Making sure...DCL transportation to port.

[bobbiwoz]

We will be getting to airport via a non Disney resort shuttle. Do we head right down to the Magic Express area to get the DCL transportation to port? What time do DCL transfers begin going to ship?

Bobbi

 

[ahain]

Yes....I believe the first bus leaves around 9:00-9:30 or so

 

[lanejudy]

Correct, you go to the Magical Express area at MCO for the DCL transfers.

The first bus at MCO begins loading around 9am or shortly thereafter. It will leave MCO for the port as soon as full, typically around 9:15-9:20am. Buses will load and depart after that approximately every 20 minutes or when full, whichever occurs first.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you! That’s for my January cruise with friends!

 

[mevelandry]

Yes. Just ask your cab or shuttle driver to bring you to the "arrival" doors.

 

[Marc D]

The line opens around 8:30. If you want to be on the first bus, you need to be there a bit earlier. There is a lineup that forms around 8 or 8:15. The DCL section is located on the left, before the Magical Express zone. If you reach it, you’ve gone too far.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The line opens around 8:30.

Not in my experience. Our 2 most recent trips using the DCL transfers at MCO, we landed at 6:00 am. Headed down to the DCL transfer area and just waited. Both times, when they were setting up the lines (around 8:45), they told those people who actually started to line up to go back and sit down - that they didn't want anyone lining up until 9:00. And they actually made sure those of us who were seated closest to the line (the ones who were there first), were at the front of the group when they did allow the line to start.

 

[Marc D]

Not in my experience. Our 2 most recent trips using the DCL transfers at MCO, we landed at 6:00 am. Headed down to the DCL transfer area and just waited. Both times, when they were setting up the lines (around 8:45), they told those people who actually started to line up to go back and sit down - that they didn't want anyone lining up until 9:00. And they actually made sure those of us who were seated closest to the line (the ones who were there first), were at the front of the group when they did allow the line to start.

Last March, we were 20 people back from the start of the line at 8:30. The kiosks were not set up yet but the CM’s were managing the line and taking coupons from the Hyatt. Maybe it depends on who’s the manager?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am Platinum, so should be in first group to board. What time is that usually? We rarely get to the port early.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am Platinum, so should be in first group to board. What time is that usually? We rarely get to the port early.

Boarding begins around 11:30. Family of the day, then Concierge. Then Platinum. You could be boarding as early as 11:35-11:40.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Boarding begins around 11:30. Family of the day, then Concierge. Then Platinum. You could be boarding as early as 11:35-11:40.

Ok...we want to try to get first Dining, as opposed to second seating. That gives us time for lunch, then go to the change place...thank you.
Meanwhile, I do keep checking the reservation to see if I can get first Dining from the web site.

 

[Marc D]

Ok...we want to try to get first Dining, as opposed to second seating. That gives us time for lunch, then go to the change place...thank you.
Meanwhile, I do keep checking the reservation to see if I can get first Dining from the web site.

Did you call DCL to get waitlisted ? We always get switched before boarding when we book too late to get early seating. If you do not get switched beforehand, I would go to the head waiters before heading to lunch. Boarding in group #2, you’ll probably be onboard before Cabanas opens. You will not have a wait at that time to meet the head servers, but you might if you get there after your lunch.

 

[MM123]

I think I've read it but just to be sure. If you go to the port by official DCL transportation, your PAT that you choose via the online check in does not matter? You can board as soon as Concierge an Platinum have boarded (of course depending on the group you are given but not depending on your original PAT)?

 

[MM123]

Marc, how long before the cruise you have, usually, learned about the change? And did they always accommodate you? I would love to have first seating but it was not possible when we booked.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are wait listed. We have tried to change once on board before and we were successful.

 

[MM123]

Good to hear that it worked, but otherwise you would say to be early at the port (hence my other question because if you book late, all the early PATs are already taken)?

 

[Marc D]

Marc, how long before the cruise you have, usually, learned about the change? And did they always accommodate you? I would love to have first seating but it was not possible when we booked.

Usually, we receive a new confirmation email in the week prior to the cruise. I believe that’s when they do the table assignments. We were waitlisted three times and got switched before the cruise all three times. I still go directly to the head servers when boarding to check if we got a private table but I never had to switch seatings onboard.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think I've read it but just to be sure. If you go to the port by official DCL transportation, your PAT that you choose via the online check in does not matter? You can board as soon as Concierge an Platinum have boarded (of course depending on the group you are given but not depending on your original PAT)?

Generally, if you arrive via DCL transfers, you are not prompted to select a Port Arrival Time during your online check in process. BUT, if you are prompted to select one, you should do so.

If you do not have a PAT (because you weren't required to select one) and arrive via DCL transfers you'll receive a boarding number based on the time you checked in. It may or may not be immediately after Concierge & Platinum have been boarded.

If you do not have a PAT (because you didn't select one, even though prompted to do so), you're likely to wind up with a higher boarding number (even if you arrive via DCL transfers).

 

[MM123]

Ok, this would only work if you had booked the transport directly together with the cruise. We have not yet booked our transport, we don't know yet when we will fly. I thought maybe that if we would book DCL transport we could board earlier since I'd like to change dinner time (but we are listed so let's see what happens) and we were not able to get princess meeting, character breakfast (only three tickets at different dates) and Frozen meeting (same) and I read that if you are early onboard there may be a chance you can get tickets for these events. But an early PAT was also not available anymore.