No PAT - What time should we arrive at MCO for bus transfer to Port?

[UNDDisney]

We have cruised before, but first time being unable to get a PAT. I guess it's a new process...since we booked DCL transfers in advance, the system would not allow me to select at PAT. We are arriving to MCO the night before our cruise, so we can return to the airport as early as we would like the next morning. However, I don't want to get to the port early to find out we have a super high boarding number.

What time should we board Disney buses from MCO if don't have a confirmed PAT? Any suggestions?

TIA!

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you aren’t being given an arrival time, just go to the buses whenever. I don’t think they would hold you for ages in this circumstance.

 

[Donna M]

I'm pretty sure about the following......When you arrive by bus you just enter the port terminal and check in at which point you will get your boarding number. The earlier the bus the better for me. I'd rather wait at the port than the airport or hotel.

 

[dcassetta]

We have cruised before, but first time being unable to get a PAT. I guess it's a new process...since we booked DCL transfers in advance, the system would not allow me to select at PAT. We are arriving to MCO the night before our cruise, so we can return to the airport as early as we would like the next morning. However, I don't want to get to the port early to find out we have a super high boarding number.

What time should we board Disney buses from MCO if don't have a confirmed PAT? Any suggestions?

TIA!

DCL knows you booked transfers, so do not be concerned about boarding number. I think they are often at open boarding before they get to the higher numbers.

Two options-

Get downstairs to the DCL area at MCO about 8:00 so that you can get on the first or second bus. This will get you to port early, probably before 10:30. Check-in lines will move pretty quickly. You will then have about an hour to wait before they start calling the first boarding numbers around 11:30.

Plan to arrive at the check-in area at about 11:15. There may be a bit of a wait as the bus loads. This will get you to the port about 12:15 or so. The check-in lines are likely to be quick. Opening boarding often starts about 12:30, so you should be able to walk right on.

 

[UNDDisney]

DCL knows you booked transfers, so do not be concerned about boarding number. I think they are often at open boarding before they get to the higher numbers.

Two options-

Get downstairs to the DCL area at MCO about 8:00 so that you can get on the first or second bus. This will get you to port early, probably before 10:30. Check-in lines will move pretty quickly. You will then have about an hour to wait before they start calling the first boarding numbers around 11:30.

Plan to arrive at the check-in area at about 11:15. There may be a bit of a wait as the bus loads. This will get you to the port about 12:15 or so. The check-in lines are likely to be quick. Opening boarding often starts about 12:30, so you should be able to walk right on.

Thanks so much! I think we will go with option 2. We have 3 kids, ages 2 to 10, so I think it will be better for us to have a leisurely morning, rather than all waiting at the port for an hour anxiously waiting to get on the ship!

 

[Weedy]

Oops I guess I should have read all the replies. But here you go ..again lol

If you don’t want to wait... typically at Port Canaveral the line is gone and they go to Open boarding about 12:30. Meaning you will check in and walk on.
It’s about a 45 minuet drive from the airport to the terminal.