Early arrival - later PAT

[carcam51]

We arrive MCO at 7:50am next Thursday. We are using Disney transportation to the port. Our PAT isn't until 1:00pm - do any of you have any suggestions as to what we can do with all of that time? If I remember correctly, the terminal doesn't even open until 11:00am...is that correct? Will they check us in prior to our PAT?

 

[Quellman]

We arrive MCO at 7:50am next Thursday. We are using Disney transportation to the port. Our PAT isn't until 1:00pm - do any of you have any suggestions as to what we can do with all of that time? If I remember correctly, the terminal doesn't even open until 11:00am...is that correct? Will they check us in prior to our PAT?

When you use the Disney transportation option, your PAT matters very little. You'll be able to enter the port and proceed to check in. Most times open boarding begins close to 12-1230. At the port there is a cut away model of the original Magic ship and also character meet and greets. There is an observation platform as well so you can take pictures by the ship. There are also pressed penny machines.

 

[DIS_Ag]

You will probably be put in a later boarding group but that's not that big of deal. Last year we had the 2nd PAT slot but were on the first bus. We got boarding group #6.

You could also eat breakfast at the Hyatt's restaurant to kill a little time, especially since the buses don't leave until 9. It's pretty good.

 

[carcam51]

When you use the Disney transportation option, your PAT matters very little. You'll be able to enter the port and proceed to check in. Most times open boarding begins close to 12-1230. At the port there is a cut away model of the original Magic ship and also character meet and greets. There is an observation platform as well so you can take pictures by the ship. There are also pressed penny machines.

Thank you! We have sailed with Disney in the past but it's been a few years and we didn't have such an early arrival time!!! This year it's just me and DH - a quick three day, but we are so excited!

 

[carcam51]

You could also eat breakfast at the Hyatt's restaurant to kill a little time, especially since the buses don't leave until 9. It's pretty good.

That's a great idea!!! I'm sure we will be hungry by the time we arrive!

 

[n2mm]

Your PAT time is linked to your boarding number. So if you get there early, you can people watch. We've gotten there earlier than our PAT, but still had a later boarding number. We are platinum now, so no longer an issue.

 

[Bishoparc]

We had a late PAT on our last cruise due to booking last minute. Our PAT was 2:15, we boarded at 11:26. It just depends on how many people are in the boarding groups before you. They just gauge by how many people are waiting in line. Once the line dies down they move to the next boarding group. Times before when we've gotten there at 12:30 they're already in open boarding. Unless there have been some delays, you should be just fine.

 

[carcam51]

I feel like every time we've sailed, we've gotten there during open boarding...never this EARLY!!

 

[COAriel]

What happens if you have a fairly early PAT, but by circumstances unseen, you arrive later than that time? When you check in, do you get a new boarding number ( from what I have been reading, your boarding number is determined by your PAT) or do you get to walk on ship if your boarding number has already been called and missed it?? We will be on the Dream (Our First Cruise Ever!!) in April 2018 and was wondering about this??

 

[clten]

If you arrive at the port after your Port Arrival Time, the agent that checks you will may give you the current boarding number or your original boarding number (assuming they are boarding when you arrive and haven't gone to open boarding yet). If you get a number lower than the current boarding number, you can just walk onto the ship.

 

[COAriel]

If you arrive at the port after your Port Arrival Time, the agent that checks you will may give you the current boarding number or your original boarding number (assuming they are boarding when you arrive and haven't gone to open boarding yet). If you get a number lower than the current boarding number, you can just walk onto the ship.

Thank you so much for the info... we'll be in Lakeland, FL the Friday-Sunday before our cruise on Monday and will be driving to The Port... just wanted to know if by chance something happened traffic wise, how that will work, depending on what PAT we get at our online check in day...