Online check-in for 1st timer...want earliest PAT possible

[Frwinkley]

Tomorrow is our date to check in for our 3 day Dream cruise in July. I've read posts about people checking in at 12:01 a.m. to get excursions, kids' club, adult dinners, etc.

Since it is only my DH and myself traveling and we aren't interested in any of those above items, is it necessary to check in at 12:01? We are truly only interested in the earliest PAT possible so that we can enjoy the ship. Having having cruised on Disney, that's our primary goal.

Thank you!

 

[Pooh2]

We did online check-in about 10 am for upcoming first cruise and got a PAT for 11:30-12 (Alaska).
At that point, Palo for brunch was not available, all the excursions we wanted were available.

 

[buzzrelly]

Just got off the April 11th Dream. Like you, all I wanted was an early PAT, so I set my alarm for midnight and woke up to check-in. I couldn't do anything, I was freaking out and kept trying and trying until I finally fell asleep around 1:30am. Then I kept waking periodically throughout the night to check. Worst night sleep, EVER! The link finally showed up somewhere around 6 am, AND I got a 10:30am PAT. The moral of my story is, get a good night sleep and wake up early to check-in.

 

[Mrs Green]

We did online check-in about 10 am for upcoming first cruise and got a PAT for 11:30-12 (Alaska).
At that point, Palo for brunch was not available, all the excursions we wanted were available.

I am so glad to know this as we do our first online check-in in a few weeks! Yea Alaska!

 

[amanda12404]

I will be a first time cruiser in about two weeks. I stayed up until midnight and was only able to book excursions and adult dining at 12:01. We were finally able to do the PAT around 6 am that morning. We were only able to get 11 am. Of course I wanted earlier, but that was the earliest I was able to get.

 

[closetmickey]

I will be a first time cruiser in about two weeks. I stayed up until midnight and was only able to book excursions and adult dining at 12:01. We were finally able to do the PAT around 6 am that morning. We were only able to get 11 am. Of course I wanted earlier, but that was the earliest I was able to get.

I believe that 11:00 is the earliest if you are on one of the Classic ships.

 

[amanda12404]

We are going on the Dream, but we aren't concierge so the earliest I was able to get was 11.

 

[Sytrace]

They usually only start PAT at 10:30 in 15 minute increments, so you are not off by much. By the time you actually get ON the ship it is closer to 11:15 to 11:30 when they start calling boarding numbers.

 

[Weedy]

From my experience: Dream and Fantasy earliest PAT 10:30-10:45 and they start boarding 11:15.
Magic and Wonder earliest PAT 11:00 and boarding 11:30-11:45.

 

[summerskye]

Our check in online for our 1st cruise was a couple weeks ago. I was ready at midnight. After 3 hrs of frustration, I gave up. I had to get up for work 2 1/2 hrs later and needed some sleep. At 4:30 CT (5:30 ET), I got right in. I was able to do check in, get excursions, and still got a PAT of 10:45. Not bad for our 1st cruise. Good luck.

 

[mlink461]

Here is my plan for embarkment day. We are staying at the contemporary and have a reservations at chef mickeys for 7:45. I am hoping to leave at 9 and arrive at 1030. I am hoping to get an early arrival time too. Will it be crowded that early or do the crowds come a little later? I would like to get the picture with the character but dont want to wait in line too long. Its our first cruise and we are making a dash for the aqua duck! Does my timing seem to be right?

 

[Trera]

Here is my plan for embarkment day. We are staying at the contemporary and have a reservations at chef mickeys for 7:45. I am hoping to leave at 9 and arrive at 1030. I am hoping to get an early arrival time too. Will it be crowded that early or do the crowds come a little later? I would like to get the picture with the character but dont want to wait in line too long. Its our first cruise and we are making a dash for the aqua duck! Does my timing seem to be right?

Mickey doesnt come out for pictures at the port until around 11 if my memory serves me correctly and sometimes there is a line waiting for him to get there.

There could be some early crowds as people will be waiting to get port access right when it opens and the crowds will grow from there. I would think with an earlier port arrival time, you will get some good time on the aqua duck as many people that get on the boat head right to lunch.

Good luck

 

[Weedy]

Here is my plan for embarkment day. We are staying at the contemporary and have a reservations at chef mickeys for 7:45. I am hoping to leave at 9 and arrive at 1030. I am hoping to get an early arrival time too. Will it be crowded that early or do the crowds come a little later? I would like to get the picture with the character but dont want to wait in line too long. Its our first cruise and we are making a dash for the aqua duck! Does my timing seem to be right?

FYI: If you want to leave by 9 you will need to drive yourself or take private transportation. The buses don't leave the resorts until 11ish.

Also be sure to log onto the Disney Cruise website when you booking window opens and pick your PAT (port arrival time). When you get to the termianl and check in you will be given a boarding#. You boaring # is tied to your PAT. The earlier your PAT=a lower boarding#

 

[Justin91]

We are also trying to get some early Ship time. We have a PAT of 11:00. We are using Mears fro POFQ. What time should we try to get to the Port? 10:00? How are the crowd levels at this time.

 

[Weedy]

We are also trying to get some early Ship time. We have a PAT of 11:00. We are using Mears fro POFQ. What time should we try to get to the Port? 10:00? How are the crowd levels at this time.

The terminal doesn't open until 10:30. The parking garage opens at 10 and people wait outside until 10:30. Some have reported that some of the private transportation companies can't/won't drop off until 11am. They don't start boarding the ship until 11:15-11:30. It is very crowded about 11 just before they start boarding. But once the boarding starts they call the next boarding # about every 5 minutes. Everyone is usually cleared out and onboard by 12:30.

 

[Justin91]

The terminal doesn't open until 10:30. The parking garage opens at 10 and people wait outside until 10:30. Some have reported that some of the private transportation companies can't/won't drop off until 11am. They don't start boarding the ship until 11:15-11:30. It is very crowded about 11 just before they start boarding. But once the boarding starts they call the next boarding # about every 5 minutes. Everyone is usually cleared out and onboard by 12:30.

Thanks! Sounds like I can expect to arrive 11ish. I have read if using the transfer busses we could arrive as late as 2 or even 3. Does anyone have a breakdown on the check in process for the port? Where to go and such? Is the layout obvious when we arrive?Everything is already checked in online.

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

Thanks! Sounds like I can expect to arrive 11ish. I have read if using the transfer busses we could arrive as late as 2 or even 3. Does anyone have a breakdown on the check in process for the port? Where to go and such? Is the layout obvious when we arrive?Everything is already checked in online.

Is it true the DCL busses are late like this?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks! Sounds like I can expect to arrive 11ish. I have read if using the transfer busses we could arrive as late as 2 or even 3. Does anyone have a breakdown on the check in process for the port? Where to go and such? Is the layout obvious when we arrive?Everything is already checked in online.

When you reach the top of the escalator in the terminal


You'll see this:


Check in line on the left, seating (such as it is) on the right. The Mickey Ears in the back are the entrance to the gangway.
Just find your line (there are two on the left - first time cruisers, and Castaway Club members). There's usually a CM there to direct you.

 

[ceecee]

When does the booking window start??? We are taking the DCL bus to the port from resort does it matter?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When does the booking window start??? We are taking the DCL bus to the port from resort does it matter?

Online checkin and excursion booking windows open at different times, based on your Castaway Club level
Concierge/Platinum CC members - 120 days out from cruise
Gold CC members - 105 days out
Silver CC member - 90 days out
First time cruisers - 75 days out.

Arriving via DCL transfers means that you will be allowed to enter the terminal whenever the bus gets there, regardless of your PAT. However, your boarding number will remain the same as if you arrived at your selected PAT. That being said, since the buses from the resorts tend to arrive after Open Boarding has been announced (or pretty close), the boarding numbers are moot.