WDW to Port Canaveral

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

We are staying at WDW the night before our cruise and will be driving our own car to the port. How much time should we account for to get to Port Canaveral from SSR? We would like to take our time and not have to rush out that morning. Maybe head to Disney Springs before we head out. I think I can do the online check in tomorrow night and am not sure which time I should pick (if I'm understanding correctly I can pick when we board the ship?) and how long to account for travel. Thanks in advance for advice!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are staying at WDW the night before our cruise and will be driving our own car to the port. How much time should we account for to get to Port Canaveral from SSR? We would like to take our time and not have to rush out that morning. Maybe head to Disney Springs before we head out. I think I can do the online check in tomorrow night and am not sure which time I should pick (if I'm understanding correctly I can pick when we board the ship?) and how long to account for travel. Thanks in advance for advice!

It's about an hour from WDW to the port. Of course, that depends on the traffic/road conditions.

Picking a Port Arrival Time is picking the time you think you'll be arriving at the port, not boarding the ship. Your boarding number that you get at check in at the port is tied the PAT you select, however (earlier PAT = lower boarding number). If you arrive after 12:30, you're likely to find that Open boarding has been called (anyone holding any boarding number may board) and you'll board directly after checking in.

The port opens at 10:30 for check in.

 

[Weedy]

You will actually pick a Port Arrival Time -PAT.
When you arrive at the port you will check in and be given a boarding #.
It is about a one hour drive from WDW to the port.
The parking garage at the port opens at 10am. The terminal at 10:30. The usually start boarding 11:15-11:30. Around 12:30-12:45 there is no longer a line to get onboard and they go to an "open boarding" no line you check in and walk on.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Ok, so if it goes to open boarding there is no line? Is that not better/more convenient? Just arrive when you arrive and walk on? So folks don't start actually getting on the ship until 1:30, right? Thank you so much for helping!

 

[KristiMc]

Ok, so if it goes to open boarding there is no line? Is that not better/more convenient? Just arrive when you arrive and walk on? So folks don't start actually getting on the ship until 1:30, right? Thank you so much for helping!

Boarding usually starts between 11:15-11:30. By 12:30 they are usually in open boarding so after you check-in you can walk right on the ship.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

I'm a little confused. On the itinerary it says onboard at 3:45. So that really changes and you pick what time you'd actually like to come on board? Is it a big deal to be one of the first ones to board? Could we leisurely leave WDW that morning and just go when it's open boarding? I am so sorry for all of the questions! I am able to book tonight and feel so lost.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm a little confused. On the itinerary it says onboard at 3:45. So that really changes and you pick what time you'd actually like to come on board? Is it a big deal to be one of the first ones to board? Could we leisurely leave WDW that morning and just go when it's open boarding? I am so sorry for all of the questions! I am able to book tonight and feel so lost.

Are you talking about the onboard time that's posted on a Navigator? Or an onboard time on something else?

Embarkation day boarding typically begins around 11:30. Maybe the confusion is due to the typical cruise line (not just Disney) information that boarding on embarkation day begins at 1:30. They do that so that people aren't getting mad at them, when boarding is delayed (for whatever reason).

The "onboard time" at each port will vary, depending on when the ship must depart the port.

As long as you arrive by the final onboard time (Oh, maybe that's what you're looking at!), you can arrive at anytime after your Port Arrival Time you selected.

 

[Weedy]

You are paying for the first day on the ship. Many people are anxious to start their vacation. Especially those on the shorter cruises.
The pools and slides are open around 12. Also the restaurants start serving lunch at 12.
All the restaurants and pools close at 3:30 so people can get ready for the lifeboat drill and will reopen 4:15-4:30.
Although you can't get in your cabin until 1:30 and your bags are delivered around 4. If your family wants to use the pool you may want to pack a small day bag with suits and sunscreen.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You are paying for the first day on the ship.

Actually, you're paying for the first night on the ship (cruises are sold as 4, or 7, or 14, or whatever night cruises). As most cruise lines do, DCL tries to get you on early in the afternoon, so you feel like you're getting more for your buck.

 

[KristiMc]

I'm a little confused. On the itinerary it says onboard at 3:45. So that really changes and you pick what time you'd actually like to come on board? Is it a big deal to be one of the first ones to board? Could we leisurely leave WDW that morning and just go when it's open boarding? I am so sorry for all of the questions! I am able to book tonight and feel so lost.

3:45 is the time you HAVE to be onboard by before the muster drill and the ship leaves.

 

[Weedy]

I'm a little confused. On the itinerary it says onboard at 3:45. So that really changes and you pick what time you'd actually like to come on board? Is it a big deal to be one of the first ones to board? Could we leisurely leave WDW that morning and just go when it's open boarding? I am so sorry for all of the questions! I am able to book tonight and feel so lost.

But as you noted the sweet spot is about 12:30. You will be able to check in and walk on and no need to rush in the morning.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Thank you all so much!! I really appreciate the patience and advice! We will shoot for around 12:30 so we can hang around SSR that morning and maybe ride over to Disney Springs before we leave for the cruise. Thanks again!

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

One more question! So sorry. If we have an earlier PAT but arrive later, is that a big deal? Is it better to make an earlier one if you can?

I can do online check in tonight. Do I check in and then try to book meet and greets? Or can I book meet and greets first? Not sure how fast these things will book up.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

One more question! So sorry. If we have an earlier PAT but arrive later, is that a big deal? Is it better to make an earlier one if you can?

I can do online check in tonight. Do I check in and then try to book meet and greets? Or can I book meet and greets first? Not sure how fast these things will book up.

The Port Arrival Time is really more of an "no earlier than..." time than an actual window that you MUST arrive between.

You can do either the check in or the meet & greets/excursions first. Whichever is most important that you get.

One note - in order for the Port Arrival Time page to unlock during your check in process, you MUST fill out all blanks on the previous pages. That means you must put something in each blank (be it accurate info or gibberish). Anything that needs correcting can be changed later.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

The Port Arrival Time is really more of an "no earlier than..." time than an actual window that you MUST arrive between.

You can do either the check in or the meet & greets/excursions first. Whichever is most important that you get.

One note - in order for the Port Arrival Time page to unlock during your check in process, you MUST fill out all blanks on the previous pages. That means you must put something in each blank (be it accurate info or gibberish). Anything that needs correcting can be changed later.

Ok thank you! I am probably making this more difficult than it needs to be! I just want to make sure I do it right. If I'm trying to get tickets to the princess meet and greets, I will go under my cruise activities to find that?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok thank you! I am probably making this more difficult than it needs to be! I just want to make sure I do it right. If I'm trying to get tickets to the princess meet and greets, I will go under my cruise activities to find that?

Yes, it's in the "Onboard Fun" tab:

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Yes, it's in the "Onboard Fun" tab:
View attachment 213941

Ok thank you! I don't see anything like that yet. When I click on "My Cruise Reservations" it just shows when it is, confirmation number, dining preference, guests, etc. Does the other information pop up once the window opens at 11:00 (central)?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok thank you! I don't see anything like that yet. When I click on "My Cruise Reservations" it just shows when it is, confirmation number, dining preference, guests, etc. Does the other information pop up once the window opens at 11:00 (central)?

Yes. Or soon thereafter. There are times it's not real prompt at opening at midnight. Even, rarely, not being available until the next morning. Sometimes the check in opens first and the excursions later, or vice versa. So don't get antsy, if your window doesn't open right away.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Yes. Or soon thereafter. There are times it's not real prompt at opening at midnight. Even, rarely, not being available until the next morning. Sometimes the check in opens first and the excursions later, or vice versa. So don't get antsy, if your window doesn't open right away.

You are so awesome! Thank you so much for all of the info!

 

[Dug720]

One more question! So sorry. If we have an earlier PAT but arrive later, is that a big deal? Is it better to make an earlier one if you can?

I can do online check in tonight. Do I check in and then try to book meet and greets? Or can I book meet and greets first? Not sure how fast these things will book up.

There is no penalty for arriving later than the PAT, but IMHO the most courteous thing to do is to select a later one if you know you're going to arrive later.

Obviously sometimes things happen (traffic, etc.) that makes people later, but I feel like it's rude to select an early time just because you can when you know you're not getting in until later. It could prevent someone who knows they can be there earlier from getting the earlier time.

I know - at least from reading this and other forums - I'm one of the few who feel that way though, so...