Live from the PC Terminal 8/2/11

[SylviaL]

We sailed on 9/1. Our chosen arrival time slot was 11-11:30am. We had a car service drop us off shortly after 11am and there was no line at the drop off. Going into the terminal through security, go around to the 3rd line (just keep going around). The first line had maybe 10 people, second line about 5 people, but there was no one in the 3rd line around the corner.
When we got upstairs, there was a very short wait in the Castaway Club line. We got boarding group 6, and they were currently boarding group 3. Meanwhile, my kids wanted to take pictures with Mickey which there was a long line for. Afterwards, we went to the kids club registration to get their wristbands. There were only a few people in line at the time. Afterwards, it seemed like all the lines got long--check-in and kids club and the terminal was much more crowded. We boarded shortly after noon.

 

[alyssasmommy]

Just wanted to give some info to those of you that are about to sail the Dream
We rented through Herts, it was very easy at 10.30 they were driving us to the port. When we reach there they gave us our generic tags for the suitcases since my travel documents never arrived and the they directed us to the parking lot . If I recall right it was the 3 floor. We waited there until 11.00 am and that its when the line started moving. They took our picture as a family. When we arrived to the building they gave us our medical forms to sign and we proceded to the castaway line, it was at this point that we got our boarding # 3.
It did not took long before our number was called and we headed to enchanted for lunch. Hope this helps.

 

[inkkognito]

We plan to head out to the port at 12:30ish today (about an hour's drive) to beat the initial mad rush. I'll post again when we get there.

 

[sws.london]

Just wanted to give some info to those of you that are about to sail the Dream
We rented through Herts, it was very easy at 10.30 they were driving us to the port. When we reach there they gave us our generic tags for the suitcases since my travel documents never arrived and the they directed us to the parking lot . If I recall right it was the 3 floor. We waited there until 11.00 am and that its when the line started moving. They took our picture as a family. When we arrived to the building they gave us our medical forms to sign and we proceded to the castaway line, it was at this point that we got our boarding # 3.
It did not took long before our number was called and we headed to enchanted for lunch. Hope this helps.

What was you given port arrival time. Were they checking port arrival assigned times.

 

[horizons1983]

We left on the 9/8 cruise and wanted to share how smooth and awesome our embarkation was. We selected the 10:30-11:00 time slot for arrival, arrived by car at 10:45 am, parked on the first floor of the garage with no delay and were checked in within 15 minutes. We got boarding group 3 and according to my camera my first picture taken inside the atrium was at 11:31 AM. This was my third Disney cruise and by far the fastest, most convenient and well-organized check in and embarkation. Just wanted to share!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Would someone following this thread who is on the September 24th Magic be willing to update us on the boarding procedures and experience for the Magic?
Hopefully it will be as smooth as the recent Dream sailings have been.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Does anyone have any experiences with concierge guests traveling with unconcierge guests and boarding times?

 

[ibouncetoo]

It's also sounding like the ship is ready for boarding earlier than in the past. Most my experiences have been that the ship was never ready prior to 11:45AM and that was with the smaller ships.

.

 

[inkkognito]

Sorry for not updating things on 9/11 but my phone didn't work in our stateroom and the Dream's internet is still worse than 1990s-era AOL dial-up.

I must say, it was an amazingly smooth experience for both embark and debark. We got to the port at 12:30, drove into the parking garage, parked on the 3rd floor, then promptly realized we forgot to drop off our luggage! Fortunately, we were able to show our ID, take the elevator down, and drop it off on the side of the building.

The regular lines in the terminal were LONG, but there was no line to board the ship and numbers were all done. Very small line at concierge/Platinum, to check in, so we were walking on board before 2 p.m.

For debark, we went down to the atrium at 7:30 (we always skip breakfast) and walked off with no line. Short line for customs in terminal, but the longest line was paying for parking (guy told us they were having trouble with their credit card machines). We were back home before 9 a.m.

I just wish every embark/disembark was so smooth. I was prepared for a lot of stress, and it was totally stress free.

 

[DisGal520]

Sorry for not updating things on 9/11 but my phone didn't work in our stateroom and the Dream's internet is still worse than 1990s-era AOL dial-up.

I must say, it was an amazingly smooth experience for both embark and debark. We got to the port at 12:30, drove into the parking garage, parked on the 3rd floor, then promptly realized we forgot to drop off our luggage! Fortunately, we were able to show our ID, take the elevator down, and drop it off on the side of the building.

I just wish every embark/disembark was so smooth. I was prepared for a lot of stress, and it was totally stress free.

So you're saying we have to drop our luggage off somewhere before we go into the parking garage? At this drop off point, are there porters or someone to watch the luggage?

 

[moet7]

Hi
I'm booking a car service to take me from Disney World to the port......How long of a drive will that be?

If I am reading everything correctly.....it looks like the port doesn't open until 11:00? If this is true and the service gets us there say at 10:45 will they let us in? OR does the car service just put us out on the side of the road????

Also when do we get our port arrival times? I looked online at my online check in and that area is "locked" do I get to pick the time or will it be assigned to me?

Appreciate the help!

 

[Wadekind]

So you're saying we have to drop our luggage off somewhere before we go into the parking garage? At this drop off point, are there porters or someone to watch the luggage?

When we went the drop off area was before the garage entrance. We pulled up to the curb gave our luggage to a porter, then went to the garage, parked on the 3rd level and went into the terminal. Did not see our luggage until they dropped it off outside our stateroom

 

[inkkognito]

So you're saying we have to drop our luggage off somewhere before we go into the parking garage? At this drop off point, are there porters or someone to watch the luggage?

Yes, if you drive they direct you in (and check your ID) and drop your bags off at the port building. They take them inside and deliver them to your room later. Keep your day bag! Alternately, you can usually drop them off outside the secured area where the towncars drop off as there are porters there too. We usually do the latter but just did some kind of mind blank on this trip.

 

[izzinmac]

Yes, if you drive they direct you in (and check your ID) and drop your bags off at the port building. They take them inside and deliver them to your room later. Keep your day bag! Alternately, you can usually drop them off outside the secured area where the towncars drop off as there are porters there too. We usually do the latter but just did some kind of mind blank on this trip.

Barb, can you still drop off bags at the port building? I was under the impression that no vehicles were going inside the security fence anymore, and all baggage drop off was now outside the fence

 

[Zandy595]

Hi
I'm booking a car service to take me from Disney World to the port......How long of a drive will that be?

If I am reading everything correctly.....it looks like the port doesn't open until 11:00? If this is true and the service gets us there say at 10:45 will they let us in? OR does the car service just put us out on the side of the road????

Also when do we get our port arrival times? I looked online at my online check in and that area is "locked" do I get to pick the time or will it be assigned to me?

Appreciate the help!

Yes, the port opens at 11am now. From what I've read, it looks like they will probably let you in if you arrive at 10:45, but I can't say for sure. I haven't cruised since the change.

You will be able to do your online check-in 75 days before your cruise (if you're a first timer). It will ask you to pick an arrival time window. The first one is 11:00AM - 11:30AM and it goes up to 3pm.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

We sailed on 9/1. Our chosen arrival time slot was 11-11:30am. We had a car service drop us off shortly after 11am and there was no line at the drop off. Going into the terminal through security, go around to the 3rd line (just keep going around). The first line had maybe 10 people, second line about 5 people, but there was no one in the 3rd line around the corner.
When we got upstairs, there was a very short wait in the Castaway Club line. We got boarding group 6, and they were currently boarding group 3. Meanwhile, my kids wanted to take pictures with Mickey which there was a long line for. Afterwards, we went to the kids club registration to get their wristbands. There were only a few people in line at the time. Afterwards, it seemed like all the lines got long--check-in and kids club and the terminal was much more crowded. We boarded shortly after noon.

So, I have lloked every where and cannot find thr boarding time. When I did the online check in, I selected 11:00. So where is the official time.

Thanks.

 

[jilljill]

So, I have lloked every where and cannot find thr boarding time. When I did the online check in, I selected 11:00. So where is the official time.

Thanks.

11:00 that you selected is your port arrival time. You are not assigned a boarding time, boarding is still by number which you will be given at the port.

 

[viniesmom]

We left on the 9/8 cruise and wanted to share how smooth and awesome our embarkation was. We selected the 10:30-11:00 time slot for arrival, arrived by car at 10:45 am, parked on the first floor of the garage with no delay and were checked in within 15 minutes. We got boarding group 3 and according to my camera my first picture taken inside the atrium was at 11:31 AM. This was my third Disney cruise and by far the fastest, most convenient and well-organized check in and embarkation. Just wanted to share!

whew! I hope ours goes as well for Thanksgiving. Glad to see they are "working out the kinks" as promised

 

[lvstitch]

Will my DH still be able to drop me and my luggage off and then return the car? From what I have read it seems like they make sure your whole party is there before they let you check in.

 

[JustTJ]

NEW TERMINAL OPENING TIME AS OF 9/11?

We did a B2B on the Dream 9/11 and 9/15. Both days, they opened the port at 10:30, half an hour earlier than they have been since the time change. I don't know if thats a regular thing now, all I know is our Budget shuttle driver told us that was the case and we were dropped off at the terminal BEFORE 10:30. Porters were there to take our luggage right away and we were directed to the 3 floor of the parking garage where we waited in line for all of maybe 5 minutes. It all went very smoothly. We had a port arrival time of 10:30 - 11:00 and were given boarding pass #3 on 9/11.