Galveston terminal

[obsesseddisneyfan]

How strict has the port been about arrival times? I am Silver and taking my elderly parents on their first Disney Cruise. Trying to figure out the best way to help them through security. If they arrive a bit early will they be let through security? It was like this in Vancouver. The port arrival times were more suggestions.

 

[CarolynFH]

We’re also Silver and sailed the Magic from Galveston in January, and I intentionally chose a later PAT because we planned to eat lunch elsewhere and then board. We arrived just after our PAT, and I was surprised to see lines of people being held outside the terminal. So I guess they are somewhat strict, and in future I’ll choose a PAT that is definitely earlier than I actually expect to arrive.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

We’re also Silver and sailed the Magic from Galveston in January, and I intentionally chose a later PAT because we planned to eat lunch elsewhere and then board. We arrived just after our PAT, and I was surprised to see lines of people being held outside the terminal. So I guess they are somewhat strict, and in future I’ll choose a PAT that is definitely earlier than I actually expect to arrive.

Thanks for getting back to me. I will try to get a PAT with them.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks for getting back to me. I will try to get a PAT with them.

The "competition" seems to be most intense for the earlier PATs, so if you choose a later one you should be fine. You could even wait to do your online check in when they do, so as to get the same PAT - although you can probably change your PAT if you check in on the Silver date and then they can't get the same one you do when they do online checkin.

 

[auntlynne]

Not only schedule a later PAT, but plan on doing sit-down lunch in Rapunzel’s, not Cabanas.

 

[Akck]

We were on the first cruise out of Galveston in March. PATs seemed to start in the afternoon as the ship was transitioning from New Orleans. We arrived about 15 minutes before our PAT and they were calling PATs well after ours. Seems they started early, but the fact they were calling times means they were somewhat strict when you could check in.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Do you think a 12pm PAT would be late enough that my parents could get it as well and we would have time once we got on to eat lunch before Rapunzel’s closes (at 2pm)?

 

[CarolynFH]

Do you think a 12pm PAT would be late enough that my parents could get it as well and we would have time once we got on to eat lunch before Rapunzel’s closes (at 2pm)?

If the PATs start as early as they did for our cruise in January (I didn't pay attention, but the earliest was definitely before 11 AM), yes, I think all of you could probably get a 12 PM PAT and would have time to eat at Rapunzel's.

 

[auntlynne]

I’d still say shoot for 12:30 to let those champing at the bit to get onboard. But also realize even I have a hard time planning on a later arrival. I just think that extra 30 minutes could mean less standing and waiting.

And they will not throw you out of lunch at 2 pm, but they will stop seating before then.

Your parents may not be as frail as I am thinking.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

I’d still say shoot for 12:30 to let those champing at the bit to get onboard. But also realize even I have a hard time planning on a later arrival. I just think that extra 30 minutes could mean less standing and waiting.

And they will not throw you out of lunch at 2 pm, but they will stop seating before then.

Your parents may not be as frail as I am thinking.

Thanks. My dad has bad knees. Can't walk much and wont get knee replacements. He is also staring to loose his memory. The less time standing and waiting around the better. So I think this might be my last trip with him. Want to make it special. My mom is healthy and will live to be 100.

 

[shelbell77]

They were pretty strict about PAT in January in Gavelston. Lots of early arrivers being made to stay outside until their time. Agree with recommendations to go with a later arrival time and all come together.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks. My dad has bad knees. Can't walk much and wont get knee replacements. He is also staring to loose his memory. The less time standing and waiting around the better. So I think this might be my last trip with him. Want to make it special. My mom is healthy and will live to be 100.

Even though we walked straight into the terminal, there were lines inside that took some time to move through, first to security and then to check in and finally a short line to have our photos taken before we actually boarded the ship. Depending on how much of a problem that might be for your dad, you might want to consider having lunch in Galveston and arriving at the port much later, like 1:00 or 1:30, so that he won't have to wait in line so much. I know you'll have paid for that lunch in Rapunzel's, and it would be a nice way to start the cruise, but it may not be the best for him if his knees are really bad.

 

[meliscan]

I also recall there isn't a lot of seating around the terminal. We got there at our PAT and there was a bit of waiting in lines working our way through. I will concur with other posters to get a later PAT to the crowds can clear out for you and you can move through quickly.

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks. My dad has bad knees. Can't walk much and wont get knee replacements. He is also staring to loose his memory. The less time standing and waiting around the better. So I think this might be my last trip with him. Want to make it special. My mom is healthy and will live to be 100.

Even though we walked straight into the terminal, there were lines inside that took some time to move through, first to security and then to check in and finally a short line to have our photos taken before we actually boarded the ship. Depending on how much of a problem that might be for your dad, you might want to consider having lunch in Galveston and arriving at the port much later, like 1:00 or 1:30, so that he won't have to wait in line so much. I know you'll have paid for that lunch in Rapunzel's, and it would be a nice way to start the cruise, but it may not be the best for him if his knees are really bad.

If they had wheelchair assistance to get him through check-in and boarding, would he be willing to use it? Over the years, I have seen many guests being wheeled through check-in.
(Edit: those years were not at Galveston).

That standing can be worse than walking.

 

[Girl of the South]

Call Disney and ask about wheelchairs just to get through embarkation. Would lower your stress level about PATs and would be SO much easier. My Mom was embarrassed when I put her in a little travel wheelchair to get her to doctor appointments but I could push her 4 times faster than she could walk.

DCL wheelchair info and phone/email

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Call Disney and ask about wheelchairs just to get through embarkation. Would lower your stress level about PATs and would be SO much easier. My Mom was embarrassed when I put her in a little travel wheelchair to get her to doctor appointments but I could push her 4 times faster than she could walk.

DCL wheelchair info and phone/email

Thank you!