Some last minute questions (regarding porters and the app)

[Calantha]

Disney Navigator App: For the app on the ship - one of the threads said you don't have to sign in to the WiFi to be able to use the basic navigator features (chat and schedules) - just turn on Airplane mode. Is this true? I'm so afraid of iCloud eating all the data (I disabled everything else like automatic email pushes and phone/app updates). I don't want any outside internet access, but I do want to be able to use the Navigator app.

Porters: So, we we are taking a shuttle from a nearby hotel to Port Canaveral - I'm going to assume it will drop us off in front of the Disney terminal (is there an order to drop offs?). Do porters then appear to take the luggage or do we take it inside and then hand it off? Also - do they only take the bags you want to go to your room or do they take everything (and you get some of it back before boarding)? If you are a few minutes before your PAT, will they take it anyway? (The shuttle only leaves a few times, so we'll have to arrive slightly early).

Thanks!

 

[Simba]

Correct! As long as you are on airplane mode you can connect to the ship Wifi and use the Navigator. The only way to sign into outside internet (to receive email, texts, internet, etc) is to create a user name and password, pay for a internet plan and SIGN IN. So it is very easy to be connected to the Ship WIFI but not outside WIFI if that makes sense.

Yes they drop you off in front of the Disney terminal. The porters will be right at the drop off area to collect your luggage and make sure everything is tagged corrected to make sure it gets to your stateroom. Yes they only take what you want them to take. Make sure all "liquids" you take are in a carry on bag such as beer, wine, water or anything else you may take with you. Yes they don't know what your PAT is anyways so whenever you arrive they will take your luggage and it will magically appear outside your stateroom later in the day once on board.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

App: Yes, that is true.

Porters: They will grab your luggage that is being checked through at the curb where you are dropped off. They aren't worried about PAT. Anything you are carrying on goes with you.

 

[Weedy]

Have your luggage tags on your bags so they are ready for the porters to take them.
Keep your day bag with you with passport/birth certificates, ID, bathing suits, sunscreen and anything you need during the day.
Cabins aren’t available until 1:30 and bags may not be delivered until 4-5:00

 

[ember1205]

Airplane mode completely disables your cellular voice and data services. Period.

WiFi is nothing more than a connection to the onboard network. You could leave everything turned on for auto updates and everything else and not use a single, solitary bit of data.

A WiFi data package is an add-on item that gets you connectivity to the Internet. In order to use this, you have to choose a package, pay for it (maybe - the 50MB package is free to all before you leave port on day 1), and then log in to your data account with a web browser on your device. A single package can be shared among multiple people, too.

When you're done doing whatever you are looking to do while you're on your cruise, return to the web page and SIGN OUT.

iMessage can be risky for data because ALL messages between iMessage users work on data. When you're on WiFi at home or work, it uses THAT connection to the Internet. When there is no WiFi, it uses your cellular data connection to the Internet (not available on the ship if you keep your phone in airplane mode).

Disney is testing allowing iMessage on the ships at no charge, but I don't know the details for this as of this very moment or what might be offered when you actually cruise.

I bought a 1GB data package and struggled to use about 250MB (one quarter) of it before returning on a 7 night cruise (I was purposefully keeping my use down and NOT just wasting time on the Internet). I have done a 4 night cruise with the free 50MB package and didn't come close to using it. I am considering taking an old iPhone with me on my next cruise if they're still testing or offering free iMessage use purely for the messaging with others in my party (messaging on the DCL app is not reliable because the notifications do not work reliably - I suspect this is part of why they're piloting other messaging options).