PAT with Disney Transfer

[Ravenne]

I seem to recall with the old website, if you're taking Disney Transportation to port, it doesn't even allow you to pick a PAT. Now it seems it's making you pick one anyway. Is that normal or is something not booked correctly with the DCL transfers? Do you just pick a random time?

 

[Happy100]

This is the way it is now. I just pick the earliest PAT I can and have never had a problem checking in when I get to the port even if a little earlier.

 

[KevinP1935]

When we cruised in April 2015 I booked the Disney Transportation after we were paid in full, so it wouldn't give us the option to choose Disney Transportation. I called Disney and they instructed me to choose private transportation and any available PAT. Wed ended up with 1:30, but we took the first bus from MCO and were on much earlier.

 

[kiford]

It's inconsistent. We always have had to pick a PAT when being picked up from a WDW resort so we just pick 1 pm. You'll get there after open boarding is called, so it's irrelevant. I pick 1 pm because: (a) it's around the time we get there; and (b) since I won't be there early, there's no point in taking an earlier PAT time away from someone else who wants it.

On both of our Med cruises, we had to pick a PAT so I picked the 1 pm time as usual but ended up getting there around 11:30. Even though it was well before our PAT and other people who had checked in were still waiting, we got a low boarding number and got right on so I'm assuming that it's because we took DCL transfers. Last year on the Northern European cruise we weren't asked to pick a PAT time and boarded right away (I think we were probably there around open boarding).

 

[Mandy Graham]

We leave this next week and it is our first time to cruise. I am confused about this. We are going to be taking the Disney bus to the port do we go in time by the PAT then? Or does it matter ? We are going with a large group and have different times -- can someone help me out with this?

 

[JW9DVC]

We leave this next week and it is our first time to cruise. I am confused about this. We are going to be taking the Disney bus to the port do we go in time by the PAT then? Or does it matter ? We are going with a large group and have different times -- can someone help me out with this?

Your DCL transfers are not based on your PAT. You load the bus for transfer at your time given by the bus company. The transfer company time and PAT are totally separate. Often times if you want to be at the ship sooner. You choose private transfer, like a rental or what not.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We leave this next week and it is our first time to cruise. I am confused about this. We are going to be taking the Disney bus to the port do we go in time by the PAT then? Or does it matter ? We are going with a large group and have different times -- can someone help me out with this?

If you are arriving via DCL transfers, it doesn't matter what your PAT is. You will be allowed to enter the terminal when the bus gets there. Now, your boarding number is typically tied to the PAT you have, and you get the same boarding number whether you check in earlier than your PAT or later.

If your group has two (or more) boarding numbers, and you wish to board together, DCL asks that you all wait until the higher number is called for boarding.

 

[Ravenne]

If you are arriving via DCL transfers, it doesn't matter what your PAT is. You will be allowed to enter the terminal when the bus gets there. Now, your boarding number is typically tied to the PAT you have, and you get the same boarding number whether you check in earlier than your PAT or later.

If your group has two (or more) boarding numbers, and you wish to board together, DCL asks that you all wait until the higher number is called for boarding.

I don't recall any boarding numbers at all. I'm pretty sure I didn't get any boarding number this time. (We're taking DCL transfers.) I picked an early PAT just to pick something, but ended up giving it to someone else on our cruise who is driving and I picked something later. Does that affect boarding number?

 

[wilma-bride]

I don't recall any boarding numbers at all. I'm pretty sure I didn't get any boarding number this time. (We're taking DCL transfers.) I picked an early PAT just to pick something, but ended up giving it to someone else on our cruise who is driving and I picked something later. Does that affect boarding number?

You won't get your boarding number until you arrive at the port and check in. Your boarding number will be based on the PAT you picked so the earlier PAT you have, the lower the boarding number. However, it has mostly been my experience that those arriving by DCL transfer arrive when boarding has started so you will likely pretty much walk straight on.

 

[Slaughman1970]

Prepping for my first Land & Sea trip, this was something I was wondering about myself. Trying to coordinate my PAT and my DCL transfer times was keeping me from completing the online check-in. Thanks to all for sharing your experience.