What Does PORT ARRIVAL TIME ACTUALLY Mean?? | Disney Cruise

[@philipcandella943]

Learned that lesson the hard way for our first cruise. Made sure we had the first flight out of Louisville that day something like taking off time 5:30 AM. Then had to wait a few hours for the first bus to get to the port. Then waited a few more hours in the terminal until our group was called. We were in group 9. We were so tired that we fell asleep for the sailing away party. From that we decided why not add a WDW stay on Sat Sun & a few days after the cruise. So in May we fly in on a Saturday enjoy a park Saturday & Sunday get a decent night sleep before the cruise. Heck even if we need to wake at 6am it beats 3 am & a flight that day. Plus with a few days after the cruise it is not a depressing last cruise day. Last time we stayed 1 night at an All Star resort just to spend the day at Disney Springs. It was worth the $100.00 or so to make last day less painful. Thanks for the videos. It is making the countdown fun.

[@deanamarie6316]

It would be nice to take all these tips videos and put them into a playlist in the order they would happen - arrival time, muster drill, elevators, sail away, ect. It would make a nice piece by piece walkthrough of the cruise.

[@DisneyCruisers]

What a great idea!! I think I’m going to do that! I won’t be in front of my computer for two weeks so I hope I remember to switch around the videos. Thanks Deana!

[@sharon2USA]

We showed up at 1:00 & walked right on!!

[@DisneyCruisers]

Yes that is a great time! Late enough to not have to deal with all the super early arrivers that have no where to be.. but early enough to still make lunch on the ship :)

[@kellym5231]

Thanks for making your information-packed videos. You share your knowledge with genuine enthusiasm to help others plan for and enjoy their Disney cruise. My next cruise is in December, 2018-your videos are a great refresher for me and I’ve learned new things, too! I like to get to the port around 11:30-after the early rush but still early enough to make embarkation day as full as possible. Looking forward to more of your fun videos-thanks again for bringing Disney magic to us!

[@DisneyCruisers]

Thank you- what a kind comment!!! Which ship in December? Also, is it your first time on that specific ship or have you cruised on her before?

[@kellym5231]

Disney Cruisers Our December trip is on the Dream. I’ve been on all four ships; the Magic is my favorite. I’m traveling with a friend who doesn’t like cruises-I WILL convince her Disney is the way to go. Watching your videos is on her to do list!

[@danielleloomis3559]

FYI, if you are Platinum or concierge you do not have to pic a PAT!! It’s my first cruise coming up as platinum and I’m super excited!

[@DisneyCruisers]

Yes very true! Super excited for you! Now you get the fancy lanyard :) Thank you for commenting :)

[@melissab6279]

Our port arrival time was 11:45 I think. We wanted to get on the boat and have lunch while we waited for our room to be available. We ended up staying super close to port so we got there by 10. We got checked in really quickly and then we waited in that horrendously long line for Minnie. I would not recommend it since there are times to meet with Minnie on the boat and if you get there early, you can be one of the first few in line. My daughter is obsessed with Minnie though and HAD to see her. They ended up calling our group while we were in line so we could have boarded earlier but we still got on by our port arrival time and they guided us to Animators Palate for a sit down lunch because they said Cabanas was packed. It worked out really well for us!

[@DisneyCruisers]

Yes, the sit down lunches are a very nice way to start the cruise.. love being catered to.. then you just stand up and leave when you finish 😍

[@DoctorBella]

12:30 then straight to Cabanas!

[@DisneyCruisers]

for a big bowl of shrimp... :)

[@Capybaramama]

That answers so many questions I had. Thanks for the great video. 10:45 port time arrival! I am so pumped.🤗

[@melhale1499]

Thank you so much for all your great videos! We want to take a Disney cruise in 2020!

[@DisneyCruisers]

DO it! It will be the best decision you will ever make. ;)

[@timbarry2743]

Can you do a video on the Disney transportation to & from the port & other options including Uber or Lift. This will be our 1st time cruising & we are taking the Disney shuttle, will they get us there too early?

[@DisneyCruisers]

I am assuming you are traveling from Disney World to Port Canaveral?

[@dzttut1]

I plan on using Lyft. How do you think it will be leaving the port? Are there taxis?

[@sammysunshine4884]

My port arrival time is 1:30 I feel that is supper late. My goal is to go to guest services to sign up for princess meet n greet and Disney junior breakfast for my daughter and I. I’m worried that that will be too late to get those reservations.

[@DisneyCruisers]

Yes your arrival time is on the later side, however once they start calling group numbers it goes quickly. If you wait until 130 you would just be able to walk on and not wait. If you go a little early I would guess you could get on around 12 something. Guest services is in the atrium so you can head there right when you board 👍🏻

[@nikkiumscheid]

Are you not able to book these events online at your time of check in? Or do you have to wait until you board the ship for these specific ones?

[@Traveling_with_christina.]

i think Disney cruise bus should chordate with the person time that they picked from mco

[@mallorylp11]

What would be the best time, in your opinion, for children with Autism? Or would I just find a cast member and let them know and see if they can find us a somewhat quiet place for us to wait? (I will have headphones, but the crowds may be overwhelming for him). Thank you!!

[@DisneyCruisers]

I totally answered this thinking you meant dining rooms lol!! There are places toward the front area (where you come up the escalator) where no one really hangs out. It is usually more quiet and less crowded for sure! Also, there is an outside porch in the back right corner .. it looks like it is a patio for concierge only, but it def is not. However, if you arrive at your port arrival time you shouldn’t have to wait very long at all to board and the check in process is very quick 👍🏻

[@mallorylp11]

@@DisneyCruisers I should have clarified! Hahaha! It was a little late and I went down a rabbit hole of research after doing online check-in. We are cruising out of San Diego! Officially 75 days to go until our first Disney Cruise! Thank you!!

[@heresdonny6652]

Thanks for all the helpful videos! I’ll b going on my first Disney cruise next October, and am super excited, we’ll b coming from a Disney resort and taking the DCL bus, my question is, when I do online check in, won’t they tell ME what bus to take? And if I have a choice and chose the earliest one, does that mean I still won’t board until 1:00?? I’m confused 😂

[@DisneyCruisers]

Oh no, if you have been given a time, and it is early, then you will get there on the early side. It does take about 60 minutes of drive time, plus your bus will go around to other resorts to pick up more passengers before heading to port so that will make the trip longer. Hopefully you get lucky and will be the last resort they stop at on the way to the port :) Thank you so much for watching! Disney can be really confusing... especially when they always change things up! I love cruising in October!! You will pay for the Disney bus transport as well. They are super fun bus rides, adds SO MUCH to the excitement.. but you can always rent a car or take a UBER or now a Disney Minnie Van. Those options give you more flexibility.

[@tr_4600]

so do you get to sign up for your port arrival time? is it based on when you book? I just thought it was based on castaway level and mode of transportation you choose.

[@DisneyCruisers]

You sign up for it when you do your online check in. I always do my check in at midnight on the day I’m allowed to check in that way I can get the earliest time available. 👍🏻

[@aureliaveritas4525]

I get there at one. I usually stay at the same hotel and they pick us up at 1145ish..so can't really control it...sadly

[@DisneyCruisers]

Some people do not arrive until closer to 230. So, 1 is not bad at all!

[@angielahijadelrey]

I have a random question. How long do you stay at port destinations(like castaway cey?)

[@DisneyCruisers]

Castaway you can usually disembark around 8 or 9 am and then you board by 3:45 or 4:45. That’s pretty typical of ports.

[@DAWNCHULAVISTA12]

Where do you take your bags

[@DisneyCruisers]

Check out my video on PARKING AT PORT CANAVERAL.. I talk a lot about what to do when you first arrive at port and in that I discuss luggage :) Thanks for watching!!

[@Major2012]

Have not cruised since “port arrival time.”

[@bryan_witha_whyy]

What time does lunch end on arrival day?

[@DisneyCruisers]

Cabanas buffet usually around 3. The main dining room 2. The pool deck locations, 3:30. :)

[@gandsmeyer2957]

This is a good question. Would love a video on times each quick service restaurant is open and closed. I was wondering if you are able to get chicken fingers around 5 or 6pm still? Or do they close it because its so close to dinner?

[@jessicare5331]

1115-1130