PAT and Disney Transportation

[VbChristy]

We are taking Disney transportation to the port for the first time on our January cruise. Do you still do a port arrival time if you are taking their bus? And if so what if your time is after when your bus arrives at the port?
Thanks

 

[bradisgoofy]

I won't hurt to do the arrival time just pick as early a time as is available. If you get there earlier then your assigned time there are things to do in the waiting area like photos with Disney characters. If the check in area is not too busy I think they will let you check in right away. At that time they will give you a card with a group boarding number which will be called over the public announcement system. When your group number is called your may board the ship. I always do the online check in on the first day I am eligible and the highest number I've ever gotten was 7 and I boarded within a half hour of group 1.

Good Luck.

 

[VbChristy]

thanks @bradisgoofy that's helpful info!

 

[clten]

I've seen reports of people selecting Port Arrival Times when they have DCL transportation and some that have said they couldn't pick a time when there were DCL transfers on their reservation. When you arrive on DCL transportation, they will let you into the terminal upon arrival regardless of any PAT. So you will always be allowed to check in when you arrive. But generally a PAT is tied to a Boarding Group #. So the earlier the PAT, usually the lower the Boarding Group #.

If you can select a PAT, it would vary for me based on where are I was taking DCL transportation from. If you are coming from the airport, I would select an early arrival time that corresponds with when you think you will be arriving to the port. If you are coming from the resorts, I would select a later arrival time as you will most likely be arriving at the port after the crowds have boarded (unless things are behind schedule, it will be open boarding and your PAT/Boarding # will be pretty much meaningless). That way you can leave an earlier time for someone who may benefit from having it.

 

[TAK]

Absolutely, 1000% select a Port Arrival Time. In January 2013, on our honeymoon, we thought that since we were taking Disney Transportation we didn't need to do so. We took the first bus from MCO, were one of the first people in the terminal (they do let you in from the buses as soon as you get there)... and then waited for hours because we'd screwed up by not choosing one (we were told).

We are sailing in a couple months and did our online check-in a couple weeks ago. We have DCL transportation on our reservation, and we were able to select a PAT (got a nice early one!).

(The advice about what time to pick from clten, above, is spot on).

Have a great cruise!

 

[moosecrouse]

If using DCL transfers from the airport you definitely need to grab a PAT. The DCL transfers from the resorts don't get till port until noon or later & it's usually general boarding by then.