On-Line Check-In Port Arrival Time/Boarding Passes

[livingis2me]

Hello all:

It's been a while since I've cruised Disney (October 2010) and I remember a few threads over the past year or so explaining a new process for port arrival times via on-line check-in, but unfortunately I did not take the time to "learn" the new process. I went to review those threads today in preparation for our September Fantasy cruise and I can't seem to find them. The search process on the Dis seems to bring up everything but...

We are "those people" who like to be at the port super early (10am) and get a really low boarding pass (2 or 3). We'll be driving ourselves and parking at either the Radisson or another of the off site parking options. We'd really like to be "those people" again in September. How do we do it???
Could someone either direct me to a thread, share their experience , or explain the new process to me??

Thanks and Happy Easter!
Ron

 

[karajeboo]

Just got back on Friday so this was my first time with new procedure - when you do your online checkin you now select a boarding time. Port doesn't open until 11 now (although out shuttle dropped us at 1030 and we only waited 5 or 10 minutes) - your boarding group is determined based on your checkin time scheduled. We had boarding group 3 and were seated at Topsiders by noon.....

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

We did on line check-in for our cruise in May last month. Which time you get will depend on how far out you can check in. This will be our first cruise so we were at 75 days. We got 12:00 as 11 & 11:30 were already full. If you have an earlier check in date you will probably get an earlier time.

 

[livingis2me]

Just got back on Friday so this was my first time with new procedure - when you do your online checkin you now select a boarding time. Port doesn't open until 11 now (although out shuttle dropped us at 1030 and we only waited 5 or 10 minutes) - your boarding group is determined based on your checkin time scheduled. We had boarding group 3 and were seated at Topsiders by noon.....

So if the shuttle drops you off early then you can still get in line in front of the terminal, right? Sounds like we shouldn't have an issue as long as we can get 11 for our check in time... I hope us 90 day-ers can get that early.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So if the shuttle drops you off early then you can still get in line in front of the terminal, right? Sounds like we shouldn't have an issue as long as we can get 11 for our check in time... I hope us 90 day-ers can get that early.

Thanks,
Ron

If you arrive earlier than your selected Port Arrival Time, and the terminal is too full, you may be asked to wait until either your selected Port Arrival Time or the terminal is less busy.

I will point out that your Port Arrival Time is tied to your actual boarding number (which you receive at check-in). So, even if you are allowed into the terminal early, you will see others arriving after you (at their correct Port Arrival Time) boarding before you.

 

[livingis2me]

If you arrive earlier than your selected Port Arrival Time, and the terminal is too full, you may be asked to wait until either your selected Port Arrival Time or the terminal is less busy.

I will point out that your Port Arrival Time is tied to your actual boarding number (which you receive at check-in). So, even if you are allowed into the terminal early, you will see others arriving after you (at their correct Port Arrival Time) boarding before you.

Cool. Thanks for that info. So I really want to make sure I get that 11:00 slot. I wonder if I should do my on-line check in to get that 11:00 even before I make my Palo reservations...

Ron

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Cool. Thanks for that info. So I really want to make sure I get that 11:00 slot. I wonder if I should do my on-line check in to get that 11:00 even before I make my Palo reservations...

Ron

When your booking window opens, at midnight, that's when you do Palo/excursion/etc. The online checkin opens at 3:00 am. If you want to get to the page with the arrival times, you need to just enter jibberish on the first 4 or 5 pages to get there. Then you can go back and edit the correct info in. Some people feel that gets them to the arrival time page quicker.

 

[livingis2me]

When your booking window opens, at midnight, that's when you do Palo/excursion/etc. The online checkin opens at 3:00 am. If you want to get to the page with the arrival times, you need to just enter jibberish on the first 4 or 5 pages to get there. Then you can go back and edit the correct info in. Some people feel that gets them to the arrival time page quicker.

Great tip, thanks!

Ron