silver Status is going to matter for the bus from MCO Hyatt. They give out bus assignments by Castaway Club status. You can’t just be first in line that morning (not saying you would be pushy. Your group’s assigned time is just later than Pearls, Platinums, and Gold).

 

[petrola]

Port Arrival time is an assigned time to get in line for check-in at the port terminal.

Boarding Group is the order you enter the ship once checked in and waiting inside the terminal. They are called in order and move fairly quickly once the process begins. But early PATs may have a longer wait until the process begins.

Both have limited numbers of guests to keep the number of people waiting to a controlled amount.

Boarding Group 1 is usually reserved for those booked in Concierge Level cabins. They DO NOT get an assigned PAT. Once they arrive at the port - at their own chosen time, they have their own check-in line, often a set-apart waiting area, and possibly an escort onto the ship.

As stated above, the parking deck does have an opening time to allow departing guests to clear parking spaces.

Thank you!

 

[petrola]

Are you Concierge of Plutonium (?). Suspect you have BG1 meaning whenever you get there you can board. Are you driving? Maybe they wait until the parked cars clear out so more cars can come in? Someone needs to know when the Port opens. HUCA (hang up call again)

yes Concierge. just didn't understand the PAT time range of basically all day (11:45-4:30) but a BG of 1. I think I understand now that the port does not open until 11:45 am and that parking garage is open earlier.

 

[CruizyWoozy]

I booked Disney transportation from the Swan on my last cruise (I think we left from Boardwalk). I have to say, it was lovely to simply not worry about getting an early check in. My kids wanted on as soon as possible and we automatically had the earliest boarding time. It was so easy that I will do it again in the future.

 

[dreamer17555]

yes Concierge. just didn't understand the PAT time range of basically all day (11:45-4:30) but a BG of 1. I think I understand now that the port does not open until 11:45 am and that parking garage is open earlier.

Parking garage out of PC opens at 10:30 AM and 10:45 AM out of PE

 

[Pixarfans]

just didn't understand the PAT time range of basically all day (11:45-4:30) but a BG of 1

It means you can show up to the port anytime you want AND after a special limited line check in you can get immediately on the boat.
Of course this all is limited by the time the port/check in opens and you must be on by all aboard time.

 

[RedHead0186]

What is the difference between port arrival and boarding group? Are they supposed to coincide? We just got BG1 for Port Everglades - but the PAT is 11:45-4:30. I called DCL to ask what time the terminal opens and they said they don't know - but maybe either 10:30 or 11:15? so I'm totally confused...

PAT is the time you arrive at the port, boarding group is the group number that you're a part of once they open boarding. If your PAT Is 11:45-4:30, then the earliest you should arrive at port. It doesn't matter really what time the terminal opens. The point of assigning PATs is for a bit of crowd control, and you should not arrive before your PAT.

(though I will say 11:45 is quite late for the earliest PAT out of PE. Maybe it's a merrytime sailing that needs more time for turnover. I'd keep an eye on that PAT, as it might change. Either way, follow whatever your port arrival form says for what your port arrival time is.

 

[RedHead0186]

It means you can show up to the port anytime you want AND after a special limited line check in you can get immediately on the boat.
Of course this all is limited by the time the port/check in opens and you must be on by all aboard time.

That's not quite true, at least they way you've written it. You can't show up at port anytime when you're concierge, you should still abide by whatever is the 'early time' on port arrival form. If you arrive before that when the terminal may not be open yet, you will have to wait. You also may not get immediately on the boat after check in. You'll be some of the first to board, yes, but if you arrive right when the terminal opens and they haven't started boarding the ship yet when you get through check in, you will probably have a short wait (in the special concierge waiting area, if you're at PC or PE) before you can board the ship.