What time is "best" to arrive at Port?

[smlev]

Thinking of booking towncar to be on our own schedule. What time should we get picked up at resort to get to Port at the best time?

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Last month when we were crusing on the 4-day Wonder, we arrived at the port at around 11:00 am and there were already 100 - 200 people.

But if I were to do it again I still would not go earlier becuase we anyway managed to reserve for both Palo brunch and dinner.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We arrived around 10 a.m. last year for our spring break Magic cruise. There were very few people there - less than 10! We were on of the first in line and just sat on the floor and waited. It was fun being one of the first on. However, next year when we go again I'm going to plan to get there after noon. That way the line should be moving and we won't have to wait in line for so long. Unless you REALLY want to have Palo or spa reservations, it is a long wait in line, especially if you have small kids with you...

 

[DDucky]

On a similar note...does anybody know what time the Disney buses usually get to the port? Are they staggered throughout the day? Or is there a set time they all generally arrive?

We'll be driving to the port from home...and I want to avoid getting there when all the buses from Disney arrive.

I'm not particularly interested in being "the first one onboard," but I do want to have the buffet lunch. We already have the REAS package, so I don't need to make on-board reservations.

Thanks.

 

[mbw12]

Originally posted by DDucky
On a similar note...does anybody know what time the Disney buses usually get to the port? Are they staggered throughout the day? Or is there a set time they all generally arrive?

We'll be driving to the port from home...and I want to avoid getting there when all the buses from Disney arrive.

I'm not particularly interested in being "the first one onboard," but I do want to have the buffet lunch. We already have the REAS package, so I don't need to make on-board reservations.

Thanks.

I feel the same!!!!! I want to enjoy the buffet lunch and let the kids and hubby enjoy the pool while I go sign the kids up for their stuff. I really don't care about the spa or excursions....just want to be able to get as much on-ship time as possible!!!

 

[Ratt45]

My understanding is that they don't arrive until after 11 am. If you do this, you should still be fine. I have read on these boards that people have gotten right on the ship as soon as they check in. Hopefully that will be the case for you!!!!

We, DW and myself, are the kind of people that get there at 10 and are first in line to get on. We enjoy doing that. And we will do it again in Dec for our first 7-night cruise.

Any way you do it, have a great time!!!!

 

[jrabbit]

get to Port at the best time?

It really depends upon a lot of factors the most important being "What is BEST?" If you want to be one of the first to board, you should be at the port by 10:30. If you have specific times you want for Palo and spa ressies, you should be there by 11am. If you want to get there and check in and just walk on board, arrive sometime after 12:30.

First cruise we ever took was DCL and we didn't arrive at the port until after 2pm. We had a light lunch at WDW (I didn't think that they would serve lunch on board because boarding time was at 1 back then (boy was I naive )) So we had lunch again since it was "free". We didn't like arriving that late because that first day was rush, rush rush (and we weren't doing the ressie rush). Never again for us. We arrive around 11am. We like looking around the terminal and outside at the Magic. The characters come out for photos, you can look at a huge model of the ship or watch Mickey cartoons on the many TV's scattered throughout the terminal. We also like visiting with our DIS friends that we meet in line (because many of them are there early too).

but I do want to have the buffet lunch

Be sure you're onboard by 3pm. ALL services shut down (including the pools) from 3:30 to 4:30 for the Manditory Safety Drill at 4pm.

 

[Suzanne033]

I don't know which resort you are staying at but we were told that the Disney Buses pick up cruisers at our hotel, Beach Club, at approx. 11:45a meaning you wouldn't get to port until after 12:45p.

I believe that the Beach Club is one of the lastest pick-ups.

 

[crisi]

I'd plan on arriving before the ship opens - but not too much before. I'm not a line stander and had no need for reservations - but we thought it was nice to get there about half an hour before the ship opened and look at the model of the ship, get pictures of the kids with Snow White and Mickey, and take a look at the terminal. This got us on the ship within twenty minutes of boarding beginning with no long wait in line (we just hung out in the terminal until the line had disappeared).

 

[Mr. Bill]

If one arrives before being allowed to enter the ship - say at 10AM - what do you do with your luggage? Does it have to progress with you as the line moves or can it be "checked" before you get in line?

Bill

 

[wdwmom2]

We left the BC at 10:00 with Quicksilver towncar, got there by 11:00. Our luggage was taken outside of the terminal not to be seen again until it was at our stateroom. When we got to the terminal we got in line. There was probably around 50-75 people in front of us. We got on the ship, went to Wavebands for our ressies(in a calm manner), and were the first in line for Palo. So arriving at 11:00 worked well for us.

Sharon

 

[Mr. Bill]

Thanks ... that's what I wanted to hear!

Bill

 

[EmmasGrammy]

In responce to suzanne033... We are doing the land/sea in mid June and staying at CBR. I called the resort to see what time we would get picked up at the resort by the DCL bus to take us to the ship and we were told the pick up time was 1:45 and we would get to the ship around 3:00!! YIKES!!!

We booked thru AAA and I called our TA and cancelled the DCL transfers and booked a town car thru FLTours. The cost is about the same but the convience is priceless!! We will be on our own schedule!

 

[crisi]

You do haul your carryons through the line - and through the ship until you can get into your stateroom at 1:30.

Which is an argument for light carryons. Next time - much lighter.