Two different PATs for linked reservations - how do they handle?

[squirk]

So, when I checked in last week, I got late PATs (1:30-1:45) for our two linked reservations for connecting staterooms.

Based on suggestions here, I kept going back to my OLCI page to see if earlier PATs suddenly became open. Lo and behold, a 12:15-12:30 PAT opened up....but only for one of the two linked reservations. I thought since they were linked, I would have a decent shot at getting them both moved up, but no dice (so far).

I will keep trying, but if I never get to move up the second PAT to match the first PAT, what will they do with us when we pull up to the terminal (driving in a single van) at 12:15?

Will they send us away and tell us to come back at the later PAT window? Or will they cut us some slack and allow all of us to enter at the earlier window?

The OLCI site says "we will do our best to accommodate the entire group at the same time," but I was wondering if anyone had any first-hand experience as to what actually happens.

Not looking for any special treatment. Just wondering how it plays out IRL.

Please and thank you.

 

[Calantha]

I’m sure the standard answer is ‘you have to wait until the later time.’

Anecdotally, when we went in 2019, there were four cabins. Due to a mixup when the reservations were made, three cabins were silver and one was not. The silver cabins had one PAT and the not-silver cabin had another PAT, but they still let us enter at the same time.

 

[squirk]

I’m sure the standard answer is ‘you have to wait until the later time.’

But "We will do our best to accommodate the entire group at the same time" suggests (to me, at least) that you should show up at the earlier PAT and they'll try to let everyone in. Or do you read that differently than me?

If the standard answer was "Show up at the later of the two PATs," I think the site would just flat-out say that, no?

Again, I was hoping somebody here has this exact same situation and could tell me how it shook out in the end.

 

[Calantha]

Or do you read that differently than me?

No I agree. I was just trying to head off the inevitable comments of "wait until the later time."

 

[Doingitagain]

I would think they would want groups to board together, even at the earlier time, as part of COVID precautions.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We had this exact issue in March. Two rooms where we had 2 different PATs (10:45/12:00) and Boarding Groups (6/10). We were allowed to drop off & test at the earlier PAT (arrived at 10:40), but we had to board with the later one.

 

[squirk]

I would think they would want groups to board together, even at the earlier time, as part of COVID precautions.

Yeah, that was my thought, too. My guess is that split PATs for linked reservations is not unheard of, but also likely not so common that letting everyone in on the earlier PAT would be disruptive.

The last time I drove into PC, the traffic was horrible. Backed up from the port itself, back along the exit ramp, and onto A1A.

So I would really hate to go through all that again, only to finally pull up to the port and be told we have to leave and come back in 90 minutes for the later PAT. Not even sure if there is somewhere to hang out on that 401 spur, so we don't have to get back on A1A again.

We had this exact issue in March. Two rooms where we had 2 different PATs (10:45/12:00) and Boarding Groups (6/10). We were allowed to drop off & test at the earlier PAT (arrived at 10:40), but we had to board with the later one.

Did you find a major time gap between the two groups being called? It's always seemed to us that a gap of 5 groups is an almost negligible time difference, given how fast the groups are called out once they get rolling.

 

[Dug720]

Did you find a major time gap between the two groups being called? It's always seemed to us that a gap of 5 groups is an almost negligible time difference, given how fast the groups are called out once they get rolling.

Curious about this timeline also as I have 6 and my parents have 10 (I think). They have said to go ahead on board and we will meet up there but if it is short and I can, waiting for them could be fun.

(Of course if the current resort pick-up timeline holds I will hop on board as that would be a long time.)

 

[lovingeire]

The last time we had this happen was 2019 and so of course, testing wasn't in play. My parents had a later time and we waited to board for their time. I believe our times were only about an hour apart so the wait wasn't too bad. Although at the time PC was packed as people waited to board.

 

[1200emily]

Have you tried changing the PAT under online check in? I was able to get an earlier port arrival time for both of my staterooms by keeping checking back

 

[squirk]

Have you tried changing the PAT under online check in? I was able to get an earlier port arrival time for both of my staterooms by keeping checking back

I have indeed. See my original post. That is how I got the one early PAT. But I have yet to get the same success with the other PAT.

 

[randumb0]

I just went through this. You will be able to test but you will not be able to board due to the later boarding group. You should just wait until the later time

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Funny question. When we had the 2 staterooms, the 'ears guardian' had us wait around 25 +- minutes for group 10. Last week, we (just DW & I) had 6 and the 'ears guardian' waved us through when they called group 2.

Yeah, that was my thought, too. My guess is that split PATs for linked reservations is not unheard of, but also likely not so common that letting everyone in on the earlier PAT would be disruptive.

The last time I drove into PC, the traffic was horrible. Backed up from the port itself, back along the exit ramp, and onto A1A.

So I would really hate to go through all that again, only to finally pull up to the port and be told we have to leave and come back in 90 minutes for the later PAT. Not even sure if there is somewhere to hang out on that 401 spur, so we don't have to get back on A1A again.



Did you find a major time gap between the two groups being called? It's always seemed to us that a gap of 5 groups is an almost negligible time difference, given how fast the groups are called out once they get rolling

 

[greensombrero]

So I’ve had both separate PATs and same PAT but different boarding group. We’ve always gone with earlier time/group without issue. We had adjoining cabins but are all one immediate family IE my wife and I and 4 kids. I don’t know if it would be different if we were an extended group but I’ve never had any issues nor has anyone really said anything.

 

[squirk]

So I’ve had both separate PATs and same PAT but different boarding group. We’ve always gone with earlier time/group without issue. We had adjoining cabins but are all one immediate family IE my wife and I and 4 kids. I don’t know if it would be different if we were an extended group but I’ve never had any issues nor has anyone really said anything.

Was that pre- or post-COVID?

 

[greensombrero]

Was that pre- or post-COVID?

We’ve sailed twice post Covid and once pre Covid. I’m trying to remember the specifics of each. I will say when we went on the Dream just 2 weeks ago it felt they were less strict about PAT then when we sailed the first time post Covid though that was a different port too. I don’t recall them checking both our forms I think I just showed them one and it seemed they were being pretty casual about the whole thing. Later in the process when we were actually testing and checking in we needed both forms. This last time though we had the same PAT and just different boarding groups. Honestly I personally don’t think you’ll have an issue going with your earlier time however I don’t work for Disney and that is just my impression based on my experiences. Again some of it may depend on if you look like one immediate family group or a more extended large group that could reasonable split up.

 

[squirk]

Again some of it may depend on if you look like one immediate family group or a more extended large group that could reasonable split up.

To that end, we will be a husband & wife & three kids in a single mini-van, so here's hopin'.