Place to wait outside the port building?

[EastCoastCdn]

Is there somewhere to wait outside the port building if my DH drops us and luggage off and then returns a rental car? I know we can't enter the building prior to our PAT. To me that seems easier than all of us returning the car and taking up a lot of space on a shuttle. We're using Disney transfer back to MCO after the cruise, so we need to return the car prior to the cruise. Thanks.

 

[dcassetta]

Yes, there are benches where you can wait outside, as long as you don't arrive too early. If you arrive too early, your car will be held at the gate and you won't be able to enter the drop off area. I think the earliest PAT at Port Canaveral is 1030, so no need to arrive earlier than that.

 

[RedSox68]

Curious: If your PAT is, say, 11:30, and you drive in at 10:30, do they still let you go in and park and unload, but just don't let you in the terminal? Or does the PAT actually get you stopped at the gate if you are too early?

 

[Weedy]

He can pull up and drop you and all the bags off. This area opens 10:15ish.
You should be able to go inside and start the paperwork ( health care form).

 

[Dug720]

Curious: If your PAT is, say, 11:30, and you drive in at 10:30, do they still let you go in and park and unload, but just don't let you in the terminal? Or does the PAT actually get you stopped at the gate if you are too early?

Unless things have changed, as long as the terminal is not too full they will let you in. Do be aware though that you will still receive the boarding group your scheduled PAT would have given you.

If it is too full they will make you wait.

I've seen some reports that they might be cracking down regardless of how full the terminal is, but I'm not positive about that.

 

[dcassetta]

Curious: If your PAT is, say, 11:30, and you drive in at 10:30, do they still let you go in and park and unload, but just don't let you in the terminal? Or does the PAT actually get you stopped at the gate if you are too early?

I would guess they could stop you at the gate, and not allow you to park. I don't know that that's happened though. I've only driven to Port Canaveral twice. I don't remember the gate attendant asking what our PAT was . I think the biggest issue is that Disney needs to control how many people are in the terminal at one time. Also, if you arrive very early, it will not alter the time that you allowed to board the ship. So you'll have a lot more downtime just sitting in the terminal waiting.

I know quite a few people like to get on the ship as soon as they possibly can, and that some people want to arrive early because they're hoping to buy an upgrade. I find though, that arriving at 12:30 or after means short check in lines and very little waiting time in the terminal.

 

[RedSox68]

I would guess they could stop you at the gate, and not allow you to park. I don't know that that's happened though. I've only driven to Port Canaveral twice. I don't remember the gate attendant asking what our PAT was . I think the biggest issue is that Disney needs to control how many people are in the terminal at one time. Also, if you arrive very early, it will not alter the time that you allowed to board the ship. So you'll have a lot more downtime just sitting in the terminal waiting.

I know quite a few people like to get on the ship as soon as they possibly can, and that some people want to arrive early because they're hoping to buy an upgrade. I find though, that arriving at 12:30 or after means short check in lines and very little waiting time in the terminal.

I know about once inside you won't be taken before your allotted time, but I've never personally driven there so was wondering about the parking.

Unless it has changed, DCL desperately needs more seats inside! I can't believe how few seats they have. On other cruiselines, they have whole rooms of rows and rows of seats. At Disney we always have to stand.

 

[EastCoastCdn]

Our PAT is 10:45. Can I enter the port check in if DH isn't there? I assumed I would have to wait outside until he was back from returning the car.

 

[dcassetta]

Our PAT is 10:45. Can I enter the port check in if DH isn't there? I assumed I would have to wait outside until he was back from returning the car.

Yes, you can enter the port to drop off luggage. You may then wait until your DH returns, or go with him and ride the shuttle. All members of your party will need to be present to actually check in for the cruise itself.

 

[EastCoastCdn]

Yes, you can enter the port to drop off luggage. You may then wait until your DH returns, or go with him and ride the shuttle. All members of your party will need to be present to actually check in for the cruise itself.

Thanks very much for the clarification