Does the DCL bus still arrive "late"

[mousefan73]

This is NOT a given. Some have been told "yes" (we were), and others have been told "absolutely not".

If you leave before the resort buses, you'll be in front of the resort buses. So if the buses are late b/c of some sort of problem on the road, you're safe. If you want to leave that early, do it, but be well aware that that's a decent amount of time to fill.

ok good to know so IF we do the rental we need to make sure we get a large SUV... for our bags...

 

[lanejudy]

4 large carry-ons is enough.

Not too large or you’ll Have to check them with the porters. Carry-ons must fit through scanners, similar in size to airport scanners.

Also be aware that if you arrive at Port Canaveral too early, you may be turned away. Passengers are likely to still be debarking from the previous cruise. At best you would be allowed to park and then stuck in the skyway until the terminal opens at 10:30am. No need to leave WDW before 9am, and you’ll still arrive before the terminal opens.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Starwind]

Word is if you are on DCL Transportation you don’t pick a PAT.

If you are not taking DCL transportation then when you can check in online - 75 days out for new cruisers - you will select a PAT from those times still available.

If one is taking DCL transportation and therefore does not get to pick a PAT, how do they assign the boarding group # ?

For example, if we are on the first or second bus from MCO, are we likely to have a low boarding group # or could we end up with a high one ?

Our last cruise we used DCL transport but were allowed to pick a PAT and got IIRC 10:30 or close to it and were in boarding group 2 or 3.

SW

 

[Dug720]

If one is taking DCL transportation and therefore does not get to pick a PAT, how do they assign the boarding group # ?

For example, if we are on the first or second bus from MCO, are we likely to have a low boarding group # or could we end up with a high one ?

Our last cruise we used DCL transport but were allowed to pick a PAT and got IIRC 10:30 or close to it and were in boarding group 2 or 3.

SW

This not selecting a PAT is new so no one really knows. The common thought is you will get the Boarding Group being handed out for the time you arrive via DCL transportation. I don't know if any current cruises are doing that or if it's future ones that haven't sailed yet. Just that people seem to be reporting if you have booked DCL transfers you don't select a PAT. I don't know if you can "override" that by holding off on booking the DCL transportation until after you do your online check-in or not.

 

[Weedy]

The buses from the resorts usually arrive after they have gone to open boarding so a boarding number is not really needed for those people.

 

[Starwind]

The buses from the resorts usually arrive after they have gone to open boarding so a boarding number is not really needed for those people.

No but one is for people coming from MCO. I'd not be amused if I were on the first bus (900, arriving about 1000) and have to wait until a late boarding number. Whole idea of arriving early is to get on the ship early.

SW