What is the benefit of getting an early boarding group?

[MB Andrews]

I am going to be able to check-in online for our cruise in September soon. What is the advantage of getting an early boarding group other than getting on the ship earlier?
I am kind of intimidated by the online check-in process. Is it as hard as some people say? I am not too computer savvy.
Also, we are staying at the Hyatt in the Orlando Airport the night before and purchased the transfers to the port and it says to call to let them know so they can ensure our transportation experience is seamless, who do we call?

Thank you!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

There is no benefit beyond getting on the ship earlier than some other folks.

If you are taking dcl transpo to the port, your PAT is irrelevant anyway.

 

[AquaDame]

Some folk like checking on last minute upgrades; in all our cruises though there has always been the sign saying the ship is full.

 

[Calantha]

I like to get on early because there isn't usually anything else for us to do and I like to have a sit-down lunch before our rooms open at 1:30 (ish).

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

As others have said, if you're doing DCL transfers, you'll get a good PAT without the midnight check in fight.

That said, we like getting on the ship early to eat before it gets crowded, ride the water slide before it gets crowded, and potentially have first pick at adjusting our dining rotation or snagging adult dining that had shown as sold out in advance on the app.

We've also found that sometimes there's a character that is only on the cruise around 2pm that first day and then never again (2023 it was Woody, 2024 C3PO). The sooner your arrival time, the sooner you can get on ship's wifi to look for things like that.

 

[sponica]

Are your transfers from the Hyatt or from MCO itself? Hyatt gets a PAT/BG automatically, MCO you need to choose a PAT.

 

[MB Andrews]

Are your transfers from the Hyatt or from MCO itself? Hyatt gets a PAT/BG automatically, MCO you need to choose a PAT.

That is a good question, I am not sure. I looked up my reservation and it just says ground transportation is purchased.

 

[sponica]

That is a good question, I am not sure. I looked up my reservation and it just says ground transportation is purchased.

If you have the confirmation email, you can scroll down and it should tell you the pickup/dropoff locations.




If you want it to be specifically from the Hyatt, you can call DCL and update the transfer or just send a message changing the pickup location to the Hyatt. I think the transfers default to MCO if you add them online.

 

[Mommb]

The advantages of an early boarding group, as listed above, are related to being on the ship before it gets more crowded.

The main disadvantage is that you will need to cart around your carry-one luggage until staterooms open, usually around 1:30 pm. While the buffet and one restaurant are open for lunch, the shops will not be open and the kids' clubs will be in open-house mode.

 

[tvguy]

Of course, people want their cruise vacation to start as soon as possible but the build up here on the Cruise Line Forum was greater than the actual experience. People here used to talk about the "huge" shrimp at the buffet on embarkation day. Well, they were just the normal Jumbo Shrimp you see in the grocery store here. Good, But I guess some people only see small salad shrimp at home. I was expecting colossal (16-20 a pound) or super colossal (8-12 a pound) or maybe the gigantic shrimp the specialty store gets in from time to time.....the ones that weigh5-8 ounces each.
The actual highlight of our embarkation day was when the sail away party ended at 5 pm......and we DIDN'T sail away. We went back to our stateroom and sat on the balcony watching the procession of about 10 Disney Cruise Line buses pull in with only about 6 to 10 people each. That continued until the last bus pulled in at 6 pm with just two people getting off and running onto the ship. It was going so fast it actually screeched it's tires pulling in. Rumor was these folks were all flying in the day of, their flights were delayed....and Disney held the ship because they ALL apparently booked through Disney and all had Disney Travel Insurance so Disney had a huge financial incentive to make sure they did not miss the ship.

 

[CamColt]

I like to board early so we can enjoy lunch at Cabanas with no crowd. I always hear how hectic it is there but it's not right when it opens. We then head to the adult pool bar to have our "dessert" and meet the bartender, then by the time we finish it's usually time to head to our room.

 

[Kwami]

I am going to be able to check-in online for our cruise in September soon. What is the advantage of getting an early boarding group other than getting on the ship earlier?
I am kind of intimidated by the online check-in process. Is it as hard as some people say? I am not too computer savvy.
Also, we are staying at the Hyatt in the Orlando Airport the night before and purchased the transfers to the port and it says to call to let them know so they can ensure our transportation experience is seamless, who do we call?

Thank you!

I've never had to call anyone, but when you check in, let the person at the front desk know that you're expecting to take DCL transfers. They'll make sure that you're on the list and tell you what time to expect luggage pickup and what time to meet the DCL representative in the lobby. Sometimes you'll get a paper with the same info, too.

If you want to make sure that everything is OK, then call DCL and verify that your transfers are from the Hyatt and not from MCO.

 

[dreamer17555]

Are your transfers from the Hyatt or from MCO itself? Hyatt gets a PAT/BG automatically, MCO you need to choose a PAT.

Not for awhile. MCO is being given BG 3 these days

 

[varkgirl]

We do it to check for port upgrades before they run out, if they are available. We have done a port upgrade to Concierge at least 4 or 5 times by getting there early.

Edit to add - we are Pearl so we are always automatically BG 2 (11am) and don't have to stress to get a PAT.

 

[disney2you]

Get in line early for that Palo/Remy/Enchante reservation you weren't able to get.

 

[Girl of the South]

I think the push to get on the ship early is overrated, and not worth the stress it gives people trying to get an early PAT. Don’t sweat it.

DO see if you are scheduled for the Hyatt or MCO. At the Hyatt they will collect your bags from your room.

Never had to call, either. So I don’t know what that’s about.

 

[DayOhDisMom]

We love the Hyatt and early check in. No stress lunch, we can walk around the ship before allot of people arrive and make any dining changes without waiting in a line.

 

[LaDonna]

As others have said, if you're doing DCL transfers, you'll get a good PAT without the midnight check in fight.

That said, we like getting on the ship early to eat before it gets crowded, ride the water slide before it gets crowded, and potentially have first pick at adjusting our dining rotation or snagging adult dining that had shown as sold out in advance on the app.

We've also found that sometimes there's a character that is only on the cruise around 2pm that first day and then never again (2023 it was Woody, 2024 C3PO). The sooner your arrival time, the sooner you can get on ship's wifi to look for things like that.

I think the push to get on the ship early is overrated, and not worth the stress it gives people trying to get an early PAT. Don’t sweat it.

DO see if you are scheduled for the Hyatt or MCO. At the Hyatt they will collect your bags from your room.

Never had to call, either. So I don’t know what that’s about.

What time do the slides open? Do you know? I have my first Disney cruise booked next year…… would be awesome to get on early and go straight to the slides, then eat lunch

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

What time do the slides open? Do you know? I have my first Disney cruise booked next year…… would be awesome to get on early and go straight to the slides, then eat lunch

My understanding is that it varies by ship and port.

Disney Cruise Line Blog has lots of historical navigators that you can look at. The first page will show the time that the slide opened in the past, which can be a good indicator of what to expect. But, definitely look for one on the same ship from the same port.