Nervous 1st time Check-in

[DWillowBay]

So...I guess tonight at 12:01 am, I get to check in for our first cruise. I have the Passports and the Credit Card handy. Do I need anything else?? Any pointers? I know we would like to get character m&gs for my son. He's autistic and 29...so Characters are a must. He'd take one home, if he could. And we would like one port adventure at Nassau and one at CC. Any other advice is welcome.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So...I guess tonight at 12:01 am, I get to check in for our first cruise. I have the Passports and the Credit Card handy. Do I need anything else?? Any pointers? I know we would like to get character m&gs for my son. He's autistic and 29...so Characters are a must. He'd take one home, if he could. And we would like one port adventure at Nassau and one at CC. Any other advice is welcome.

You'll also need your pre & post cruise travel info (flight # and time).

I'd probably do the character tickets first, then head for the online check in.

 

[DWillowBay]

You'll also need your pre & post cruise travel info (flight # and time).

I'd probably do the character tickets first, then head for the online check in.

Wow, Princess...so glad I asked. I didn't realize about the travel info. Now, we are not flying in that day..we are staying for a night at WL and driving to port, so what do I indicate..."driving in"? We are also driving back to WDW after the cruise. "Driving" again?

 

[Dug720]

Wow, Princess...so glad I asked. I didn't realize about the travel info. Now, we are not flying in that day..we are staying for a night at WL and driving to port, so what do I indicate..."driving in"? We are also driving back to WDW after the cruise. "Driving" again?

Yes. If you're getting yourself to the port, you would indicate driving.

Also, just so you know, unless it's changed, the only character meet and greets you sign up for are Princess Gathering and Frozen. The others are the typical line up and wait.

 

[DWillowBay]

Yes. If you're getting yourself to the port, you would indicate driving.

Also, just so you know, unless it's changed, the only character meet and greets you sign up for are Princess Gathering and Frozen. The others are the typical line up and wait.

Also good information. Thank You!!

 

[Dug720]

Also good information. Thank You!!

You're welcome! I don't gender stereotype at all (didn't want you to get the wrong impression) - I just didn't want you to worry that you'd missed something if you were looking for something other than the Princesses or Frozen.

 

[DWillowBay]

OHHHHhhhhh! My son is ALWAYS looking for Princesses. No offense taken! (So is my husband, for that matter!)

 

[Disneypeach]

I think you can also sign up for character breakfasts online.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think you can also sign up for character breakfasts online.

No character breakfast on the Dream.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

OHHHHhhhhh! My son is ALWAYS looking for Princesses. No offense taken! (So is my husband, for that matter!)

How'd it go? Did you get all the M&Gs and Excursions that you wanted?

 

[DWillowBay]

How'd it go? Did you get all the M&Gs and Excursions that you wanted?

How nice of you to ask!! I got both the Princesses and A&E for my son. He'll be thrilled. I got both excursions I was hoping for. Yea!! And I took an 11:30 PAT. Nice, leisurely Breakfast at Wilderness Lodge and then easy drive to the Port. No rush, but not too late. My son will be thrilled if one of the first things we do on board is eat lunch! . It was easy. Too much worry for what it was. Oh, Well...next time it won't be a stressor. Thanks again!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How nice of you to ask!! I got both the Princesses and A&E for my son. He'll be thrilled. I got both excursions I was hoping for. Yea!! And I took an 11:30 PAT. Nice, leisurely Breakfast at Wilderness Lodge and then easy drive to the Port. No rush, but not too late. My son will be thrilled if one of the first things we do on board is eat lunch! . It was easy. Too much worry for what it was. Oh, Well...next time it won't be a stressor. Thanks again!

I'll just point out to you that arriving at the port at 11:30, you'll find it quite full/busy. Boarding doesn't usually start until 11:30. And you will receive your boarding number when you check in at the port. A Port Arrival Time of 11:30 will, most likely get you a boarding number of around 9 or 10. So you won't actually be boarding until closer to 12:00-12:15.

 

[DWillowBay]

I'll just point out to you that arriving at the port at 11:30, you'll find it quite full/busy. Boarding doesn't usually start until 11:30. And you will receive your boarding number when you check in at the port. A Port Arrival Time of 11:30 will, most likely get you a boarding number of around 9 or 10. So you won't actually be boarding until closer to 12:00-12:15.

So, if I make it 11:00, that would make boarding around 11:30? I'm sure that doesn't help with the crowd, but would it get us onboard earlier?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, if I make it 11:00, that would make boarding around 11:30? I'm sure that doesn't help with the crowd, but would it get us onboard earlier?

The port opens at 10:30 for check in. With actual boarding beginning around 11:30 with Concierge & Platinum Castaway club members. Then boarding numbers are called.

The earlier your Port Arrival Time, the lower your boarding number. Once the boarding number being announced catches up with the number being issued at check in, Open Boarding in announced.

Actually, for me, the sweet spot is to arrive around 12:15-12:30. By then open boarding has been called (or real soon) and the buses from the resorts haven't started arriving yet. You can basically walk right through check in and boarding.

 

[DWillowBay]

The port opens at 10:30 for check in. With actual boarding beginning around 11:30 with Concierge & Platinum Castaway club members. Then boarding numbers are called.

The earlier your Port Arrival Time, the lower your boarding number. Once the boarding number being announced catches up with the number being issued at check in, Open Boarding in announced.

Actually, for me, the sweet spot is to arrive around 12:15-12:30. By then open boarding has been called (or real soon) and the buses from the resorts haven't started arriving yet. You can basically walk right through check in and boarding.

Got it! That really helps me make a better decision for my family. Thank you so much! No matter what, eventually we'll be on a Disney Cruise and the world will be great! My son's been wanting this for so long that so see him realize one of his dreams (no pun intended), will be worth whatever we need to do to make that happen. Thanks, again, so much!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Got it! That really helps me make a better decision for my family. Thank you so much! No matter what, eventually we'll be on a Disney Cruise and the world will be great! My son's been wanting this for so long that so see him realize one of his dreams (no pun intended), will be worth whatever we need to do to make that happen. Thanks, again, so much!

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I got both the Princesses and A&E for my son. He'll be thrilled.

Just to double check. You say you got M&G tickets for your son. You probably meant, "for your son" meaning because he wanted them, but did you also get a ticket for yourself, and perhaps your husband? Even if only he wants pictures with the characters, it is my understanding that each of you will need a ticket in order to go into the area with him, so that you can watch/enjoy his interactions and take pictures. When we were there, each person needed a ticket, even if they weren't meeting the character. Still time to get more tickets if you only got one, and probably they'd let you go with him anyway, but better to have enough tickets.

I'm so excited for you! You are going to have a great time.

 

[Dug720]

Just to double check. You say you got M&G tickets for your son. You probably meant, "for your son" meaning because he wanted them, but did you also get a ticket for yourself, and perhaps your husband? Even if only he wants pictures with the characters, it is my understanding that each of you will need a ticket in order to go into the area with him, so that you can watch/enjoy his interactions and take pictures. When we were there, each person needed a ticket, even if they weren't meeting the character. Still time to get more tickets if you only got one, and probably they'd let you go with him anyway, but better to have enough tickets.

I'm so excited for you! You are going to have a great time.

I believe the son is 29, so in theory he could go alone and get the Shutters pics and have the handler take pics with his camera. Just as an option.

 

[Angeliki19]

The port opens at 10:30 for check in. With actual boarding beginning around 11:30 with Concierge & Platinum Castaway club members. Then boarding numbers are called.

The earlier your Port Arrival Time, the lower your boarding number. Once the boarding number being announced catches up with the number being issued at check in, Open Boarding in announced.

Actually, for me, the sweet spot is to arrive around 12:15-12:30. By then open boarding has been called (or real soon) and the buses from the resorts haven't started arriving yet. You can basically walk right through check in and boarding.

Hi! Another noob here. So would you request a port arrival time of 12:15-12:30? Just wanted to clarify.

 

[DWillowBay]

Just to double check. You say you got M&G tickets for your son. You probably meant, "for your son" meaning because he wanted them, but did you also get a ticket for yourself, and perhaps your husband? Even if only he wants pictures with the characters, it is my understanding that each of you will need a ticket in order to go into the area with him, so that you can watch/enjoy his interactions and take pictures. When we were there, each person needed a ticket, even if they weren't meeting the character. Still time to get more tickets if you only got one, and probably they'd let you go with him anyway, but better to have enough tickets.

I'm so excited for you! You are going to have a great time.

That was very thoughtful, Anchors Away! Yes, I got tickets for all 3 of us. I figured that was the right thing to do...even though, being from Pittsburgh...Elsa is the LAST person I need to be around. She hangs out in Pittsburgh too much already!! (cold, snow, BLAH!!) My son IS 29, but autistic, so we know that we usually need to accompany him on his "adventures". Anyway, thank you for caring. That was sweet! ...and you're right, we're going to have a great time.