Double Trouble
Ready for Vacation!
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2011
- Messages
- 236
Patti,
I know Linda already answered you as well, and like she said, I wouldn't worry about it. From our experience, you can show up whenever you want. Here's how it works in San Pedro with Disney...
1. Check you bags on the curb with the porters. Don't check anything critical (passports, meds, etc).
Note: The Wonder will be at Berth 93 (to your left) but you must drive all the way around (counterclockwise) starting to your right to get to it. The Crystal Symphony will be sharing the Port with us on the 18th and 25th but they'll be at Berth 92 wit its own check in area. Yes, I know it's nice but don't get on the wrong ship! There might be a bit more activity since there are 2 ships in but it's no big deal.
2. Walk up to the main entry to the terminal. The agents will check your paperwork there to let you in (the forms you printed on Disney's web site). They may also ask for your passports just to verify you have them. They will direct you upstairs (elevator/escalator). Note: Your group needs to enter together, or each have their own copy of the paperwork! The agents will also give you a sheet with the highlights of the remainder of that day (kind of like a mini-Navigator).
3. As soon as you get upstairs, there is a table to your left where you must fill out a quick form verifying no one in your party is "sick".
4. You take that form, plus your documents and passports, and get in line either to the left set of counters if you are a first time Disney cruiser, or to the right set of counters if you are a Castaway Club member. If you are Concierge level, you're check in is to the far right.
5. At the counter, they will check your docs/ID, reconfirm your stateroom assignment(s), take your photo for your Key to the World (KTTW) card (it's your room key and what you use for charging things on the ship, as well as going ashore and reboarding...along with a photo ID for those 18 and over).
FYI, your KTTW card has the following info printed on it: your name, "A" for adult or "M" for minor, your Castaway Club member number (if it's your first time...you're now a member!), your dining time, rotation and table assignment (e.g., 5:45 PM, PTAPTAP, Table 56), and in large bold print a letter that represents your lifeboat muster station (e.g., "R"...that's where you go for the lifeboat drill or in a real emergency...there is a map on the inside of your stateroom door). For those in your party who you did not allow "charging" privileges (e.g., young children), there will be "NC" in the lower corner as well. You stateroom number is NOT on the card, so no one can sneak into your cabin if lose it. You can get extra cards from Guest Services as needed.
6. If you want to pay for an upgrade at the port, you can check with the supervisor desk at the left end of the Castaway Club check in counter. If they have any cabins available (this ship is pretty full as I understand), they use a little matrix to determine how much it will cost to upgrade say from a 9C to a 5B, or whatever. Then it's up to you if you want to pay for the upgrade. If you do, remember to let us know at the meetup (to update the FE list), and know that although they say your luggage will manage to get there on its own (and maybe it will in due time), I've usually had to go to our original cabin and either get our bags or let the room stewards know your new cabin number so they can deliver them.
7. Once all that's done (don't worry...it's very simple), you walk to your right and go through security into the waiting area. As you approach, they give you a card with a number on it that represents your boarding group. Concierge gets groups 1 & 2, so even if you get their early (as we usually do) you will get Group 3 at best. Boarding usually starts between 12-12:30, but it can vary based on how long it takes to get the ship cleared of arriving passengers and get the computers reset for our trip. They will call boarding groups by number when the time comes. You can use one card for your whole party, so if you show up at the terminal at different times you can still board together.
TIP: Although there are snack/drink machines in the waiting area, you may want to bring your own bottles of water/soda/whatever and maybe a few snacks to enjoy prior to beginning your 7-day feeding frenzy aboard. And, yes, there are bathrooms as well.
8. Now it's time to find our meetup group (far right corner by the big TV...look for the "DIS" signs) and hang out until boarding. At some point (11:30-12:00 or so), the counter will open for getting the bracelets for your kids going to the Oceaneer's Club/Lab. You can also do this onboard, so don't sweat it if the line is long and you don't want to wait. You should have checked your kids in already on-line (if not, you still have time!) but you need to get the bracelet.
TIP: The bracelets are CLUNKY (like a big wristwatch) and some kids find them uncomfortable (they use them so they can electronically "scan" your kids into/out of the club/lab). Use discretion as they charge $50 if you lose them (and $200 if you lose the "wavephone"...there are 2 in each cabin...kind of like cell phones that only work on the ship); but here's what we do. Cut the band off and store the device in a safe place until the kids want to go to the lab/club. The CMs will print a new band and reattach the device when the kids go in. Another reason to take them off is they can ruin an otherwise perfect family photo (like on formal night). Ultimately it's up to you.
9. Very shortly thereafter, Mickey and Minnie will show up for preboarding photos just to the right of the kids counter (and very close to our terminal meetup area).
10. Finally, after ceremoniously boarding the "family of the day", they begin boarding with concierge (1, 2) and then in numerical order after that. We've always been in Group 3 but others have told us it goes pretty fast. If you arrive later on, I imagine you could pretty much go straight through. Then, the magic begins as you walk a few ramps (and pass through another family photo op) before strolling into the main atrium where the CMs "announce" your family's arrival to the ship.
Wow...is it November yet!?!
. Cheap for a verhandah. I will ok in an 11a but hope that we can upgrade at least our room to have some light.
I'm new to that site so perhaps I am confused on how to read it. Yesterday I thought we were at 50%. Pretty guaranteed though if they offer VGT rates for what they are on the 11/11 & 11/4...we will sail full. 
We debated every possible room category and in the end went with the cheapest!
that I'm not there too...but her kids are 
But I'm truly happy for them (for those who don't know - Adnil is my sis - my OLDER sis..tee hee)
I don't know how often the pixie dust is really cast out, but I would LOVE, LOVE LOVE an upgrade (like everyone else, I'm sure).
