Late Arrival

[Keukamom]

Hi Everyone:

I am going to be driving to the terminal with my two children. We are hoping to spend the morning at the parks and I am wondering what the latest time we can arrive at the terminal is.
Any suggestions? Since we will have 4 days to explore the ship I am not interested in getting on first thing in the morning.

Thanks for the help
Sarah

 

[Michelle]

You need to be onboard by 3:00 pm.

 

[mmouse37]

Not that it is a big deal for some, but the CM's are not in the Atrium announcing boarding guests after about 1:30 or 2:00. We always got a kick out of them announcing our family name and where we are from as we boarded!!! Also, Captain Mickey is on Deck 4 overlooking the atrium early in the boarding process.

MJ

 

[westjones]

On our first cruise, we flew in and our flight was late so we have done both late arrival and early. We enjoyed the early much more! The 'countdown' before we start boarding, seeing the characters in the waiting area, hearing our family's name announced as we board AND running straight up to the Mickey pool (DDs wore swimsuits under their clothes) and getting in before it got crowded (most don't have swimsuite on right away, although I think many on this board so the same thing).

Personally, I think it would be best to do the parks another time. It is an hour drive from Orlando to the port, so if you go to the park that day, at best you will only have 1/2 a day to enjoy it, plus you miss the fun of boarding when they ship opens up!

Plus there is the lunch buffet and registering for the kids' clubs and basically just enjoying the ship for the first time (and making any changes or reservations you might need to make when you first get on). At 4 or 4:30 is the 'mandatory drill' and that isn't fun at all, and that will probably be your first 'ship' experience if you come that late.

Just some things to consider,
DJ

 

[markey]

Our 3rd cruise, last year I considered us being late because we did not board until 1:15, other 2 times we were in line when boarding started. I disliked the 1 hour we lost, ate lunch too late, since we always have early seating for dinner, and we just seemed rushed even though we do not make any Palo or spa reservations. I will be sure to be there at 11:00 this year so we can be in line to board.

 

[triple7]

There was no countdown on the 12/07/02 Magic sailing. I was told that this was never an official Disney scripted item, just something the cast members who help board the ship started. Supposedly some Disney VP did not like it and the cast members were told to stop.

 

[westjones]

How sad! My twin DDs were chosen to be the 'count down' kids and it was SO much fun! Then we got to be the first to go on board. I have it all on tape, everyone waiting helped count down and then we all shouted and clapped. It was really neat. Sorry to hear they stopped it.
Oh well.

DJ

 

[mmouse37]

They counted down on the 1/4 Magic cruise last week!!!! We were about 5th in line and it was so much fun....there is so much energy in the crowd waiting to board, the countdown lets people release some of that pent up energy....everyone yells and claps...it is alot of fun!!!

I guess it does depend on what CM's are at the front of the line. We always see the same one (I think his name is Art). I hope they don't take it away. I can't imagine why a VP of DCL would disapprove of guests getting excited to board their ship!!!

MJ

 

[westjones]

Yes, I think it was Art who was with us too! My twins were dressed alike (with matching Mommy/Daughter dresses--one of my twins HATES this stuff, but I had bought matching "Pooh" clothes for us and insisted we wore it for the picture as we boarded). I think that may have been why they were picked to be the count down kids.

It was funny because we had a fairly good place in line, I went to the bathroom and when I came back DH and the twins were not in line anymore and standing back by the window area. I was about to YELL at DH for losing our place in line! What was he think! Then he told me that the twins were choses to start the 'count down'. Oh it was SO much fun! There were other "Disboard" cruisers there too, that we had just met and that made it even more special.

Anyway, all this talk is making me 'home sick'! September is SO far away! At least we have a WDW trip coming up in March!
DJ

 

[triple7]

Glad to hear they are doing the countdown again. Art was the one who told me that the countdown had been stopped, even gave me a card with an address to write to express my feelings.

On the 08/04/02 Wonder, my grandkids got to lead the countdown. I thought I was getting it all on tape, only to find out that my camcorder battery had failed. By the time I got the battery changed, the kids were heading through the Mickey ears with grandma. That is an event that I will never get a chance to capture on tape again.