Information on Boarding Numbers

[CADisneyMom]

Our cruise leaves on Sunday and I had picked a checkin time of 11-11:30 since that was the first available when I did the checkin. I'm a Gold member, my DD is a Silver and her BF is a first time cruiser but we're all in the same cabin. I would think that they would go with my level since I'm the highest one even though I didn't get to that level until after my payoff date. We're going to be getting to the port early since our pickup time with Happy Limo is 8 am. I will try and keep everyone updated on what we got on Sunday if I can get internet access on my laptop.

 

[Oregon Traveler]

We just got off of the 3/20 sailing as first timers. The soonest online time available was 1:30. We got there early ~10 because that's when our friends could drop us off and received boarding number 3. I don't think the person checking us in even looked at the online booked time.

 

[Mmketeer]

Our cruise leaves on Sunday and I had picked a checkin time of 11-11:30 since that was the first available when I did the checkin. I'm a Gold member, my DD is a Silver and her BF is a first time cruiser but we're all in the same cabin. I would think that they would go with my level since I'm the highest one even though I didn't get to that level until after my payoff date. We're going to be getting to the port early since our pickup time with Happy Limo is 8 am. I will try and keep everyone updated on what we got on Sunday if I can get internet access on my laptop.

Can't wait to hear your experince..oh and bon voyage!

 

[lisa702]

Do you happen to know if those behind you had an arrival time of 10:30-11:00?

No I don't know ...sorry

 

[MGK00]

We just got off of the 3/20 sailing as first timers. The soonest online time available was 1:30. We got there early ~10 because that's when our friends could drop us off and received boarding number 3. I don't think the person checking us in even looked at the online booked time.

We were on the same cruise and in almost the same situation. (first timers and got to the port around 10:00) I did select the earliest arrival time during the online check in (10:30-11:00) yet we also received boarding number 3.

I also thought it was interesting that they called boarding groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 all within probably 5 minutes of each other.

 

[cwdefouw]

hmmmm....we were planning to select an arrival time of 12:00. What would that translate into for boarding time with this new system?
We scheduled HappyLimo to pick us up at 10:30, but I am thinking we may want to change that.
Our original plan was to wait until the first rush was over, then get there before the busses arrive from WDW. I think my plan is not going to work with the new system...

If I were you, I would just select the earliest time available when you do the online check-in, even if what is available is before 12:00. If they assign you a number that has already boarded when you get there at 12:00, then you can just go ahead and board immediately.

Theoretically this should work, however, because the actual boarding group cards are handed out by the check-in agents based on what they have left at their station, you could still get a much later group when you arrive at 12:00 regardless of what time your online selection should have put you in.

example: You select 10:00-10:30 am for an arrival time, this should put in a low group likely 2-5. Theoretically, you should get a boarding card of 2-5 when you arrive at 12:00. However, what might happen is all of the 2-5 might be gone when you actually get there at 12:00 and you are given a higher number, like 30 or something.

The way they are handling this new system is flawed in my opinion, because it really doesn't matter what you select during online check-in, the boarding number you get is still ultimately determined by the cast member that you get upon arrival at the terminal or at the airport, based on what they have available at their station. What they need to so is print the boarding group on your Key Card, then there would be an actual computer assignment of the number and it would be more fair.

 

[jetskigrl]

Our cruise leaves on Sunday and I had picked a checkin time of 11-11:30 since that was the first available when I did the checkin. I'm a Gold member, my DD is a Silver and her BF is a first time cruiser but we're all in the same cabin. I would think that they would go with my level since I'm the highest one even though I didn't get to that level until after my payoff date. We're going to be getting to the port early since our pickup time with Happy Limo is 8 am. I will try and keep everyone updated on what we got on Sunday if I can get internet access on my laptop.

I'm curious to see how it works out too. We leave Sunday also and selected a checkin time of 10:30 - 11:00. We also plan to arrive at the terminal as close to 10 as possible. Three of us are Silver CC members but my Mom is a first time travel, so we will see what number we get assigned.

 

[ladyleslie]

WAIT!!! HOLD ON THERE!!! JUST ONE MIN!!!!!

Did someone just say that Back 2 Backers also had to wait for a boarding number card???

 

[jetskigrl]

WAIT!!! HOLD ON THERE!!! JUST ONE MIN!!!!!

Did someone just say that Back 2 Backers also had to wait for a boarding number card???

They would get boarding numbers same as everyone for the first leg of their trip, but it would not be needed for the second leg since they are back on the ship (or at least close to it) before the terminal opens to new passengers. That is my understanding at least.

I can confirm that for you after next week....

 

[amysuch]

My parents had boarding #2 and we had #18 (but the lady checking us in gave us #2 to be with my parents).

We had selected the same arrival time, filled out everything online at the same time, and arrived at the same time.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

For those who have used this new system and the old--is the new system more confusing and chaotic than the old one? It sure seems like it is!

 

[spaddy]

We sailed on the 3/24 Dream and when I did our online check in the earliest available arrival time was 11:00 to 11:30. We arrived at 10am and were given boarding number 7. Others behind us recieved 5. We waited patiently and boarded about 12:30 I think.

We arrived at 10AM-ish and got boarding number 5. We also had selected 11-11:30 as our arrival time.

My parents had boarding #2 and we had #18 (but the lady checking us in gave us #2 to be with my parents).

We had selected the same arrival time, filled out everything online at the same time, and arrived at the same time.

That's just crazy!

 

[TitanBrett]

For this new system to actually work as intended DCL should assign boarding numbers while you are doing online check-in. Giving people a vague time to show up that they may or may not follow makes no sense.

 

[Griffith6]

I am guessing/hoping the inconsistency in theories on boarding numbers may depend on experiences for Dream versus Magic cruisers since the new ship has 50% more passengers and does not seem to be well oiled machine with respect to boarding the larger groups!!

We are on the Magic in just over 3 weeks and I am kind of annoyed/bummed that we have no idea what boarding number we will get. I made reservations for Palo, etc. at 90 day point but did not do online check-in right away (thougth what's the hurry) - we have private transfer and plan to arrive to terminal at 10/10:15am but the earliest check-in a few weeks ago was 11-11:30am. It will be VERY painful if we get a high boarding number and have to wait a couple hours with anxious & excited kids - especially if CM's can willy nilly give other passengers behind us in line a lower number. I like predictable situations and hope Disney does the right thing and gives boarding numbers based on arrival - not some random number generation or other timing of pmt/online check in process. At least disclose if that is what drives boarding number so guests can respond accordingly.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

For this new system to actually work as intended DCL should assign boarding numbers while you are doing online check-in. Giving people a vague time to show up that they may or may not follow makes no sense.

This would not work. Many many things come up. Also that means they would have to perdict how long it will take people to get through the check-in process at the port, a month ahead of time. I think that would be just You would have people with #4 arriving as they are boarding #10 and a lot of confusion.

To me, it only appears to be a problem with the PORT stalkers. The ones that arrive there when the darn thing opens and want to get on-board that moment. Not remembering that the last passenger is just getting off th freakin' ship the hour prior. DCL actually says no baording until Noon (even though we know it happens before then). It always makes me laugh when people say "But I arrived at 10AM but could not get on the ship until 12:10. I waited with my kids for 2 hours.). Oh boy, that is the way the time goes. I really think DCL did this for them. To give them an idea of how many people at what time. Not to really interfere with your boarding numbers. I do not mind it either way. It has worked the same for us ALL cruises (except land/sea). This has to do with the fact we do not arrive to the port until after all of the Port Stalkers have started to board. I have a child that does not do lines well, so we adjusted ourselves to be able to just walk on the ship. 3

3 weeks ago, there were Gold members, Silver Members & First timers in the line with me. We ALL got the same boarding pass number at the AIR PORT. I paid our trip off at the last minute. So I really think this is a DCL thing for themselves. It "APPEARS" to me the only people that are having issuees/comcerns are those that arrive to the port time it opens or before & of them the ones thaqt think they should get on the ship right after check-in. Maybe if so many people were not sleeping at port or standing in line at 9AM as the disembarkation cruisers were leaving.... the boarding times would have never come to be. Just my thoughts...

 

[lackeyb]

This would not work. Many many things come up. Also that means they would have to perdict how long it will take people to get through the check-in process at the port, a month ahead of time. I think that would be just You would have people with #4 arriving as they are boarding #10 and a lot of confusion.

To me, it only appears to be a problem with the PORT stalkers. The ones that arrive there when the darn thing opens and want to get on-board that moment. Not remembering that the last passenger is just getting off th freakin' ship the hour prior. DCL actually says no baording until Noon (even though we know it happens before then). It always makes me laugh when people say "But I arrived at 10AM but could not get on the ship until 12:10. I waited with my kids for 2 hours.). Oh boy, that is the way the time goes. I really think DCL did this for them. To give them an idea of how many people at what time. Not to really interfere with your boarding numbers. I do not mind it either way. It has worked the same for us ALL cruises (except land/sea). This has to do with the fact we do not arrive to the port until after all of the Port Stalkers have started to board. I have a child that does not do lines well, so we adjusted ourselves to be able to just walk on the ship. 3

3 weeks ago, there were Gold members, Silver Members & First timers in the line with me. We ALL got the same boarding pass number at the AIR PORT. I paid our trip off at the last minute. So I really think this is a DCL thing for themselves. It "APPEARS" to me the only people that are having issuees/comcerns are those that arrive to the port time it opens or before & of them the ones thaqt think they should get on the ship right after check-in. Maybe if so many people were not sleeping at port or standing in line at 9AM as the disembarkation cruisers were leaving.... the boarding times would have never come to be. Just my thoughts...

So understand and agree! We are newbie cruisers and will be on our first Disney cruise in May. While I would love to be on the ship as early as possible I also will be traveling with 2 small kids (4 & 6) so in order to make the boarding process smooth as possible.

I will be arriving at my "assigned" port arrival time. I was lucky and completed my online checkin on the first day I was allowed so my assigned time is 11:00.

 

[UK-Simon]

Originally Posted by amysuch
My parents had boarding #2 and we had #18 (but the lady checking us in gave us #2 to be with my parents).

We had selected the same arrival time, filled out everything online at the same time, and arrived at the same time.
That's just crazy!

I could be wrong here, but I am guessing the reason Amysuch's parents got #2, is that they must have been Platinum CC members. That would totally explain the difference in numbers in this instance. Please correct me if I am wrong though.

 

[TitanBrett]

This would not work. Many many things come up. Also that means they would have to perdict how long it will take people to get through the check-in process at the port, a month ahead of time. I think that would be just You would have people with #4 arriving as they are boarding #10 and a lot of confusion.

Good point.....bottom line is they need a bigger terminal I guess.

 

[UK-Simon]

Good point.....bottom line is they need a bigger terminal I guess.

Or they could enforce the arrival time from online check in. If people know they couldn't get in early, they wouldn't show up early, thus causing a huge reduction in port traffic.

 

[sorul82?]

I will be arriving at my "assigned" port arrival time.

Me too!