Live from the PC Terminal 8/2/11

[PinballFamily]

Huh?

See page 4 of this thread.

I posted a separate thread asking if anyone used the CIS shuttle (8/2 or after) - and got stuck in this line, or if it was smooth. Not sure if I just should have added my question to this thread..but in any case, thanks for any info!

 

[Zandy595]

Does anyone know what time the parking garage opened? I know it was well before 11am, according to my TA's post on fb.

 

[mesaboy2]

See page 4 of this thread.

I posted a separate thread asking if anyone used the CIS shuttle (8/2 or after) - and got stuck in this line, or if it was smooth. Not sure if I just should have added my question to this thread..but in any case, thanks for any info!

I know the picture in question. I'm the one who identified and explained exactly where it was. See same page, further down. What I don't understand is how some cars in a line on a side road is a "public safety hazard" worthy of intervention by authorities. Has the PP never seen traffic?

 

[seethruguy]

We're booked on the Aug 25th cruise on the Dream. We have a Port Arrival Time of 11:00-11:30. We are driving from WDW and parking at the terminal, what time should we arrive? Also how long should we allow for the drive?

 

[DVC4US]

Okay, I'm finally back on to post. I know I posted quickly yesterday so I will try to give you a run down again

We are 4 cabins traveling - 2 concierge and 2 non-concierge.

We arrived at the port early specifically to see what would happen. We pulled in at 10:10 and were told the terminal and parking lot did not open until 11am. The gentleman said we had to go somewhere else to wait and then we could come back at 11am. When we got back to the port around 10:50am cars were lined up on the road that runs behind the parking garage. We waited in this line about 5 minutes. They were already letting people into the parking garage and letting them drop people off so we were just waiting for a spot in the drop-off zone. Found out after the fact that we could have gone into the parking garage to drop luggage off. I dropped my older daughter to stand in line and at this time there really wasn't any line outside the terminal but there was line on the 3rd level of the parking garage. By the time I parked the car and got back over to the terminal entrance there was a little bit of a line and daughter was in the back.

We got into the terminal by about 11:10 and went straight to check-in. The 2 non-concierge cabins had a port arrival time of 10:30-11 and they got a boarding number of 3 which was changed to a 2 after I asked a cast member about DCL enforcing port arrival times. They started boarding at 11:30 and our non-concierge guests boarded not long after us.

I asked the DCL CM about enforcing port arrival times and this is what I was told. If you get to the terminal before your time you will be allowed in the terminal but not allowed to board until your port arrival time. Supposedly your boarding number is tied to your port arrival time but as we have seen from previous posts DCL can change the boarding number at a whim. Also, she did tell me that they are still giving out boarding numbers at the airport.

Things went smoothly for us but I can still see problems if they don't enforce the port arrival times. Now everyone will just make the big push to get to the terminal at 11am instead 10am.

I need to get ready for dinner but I will see if I can answer a few questions first.

 

[autimom]

Okay, I'm finally back on to post. I know I posted quickly yesterday so I will try to give you a run down again

We are 4 cabins traveling - 2 concierge and 2 non-concierge.

We arrived at the port early specifically to see what would happen. We pulled in at 10:10 and were told the terminal and parking lot did not open until 11am. The gentleman said we had to go somewhere else to wait and then we could come back at 11am. When we got back to the port around 10:50am cars were lined up on the road that runs behind the parking garage. We waited in this line about 5 minutes. They were already letting people into the parking garage and letting them drop people off so we were just waiting for a spot in the drop-off zone. Found out after the fact that we could have gone into the parking garage to drop luggage off. I dropped my older daughter to stand in line and at this time there really wasn't any line outside the terminal but there was line on the 3rd level of the parking garage. By the time I parked the car and got back over to the terminal entrance there was a little bit of a line and daughter was in the back.

We got into the terminal by about 11:10 and went straight to check-in. The 2 non-concierge cabins had a port arrival time of 10:30-11 and they got a boarding number of 3 which was changed to a 2 after I asked a cast member about DCL enforcing port arrival times. They started boarding at 11:30 and our non-concierge guests boarded not long after us.

I asked the DCL CM about enforcing port arrival times and this is what I was told. If you get to the terminal before your time you will be allowed in the terminal but not allowed to board until your port arrival time. Supposedly your boarding number is tied to your port arrival time but as we have seen from previous posts DCL can change the boarding number at a whim. Also, she did tell me that they are still giving out boarding numbers at the airport.

Things went smoothly for us but I can still see problems if they don't enforce the port arrival times. Now everyone will just make the big push to get to the terminal at 11am instead 10am.

I need to get ready for dinner but I will see if I can answer a few questions first.

Thanks for posting this, we sail August 12th and I was worried. Our arrival time is 11:00-11:30. I knew people would have arrival times before 11 and I knew the garage would have a crazy line before 11. DCL website gives conflicting information...

 

[DVC4US]

What is your scheduled port arrival time?

10:30am to 11am

How are the attitudes? Tempers? "Temperatures?"

Lots of folks sitting around?

Nice gas station? (just kidding)

Enjoy the mimosas!

No real attitudes or tempers, but I was in the port by 11:10am. There was a slight line-up of cars outside and I was kind of upset that they told those of us who got there a little after 10am to come back at 11am and when we got back at 10:50am they had already let people in to park or be dropped off.

Thanks for the report!

Did they say anything about scheduled boarding times?

So they didn't make any mention of your check in time you selected during online check in?

So it sounds like they are NOT enforcing the port arrival time ... just the parking lot opening time ...

So this tells me they are NOT enforcing port arrival times. Just opening the port later. I wish Disney would stop saying one thing and allowing something else. Why put out all these details about port arrival times and not enforce it on day one? They create their own confusion.

We were not asked at all about a port arrival time and I was told the security check point did not have that information. The port arrival time is tied to your boarding number but that can be changed on a whim.

Boarded at 11:30? Does this mean for the kids there is no more Captain Mickey and Crew in the terminal for photo OPS? Thats something my son looks forward to each time we go. Sounds like there is no time for that now in the terminal.

There was a line for a photo-op as soon as we were in the terminal.

 

[seethruguy]

I'm a little confused. Non con-concierge port arrival time was 10:30-11:00 but parking lot doesn't open till 11:00?

 

[DVC4US]

I'm a little confused. Non con-concierge port arrival time was 10:30-11:00 but parking lot doesn't open till 11:00?

When we did online check-in the changes had not been made and they still had port arrival times of 10:30 to 11. Now I think the earliest port arrival time you can get is 11am.

 

[autimom]

Thanks for posting this, we sail August 12th and I was worried. Our arrival time is 11:00-11:30. I knew people would have arrival times before 11 and I knew the garage would have a crazy line before 11. DCL website gives conflicting information...

They actually started boarding at 11:30? Because DCL website says 1:00.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/preparing-for-your-cruise/boarding-times/
I believe you, I'm just saying they had me all stressed out and overwhelmed.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I know the picture in question. I'm the one who identified and explained exactly where it was. See same page, further down. What I don't understand is how some cars in a line on a side road is a "public safety hazard" worthy of intervention by authorities. Has the PP never seen traffic?

Great use of Google Earth in tracking down the location . I tried to do the same thing using Bing, but their maps are a bit dated. Here is a screenshot of the mapping area to help add to your explanation in case anyone is still unsure of the location.

BTW: The parking lot is the terminal parking lot.

 

[mesaboy2]

Great use of Google Earth in tracking down the location . I tried to do the same thing using Bing, but their maps are a bit dated. Here is a screenshot of the mapping area to help add to your explanation in case anyone is still unsure of the location.

BTW: The parking lot is the terminal parking lot.

That's the spot--well done!

Now I'm just waiting for an updated pic showing that dangerous line of cars being dispersed by mounted riot police.

 

[ibouncetoo]

They actually started boarding at 11:30? Because DCL website says 1:00.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/preparing-for-your-cruise/boarding-times/
I believe you, I'm just saying they had me all stressed out and overwhelmed.

The website has always said that, but they begin boarding as soon as the ship is cleared...ususally 11:45-Noonish.

.

 

[simbasmom2]

I sail on Sunday. We are driving from the airport and using Budget. I will try to post our experience.

 

[tinker6]

I will be anxious to hear your report. Does anyone know why the port opening time changed? We have cruised Disney 8 times and we have never encountered a traffic backup getting into the port. There must be a good reason.

 

[rantnnravin]

I will be anxious to hear your report. Does anyone know why the port opening time changed? We have cruised Disney 8 times and we have never encountered a traffic backup getting into the port. There must be a good reason.

Because the Dream (and soon the Fantasy) carry nearly twice as many passengers as the Magic/Wonder, but the terminal is not big enough to hold everyone. So the terminal is opening later so that departing passengers can leave (opening up parking spaces and allowing the porters to concentrate on only departing or incoming passengers instead of both). It also seems, from the reports, that the later opening time is allowing for people to arrive, check-in, and board nearly seamlessly.

 

[bcanderson78]

We're booked on the Aug 25th cruise on the Dream. We have a Port Arrival Time of 11:00-11:30. We are driving from WDW and parking at the terminal, what time should we arrive? Also how long should we allow for the drive?

We're on the same cruise with a 10:30 - 11:00 boarding time and I live not far from WDW. Our plan is to leave my house about 10:00, drop my dog at boarding and make it to the port at about 11:15. Your drive should be about an hour from WDW and once you drop off your bags with a porter, you can park across the street and you're done!

 

[seethruguy]

Thanks for the info. Hate to wish the summer away but I really can't wait for this trip. We're WDW veterans but this our 1st cruise.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I will be anxious to hear your report. Does anyone know why the port opening time changed? We have cruised Disney 8 times and we have never encountered a traffic backup getting into the port. There must be a good reason.

It was a Port Authority change, not Disney, so Disney didn't have a choice. All other cruise terminals also open at 11:00 from what I've heard.

 

[hortontrio]

Just so I am clear, there is no exception to the temrinal itself opening up now at 11. But there is question as to what your actual boarding time is? We are using Park N Cruise, and our online reservations TERMINAL arrival time is 11-11:30 so Im just trying to figure out the earliest possible time to get to the port? Thanks so much~~ Carrie