What time to get to Port About This Page:

[becka]

I know most people love to get there early but I prefer getting there just a bit later. Our first cruise we arrived a little after noon and the initial boarding rush was over. We parked, leisurely checked-in with no wait and walked straight on the ship to lunch. It was actually a very nice start to our vacation.

For our second cruise we were there so early we could not even get in the parking lot yet. We waited then, we waited to check-in, we then waited and waited in the terminal. The cruise before us had some sickness issues so we were delayed boarding and ending up spending quite a bit of extra time just waiting in a very crowded terminal with two young kids. It was not a very relaxing start.

This year we are going to wait to arrive again.

[mytinkerbelles]

We arrived at port at about 1030am, we got group #4. The kids were able to enjoy the Mickey Pool before it got too crowded. We plan to do the same or a little earlier next December.

[Disneybine]

For our first Disney cruise (4-night) this past April, we got to the terminal early (since I was so excited to FINALLY go on that cruise ). I can't remember what time it was exactely but I think it was before 10 am. We were allowed to drop off our luggage at the curbside drop-off location and then park our car (at the parking lot on the opposite side of the street). Then we waited about 15 minutes for the security checkpoint to open up. When we got inside the terminal, we again had to wait for the check-in counters to open (which I think was around 10:30am???). Of course we got group 2 boarding but then had to wait (again ) as they didn't start boarding till 11:45 am, I think.

Upon boarding, we were led directly to lunch at Parrot Cay. When we were done with that we started exploring the ship a bit but basically just waited for the ropes to be taken away so we could finally get into our stateroom. Of course then you have to wait another few hours till your luggage arrives!

As you probably figured by now, I didn't like the whole "arriving early experience" at all. When we go on our next cruise, we'll try not to be at the terminal before noon. There was just too much waiting last time!

[emtpej]

From what everybody is saying about the downside of early arrival, maybe we will go to the beach or Ronjon first, if we get an early start on our trip!

[awrightsel]

We arrived at around 11 am. We were not rushed to get paperwork completed and I do not remember having to wait all that long. It seemed to be a fairly easy process. I had a 4 year old with me and I do not have terrible memories of the terminal experience. We had friends who met us there and they drove, their experience was a bit different. They said that it was terribly crowded getting parked and luggage dropped off. We are going in Mar 2009 and driving this time, so we are not planning to arrive until at least 11:30. That should provide a little time for the craziness to settle down. At least that is what we are hoping for.

[whhs162005]

well if your kids are active there is already so much going on onboard that they wont notice plus with lunch time goes by pretty fast the first couple of hours so good luck

[VB_Family]

Hey FYI when we were in California the people arrive at the port before 9am.... we got inside and through all the sign-ins and such and were done with all of that around 10:45 and were in group 6 .... WOW.... if we had be at the Cape we would have been in group 2..... was strange to see sooooo many there that early!!

[mackeymouse]

My family and I will likely either drive or fly in day of.

Accounting for any possible delays, baggage claim, waiting for the Magical Express or getting a rental car or whatever other mode of transportation we choose, then the trip over to Port Canaverel, what arrival time should we aim for?

[VB_Family]

well that is a matter of deep discussions... and personal preference.... but we like to be at the Port the night before and relax at the Raddison... but if flying in then all depends on flights etc... but we like to get there around 10:30 and get in first and enjoy being on the ship in the first groups and going up to the Mickey Pool and getting lunch up there and seats on deck at pool side... then the kids can play in the pool with no one else... a rare sight of its own... so is a great photo opportunity you never get the rest of the cruise... plus the kids are excited to swim etc.... but then others will tell yea to just get there later and get right on the ship... but that kind of loses the excitment of it all....

So it is just my opinion... anyway.... ENJOY!!!!

[mackeymouse]

Thanks VB.....

I was just wondering if anyone had done the flying in day of thing before, and if they had an estimate from time of landing until the time you get to Port.

The airline that we are a preferred member of.....it looks like their earliest arrival is at 9:20, and that is of course assuming no delays. Now, it would be a nonstop flight, so we would not have to worry bout the connecting flight, but still.

By the time we do baggage claim and do the car thing, and make the hour trip over there, I am thinking we may be looking at 11:30......safe estimate you think? Now, if we do the Disney Ground Transportation package, we don't have to worry about the baggage or anything, we just have to get on the bus and go. It is an extra chunk of change, but it may be worth it to not have to worry about anything once we land.

I have seen some people suggest not rolling in until around noon anyway.

[Dave Marx]

A 9:20am arrival is good. You've still got wiggle room if there's a flight delay.

That 11:30 estimate looks good. You may even get there a touch faster than that. Were you considering a rental car for the "car thing?" One-way with drop-off at the port, or parking it while you're cruising? (It's almost never economical to park it, but it's worth pricing that alternative). If you do the one-way, be sure the agency provides a free shuttle over to the port - not all of them do.

[tete*6]

I think we might wait till later this time.. DS's were quite bored after awhile. We got to port about 10:00 and waited, entered the terminal and waited, registered & took some pics with the characters and waited some more....lol. I think I was so excited that I would have been outside the gates at 7am if DH would have let me..lmao

[mackeymouse]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

A 9:20am arrival is good. You've still got wiggle room if there's a flight delay.

That 11:30 estimate looks good. You may even get there a touch faster than that. Were you considering a rental car for the "car thing?" One-way with drop-off at the port, or parking it while you're cruising? (It's almost never economical to park it, but it's worth pricing that alternative). If you do the one-way, be sure the agency provides a free shuttle over to the port - not all of them do.

Sorry I was not so specific about the "car thing." A little vague there.

I think my dad would never, ever, EVER let it go if we were at Cape Canaverel without visiting Kennedy Space Center. We do not know at this point if we would drive or fly........ideally fly, as a drive would be a very very long day. However, if we drive, we would be more flexible with our time, etc.

If we do the 4 nighter, that would give us some more time to see the sights, then head home. If we do the 7 nighter, things would be a little tighter. We'd either have to do KSC the day before and spend the night, or the day we get back. If we fly, we have to figure that into the equation.

I hate the idea of depending on Public Transportation. I don't mind it at Disney World, but I mean, the worst case scenario is us, with all our cargo, our unreliable transport not showing up, or we miss our bus stop and have to walk a mile back to the right bus stop, or we can't figure out where the heck we are going, what buses to take, etc.

We'll see, I guess

[cdnmickeyfan]

Thanks so much for all of the invaluable advice. This is our first Disney cruise and the info that is given for all aspects is invaluable. I had no idea what time to arrive or even what time the terminal opened but I do now. Thanks everyone.