Port Arrival Time

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I'm not sure it's the port as much as it is the itinerary. A rarer itinerary is likely to have more higher level Castaway Club people on it, which makes it harder for you to get a higher PAT/BG. Yes I know you're platinum, but if you're on a sailing full of Pearls and other Platinums, that'll make it harder. If you're on a sailing with lots of newbies, golds, and silvers, then you'll have an earlier crack at picking your PAT. I would imagine the 'bread and butter' 3/4 night itineraries on the Wish that leave out of Port Canaveral, for example, don't usually have a high number of higher CC level sailors. But, a rarer/longer itinerary might.

Makes sense. I’ll keep my hopes up

 

[anjuan]

I'm not sure it's the port as much as it is the itinerary. A rarer itinerary is likely to have more higher level Castaway Club people on it, which makes it harder for you to get a higher PAT/BG. Yes I know you're platinum, but if you're on a sailing full of Pearls and other Platinums, that'll make it harder. If you're on a sailing with lots of newbies, golds, and silvers, then you'll have an earlier crack at picking your PAT. I would imagine the 'bread and butter' 3/4 night itineraries on the Wish that leave out of Port Canaveral, for example, don't usually have a high number of higher CC level sailors. But, a rarer/longer itinerary might.

We're on the 10 night Southern at the end of July out of Port Canaveral. I know that there are a lot of platinum and pearl on our cruise. We're platinum. I'm very curious to see was PAT I'll be able to get.

 

[anjuan]

We're on the 10 night Southern at the end of July out of Port Canaveral. I know that there are a lot of platinum and pearl on our cruise. We're platinum. I'm very curious to see was PAT I'll be able to get.

I checked in last night and was able to get PAT at 11:30, boarding group 9. I didn't see any other Platinum cruisers in our Facebook group that wasn't taking DCL transportation get a lower PAT.

 

[Goofy1932]

So if I don't want to stand in a long line inside to check in I should try for a later boarding time?

 

[auntlynne]

So if I don't want to stand in a long line inside to check in I should try for a later boarding time?

The easy answer is Yes. If they are enforcing PATs, you will proceed to the check-in line based on assigned time. If your status in Castaway Club is never sailed, Silver, or Gold, you get in a line with a larger group of people. And a lot of people want to get on early. Including bus riders.

And it is Port Arrival Time. You certainly aren’t boarding then. But it’s not a terribly long wait until you do board if you stick with your assigned time.

Longer answer: Somewhat depends on your Castaway Club status. Platinum and Pearl level have their own check-in line(s). And usually a lower Boarding Group (BG). They are the first ones allowed to select Port Arrival Time (PAT) during online check-in.

If you are able to get an earlier PAT, you should get a somewhat low BG.

Disney bus riders arrive and go straight into the boarding queue. Guests arriving via private means are the ones who will line up based on Port Arrival Time.

Concierge Guests arrive at will, but also have their own check-in line (and waiting area).

So a fair number of people arrive for early PATs - but they still have to be checked in.

For the rest of the guests, it is probably not likely to get a very low BG or early PAT.

But remember, it’s a fairly small window for all this.

Once they start calling BGs, it moves fairly quickly. And they have to scan everyone who has been gathering.

So a little later, like noon or 12:30, should have people moving onto the ship.

I think the pacing of check-in is somewhat controlled to keep the line for carryon bag x-ray not to back up too far.

 

[Goofy1932]

The easy answer is Yes. If they are enforcing PATs, you will proceed to the check-in line based on assigned time. If your status in Castaway Club is never sailed, Silver, or Gold, you get in a line with a larger group of people. And a lot of people want to get on early. Including bus riders.

And it is Port Arrival Time. You certainly aren’t boarding then. But it’s not a terribly long wait until you do board if you stick with your assigned time.

Longer answer: Somewhat depends on your Castaway Club status. Platinum and Pearl level have their own check-in line(s). And usually a lower Boarding Group (BG). They are the first ones allowed to select Port Arrival Time (PAT) during online check-in.

If you are able to get an earlier PAT, you should get a somewhat low BG.

Disney bus riders arrive and go straight into the boarding queue. Guests arriving via private means are the ones who will line up based on Port Arrival Time.

Concierge Guests arrive at will, but also have their own check-in line (and waiting area).

So a fair number of people arrive for early PATs - but they still have to be checked in.

For the rest of the guests, it is probably not likely to get a very low BG or early PAT.

But remember, it’s a fairly small window for all this.

Once they start calling BGs, it moves fairly quickly. And they have to scan everyone who has been gathering.

So a little later, like noon or 12:30, should have people moving onto the ship.

I think the pacing of check-in is somewhat controlled to keep the line for carryon bag x-ray not to back up too far.

Thanks. I was just hoping that if I chose a later time then the check-in line would be shorter because most people would already be on the ship and the line would be smaller. (First time sailing)

 

[Akck]

Thanks. I was just hoping that if I chose a later time then the check-in line would be shorter because most people would already be on the ship and the line would be smaller. (First time sailing)

My process is to get a PAT just before they start to board the ship, usually 11:15-11:45 for say a 11:45-12:00 start of boarding. That way, there’s just a short waiting period for your BG to be called (seems they add the next BG about every 3-5 minutes). It’s similar to the airport where many stand around the gate, waiting for their group to be called, so you have to weave around groups waiting. We’ve been able to get BG 6 most of the time, so it works out well. If we got a higher BG, I might delay our PAT to 11:45-12:15. While the line might be long, it moves relatively quickly and we’ve waited maybe 20-25 minutes to check in.

 

[Racer X]

FWIW here is my experience from the 9/20 Wish sailing. Had a 11:45pm PAT. We drove to port at 10:45 so we had time to park and handle luggage. Had no issues parking at this time. Arrived at the entry area around 11:15ish and they had lines all setup for times which was very organized. Our 11:45 line was not yet open so we were just hanging around to the side when approached by a CM re why we were just waiting around... i was convinced we were going to be sent to the gulag until 11:45 however to my surprise we were ushered into the port in an empty line! He had no had no idea if we were newbies or Pearl just a nice gesture and appreciated since it was hot and humid! It was not busy in the check-in area (which is now downstairs as opposed to upstairs in the terminal - which actually worked well). Had boarding group 10 and was on the ship by noon. Everything was very smooth and quick.