Port Arrival Time Selection

[pearljammer]

Well, stayed up to midnight to do my online check in hoping for an earlier time slot than what I had last trip (1 pm) for check in upon arrival. Last trip I didn’t even realize my window was open until I received the email.

Took me 16 minutes to go through it all and the soonest slot was 12:30 pm. I was like….. (DOH).

We flip to Plat after this one so I do hope that will help secure earlier slots for the next one. If I’d known I wasn’t gaining much, I would have just gone to bed to begin with.

 

[cvjw]

Checked in as a platinum a few nights ago. Earliest time available was 12:15. Our last 3 cruises, we checked in with everyone else and got 11:15.

 

[pearljammer]

Checked in as a platinum a few nights ago. Earliest time available was 12:15. Our last 3 cruises, we checked in with everyone else and got 11:15.

Interesting. Thank you for the info.

 

[enzy65]

So how does it work in getting PATs? Does it make a difference whether you drive or take DCL transportation? Does it depend on your cc level?
It doesn’t matter it me what we get, like arriving later anyway. Just curious how it works.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So how does it work in getting PATs? Does it make a difference whether you drive or take DCL transportation? Does it depend on your cc level?
It doesn’t matter it me what we get, like arriving later anyway. Just curious how it works.

You will be prompted to select a PAT based, generally, on how you are coming to the port, and how many slots have been filled up by the time you select.

 

[dwg]

So how does it work in getting PATs? Does it make a difference whether you drive or take DCL transportation? Does it depend on your cc level?
It doesn’t matter it me what we get, like arriving later anyway. Just curious how it works.

Online checkin date is determined by your Castaway club level. Pearl is the earliest, Platinum next, etc. I think there are other factors depending on if you are taking Disney transportation vs getting to the port by your own method.

 

[otten]

We checked in last week. We’re taking DCL transport and we’re preassigned 11:30. No on in our cruise group who isn’t taking DCL transport seems to have gotten anything earlier than noon regardless of CC level.

 

[pearljammer]

Okay, I did wonder if the arrival had anything to do with it as it does ask you how you are arriving. I see a pre-arranged Disney transport got an early time of 11:30. While we are driving, the earliest selection was 12:30. It may be they are using these earlier times those taking their transport. Spreading out the early times across their transport buses. Hmmm……

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Okay, I did wonder if the arrival had anything to do with it as it does ask you how you are arriving. I see a pre-arranged Disney transport got an early time of 11:30. While we are driving, the earliest selection was 12:30. It may be they are using these earlier times those taking their transport. Spreading out the early times across their transport buses. Hmmm……

I believe the theory is - arriving via DCL transfers, they know what times those buses will get there, generally because they are on a schedule (of sorts). While individuals driving can adjust their arrival times as necessary.

 

[Dug720]

It's seemed to be DCL transportation from WDW get the earliest times, then DCL transport from MCO, then people arriving by other means on their own.

If the earliest are seeming to be 11:30 for a given sailing there could be a required inspection/drill that will impact boarding times and put them later.

 

[kps7795]

We checked in last week. We’re taking DCL transport and we’re preassigned 11:30. No on in our cruise group who isn’t taking DCL transport seems to have gotten anything earlier than noon regardless of CC level.

Can I please ask what Boarding Group you were assigned? We're Platinum and stayed up until midnight to check-in and were still assigned 11:45 port arrival time with Boarding Group 8.

 

[otten]

Can I please ask what Boarding Group you were assigned? We're Platinum and stayed up until midnight to check-in and were still assigned 11:45 port arrival time with Boarding Group 8.

4.

 

[kps7795]

4.

Do you mind if I ask what CC status you are?

 

[otten]

Do you mind if I ask what CC status you are?

Silver.

On our sailing anyway it appears that everyone taking dcl transport got earlier PATs and boarding groups, regardless of CC status.

Seems like with the additional Pearl status DCl has really watered down the benefits for platinum cruisers which really sucks for you all. Giving all the early PATs to people using DCL transport also seems like they are hoping to push more people to pay for that add on.

 

[RedHead0186]

Silver.

On our sailing anyway it appears that everyone taking dcl transport got earlier PATs and boarding groups, regardless of CC status.

Seems like with the additional Pearl status DCl has really watered down the benefits for platinum cruisers which really sucks for you all. Giving all the early PATs to people using DCL transport also seems like they are hoping to push more people to pay for that add on.

Agreed. It was Platinum check in for my cruise today and I think the earliest PAT I saw for them was about 12:15. So it does seem DCL is reserving earlier PATs for Pearl and DCL transport (and of course, concierge).

 

[Calantha]

Agreed. It was Platinum check in for my cruise today and I think the earliest PAT I saw for them was about 12:15. So it does seem DCL is reserving earlier PATs for Pearl and DCL transport (and of course, concierge).

I checked in as Gold a few days ago, and got 12:15, BG11 (it was the next morning so I was a bit late).

 

[kps7795]

Agreed. It was Platinum check in for my cruise today and I think the earliest PAT I saw for them was about 12:15. So it does seem DCL is reserving earlier PATs for Pearl and DCL transport (and of course, concierge).

I can completely understand reserving PATs for Pearl and concierge, but since when is DCL transport getting preference?!?

 

[RedHead0186]

I can completely understand reserving PATs for Pearl and concierge, but since when is DCL transport getting preference?!?

It appears that's a newer thing. As @otten pointed out, it might be to encourage more people to pay for that option? That's just speculation. To be fair, so is the comment that DCL transport is getting reserved PATs. That's just observations based on what's happened in the past couple of months.

 

[FastPasser.]

I don’t stay up until midnight to check in, I get whatever I get the next morning. I’m happy as long as I’m onboard before the ship leaves.

 

[Dug720]

I can completely understand reserving PATs for Pearl and concierge, but since when is DCL transport getting preference?!?

I think since the restart when they are picking up at the resorts around 8/8:30.

Since you can't pick when you are picked up when using DCL transportation, it's really only fair that they give the arrival time/boarding groups based on when you're going to be getting there. If you choose to rent a car, use Uber/Lyft/car service, you get a say in when you get on the road.