First Time Cruiser PAT times

[DVC_HK]

So just booked our first ever cruise yesterday and now we are being introduced to PAT times. For us going on our first trip what time will we be able to check in online and book out PAT? Also how are the chances of any early morning ones being left for us?

 

[MomOTwins]

To begin with, just so you are aware, if you are using Disney transportation to the port, you will not be able to select a PAT. PAT is only something you can choose if you are driving or taking transportation arranged through a third-party.

You will be able to check in online and select a PAT sometime in the late afternoon/evening before your scheduled onboard activities booking date (i.e. 75 days before sailing). So if your onboard activities booking date that shows up in the Disney cruise website/app is September 10, the check in would be available sometime in the evening on September 9 (onboard activities will then be come available to book later on that night at midnight eastern).

I think there is a good chance of getting a fairly early PAT as a first timer. I am on a cruise where we are between the silver and first-timer check in dates, and there are still plenty of times available for first timers. They don't seem to book up very fast, likely because so many people are on DCL transporation, and also because some cruisers like to arrive later so they don't have to wait in the terminal and are closer to when the room is ready.

 

[DVC_HK]

To begin with, just so you are aware, if you are using Disney transportation to the port, you will not be able to select a PAT. PAT is only something you can choose if you are driving or taking transportation arranged through a third-party.

You will be able to check in online and select a PAT sometime in the late afternoon/evening before your scheduled onboard activities booking date (i.e. 75 days before sailing). So if your onboard activities booking date that shows up in the Disney cruise website/app is September 10, the check in would be available sometime in the evening on September 9 (onboard activities will then be come available to book later on that night at midnight eastern).

I think there is a good chance of getting a fairly early PAT as a first timer. I am on a cruise where we are between the silver and first-timer check in dates, and there are still plenty of times available for first timers. They don't seem to book up very fast, likely because so many people are on DCL transporation, and also because some cruisers like to arrive later so they don't have to wait in the terminal and are closer to when the room is ready.

That's very good to hear, We are in Atlanta so we decided to drive down to my DW's parents on Amelia island for two nights then get up the Monday the cruise leaves and drive the other 3 hours so we aren't having to buy flights as well. I just want to make sure I can get her the tickets to character meets she really wants but I can already tell we will booking another cruise soon

 

[Dug720]

That's very good to hear, We are in Atlanta so we decided to drive down to my DW's parents on Amelia island for two nights then get up the Monday the cruise leaves and drive the other 3 hours so we aren't having to buy flights as well. I just want to make sure I can get her the tickets to character meets she really wants but I can already tell we will booking another cruise soon

You may be able to get Princess Gathering and/or Frozen (outside of Marvel or Star Wars cruises, the only ones requiring a ticket) when you are able to select your port adventures and do your online check-in - 75 days out for a first time cruiser.

 

[TortoiseTaughtUs]

To begin with, just so you are aware, if you are using Disney transportation to the port, you will not be able to select a PAT. PAT is only something you can choose if you are driving or taking transportation arranged through a third-party.

We’ve cruised twice out of Port Canaveral using Disney transport from MCO—booked at the same time as the cruise—and for our April 2019 Western on the Fantasy we were prompted to select a PAT during online check-in. For what it’s worth, I was able to get my in-laws a 10:45 PAT at midnight on the first-time check-in day.

 

[Weedy]

You will be able to login to fill out all your travel information and pick your Port Arrival Time at 8pm the evening your booking window opens. Then at 12:00:01 start booking activities.
Typical first day At Port Canaveral
9:45 Parking garage opens
You will wait outside until the terminal opens
10:30 Terminal opens
When you arrive and check in you will be given a boarding number. Your boarding number is tied to your PAT the earlier your PAT the lower your boarding number.
They start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30. Concierge and Platinum board first and then they start with everyone else. It goes pretty fast once they start. They call the next number(s) every 4-5 minutes.
11:45-12:00 pools, slides, restaurants and bars open
1:30 cabins available
3:30 restaurants and pools close to get ready for the lifeboat drill
4:00 lifeboat drill
4:30 quick service restaurants reopen
4:30 sail away party

 

[kiford]

You may well be able to still get a relatively early PAT. Not everyone wants an early time. We usually take DCL transfers from the resort but in January we are staying at the MCO Hyatt before our cruise. We are Platinum so we can board any time but we plan to take the DCL bus after 11 am or about noon-ish. I'm not really keen on getting there before our rooms are ready as I hate hauling my bag around until it is ready and I definitely don't want to be there until the crowds thin out for checking in.