What exactly does port arrival time mean?

[yorkieteacher]

So excited we scored an early port arrival time, (10:45-11) for our first Disney Cruise! We want to experience as much on the ship for as long as possible. Now, does PAT mean we pull up to the porters before we park at 10:45, or could we get into the terminal at 10:45 to begin check in, or what? I know our boarding time will not be at 10:45, but I am hoping it will be a low group number since we have an early PAT. Once we enter the terminal do we just hop in line with everyone, even if they have a later PAT than us? Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Like a fast pass it's a slot when you aim to turn up, a virtual queue. Now your boarding card will be tied to it.
The reason is that the terminal should only hold a set number of people, and nearly everyone wants to get there early.

You can turn up/ pull up at 10.30 but people with an earlier PAT will get a lower boarding card so get on quicker, however you should be able to check in, unless the terminal is full, running late, etc.

They have the right to take others with lower PATs in first but often that doesn't occur.

 

[Weedy]

As you know your boarding # is tied to your PAT. So if you show up earlier or later than your PAT you will still get the same boarding #.
At Port Canaveral the parking garage opens at 10am (sometimes a little earlier) the terminal opens at 10:30. People will wait outside the terminal or on the 3rd floor of the parking garage until the terminal opens at 10:30.
Once in the terminal you will check in at this time you will get your boarding #.
Concierge and Platinum will get boarding # 1 and sometimes 2. Then they will start with everyone else. They start boarding 11:15-11:30. Once they start it goes very fast. The terminal will be full of people but there will be a que at the front that you will be able to enter once they call your boarding#. The same way the do for boarding a plane.
I think with your boarding time you will get a boarding # of 4 or 5.

 

[mmouse37]

Adding on to previous posts....once you are checked in you can just wait (there will be a character photo op, cartoons on the TV, rest rooms, seating, ship model to look at, etc. ) until your boarding number is called and then pass through the Mickey Ears, scan your KTTW card at the kiosk, continue to embarkation photo (if you want one) and then continue on to the gangway to board the ship.

Here are some pics of the Mickey Ears that you will pass through leaving the terminal when your boarding number is called and other shots of the terminal.




MJ

 

[yorkieteacher]

As you know your boarding # is tied to your PAT. So if you show up earlier or later than your PAT you will still get the same boarding #.
At Port Canaveral the parking garage opens at 10am (sometimes a little earlier) the terminal opens at 10:30. People will wait outside the terminal or on the 3rd floor of the parking garage until the terminal opens at 10:30.
Once in the terminal you will check in at this time you will get your boarding #.
Concierge and Platinum will get boarding # 1 and sometimes 2. Then they will start with everyone else. They start boarding 11:15-11:30. Once they start it goes very fast. The terminal will be full of people but there will be a que at the front that you will be able to enter once they call your boarding#. The same way the do for boarding a plane.
I think with your boarding time you will get a boarding # of 4 or 5.

This is really helpful-so once we enter the terminal at about 1045, about how long does it take to check in if we have all our forms printed from online check in and have registered online for the kids club? You mentioned we may be in boarding group 4 or 5. Can we reasonably expect to be boarding about 1130 or so if the first groups board at 11? Getting very excited! Thank you so much!

 

[Weedy]

This is really helpful-so once we enter the terminal at about 1045, about how long does it take to check in if we have all our forms printed from online check in and have registered online for the kids club? You mentioned we may be in boarding group 4 or 5. Can we reasonably expect to be boarding about 1130 or so if the first groups board at 11? Getting very excited! Thank you so much!

It does not take long to check it. They have many areas open to check in. Once they start boarding they call a new boarding group about every 5 minutes. Just for perspective they usually have the terminal clear and go to an "open boarding" ( there is no line so you don't need a boarding #) about 12:30-12:45.
Once you have checked in and if you have a lower boarding # I suggest working your way towards the Mickey Ears. Because just like the airport people block the entrance to the que line long before their # is due to be called. But please stand clear of the entrance of the que line.

 

[Weedy]

One more fun tip. If your kids like to collect the pressed pennies there is a pressed penny machine in the terminal. Last summer when I cruised it was to the left of the Mickey Ears.
You will need to have quarters and pennies available. This is your only chance to do this there are no machines on the ship. It cost .51 per pressed penny.

 

[anricat]

One more fun tip. If your kids like to collect the pressed pennies there is a pressed penny machine in the terminal. Last summer when I cruised it was to the left of the Mickey Ears.
You will need to have quarters and pennies available. This is your only chance to do this there are no machines on the ship. It cost .51 per pressed penny.

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Though if you forget before cruising, like we did, just ask if you can pop back upstairs after you clear customs upon disembarking. They had no problem with me running up there and using the machines.

 

[ReadyForVacation]

We just got off the Dream 9/14/15. Our PAT was 11:15-11:30. We had boarding number 9 and was on the ship just before noon!

 

[afyoung]

This is really helpful-so once we enter the terminal at about 1045, about how long does it take to check in if we have all our forms printed from online check in and have registered online for the kids club? You mentioned we may be in boarding group 4 or 5. Can we reasonably expect to be boarding about 1130 or so if the first groups board at 11? Getting very excited! Thank you so much!

We had a 10:45 PAT for our cruise last year, had all of our paperwork printed and ready to go when we got there, and had already preregistered our kids for the kids club. We were in boarding group 5 and were in line for the embarkation photo before 11:30. We had time to use the restroom, get our picture made with Captain Mickey and Goofy with time to also look around the terminal before we were called to board. We did not stand in line at the kid's club station in the port (and were glad- it was long) but went up to the kid's club after lunch in order to get them their bands and checked in properly. We didn't know then, but know now that we can skip that embarkation photo- which gets you on the ship faster.

 

[DisneyGayl]

Thanks for the embarkation information! We leave in 12 days for our cruise. We haven't done a DCL cruise in 10 years, so this whole PAT thing is new to me! I am a little disappointed that our PAT is 1:30. I didn't realize that I had to report all of our information including our flights and transfers to and from the port in order to get a PAT! Live and learn!!

From your replies, it sounds like after we check in (with our late PAT) we may be able to just board the ship and not have to wait for a boarding group number. That would be nice! I'd like to board ASAP!

Gayl

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for the embarkation information! We leave in 12 days for our cruise. We haven't done a DCL cruise in 10 years, so this whole PAT thing is new to me! I am a little disappointed that our PAT is 1:30. I didn't realize that I had to report all of our information including our flights and transfers to and from the port in order to get a PAT! Live and learn!!

From your replies, it sounds like after we check in (with our late PAT) we may be able to just board the ship and not have to wait for a boarding group number. That would be nice! I'd like to board ASAP!

Gayl

Even with a PAT of 1:30, I'd suggest arriving around 12:30. By that time, generally, the boarding line has been pretty much boarded, and Open Boarding has begun (or will soon). That means anyone holding any boarding number may board, as soon as they are checked in.

 

[spottycotty]

Is it a problem if we arrive after our POT and miss it???
What happens then? We've got ground transportation and a PAT OF 11.30

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it a problem if we arrive after our POT and miss it???
What happens then? We've got ground transportation and a PAT OF 11.30

No, the PAT is more of a "no earlier than" time than a specific window. As noted, regardless of when you actually arrive (and check in) your actual boarding number will remain the same, as it's tied to your PAT, not the time you check in at the port.

 

[mdb07]

Does anyone know how they handle groups with different PATs? My family has three rooms on the Fantasy and 4 of us have a PAT of 10:45, but the other 2 of us have 11:30. We are all taking the Disney bus from the airport. Will we have to wait until all of us have reached out PAT before we can go in? Or will they let us all go in at the earliest PAT since we are all together?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does anyone know how they handle groups with different PATs? My family has three rooms on the Fantasy and 4 of us have a PAT of 10:45, but the other 2 of us have 11:30. We are all taking the Disney bus from the airport. Will we have to wait until all of us have reached out PAT before we can go in? Or will they let us all go in at the earliest PAT since we are all together?

Typically, unless the terminal is full (as it can be before actual boarding begins) you can enter the terminal when you arrive. However, if everyone in your group arrives at 10:45, and the terminal is full, the ones who do not have a 10:45 PAT may be asked to wait.

All that said, arriving via DCL transport, you all will be allowed to enter at the same time, and check in, however, those with the later PAT will be issued a higher boarding number. DCL asks all groups with different boarding numbers, who wish to board the ship together, to wait and board with the highest boarding number.

 

[Weedy]

Thanks for the embarkation information! We leave in 12 days for our cruise. We haven't done a DCL cruise in 10 years, so this whole PAT thing is new to me! I am a little disappointed that our PAT is 1:30. I didn't realize that I had to report all of our information including our flights and transfers to and from the port in order to get a PAT! Live and learn!!

From your replies, it sounds like after we check in (with our late PAT) we may be able to just board the ship and not have to wait for a boarding group number. That would be nice! I'd like to board ASAP!

Gayl

I hope this make sence:
Are you arriving a day before you are sailing? If so check and make sure that Disney knows that. People have reported that when this has happened to them the system assigns them a later PAT because if thinks their plane does't arrive in time to get to the port before the 1:30 time. It thinks that their plane arrives the same day they are crusuing. Also make sure if you are arriving very early the morning of the correct arrival time of your flight is in the system.

 

[mdb07]

Thank you, PrincessSchmoo!

 

[DisneyGayl]

I hope this make sence:
Are you arriving a day before you are sailing? If so check and make sure that Disney knows that. People have reported that when this has happened to them the system assigns them a later PAT because if thinks their plane does't arrive in time to get to the port before the 1:30 time. It thinks that their plane arrives the same day they are crusuing. Also make sure if you are arriving very early the morning of the correct arrival time of your flight is in the system.

Weedy - that does make sense! I verified that Disney knows that we are arriving on the day of the cruise. I think I got such a late PAT because I waited until I booked our flights to complete the on-line check-in process.

We are flying into Orlando that morning at 11:00 am and taking the Magical Express to the port. I think the earliest we can get there is 12:30 pm, so a PAT of 1:30 isn't the end of the world!

Gayl