Port Arrival Time & Boarding number

[Lisa F]

A PAT of 10:30 will get you a lower boarding number (not TIME), but boarding doesn't begin until 11:15-11:30, so you'll still be waiting.

I guess what I am asking is if you have an earlier window to arrive but end up arriving a little later

is your boarding number by the time you actually arrive or by your registered PAT?

 

[lklgoodman]

Of course the porters are going to take anything - they want a tip.

DCL rules are all beverages are to be carried on board with your carry-on.

If that blown soda had damaged someone else's luggage, you would be responsible for the cleaning and or replacement of the damaged items. (Yes, I have seen that happen before. A guy in a cabin a couple of doors down had packed red wine in his luggage. It broke and ruined the luggage of another party. The steward, Deck Manager for Housekeeping, and Hotel Director were all having a discussion with him in the hall about it.)

Edit: @lanejudy beat me to it!

Always worth repeating, because A) there will always be people who aren't aware of this and B) there are people who are aware, but don't care.
I hope the discussion with the guy went something like, "We have your cc on file and you will be charged x amount for ruining other's property, thank you and good-bye."

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I guess what I am asking is if you have an earlier window to arrive but end up arriving a little later

is your boarding number by the time you actually arrive or by your registered PAT?

It's my understanding it's tied to your selected Port Arrival Time. Each PAT window (10:30; 10:45; 11:00, etc) has a number of boarding numbers assigned to it. Which number you actually get within a PAT window can vary by 1 to 4 numbers.

So, someone with a PAT of 10:30, say, could get boarding number 2 (right after Platinum Castaway Club members) or number 4. The difference in actual time between the announcement of #2 to #4 could be 2 minutes, or 10 minutes, depending on how quickly boarding is going.

 

[Dug720]

Always worth repeating, because A) there will always be people who aren't aware of this and B) there are people who are aware, but don't care.
I hope the discussion with the guy went something like, "We have your cc on file and you will be charged x amount for ruining other's property, thank you and good-bye."

Pretty much. And when the guy argued (loudly - which is how I became aware of the situation), and started to get belligerent with them, security appeared and made it clear that if he was going to continue in that vein, he would be escorted from the ship and would not sail, not receive a refund, and still be charged for the property.

 

[Weedy]

As stated before they usually start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30. By 12:30-12:45 everyone waiting is onboard and the go to “open boarding” meaning you check in and walk on.
The terminal gets crazy crowded about 11:00 before boarding starts. But once it starts it goes quickly with the next number(s) being called every few minutes.
The terminal can be fun. At Port Canaveral there is an outside balcony that you can get some nice pictures of the ship.
Also a Port Canaveral is the only Disney Cruise pressed penny machine. There are 6 designs .51 each. Bring change. Last time I was there it was to the left of the Yellow Mickey ear entrance.
The characters will come out for photos and there is a large model of the ship.

 

[FigmentSpark]

The worst part is having a low number that's called, but having to fight through the crowds that are standing around, or even in line waiting for their number to be called.

That reminds me, what happens if you're a 5 and 3 has been called but you get in line anyway?

 

[Dug720]

The worst part is having a low number that's called, but having to fight through the crowds that are standing around, or even in line waiting for their number to be called.

That reminds me, what happens if you're a 5 and 3 has been called but you get in line anyway?

They should have you step aside to let the legit 3 people on.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

They should have you step aside to let the legit 3 people on.

Yeah, they SHOULD. But, as with all things Disney, they probably wouldn't. Mustn't make the guests angry.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Well, that's what I wondered. I don't remember if they check you off a list for your number or just trust that you only got in line when your number was called.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I've always wondered what the price range is for Lyft/Uber from WDW to the port.

This is ASM>Cruise Terminal:

• UberX
  $77.12
• UberX Car Seat
  $85.12
• UberXL
  $114.49

 

[Weedy]

Well, that's what I wondered. I don't remember if they check you off a list for your number or just trust that you only got in line when your number was called.

They give you a small card with your boarding number and you show it as you enter the line

 

[lilsonicfan]

I guess what I am asking is if you have an earlier window to arrive but end up arriving a little later

is your boarding number by the time you actually arrive or by your registered PAT?

We had PAT of 11:15AM but did not actually arrive until about 11:45AM after dropping off the car. Something like that. Our boarding group number was 8, and by the time we arrived, that boarding group had already been called.

 

[Pizzaman12]

Newbie Disney Cruise question. What happens if you're assigned a later time (2pm) and show up earlier?

Would you be allowed to board after the initial crowds die down?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Newbie Disney Cruise question. What happens if you're assigned a later time (2pm) and show up earlier?

Would you be allowed to board after the initial crowds die down?

When you check in (if they allow you to enter the terminal early) you will still be issued the boarding number that you would get if you arrive on time. If Open Boarding is announced before they actually get to your boarding number, you may board at that time.

 

[Weedy]

Newbie Disney Cruise question. What happens if you're assigned a later time (2pm) and show up earlier?

Would you be allowed to board after the initial crowds die down?

They usually go to open boarding around 12:45. So if you arrive then or a little later you shouldn’t have a problem

 

[babyruth]

is all of this information similar for other ports as well or only Canaveral? We are leaving from Barcelona.

 

[tankin]

We took the bus once ... once... Hated the time we got there mid-afternoon especially since we had to be out of the room mid-morning.

Since then, our rule is private transportation to the ship and Disney transportation to the plane. We have always saved money on the private transport but found the convenience of having Disney do the onboard check in for the plane was worth it.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hi! Jumping in to ask a question since it relates to the embarkation day. Hoping someone else traveling with little ones can help!

My little one naps daily around 11:30/12:00 and sleeps a couple hours. I’m trying to wrap my head around how this is all going to work with the boarding process taking place during that time and rooms not being ready until 1:30. What is the latest boarding time? Are we better waiting and boarding late? If we get on earlier, where are good quiet/darker spaces he might be able to nap (I guess we’d hold him?) I know everyone always says flexible schedules, etc...but I know my kid and I know my kid NEEDS a nap ha!

 

[Weedy]

Hi! Jumping in to ask a question since it relates to the embarkation day. Hoping someone else traveling with little ones can help!

My little one naps daily around 11:30/12:00 and sleeps a couple hours. I’m trying to wrap my head around how this is all going to work with the boarding process taking place during that time and rooms not being ready until 1:30. What is the latest boarding time? Are we better waiting and boarding late? If we get on earlier, where are good quiet/darker spaces he might be able to nap (I guess we’d hold him?) I know everyone always says flexible schedules, etc...but I know my kid and I know my kid NEEDS a nap ha!

The first day can be hard with little ones.
So a few questions and answers
Are you coming from a Disney Resort using Disney Transportation?
That may not work for you because only one bus pick up per resort usually around 11:30-12:00.
Are you driving yourself or taking private transportation?
This way you will pick a Port Arrival Time. At Port Canaveral the earliest PAT is 10:30-10:45.
They usually start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30. The earlier your PAT the lower your boarding number. They usually have everyone waiting onboard around 12:30-12:45.
Are you driving from the Orlando/WDW area to the port?
It’s about an hour drive and everyone needs to be onboard by 3:30.
As far as a quiet place to nap maybe one of the bars they will be open and a little quiet but no place to lie down and other people may come in and it won’t be dark.
Have a fun cruise. I’m always amazed at how well the little ones do. There is so much excitement they seem to run until they pass out

 

[FigmentSpark]

Will your little ones sleep on the bus? Even if you had early boarding, you won't get your room until 1:30pm, so that's after nap time. What about taking umrella strollers that they could sleep in while you do all the boarding and have lunch? Go to a restaurant instead of Cabanas for lunch, as it will be quieter.