Is DCL still being strict on Port Arrival Times?

[IncrediblesTexAg]

If we arrive at the Port before our scheduled arrival time, will we be turned away until that time? Previously, I had read that DCL was being pretty strict with times to reduce crowds. Now that all of the Covid rules have been removed, has this policy changed as well?

 

[happycamper47]

Not turned away, but you do stand in a line based on your PAT at the terminal and aren't allowed to enter until your arrival window.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If we arrive at the Port before our scheduled arrival time, will we be turned away until that time? Previously, I had read that DCL was being pretty strict with times to reduce crowds. Now that all of the Covid rules have been removed, has this policy changed as well?

It was always the policy to ask guests not to arrive before PAT. Pre-COVID people just did it because DCL wasn't enforcing it on a regular basis.

 

[IncrediblesTexAg]

Not turned away, but you do stand in a line based on your PAT at the terminal and aren't allowed to enter until your arrival window.

Thanks. Our scheduled transportation will get us there an hour or so before our arrival time, and I do not want to be stuck outside or forced to circle the port until that time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

you do stand in a line based on your PAT at the terminal

Is that after you enter the terminal or before (outside)?

 

[NAB]

Is that after you enter the terminal or before (outside)?

When we were on the Wish in Sept it was outside they had 15 minute intervals signs roped off.

We were late for our time and told to just get in a line. They do have a line for concierge separate.

You have to go down from parking garage and there lined up down bellow the walkway on the garage.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When we were on the Wish in Sept it was outside they had 15 minute intervals signs roped off.

Thanks.

 

[cvjw]

We sailed 3 times last year and cast members wanted to see your PAT before letting you drop off your luggage. Arrive too early and they turned you away. Sailed a few weeks ago and no one asked to see our PAT.

 

[lanejudy]

Our scheduled transportation will get us there an hour or so before our arrival time, and I do not want to be stuck outside or forced to circle the port until that time.

That may depend -- what is your planned transportation? If it's DCL transfers, your PAT is a moot point and you will be allowed into the terminal on arrival. (Your boarding group may be higher causing a wait in the terminal.) If it's a private car service, ride share or a friend/relative dropping you off - the driver may be asked to circle if arriving too early (more than 15-30 minutes before PAT). If some type of shuttle with other passengers, you may be allowed to be dropped off but need to wait outside for your PAT time.

I suggest adjusting your transportation schedule to more closely match the PAT, or keep checking for an earlier PAT.

 

[71 Truck]

We just got off the Fantasy today

We were boarding group 6 with a port arrival time of 11:30 last Saturday. We drove and dropped off our luggage at 11:10 then parked the car in the garage.
We went to our designated outside location where no one was waiting to enter the building. We entered the building, checked in with the cast member, went through security and up the escalator into the big hall around 11:20 ish.
That was our experience last week. I still can't believe how fast the week went.

 

[happycamper47]

That may depend -- what is your planned transportation? If it's DCL transfers, your PAT is a moot point and you will be allowed into the terminal on arrival. (Your boarding group may be higher causing a wait in the terminal.) If it's a private car service, ride share or a friend/relative dropping you off - the driver may be asked to circle if arriving too early (more than 15-30 minutes before PAT). If some type of shuttle with other passengers, you may be allowed to be dropped off but need to wait outside for your PAT time.

I suggest adjusting your transportation schedule to more closely match the PAT, or keep checking for an earlier PAT.

You can drop your luggage and enter the garage at any time they don't check PAT prior. The PAT restriction now applies to entering the terminal for check in. They have designated lines where you wait based on the PAT.

 

[Rachel6236]

What time would you suggest being parked and ready to get in line for an 11:15 PAT?

 

[limespy]

We had a 1300 PAT last Friday and they started accepting all PATs around noon, from what I gathered from a FB group I was in. It was super smooth to get onboard--hardly any wait at all.

 

[BarbossasWench]

I’m here to board the Dream, PAT is 11:15, and it’s noon. They haven’t started loading people yet. I hope the rest of the cruise is better or I’m not cruising Disney again.

 

[71 Truck]

I’m here to board the Dream, PAT is 11:15, and it’s noon. They haven’t started loading people yet. I hope the rest of the cruise is better or I’m not cruising Disney again.

Have you at least checked in through the cast member and security yet.

We were on the Fantasy 11/26/2022, our port arrival time was 11:30. We were in and waiting in the big hall around 11:20is and they did not start boarding till around 12:00.

 

[Hwing]

we are here now, checked in through security and a cast member. They are smoothly getting through the groups. Our arrival time was 2:45

 

[NAB]

I’m here to board the Dream, PAT is 11:15, and it’s noon. They haven’t started loading people yet. I hope the rest of the cruise is better or I’m not cruising Disney again.

Just because your pat is 11:15 doesn’t mean you go on the shop at that time. Usually don’t start calling groups until just before noon or just after.

 

[dwg]

We were on the 11/14/22 Wish sailing with an 11:15 PAT time. We got to the port around that time. We stayed in our vehicle and waited to be directed to an opening at the curb to drop off our luggage (like airport drop off). After dropping off luggage we turned left to go into parking garage. After parking we walked to outside the terminal where there were port arrival times signs. If your port arrival time was still after the time you arrived you waited around outside before getting in a line where they checked your PAT and would let you in to the terminal where you got into another line based on your castaway club status. We arrived at the port shortly after our PAT time so they let us go right in. It is important to have a printed copy of your PAT time as they checked it several times. After getting through the check-in you waited in the terminal until your boarding group was called.

 

[anricat]

I’m here to board the Dream, PAT is 11:15, and it’s noon. They haven’t started loading people yet. I hope the rest of the cruise is better or I’m not cruising Disney again.

I'm not sure how this is super abnormal? They generally start boarding anywhere from 11:45-12:30. They aim for closer to 11:45, but sometimes, depending on circumstances, it can be a little later. We disembarked a cruise a little late in August because there was a hold up at customs (not enough border agents - not DCL's fault) and also someone needed to be taken out of the medical facility on an ambulance and that also delayed things. I imagine due to all this, the next cruise was a little later than normal boarding. These things can happen. Not sure why that's a reason to never sail DCL again if you end up on the ship 15-30 minutes later than usual.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I read a post somewhere. Someone said they arrived at port at their scheduled PAT. The problem was getting thru the crowds of people who arrived early and waiting. Said hard to get thru.