PORT ARRIVAL TIME WINDOWS ... ? enforced

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We are wondering : HOW STRICTLY is the Port Arrival Time ENFORCED in recent sailings ? For the DREAM ship ?
or also for the Magic /Wonder ?

If you have a windows arrival time between 11.30 and 12.00 and arrive at 11.00, what happens? Can you enter the terminal ?
If you HAVE to wait for your scheduled time ... WHERE are you directed to ?

THANKS !!! laura

 

[Dizzyworld]

From what I've read, the times haven't been enforced. But it looks like that might be changing on Aug. 2. At this point, nobody knows how DCL is going to handle this.

 

[kritter]

Hi Laura,

From what concierges told me yesterday was that if you arrive earlier than your scheduled time you will be asked to wait in the holding area outside of the terminal. She said that this is new. That only when it is your time will you be allowed into the terminal. Hope that helps!!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

 

[PoohJen]

Hmmm. I'm sailing in 2 weeks, and THANKFULLY have the earliest check-in time but to be honest, I think that it would be unfair to impose such restrictions for folks travelling some distance, or, say, from the airport, i.e., less flexibility re: arrival.

Dizzy, why do you think they are changing Aug 2?

Anyone know what time they are letting Dream cruisers get dropped off at the terminal these days? I used to arrive at 9:30 for 10 am opening, but was planning on 9 this time around...I'm reading so many different experiences, I'm getting confused as to when parking lot opens, when baggage handlers start, when you can go thru security, etc!

TIA!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jen, the new 11AM port opening doesn't go into effect until Aug 2. Part of the reason they are doing it is becuase of the congestion with people arriving while others are still getting off the ship, trying to catch shuttles or getting their cars out of the lot. Then there is the terminal congestion problem (I'm betting fire codes have been violated here!!). Having guests arrive closer to actual boarding time should help with the flow, since boarding would start about 45 minutes into the process, to keep people moving through. Of course, DCL hasn't been very good about TELLING ANYONE ABOUT THIS, except for small print in recent documents and now having 11AM be the earliest time you can select when doing online check in.

Personally, for your cruise next week, I wouldn't show up before 9:30.

.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Can you image Aug 2? It will be 95 degrees with sunny skies and DCL is going to tell families with small children at 10am sorry you can not go inside because your checkin time is not until 12pm. You must stay outside in the hot sun for the next 2 hours in a special line. Can you even image the pr disaster as all these people start complaining. What a way to start a Disney family vaction.

 

[dustermom02]

I'm curious about this too since my family is spread out over different arrival times and we all plan to arrive together in a large van. My family & my parents have an 11:30 arrival time. My sister forgot to logon until much later and her family has a 1:30 arrival time. We'll see what happens when we all show up together.

When we sailed before I remember arriving at more like 10am. It's going to be really hard to keep the kids - and adults -from heading to the terminal as early as possible when they all know what's in store!

 

[bbn1122]

I recently read about the port now opening at 11am from these boards, but I just check our port arrival time again and it still has us for 10:30 - 11a for our August 25th cruise.

I thought from what I read I that our arrival time would change to 11am, anyone have any insight.

I figured I will check again, as we get closer. I was excited about the time. I guess no matter what we have a very early arrival time.

Thanks for letting me tag along on this post.....

 

[BelleProfHP]

Can you image Aug 2? It will be 95 degrees with sunny skies and DCL is going to tell families with small children at 10am sorry you can not go inside because your checkin time is not until 12pm. You must stay outside in the hot sun for the next 2 hours in a special line. Can you even image the pr disaster as all these people start complaining. What a way to start a Disney family vaction.

Well, one would hope that adults are able to know the difference between right and wrong and the importance of following directions. If you have a 12pm check-in, you shouldn't arrive at 10am. Teaching children that the rules DO apply to them is a great way to start a family vacation!

 

[LadyDre]

Well, one would hope that adults are able to know the difference between right and wrong and the importance of following directions. If you have a 12pm check-in, you shouldn't arrive at 10am. Teaching children that the rules DO apply to them is a great way to start a family vacation!

 

[VKtravel]

We sail with PoohJen in two weeks also but may not arrive until after our scheduled port arrival time. We got an online check in time of 11-11:30 but shuttle does not pick us up from hotel until 11:00. I'm hoping that won't push us back to the end of the line because we may be a little late. Does anyone know? What time do the DCL buses arrive at the port? I have a feeling there will be a big rush when they get there.

 

[DisGal520]

hot sun???

Hey how is two hours in the morning sun before boarding going to be any different than the hot sun 2 hours after you board the ship?? Or the hot sun in the parks???

Its Florida folks.
Lt's see - where did I put my sunglasses> Oh - here they are!

 

[cypressmom]

Well, one would hope that adults are able to know the difference between right and wrong and the importance of following directions. If you have a 12pm check-in, you shouldn't arrive at 10am. Teaching children that the rules DO apply to them is a great way to start a family vacation!

I am new to this forum and cruising, and am constantly chaking my head at what I read here...
"Yes, the dress code says no shorts for dinner, but we do it all the time."
"I know my check-in is 1:30, but I plan on arriving by 10:00. Surely they will let me check in..."
"The kids club age is 3, but can I put my 2 year old in there?"
"Will the break the rules on the age restriction for excursions for me?"

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

 

[lbgraves]

I'm curious about this too since my family is spread out over different arrival times and we all plan to arrive together in a large van. My family & my parents have an 11:30 arrival time. My sister forgot to logon until much later and her family has a 1:30 arrival time. We'll see what happens when we all show up together.

When we sailed before I remember arriving at more like 10am. It's going to be really hard to keep the kids - and adults -from heading to the terminal as early as possible when they all know what's in store!

The notice that hast been posted says that if you have different arrival times and want to all arrive together, you need to show up at the latest time. The guard at the gate who checks IDs will also have your arrival time noted. If that time has not come yet, you don't get through the gates and will have to wait in a designated area. There will also be an area for those who have not signed up for a time.

Well, one would hope that adults are able to know the difference between right and wrong and the importance of following directions. If you have a 12pm check-in, you shouldn't arrive at 10am. Teaching children that the rules DO apply to them is a great way to start a family vacation!

We sail with PoohJen in two weeks also but may not arrive until after our scheduled port arrival time. We got an online check in time of 11-11:30 but shuttle does not pick us up from hotel until 11:00. I'm hoping that won't push us back to the end of the line because we may be a little late. Does anyone know? What time do the DCL buses arrive at the port? I have a feeling there will be a big rush when they get there.

I would imagine that, like the boarding cards, if you have an earlier time then you will be allowed in. Also, I thought I read that the busses unload at a different place and that if you had purchased DCL transfers you don't select an arrival time.


There are many who have posted they are going to arrive early anyway or not sign up for a time. If someone intentionally does this to try to get away with it and "force" DCL to let them in early, it's not DCL's fault if their kids have to stand outside for two hours. The way it's been for many Dream cruises, people have been standing for that long in the sun and the rain anyway. This is DCL's attempt at eliminating that. IMO, it's not fair to the people who adhere to the rules to have to have their wait time extended because of those people who think that the rules do not apply to them for whatever reason.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Dizzy, why do you think they are changing Aug 2?

Even though our check-in time still says 10:30 - 11 online, in our docs on the "Table of Contents" page at the bottom in very tiny letters it says the terminal will not open until 11 AM. I don't think DCL is doing a good job of getting the word out to the people who sail on that day and beyond. Therefore if they try to enforce the new rule, it is going to be crazy.

This will be the second leg of our B2B cruises so we will see how it effects us too. Even though the terminal and parking lot isn't open until 11 AM (read that somewhere too), it does not mean they could not have a counter open for the B2B inside. I guess we'll see.

 

[kritter]

The notice that hast been posted says that if you have different arrival times and want to all arrive together, you need to show up at the latest time. The guard at the gate who checks IDs will also have your arrival time noted. If that time has not come yet, you don't get through the gates and will have to wait in a designated area. There will also be an area for those who have not signed up for a time.







I would imagine that, like the boarding cards, if you have an earlier time then you will be allowed in. Also, I thought I read that the busses unload at a different place and that if you had purchased DCL transfers you don't select an arrival time.


There are many who have posted they are going to arrive early anyway or not sign up for a time. If someone intentionally does this to try to get away with it and "force" DCL to let them in early, it's not DCL's fault if their kids have to stand outside for two hours. The way it's been for many Dream cruises, people have been standing for that long in the sun and the rain anyway. This is DCL's attempt at eliminating that. IMO, it's not fair to the people who adhere to the rules to have to have their wait time extended because of those people who think that the rules do not apply to them for whatever reason.

THe above points are exactly what Concierges told me on Friday when they called. They told me that if you currently have a 10:30 arrival time they are in the process of changing those times. So you will not keep that time. If you choose to arrive earlier than your time you will be told to go and wait in the "holding area." Concierges confirmed that there will be no exceptions and it will not be there fault if you arrive earlier and are made to wait. The 11:00 times will only be for those that have it reserved online and those who are concierges!!

 

[OurDogCisco]

We just came back from the 6/26 Dream cruise and I consider my self pretty computer savvy and I had a diificult time finding online check-in on their website. I think when you log into your page a pop-up window should pop-up indicating you need to register online. I registered late and got 12:30 time but arrived at 9:30 am. I'm all for following rules but it needs to be a two way street and I don't think Disney does. For example, the navigator says Palo reservations start at 1 pm. It doesn't. It really starts the minute you can board. I learned the hard way.

 

[blessedmomofboys]

I'm all for DCL to start enforcing the check in time along with other rules. Rules are put in place for a reason and if they aren't enforced then what's the point.