Expected Port Arrival Time

[Weedy]

Yep. I've been checking back daily, but no luck yet.

What time did you get??
FYI: the usually start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30. Concierge and Platinum board first and then they call a new boarding number about every five minutes. They usually have the terminal clear of the line 12:30-12:45. At this time they go to an open boarding. You check in and walk on.

 

[Amandine]

11:45. It's not bad, I was just hoping for earlier since we'll be driving 16 hours straight through the night to get there and arriving around 7am, so it'll be a lot of waiting around. (Leaving later to get there closer to check-in time is only theoretically an option -- I want as much safety buffer as possible just in case of unforseeable travel delays.)

 

[Weedy]

Ugh I understand. Unless the terminal is really backed up ( it's happened a few times over the years) you should be able to enter the terminal early. It opens at 10:30. There is lots going on. You can walk outside and watch them load the ship, the characters will be out to take pictures, there is a pressed penny machine ( .51 cents per design bring change. There are 6 designs). There is only vending machine food.
Once they start calling numbers it goes fast and you'll be onboard in no time.
Lunch starts at 12:00 and cabins are ready at 1:30.

 

[Amandine]

Ugh I understand. Unless the terminal is really backed up ( it's happened a few times over the years) you should be able to enter the terminal early. It opens at 10:30. There is lots going on. You can walk outside and watch them load the ship, the characters will be out to take pictures, there is a pressed penny machine ( .51 cents per design bring change. There are 6 designs). There is only vending machine food.
Once they start calling numbers it goes fast and you'll be onboard in no time.
Lunch starts at 12:00 and cabins are ready at 1:30.

Thanks, Weedy! I didn't know we could walk outside and watch them load the ship -- that'll be awesome!

 

[truck1]

Thanks, Weedy! I didn't know we could walk outside and watch them load the ship -- that'll be awesome!

When you get there, you can walk down the block also to the stern and get pictures of the stern character on the ship also.

 

[CM Dad]

One thing that will cost but will also be effective is to spend the night before at the airport Hyatt, booked via DCL (not booked independently), and use DCL transfers to get to the ship. You won't be tied to a PAT if you do that.

Another strategy that will cost more it to take at least 10 DCL cruises. Then you will be Platinum and not have to worry about PATs,

 

[Shanti]

Another strategy that will cost more it to take at least 10 DCL cruises. Then you will be Platinum and not have to worry about PATs,

I think my method is a little cheaper...

 

[Weedy]

Thanks, Weedy! I didn't know we could walk outside and watch them load the ship -- that'll be awesome!

While in the terminal there is a door to the right of the yellow Mickey Ears. There is a balcony where will be able to see the ship and look down at the forklifts loading the ship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

While in the terminal there is a door to the right of the yellow Mickey Ears. There is a balcony where will be able to see the ship and look down at the forklifts loading the ship.

You can see the door here (well, the top of the door) on the right. And the Dream outside:


The Concierge Lounge is between the yellow ears and the door to the balcony.

 

[Amandine]

Thanks so much, the picture to help explain where to look is a HUGE help The kids will love watching the forklifts!

 

[zippyfan34]

We are going on our 1st Cruise on the Fantasy in late November so the soonest we can sign up for Port Arrival Times is mid September. I have read before peoples preferences of arriving early and late and I think we want as much time on the boat as possible and would like the earliest PAT as possible.

What are the chances that we will still be able to get a PAT of 10:30-11:00 so that we can be onboard by noon with us not being able to sign up until 75 days prior to sailing? Any other first time DCL sailors have experience being able to get an early PAT time (I know I will find out in about a month and a half but would like an inside scoop)?

Got on at midnight at the first day and was able to get 11-11:15 and was also able to sign up for Princess Gathering, Frozen meet & greet, and Disney Junior Breakfast so I am a happy camper.

 

[matthew517]

I think my method is a little cheaper...

Just not as much fun