BEWARE: Early check-in on Dream

We haven't even gotten on board, and we're already not cruising Disney Cruise Lines again! Early check-in is not just so you don't have to fill out paperwork on site. They tie your boarding time into how soon you check in on-line! :eek: There is no mention of that in the boarding materials. We never experienced this with Royal Caribbean and Princess. The worst thing is that we booked our bus transfers through them, and they automatically entered our flights into our account. They know that my wife and kids arrive at the port at noon, but they'll sit on the sidewalk for two and a half hours in the hot Florida sun before they're let in! BEWARE. :mad:

We haven't even gotten on board, and we're already not cruising Disney Cruise Lines again! Early check-in is not just so you don't have to fill out paperwork on site. They tie your boarding time into how soon you check in on-line! :eek: There is no mention of that in the boarding materials. We never experienced this with Royal Caribbean and Princess. The worst thing is that we booked our bus transfers through them, and they automatically entered our flights into our account. They know that my wife and kids arrive at the port at noon, but they'll sit on the sidewalk for two and a half hours in the hot Florida sun before they're let in! BEWARE. :mad:

No need to panic. If you booked transfers with DCL, and you check in at the DME counter at the airport for your cruise you will be given a very good boarding time. You will NOT sit on the sidewalk for 2 1/2 hours. Bus transfers from MCO are a very good way of getting a good boarding number.

I would love for you to be correct, but Disney customer service just spent a half hour telling my wife and I in different ways: sorry, it's carved in stone and there's nothing you can do. I wish I was exaggerating more, but the woman was quite steadfast that the boarding time was permanent.

how do you know they arrive at the port at noon? What time does their flight land?

Their flight lands at eleven o'clock, and they told us that it takes an hour to get to the port.

We haven't even gotten on board, and we're already not cruising Disney Cruise Lines again! Early check-in is not just so you don't have to fill out paperwork on site. They tie your boarding time into how soon you check in on-line! :eek: There is no mention of that in the boarding materials. We never experienced this with Royal Caribbean and Princess. The worst thing is that we booked our bus transfers through them, and they automatically entered our flights into our account. They know that my wife and kids arrive at the port at noon, but they'll sit on the sidewalk for two and a half hours in the hot Florida sun before they're let in! BEWARE. :mad:

Don't panic.

When you do your online check in, you are required to select a Port Arrival Time.

That said, if you book your transfers from the airport to the port with DCL, the Port Arrival Time is moot. You will enter the terminal when the bus gets there. That's when you do your on site check-in, and receive your boarding number.

Please don't give up on Disney.

:)

Their flight lands at eleven o'clock, and they told us that it takes an hour to get to the port.

By the time they get off the plane and through the airside to monorail for the main terminal, use a restroom, and get down two levels to the check-in area for the cruise line buses, it will be 30-45 minutes after they land. Then the buses load, which can take another 15-30 minutes. They aren't getting to the port at noon, it will be between 1:00 and 2:00. When they arrive on DCL transfers, they will not need to wait outside, they will go with everyone else on that bus into the terminal.

Sometimes there's a disconnect between the reservations center and what really happens.

I appreciate your encouragement! There was no indication of this possibility in our conversation with Customer Service. I really appreciate your replies, and we'll have our fingers crossed!

By the time they get off the plane and through the airside to monorail for the main terminal, use a restroom, and get down two levels to the check-in area for the cruise line buses, it will be 30-45 minutes after they land. Then the buses load, which can take another 15-30 minutes. They aren't getting to the port at noon, it will be between 1:00 and 2:00. When they arrive on DCL transfers, they will not need to wait outside, they will go with everyone else on that bus into the terminal.

 

Sometimes there's a disconnect between the reservations center and what really happens.

You think? :rolleyes:

:)

You will be fine and the process is very organized.

When they started putting that "pick your boarding time" thing on the web, it's been so confusing!

Once you land, (stop by the restroom) go down to the luggage area, the check in for the cruise is in the same area at a big long counter. You'll get your boarding pass, your picture taken for your room card and then board the bus to head to the port.

It's 55 minutes to the port on a good traffic day.

You'll watch some Disney videos about the cruise and some trivia questions and then you're there.

You'll hop off the bus and head into the terminal to go through security and then wait to board the ship when they call your number.

and then you'll be on your DISNEY CRUISE! tons of fun, and great service. ENJOY!!

We haven't even gotten on board, and we're already not cruising Disney Cruise Lines again! Early check-in is not just so you don't have to fill out paperwork on site. They tie your boarding time into how soon you check in on-line! :eek: There is no mention of that in the boarding materials. We never experienced this with Royal Caribbean and Princess. The worst thing is that we booked our bus transfers through them, and they automatically entered our flights into our account. They know that my wife and kids arrive at the port at noon, but they'll sit on the sidewalk for two and a half hours in the hot Florida sun before they're let in! BEWARE. :mad:

If this check-in thing is not working out and you have not yet boarded, and you already have decided that you will not be again be cruising with DCL, then I'm not seeing much potential for a good cruise experience.

I'm just not finding much to heed in your beware warning. Maybe AFTER they let your family sit on the sidewalk is there anything to beware.

We're from Canada so we like the hot Florida sun.

Nonetheless, if you are already in such a bad mood with this and cruise is still not started yet, can you still cancel it and book something else?

I appreciate your encouragement! There was no indication of this possibility in our conversation with Customer Service. I really appreciate your replies, and we'll have our fingers crossed!

Having taken a number of DCL transfers from the airport you get off the bus and get right on the ship after security. Think of it as a "suggestive" time just to keep the computer program happy. You will have a wonderful time and especially in the warm Caribbean Sun.The Dream is a beautiful ship and having sailed mostly RCCL other than Disney you will be impressed on Disney's great service level. Hope you have a wonderful cruise.And remember to relax.:)

Although we have yet to enjoy our DCL trip, I find it hard to believe Disney would be that disorganized.:rolleyes:

I wouldn't worry. Just came off the Dream Thursday. I did my online check in around 35 days out or so. We were able to choose a check in time of 1130. I think your check in time is more so tied to your boarding # then whether or not they will make you wait outside. I did not see anyone waiting outside when I arrived at a little before 11. They did not make me wait outside until 1130. In fact, check in and boarding was so smooth that I parked, went through security, checked in, got on the ship, paid a visit to guest services to book a wine tasting and inquire about a Palo Brunch - as well as adding $$ to our onboard acct. Then I made my way up to OC to register my little guy (who I couldnt register online since he did not turn 3 until the last day of the cruise) and that is when I realized it was only 1145!!! I had pulled into the port at 11 and was able tp do all of that in 45 mins! It was quite smooth and much better then Feb of last year

I really wouldn't stress out about it too much. When we traveled on the Dream, my wife and I were traveling with 14 other family members with 8 different reservations total. Everyone had all kinds of different boarding times selected online ahead of time. Once we got to the pier we were handed a boarding number according to the time we got to the pier, not the time that was selected online. We boarded at the same time as family members that had reserved a boarding time for hours later.

I think the times are more of an effort to try and get people to arrive at the pier throughout the day instead of all showing up at 11am. This would also explain why Customer Service told you that they were set in stone.

I would seriously not worry about it, because I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

James

There's a lot that customer service will say b/c they are reading from a manual but it's just not the case. We've been on several and there was one time we had to wait outside....everyone was evacuated b/c a dog sniffed something in a bag. We were outside for 2 hours and within 15 minutes DCL employees were handing out bottled water and snacks. They were giving everyone updates and apologizing. Of course this was not there fault.

When we did have to wait it was no more than an hour but we were inside the whole time and the kids were taking pictures with the characters and having a blast.

Just try to relax and enjoy the vacation will be as good as you let it :)

Don't panic.

 

When you do your online check in, you are required to select a Port Arrival Time.

 

That said, if you book your transfers from the airport to the port with DCL, the Port Arrival Time is moot. You will enter the terminal when the bus gets there. That's when you do your on site check-in, and receive your boarding number.

 

Please don't give up on Disney.

 

:)

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a question concerning "Airport to Port DCL Transfers":

We're staying at the Hyatt Regency MCO and planning on taking the first available DCL transfer to the port. Does this negate our on-line boarding time? (This is all hypothetical - our trip doesn't take place till June.)

TIA for any advice.

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a question concerning "Airport to Port DCL Transfers":

We're staying at the Hyatt Regency MCO and planning on taking the first available DCL transfer to the port. Does this negate our on-line boarding time? (This is all hypothetical - our trip doesn't take place till June.)

TIA for any advise.

Having taken the DCL transfers both from the airport and Disney World everytime we deboarded the bus we went right into the terminal and through security and on the ship. Disney "magic". But I can only speak of my history.

Did you do on-line check-in, grand isle joe? Just trying to get a sense of what's involved here, since we've never cruised before...

If using DCL tx (which we plan to do, tho it's way more expensive for 8 of us) gets us on the ship faster, we'll stick with that so the kids can utilize the pools and explore the Dream.

If on-line check-in time trumps DCL boarding #, we'll reconsider and go with the cheaper option of private tx...

Just wondering.

Thanks!

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a question concerning "Airport to Port DCL Transfers":

We're staying at the Hyatt Regency MCO and planning on taking the first available DCL transfer to the port. Does this negate our on-line boarding time? (This is all hypothetical - our trip doesn't take place till June.)

TIA for any advice.

If you arrive at the port on DCL transfers, your actual "Port Arrival Time" is not important. That said, you will still pick a Port Arrival Time when you do your online check-in. Otherwise, you can't complete the online check-in.

When you arrive at the port, you will, most likely, go directly into the terminal. If the terminal is full, as it may be if you arrive around 11-11:30, you may be held on the bus until the terminal is less full. Once the actual board commences (around 11:45-12:00) the terminal empties out fairly quickly.

Thank you so much for clarifying that, Schmoo.

Did you do on-line check-in, grand isle joe? Just trying to get a sense of what's involved here, since we've never cruised before...

If using DCL tx (which we plan to do, tho it's way more expensive for 8 of us) gets us on the ship faster, we'll stick with that so the kids can utilize the pools and explore the Dream.

If on-line check-in time trumps DCL boarding #, we'll reconsider and go with the cheaper option of private tx...

Just wondering.

Thanks!

As Shmoo stated. Disney will get you on the ship as soon as they can. The Dream is really a beautiful ship. The kids will love it. The detective game is my daughters favorite game on board. Don't forget that like all the DCL ships they announce your family name as you board the Dream, nice welcoming touch. Hope the kids (all of you:D) have a wonderful cruise.:)

Thanks, Joe!

I think once you actually get there, it will be a different story. Things go fairly smoothly once you get off the plane. Follow the directions until you see the "Mickey hands" on people. Tell one you are cruising and you will get directions to your transfer.

Once the transfer gets rolling there is an informational video that comes on and will explain the process. Once you get to the terminal, a DCL employee will board your bus and give you more information regaring luggage etc. You exit the bus and enter the terminal and pass through security. Not as big a deal as at the airport, i.e. bottles of water won't get confiscated. (I reccomend bringing drinks actually)

Once you get upstairs, you will check in in two places. The first covers basics like getting your luggage tranferred back to the proper place when you disembark. The second is the checking passport, giving you your room key, etc. you are given a boarding group number at this point. So you don't have to be on pins and needles the whole time... Am I next? are they going to call me when I go to the bathroom? This is helpful for one reason that you don't arrive at the boarding meal and not be able to find a place to sit. The spacing ensures that you can still accomplish what you want.

Getting off the ship is efficient too, no waiting to be allowed off by room category like I experienced on Carnival.

I've done 4 cruises with DCL. So I'll be getting Gold Castaway status this year. So many things will go smootly when you arrive. Don't get into a negative mindset now!