First Shuttle to the Port

[BugsAndBeans]

Hi everyone,
I know this question has been asked a million times, but I can't find an answer. I'm flying in to MCO the night before my (first Disney!) cruise leaves but I have booked the ground transfers through Disney. What is the first shuttle I can take to the port? Bonus points, my sister is flying in the morning of the cruise (landing at 10am); do you think I should wait for her before we head out? (Long story short, we are coming from the same airport, but she wanted an extra night with her boyfriend and I have a 5 year old daughter who *must* meet with Anna and Elsa, lol). Thank you all for your help, I know I haven't been an active poster, but I hope to help others once I know what I'm doing!
B&B

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone,
I know this question has been asked a million times, but I can't find an answer. I'm flying in to MCO the night before my (first Disney!) cruise leaves but I have booked the ground transfers through Disney. What is the first shuttle I can take to the port? Bonus points, my sister is flying in the morning of the cruise (landing at 10am); do you think I should wait for her before we head out? (Long story short, we are coming from the same airport, but she wanted an extra night with her boyfriend and I have a 5 year old daughter who *must* meet with Anna and Elsa, lol). Thank you all for your help, I know I haven't been an active poster, but I hope to help others once I know what I'm doing!
B&B

The DCL transfer desk opens at 9:00 (sometimes a little earlier). They start loading the first bus pretty much right after 9:00. When it's full, it leaves for the port. Busses depart every 20 minutes or when the bus is full, whichever is first. The trip takes about an hour, so you arrive at the port, usually, before they are open. Regardless of when you arrive, you will be allowed to enter the terminal. Check in begins at 10:30, with boarding commencing around 11:15-11:30.

You can either wait for your sister, or not - up to you. If she lands at 10:00, I'd guess that the quickest she'd be at the DCL transfer desk would be 10:30-10:45. Waiting to get on the bus til she get there will, most likely get you to the port around 12:15-12:30.

 

[BugsAndBeans]

Thank you!

 

[lanejudy]

Also to add... the first bus may not put you on the ship first. That will depend on your PAT that you select during online check-in. You can grab the first bus, but if your PAT isn't until 1:00-1:15pm you probably won't be getting onboard much before 12:30pm. So if you have a later PAT, you could have a more relaxed morning at the Hyatt and meet your sister rather than waiting at the terminal watching a lot of other guests board ahead of you. Your choice. If you have a PAT prior to noon, I do suggest heading to the port and meeting your sister onboard.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Weedy]

FYI- PAT means Port Arrival Time. You pick a PAT when you do your online check in. If you are a first time cruiser you can go online 75 days prior to you cruise amd check in then you will be able to pick a PAT. You can start the check in at 12:01AM EST.

When you get to the port and check in you will be given a boarding #. They ususally start boarding 11:15-11:30.

I would go to the port and meet you sister there. You daughter will enjoy being there. Mickey and Minnie come out for pictures, there is aa area where you can go out and look at the ship. There is only a few smaill vending machines so you many want to bring a few snacks if you think you may ned something before you board, but after that there is sooo much food.

 

[BugsAndBeans]

Thank you so much!

 

[anricat]

If you're staying at the Hyatt MCO and taking the DCL transfers, it's likely you will not select a PAT. (We didn't and others here have reported that they also did not.) On our cruise last year we arrived downstairs at around 9:20ish right as the first bus pulled away. We were on the second bus from the airport and arrived around 10:30. We checked in, used the bathroom, took a photo with Goofy and then they started boarding right around that time (11:15).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you're staying at the Hyatt MCO and taking the DCL transfers, it's likely you will not select a PAT. (We didn't and others here have reported that they also did not.) On our cruise last year we arrived downstairs at around 9:20ish right as the first bus pulled away. We were on the second bus from the airport and arrived around 10:30. We checked in, used the bathroom, took a photo with Goofy and then they started boarding right around that time (11:15).

Typically, if you booked your Hyatt MCO stay through DCL, and purchase DCL transfers you will not select a PAT. But, if you book the hotel yourself, and/or only have DCL transfers booked, you will still need to select a PAT.

 

[Weedy]

When you do your online check in if it prompts you to pick a PAT I suggest you do. If you don't need it you will be ok. Better to have it than not.
If you don't need it when you get to that portion of the check in it will be "low lighted" and you won't be able to pick a PAT.