Port arrival time with DCL transportation from airport

[RobInMD]

Hi all,

First time cruiser here. I have a question about my port arrival time with regards to DCL transportation. I did the online check-in and selected 11:00 as my port arrival time (earliest available to us), but I'm also taking DCL transportation from the airport that morning. My plan is to catch the earliest possible bus from the airport in order to book some adult dining reservations.

Does using DCL transportation supersede the online port arrival time? Meaning if we get there earlier than our online check-in time, can we board earlier since we used Disney transportation?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[OKW Lover]

You'll be able to get into the port before your PAT if you are on the Disney bus. However, your actual boarding time will be unchanged. That's not really an issue since the desk for booking your dining reservations typically doesn't open until 1:00. Check the Navigator that they will give you at the terminal for the location and time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi all,

First time cruiser here. I have a question about my port arrival time with regards to DCL transportation. I did the online check-in and selected 11:00 as my port arrival time (earliest available to us), but I'm also taking DCL transportation from the airport that morning. My plan is to catch the earliest possible bus from the airport in order to book some adult dining reservations.

Does using DCL transportation supersede the online port arrival time? Meaning if we get there earlier than our online check-in time, can we board earlier since we used Disney transportation?

Thanks,
Robert

Arriving at the port via DCL transfers, you will be allowed to enter the terminal, regardless of your actual Port Arrival Time. BUT, your boarding number (which you get at check in) is tied to your PAT, so you won't be boarding with the earliest groups once boarding begins (around 11:15-11:30). You will get the same boarding number regardless if you check in 30 minutes earlier, or 3 hours later than your PAT.

 

[RobInMD]

Thanks for the responses. We have another family that we're traveling with and they booked the hotel/transportation through DCL. When they got to the option to choose a boarding time, it stated that they booked a pre-cruise hotel through DCL and weren't required to select a port arrival time. What time would their port arrival time be?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for the responses. We have another family that we're traveling with and they booked the hotel/transportation through DCL. When they got to the option to choose a boarding time, it stated that they booked a pre-cruise hotel through DCL and weren't required to select a port arrival time. What time would their port arrival time be?

Whenever they get there. I believe that DCL holds back some boarding numbers in the various windows for those people in that position. And their boarding number would be, probably, the first available number after they check in.

 

[lanejudy]

With an 11am PAT, as long as you arrive about then -- regardless of which transportation -- you should have no problem being onboard by 1pm when the dining changes desk opens. I wouldn't stress about it. Take whatever transportation you'd like, just plan to arrive by your PAT. It's been very rare that they check PATs anyway, but as mentioned you'll still board based on the PAT but you should be onboard before 1pm anyway.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[RobInMD]

Do there tend to be lines at the adult dining reservations? Just wondering if I should head there immediately after boarding and wait in line. We have a party of 6 that we're trying to get reservations for dinner at Remy.

Also do the beer/wine tasting signups also open up at the same time as the dining reservations?

Thanks for all of your helpful comments.

 

[Weedy]

Do there tend to be lines at the adult dining reservations? Just wondering if I should head there immediately after boarding and wait in line. We have a party of 6 that we're trying to get reservations for dinner at Remy.

Also do the beer/wine tasting signups also open up at the same time as the dining reservations?

Thanks for all of your helpful comments.

You can pre book the adult dining. 75 days prior if this is your 1st cruise. Just log on to your reservation on the Disney website

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do there tend to be lines at the adult dining reservations? Just wondering if I should head there immediately after boarding and wait in line. We have a party of 6 that we're trying to get reservations for dinner at Remy.

Also do the beer/wine tasting signups also open up at the same time as the dining reservations?

Thanks for all of your helpful comments.

We've had to change our Palo reservation at least 3 times, and I always just head for the Palo dining changes as soon as I board. If we're in a large group, I send the others on to lunch (or where ever) and I meet them later. Longest I waited at the Palo change table was about 3 minutes I think.