New Boarding Procedures?

[MrsMork]

So when they call the numbers all the 2 head for the ears in mass and the 3s gather around to get ready to head for the ears in mass?

 

[Disneynut4ever]

So when they call the numbers all the 2 head for the ears in mass and the 3s gather around to get ready to head for the ears in mass?

Sounds that way. But at least we can board early, as previously expected. I just want confirmation that if we arrive early, we board early. That's enough for me.

 

[leanne2255]

Sound like airplane boarding. People are in such a hurry to get in and sit down even though the plane will not leave until everyone is on. I, for one, when my number is called, will not beat a path to the ears to try and board quickly. We'll probably wait until the line is just about down and then walk on without being crushed in the crowd. What's 5 more minutes after all?

 

[lbgraves]

OK, I can deal with that. If we are there at 10:30 and are given a #4...simply question them & get a #2. It will be nice in a way to be able to have a look around the terminal. I want to get a picture of the map on the floor. I also saw a carpet on the favorite picture thread that I think must be in the terminal. I have also never gone out on the patio & looked at the ship from there. Angie also had a great idea to have a mini DIS meet in the terminal. I vote for them designating a seating area as the DIS section. LOL!

 

[disneyw/kids]

Does anyone know what constitues handicap boarding???? Do you have to have a handicap room???

 

[inkkognito]

And, we'll be waiting for your "full report" Barb!!!

Actually, we may be arriving at the port later than usual for the 11/05 cruise, so we might not get to experience the new boarding right away. But we'll be on the Wonder right before Thanksgiving so I'll be sure to have a full report!

Barb

 

[Islandergal]

Hello everyone,
This is the first time I have posted on a discussion board so please forgive any mistakes I may make or crazy questions I may ask.My family is taking their first Disney cruise on Dec 8/05 and I am concerned with the new procedures.Previously I had read on this board that people with early flights had priority in getting off the ship.Although my flight does not leave until 1:30 we are from eastern Canada so it takes longer to go through customs at the airport and we are using Disney transportation to get to the airport.What has everyones experience been and /or opinions on this ?Thanks so much .

 

[American Scrapper]

Regarding the fear of random distribution issue, I think it is unfounded. We sailed on 10/22 Magic, arrived to the port at 10:30 and received card for group 2. Subsequently, while at the desk to show docs and receive the KTTW, CM who had distributed the boarding card came up from behind to double check that we had, in fact, received a Group 2 card. As we had, she went on her merry way to ask the same question of the next family over. That family, however, had something other than Group 2 card, and CM exchanged whatever it was for a 2.

BigBahamaDada, We too sailed the 10/22 Magic and did not receive any type of card to board. We just got into line and waited like we had in the past. I don't recall them even announcing numbers as they boarded. How weird that they were doing two different things. I guess they are still trying to get things right with the boarding.

Kathy

 

[*love*2*shop]

So even if we get there before noon, the earliest we can board is 12:30?

Correct, they did not let ANYONE board until @12noon....

 

[RachelTori]

Hello everyone,
This is the first time I have posted on a discussion board so please forgive any mistakes I may make or crazy questions I may ask.My family is taking their first Disney cruise on Dec 8/05 and I am concerned with the new procedures.Previously I had read on this board that people with early flights had priority in getting off the ship.Although my flight does not leave until 1:30 we are from eastern Canada so it takes longer to go through customs at the airport and we are using Disney transportation to get to the airport.What has everyones experience been and /or opinions on this ?Thanks so much .

Welcome to Disboards!!! First - don't worry, no question is a "crazy" question! If it's something you need to know - ask away!!!

I don't think you have to worry about the disembarkation procedures. It sounds like nothing has changed there. Those who need to be off the ship first for flights, etc. will still follow the same procedures. At this point, we're not really sure if the embarkation has changed or not They might still be "testing" the group system -- or, they may have abandoned it by the time you cruise and be back to "first come, first served"!

BTW, although it's been many years since I've been to your area of Canada, I just love it - so much beauty!

Have a wonderful vacation - there's nothing like a Disney cruise!!

 

[crisi]

Correct, they did not let ANYONE board until @12noon....

Although they've been known to let people start boarding at 11:45. Boarding is occationally delayed until after 12:00 as well. There isn't a hard time for the ship opening - more of a target - and the ship opens for boarding when everyone is off from the prior cruise, the public areas are cleaned, and the ship is ready for guests. Considering the last guest will often get off at 9:30 or so, turning the ship around for a 11:45 boarding is pretty amazing.

(They are very busy getting the upper decks ready the morning everyone gets off the ship - and the staterooms don't open until 1:30 or so. But they still need to get the atrium cleaned, four restaurants turned over from breakfast, and I suspect the bathrooms all done).

 

[WDWDeb]

Has anyone who was staying at the resort prior to the cruise experienced the new boarding process? In the past, our resort bus didn't arrive until 12:45 or so. I am curious if you received a number andr if they had already started boarding, did you have to wait long to board due to the arrival time at the terminal?
Thanks!!

 

[t-bone]

Does this new procedure have anything to do with buying an upgrade at the port? I thouth that was first come, first served. Do you do this at check in and then get your number and wait to board? If so, we should still get there asap but have to wait until god knows when to get on board, right? UGGGG !!

 

[kzybulew]

I know many people like to arrive at the terminal as early as possible with the plan of early arrival = early boarding = more time on the ship. (Unless the new system renders this obsolete.)

We're on the Wonder in early December. We're driving up from South Florida the day of our cruise and knowing my family (DH, DS (1) and me) we're not going to be at the terminal at 10am. (I can admit, it's mostly my fault but having a toddler doesn't help either!)
I assume the check-in crowds at the terminal follow a sort of curve: earliest in the morning (not very crowded) moving on to a peak of arrivals, followed by a time where the bulk of the passengers would have boarded the ship, which I would think would mean shorter lines, quicker boarding. True or False?

If you're not going to be one of the earliest arrivals is there another time to shoot for to avoid the crowds and major waiting? We have a toddler who usually likes to nap from 11am to about 2pm, if I could give him his naptime and then go through the terminal/boarding process that might be best.

I am getting so excited, it's so much fun to say "we're going on our Disney cruise next month!"

Thanks for your advice.
kzybulew

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

If you don't need to arrive early for ressie rush or to make changes, why not let him take his nap on the car ride there and plan on arriving around 1:30ish - 2:00. That way he is rested and ready to go and you will have beaten the crowds and can walk right on.

Whatever you decide - enjoy!!

 

[Islandergal]

Thank you so much .I feel beter already and I am glad you enjoyed your last visit here. Hurry up December!

 

[lbgraves]

Hello everyone,
This is the first time I have posted on a discussion board so please forgive any mistakes I may make or crazy questions I may ask.My family is taking their first Disney cruise on Dec 8/05 and I am concerned with the new procedures.Previously I had read on this board that people with early flights had priority in getting off the ship.Although my flight does not leave until 1:30 we are from eastern Canada so it takes longer to go through customs at the airport and we are using Disney transportation to get to the airport.What has everyones experience been and /or opinions on this ?Thanks so much .

There is no set order for getting off the ship...at least yet. You simply get in line when you want to leave. If you have late seating you can either wait to eat in the dining room that you are assigned to or grab a bite at Topsiders & leave earlier. We do not have a flight to catch but plan to spend the day at MK & want to get to the park ASAP after leaving the ship.

 

[MrsMork]

And we don't want to leave until they drag us off. Those fingernail marks on the wall will be mine.

 

[KevinP1935]

FYI....I wrote DCL and here is the communication:

My initial e-mail:

I've read that DCL is starting to use a new boarding policy for cruises.
I wanted to ask exactly how
it works. Are the group numbers handed out first come, first serve?
Also, what time does the terminal parking lot open?

The response:



11/3/05

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for your interest in your upcoming Disney Cruise Vacation!

We are currently testing 'boarding by group numbers' at the Disney Cruise Line
Terminal. If this
test is still running for your 12/17/05
cruise, the process is:

-After you arrive at the terminal and go through security, you are given
a numbered 'boarding pass' at the top of the escalator. The boarding pass is
issued on a stateroom
level.
-If you are on a "Cruise-Only" vacation or are a non-U.S. citizen, then you will
need to check-in
for the cruise.
-Once the boarding process begins, an announcement is made to advise you which
'groups' can start
boarding.
-Embarkation for the ship begins at 1:00 PM.

Boarding by group numbers prevents long lines from forming at the ship's
entrance (Mickey
silhouette) and will give you the opportunity to relax before going on the ship.

The parking lot at Port Canaveral opens for arriving guests between 9:30
and 10:00; however, our stevedores begin accepting luggage at 10:00.

I hope this information has been helpful.

We look forward to sailing with you! Have a Magical Day!

Wilma
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Vacations

I've put in another e-mail to find out how and where I can verify this procedure is still in place closer to our cruise date. I really don't like this plan, if for some reason we have a change in itinerary (b/c of Cozumel) the excursion desk, heck all the desks, could be swamped with people wanting make changes. Even if the desks don't open up until a certain time, those boarding early have the first chance to get in line.

I intended to get there at 10-10:30, but if it's not going to change when I board, I won't rush.

 

[mruhaak]

So if this is true in January... and we booked a Cat. 12 gty. there is no need for us to go early. Because we will probably just end up waiting for quite a while?

If that is the case we should just do some sightseeing that morning and head to the ship around noon?