What is ideal time for port arrival?

[Grand Michig(ian)?]

We are staying at the Orlando airport Hyatt the night before our cruise, and taking the DCL transfer from the airport. If I understand everything correctly they run the buses every half hour from 9:30a to 1:30p. Since we are taking DCL transfer we don't choose a port arrival time. So are there better times then others to try to get on the buses at the airport? If we were on that 9:30a bus, would we be sitting around the cruise terminal for a long time before boarding? We have young kids and would like to be boarding as soon as we could without waiting too long in the cruise terminal with nothing to do.

 

[com_op_2000]

The boarding number you get is based on your PAT.
The drive over to PC is about 1 hour, then you have check-in, then check-in for the kids club, and taking pictures of the ship model.
The first group to be called to start boards is usually between 11:15 - 11:30.
If you do not want to be in seated in the waiting area for your boarding number, then take a later bus, all aboard/open boarding time is usually @12:30 - 1:00.

 

[Grand Michig(ian)?]

Ok thanks for that reply.

 

[Grand Michig(ian)?]

Walk me through this example. If we were to take the 10a bus from airport, when would you think we could start boarding?

 

[com_op_2000]

Walk me through this example. If we were to take the 10a bus from airport, when would you think we could start boarding?

It is NOT the bus you get on that depends on your boarding time. It is the PAT that you get when you do online check-in.
What PAT did you choose?

 

[MnkyGirl]

It is NOT the bus you get on that depends on your boarding time. It is the PAT that you get when you do online check-in.
What PAT did you choose?

Things have recently changed and when you use Disney Transportation you don't get the option choose a PAT anymore. They just assign those using Disney Transportation a boarding group when they arrive and check in at the port.

 

[Weedy]

It’s about a 45 minuet drive from MCO to the port.
Once you arrive you will check in and will be given a boarding number.
Now is the million dollar question. That hasn’t been answered on this board.
For people coming on Disney transportation what boarding number they get?? You could get a higher number and have to wait 30 minuets or so once the boarding starts?? Since the no boarding number is new not a lot of people have posted what number they received.
They usually start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30.
Concierge and Platinum board first and then they start with everyone else. Calling the next number about every 5 minuets.
Usually 12:30-12:45 they go to open boarding meaning no line you will just check in and walk on.
Sooo... it’s kinda fun but crazy to be at the port early. Lots of excitement, characters will be out, you can get pictures. But long lines.
Or you could wait at your hotel (kinda boarding lol) arrive about 12:15 and avoid the lines.
Have a great cruise.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I would go for 9:30. The excitement will have everyone up by then anyway. Everyone will be anxious to get going, so might as well go.

You might have to wait in the terminal, but everyone can relax knowing you are ready to board! And I'd rather wait at the terminal than a hotel room.

 

[Leeba]

May I hijack this informative thread w/ a quick related question? What is the *latest* that one could or should arrive at the port?

With all the reading I've done on here w/ peoples' experiences, it seems like 1'ish is sort of a sweet spot, where you miss some early crowds and get to get to your room fairly quickly. So we may opt for that. But I'm curious about arriving later, because we'll be at a WDW resort that morning, so in case we're having fun lounging by the pool....

 

[Trera]

It’s about a 45 minuet drive from MCO to the port.
Once you arrive you will check in and will be given a boarding number.
Now is the million dollar question. That hasn’t been answered on this board.
For people coming on Disney transportation what boarding number they get?? You could get a higher number and have to wait 30 minuets or so once the boarding starts?? Since the no boarding number is new not a lot of people have posted what number they received.
They usually start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30.
Concierge and Platinum board first and then they start with everyone else. Calling the next number about every 5 minuets.
Usually 12:30-12:45 they go to open boarding meaning no line you will just check in and walk on.
Sooo... it’s kinda fun but crazy to be at the port early. Lots of excitement, characters will be out, you can get pictures. But long lines.
Or you could wait at your hotel (kinda boarding lol) arrive about 12:15 and avoid the lines.
Have a great cruise.

B2B cruisers are the first to board. Last time we cruised B2B, we got back on around 10:30ish.

 

[dcassetta]

May I hijack this informative thread w/ a quick related question? What is the *latest* that one could or should arrive at the port?

With all the reading I've done on here w/ peoples' experiences, it seems like 1'ish is sort of a sweet spot, where you miss some early crowds and get to get to your room fairly quickly. So we may opt for that. But I'm curious about arriving later, because we'll be at a WDW resort that morning, so in case we're having fun lounging by the pool....

I think arriving about 1 is perfect - no lines, can drop off carry-ons upon boarding, still time to eat MDR lunch if desired. But, I do not have the desire to board early, which I know is important to some people.

 

[Marc D]

The advantage of arriving on the earliest bus is that you will have little or no wait in line to the check-in counter, since you enter the terminal while it is still closed to other guests. You’ll have to wait after your check-in but at least you can take pictures, register for the kids club or check the navigator. If you arrive later, you’ll spend a lot of time in line unless you arrive much later.

 

[dvcgirl1]

The "best" time to arrive at the port really depends on what you and your family think you would like and how you feel about sitting and waiting at the port. Back in the day when you could arrive as early as 8 am and just wait all morning, we used to like to be the first in the terminal because they based your boarding number on that. Then, we would just sit around, get pics with characters, and get super excited, because we felt like the vacay started when we got all checked in. Now, they base your boarding number on online check-in PAT, so being first doesn't matter. We are Platinum though, so we get on the boat with the first groups. While I very much like getting on the boat right away, I must admit that I kind of miss having at least a little time to sit in the port terminal, because now we dont get the character photos or have that "build up" that we would have just sitting there waiting. Sounds dumb to some, I am sure, but everyone is different. I say try to get there somewhere in the middle (boarding usually begins about 11:15-11:30) so that you can have some time to enjoy both a little time in the terminal if you want, and then some time to explore the boat and perhaps let the kids swim before the pool gets packed. The Aquaduck is usually open also, so this might be a good time to get a ride before the lines grow. We (parents) used to like sitting around the pool for a while while the kids swam while we waited for our rooms to be ready, exhaling and reveling in the idea that we were finally here! It just almost seemed like extra time for us, before everything kind of gets started. Now that the boys are older, we usually spend that extra time going around and getting signed up for Mixology, possible meet and greets, Palo. Its nice to be able to do that and get it over with, before you get too busy. Everyone is different, though! Whatever you choose will be great, because it all ends in the same place...on a Disney cruise with your family!

 

[cruiser21]

May I hijack this informative thread w/ a quick related question? What is the *latest* that one could or should arrive at the port?

With all the reading I've done on here w/ peoples' experiences, it seems like 1'ish is sort of a sweet spot, where you miss some early crowds and get to get to your room fairly quickly. So we may opt for that. But I'm curious about arriving later, because we'll be at a WDW resort that morning, so in case we're having fun lounging by the pool....

The latest is the all aboard time on your cruise docs or itinerary. It varies. It could be as early as 3pm or as late as 9pm....or later. Cruises out of PC are usually around 330-430 pm.

 

[aliceinvunderland]

I have a PAT of 10:30. If we show up at 11:30 and they have already called our number, will be be allowed to board right away, or will they give us a later boarding number? Will we need to wait until open boarding begins around 12:30?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have a PAT of 10:30. If we show up at 11:30 and they have already called our number, will be be allowed to board right away, or will they give us a later boarding number? Will we need to wait until open boarding begins around 12:30?

You will receive the same boarding number (based on your PAT) regardless if you check prior to, or after the actual time. If your number has already been called when you actually check in, you may board directly upon completing your check in.

 

[CM Dad]

The latest is the all aboard time on your cruise docs or itinerary. It varies. It could be as early as 3pm or as late as 9pm....or later. Cruises out of PC are usually around 330-430 pm.

for our next cruise, the DCL itinerary show guest all onboard time as 11:59PM on day 1, and then guest ashore time as 12:01AM on day 2. This is for a cruise leaving from Quebec City. I checked with our TA what this really means. She told us the check in starts at 11:00 AM on 9/27, all aboard is at 4:45 on 9/28 and muster drill is at 5:00 pm on day 2 (9/28). So I guess we don't even have to board the Magic at all for the first day of our cruise is we don't want to

 

[dprincessmom]

I have a PAT of 10:30. If we show up at 11:30 and they have already called our number, will be be allowed to board right away, or will they give us a later boarding number? Will we need to wait until open boarding begins around 12:30?

We had a PAT of 10:30 for our first cruise. Arrived at port at 10:30. After dropping bags, security we headed to check in. As we were wrapping up check in and the CM was giving us our boarding card they called our number so we immediately went to boarding. Skipped the picture line and we were onboard in minutes.

 

[bcwife76]

I have a PAT of 10:30. If we show up at 11:30 and they have already called our number, will be be allowed to board right away, or will they give us a later boarding number? Will we need to wait until open boarding begins around 12:30?

I always try to select the PAT of 11-11:30 (don't ask, this is just the time I think is perfect) and in 3 cruises (about to do #4 in May) we have never been on time for our PAT, always been late (sometimes by 15 minutes, sometimes by nearly an hour) and so we always just walk on. One of these days we might be on time

 

[cruiser21]

for our next cruise, the DCL itinerary show guest all onboard time as 11:59PM on day 1, and then guest ashore time as 12:01AM on day 2. This is for a cruise leaving from Quebec City. I checked with our TA what this really means. She told us the check in starts at 11:00 AM on 9/27, all aboard is at 4:45 on 9/28 and muster drill is at 5:00 pm on day 2 (9/28). So I guess we don't even have to board the Magic at all for the first day of our cruise is we don't want to

It overnights in Quebec. It's probably the only time I'd risk flying in on day of cruise.