New Boarding Procedures?

[lbgraves]

That is all DH needed to get thru security. Now, we parked at the terminal. IDK how it is for those who are returning rental cars. I know that when we pulled into the lot the guard checked us off the manifest. I don't think that he checked our docs. He just took our IDs too.

 

[goofymama]

hmm...yes I wonder if you can check in without your enitre party being there??!!

I haven't done it yet with the new procedures, but it sounds to me like one person could drop everyone else off at the terminal; check luggage, go through security, pick up boarding number ... and then wait until the driver shows up before getting in the check in lines to get your KTTW cards. So yes, it would still be beneficial to have one person drop everyone else off and then return the car. You will still get an earlier boarding number, but will just have to wait to get your KTTW until the entire party is there.

HTH

 

[lillygator]

if you are parking at the port which lot do you use? you enter through the same area for everyone right? (as in driving in)

 

[lbgraves]

They will be out on the street directing you. The Magic guests usually park in the lot right next to the terminal. If you arrive early, they will direct you to the lot across the street to get in line.

 

[mbaidacoff]

one person could drop everyone else off at the terminal; check luggage, go through security, pick up boarding number ... and then wait until the driver shows up before getting in the check in lines to get your KTTW cards.

Thanks Goofymama, that's what we're going to do. We're on the 12/17 cruise - I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[lucas]

What does the driver need to have with him? Does he need his cruise ticket and/or passport to show security?

 

[lillygator]

I have read conflicting info about arrival time...will they let you park at 10 am or 10:30 am?

 

[sdaniel105]

Those of you that are getting these boarding numbers what time are you arriving?

For 3 of the the past 4 years we have arrived around the embarkation time of 1PM and have been able to park in the lot nearest the terminal. If you park in this lot you don't even need your DL to get into the terminal bldg. All adults do need a photo ID to show security before you are allowed to enter the terminal area to drop off bags and family.

One year we arrived around 3:30PM due to highway closure and bike week. That year I had to park across the street and did need my DL to get back into the terminal area.

During the registration process they did ask who each person was and to see the corresponding birthcertificate/ passport. Maybe they will give you a KTTW for someone that is not there since they do ask for a photo ID just before you walk under the Mickey ears, but I know they have always asked who is who in our group every year.

What is the earliest anyone has been allowed to board?

Sean

 

[lbgraves]

This new boarding proceedure has only been in place for a few weeks. It seems that if you arrive after noon they do not need to give numbers out anymore.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

This new boarding proceedure has only been in place for a few weeks. It seems that if you arrive after noon they do not need to give numbers out anymore.

That is correct.........we arrived at approx. 1 o'clock and walked right to the CC Club members line....we were about 5th, checked in and were on the ship in 15 mins......no numbers.........

 

[Briege]

Hi everyone,

Just arrived back from the 4 day 11/27 Wonder. We came by Disney Cruise Line Transportation from Port Orleans Riverside. We were already checked in for the cruise a few days earlier at Port Orleans Riverside (took just a few minutes to give them your completed documents from the cruise book, show our ID and photo ID for over 18's and they had to physically see everyone in our party). On the morning of departure, we met in the lobby at 11:15am and they allowed all 13 in our group to board the Cruise Bus together at 11:35am. Took about an hour to travel to Port Canaveral. Bus stops right at the terminal. Then go through security check. Go up the escalators to the main terminal lobby. We took a few photo's of the ship model. Saw people at counters to the left I guess they were checking in. We just walked right on after taking the photo's....no line of people. Got announced in the lobby had our Embarkment Photo taken and we were onboard by 1pm I guess. We went directly to our cabins and our luggage arrived within 5 to 10 mins. It was just great. I didn't hear anyone calling any numbers when boarding. Maybe that was either earlier or later than when we boarded. This was our first cruise, although one couple in our group had cruised before and then were just behind us, same procedure. The process may have been different for us because we traveled from a WDW Resort, but I saw no lines!!!

Hope this helps.

Briege

 

[lbgraves]

The lines use to start to form when the terminal opens at 10:30 am. Yes, alot of us are anxious to get on that ship ASAP & get to the terminal before it opens. The numbers are only used up until the ship is opened to passengers. Those people to thru pretty quickly so by noon there is no line.

 

[jjbescher]

We just got the Magic today and the procedures were as follows.

After you go through security at the bottom of the escalator, you get a boarding number. We got boarding number 9. We got there around 11:30ish. They started boarding right around 12:00 and we were on by 12:30. The first person in your group will get a number, so if you drop off an adult with kids, they will give you a number then. Just make sure the other oadult dropping off the car tells the person at the bottom of the escalator that they have already gotten a number.

I think the loudspeaker could be a little louder but the process was very smooth. I think the major hold-up is the photographs before embarking. If they could figure out a a different place to do the photographs, I think the boarding process would go a lot smoother. I do like how they moved the security check-in to downstairs(In 2002) it was behind the Mickey Ears.

jon

 

[disneybride96]

With nine people to check in, they actually called our number before we were done with the check in. We walked right on and they never even asked for our card with the number. Very smooth process.

 

[donmil723]

disneybride96, What time did you arrive at the port? On our first cruise we were one of the first to arrive but had to wait over an hour before they started boarding. That was okay as we took turns looking around the terminal. For our next cruise in May and with the new boarding procedure, I am thinking it might be best to arrive later and not have to wait so long to board. Thanks!

Donna

 

[mmouse37]

Hi everyone,

Just arrived back from the 4 day 11/27 Wonder. We came by Disney Cruise Line Transportation from Port Orleans Riverside. We were already checked in for the cruise a few days earlier at Port Orleans Riverside (took just a few minutes to give them your completed documents from the cruise book, show our ID and photo ID for over 18's and they had to physically see everyone in our party). On the morning of departure, we met in the lobby at 11:15am and they allowed all 13 in our group to board the Cruise Bus together at 11:35am. Took about an hour to travel to Port Canaveral. Bus stops right at the terminal. Then go through security check. Go up the escalators to the main terminal lobby. We took a few photo's of the ship model. Saw people at counters to the left I guess they were checking in. We just walked right on after taking the photo's....no line of people. Got announced in the lobby had our Embarkment Photo taken and we were onboard by 1pm I guess. We went directly to our cabins and our luggage arrived within 5 to 10 mins. It was just great. I didn't hear anyone calling any numbers when boarding. Maybe that was either earlier or later than when we boarded. This was our first cruise, although one couple in our group had cruised before and then were just behind us, same procedure. The process may have been different for us because we traveled from a WDW Resort, but I saw no lines!!!

Hope this helps.

Briege

After most of the people get onboard around 12:30 or so there is no longer lines to worry about....the lines used to be from when the terminal opened at 10:00 to the time they let you board....people would be waiting on a boarding line that stretched through the terminal.

 

[disneybride96]

disneybride96, What time did you arrive at the port? On our first cruise we were one of the first to arrive but had to wait over an hour before they started boarding. That was okay as we took turns looking around the terminal. For our next cruise in May and with the new boarding procedure, I am thinking it might be best to arrive later and not have to wait so long to board. Thanks!

Donna

I believe we arrived about noon. We had made all our reservations on line before the cruise, so no need to wait and fret.
There are enough lines to wait in during the week. It was nice that boarding was not one of them!

 

[donmil723]

I believe we arrived about noon. We had made all our reservations on line before the cruise, so no need to wait and fret.

Thanks! I was thinking of arriving between 11:45 and noon. We'll be at WDW but only for two days prior to our cruise. I know I'll hate leaving there but I want to be on the ship before the DCL busses from the resorts start arriving.

Donna