Online Check in Boarding time

[Figment571]

My family is going on a cruise on the Dream in two weeks and we had a question about online check in. It says on Disney's site that if you use the online check in option that the earliest boarding time you could have was 2 o'clock. My family, on every other Disney cruise we have taken, has always boarded earlier and we were wondering how strict this boarding policy is.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

My family is going on a cruise on the Dream in two weeks and we had a question about online check in. It says on Disney's site that if you use the online check in option that the earliest boarding time you could have was 2 o'clock. My family, on every other Disney cruise we have taken, has always boarded earlier and we were wondering how strict this boarding policy is.

Right now it's not strict, but it does matter a little. Disney is still trying to figure out the best way to get the large Dream crowds onboard without too much waiting.

If you show up at say, 10:00, when you signed up for a 2:00 slot they will still let you in. But they will give you a higher boarding number than those that are there and signed up for the 10:30 slot. I have heard many stories of people managing to get a lower number when they asked, but you certainly can't count on it.

It is definitely a work in process, and it could change repeatedly.

 

[DVCOwner]

We are going on the Magic in Oct. If we use on-line check in, is DCL also assigning borading times for the Magic?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We are going on the Magic in Oct. If we use on-line check in, is DCL also assigning borading times for the Magic?

They are. They are much more likely not to pay attention to those though because the Magic and Wonder crowds fit in the terminal fine.

If you want the earliest time, you have to complete your online check in as soon as your window opens up.

 

[muteki]

Just got back from a 3 night Dream cruise (first Disney cruise) and while everything was amazing, the check in process definitely has quite a ways to go. We got there around 1:30 (our boarding time was ~2:30 from the online check in I think) and the terminal was swamped. All the switchbacks leading up to the check in counters were full and behind that was an unorganized mob of people trying to merge together from the ground level and parking garage entrances to the terminal. So they definitely have something to work on there.

Didn't really understand the purpose of online check-in (because best I could tell, the process in the terminal doesn't change if you did it or not). It doesn't appear to function like a resort check-in, where there is a separate line. As stated earlier the check in time given to you isn't enforced. The only thing about it I guess is to try and do it as early as possible, because I imagine the crowds earlier in the day are more manageable.

That, and if you are transporting yourself to the terminal and parking in the deck, leaving your luggage at the curb before the garage is the only way to get your bags on the boat without you manually bringing them through the aforementioned process yourself. You can't hand them off in the terminal to the check in agent, and the folks directing traffic into the terminal don't make it clear that this is the only way to not have to drag your luggage through the terminal.

That being said, once everything was in the room the trip was awesome from then on out and we only would have a few things to nitpick about otherwise. But we will definitely do a bit more planning on the checkin process for the next one.

Quick edit: Another tip, the first time you get on the boat there will be a huge wait at the elevators closest to the entrance. Do yourself a favor and use the aft or forward elevators, because I imagine they are significantly less crowded. For some odd reason they don't distribute the guests among the 3 elevator locations on the ship, though I imagine it would be less of a issue if we didn't have our luggage.

 

[ChuckElias]

Quick edit: Another tip, the first time you get on the boat there will be a huge wait at the elevators closest to the entrance. Do yourself a favor and use the aft or forward elevators, because I imagine they are significantly less crowded.

This is actually good tip throughout your cruise. The center elevators are always more crowded than the forward and aft elevators. Especially at dinner and show times, most people default to the center elevators. If you don't mind walking a little more than you have to, use the outer elevators.

 

[RobnRachal]

Does anyone know if the check in time matters when you're using Disney's transportation? I thought I read somewhere that if you used their transport that checkin time didn't apply...

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Does anyone know if the check in time matters when you're using Disney's transportation? I thought I read somewhere that if you used their transport that checkin time didn't apply...

That is correct. They will still have you select a time, but it does not matter.

 

[maggiegrace1]

We just got back from The Dream...AMAZING..our check in was 11:30-12:00..we got there at 9 and were boarding group 5...did not ask it was what they handed us..and the whole thing was smooth..

 

[WDWRLD]

Does anyone know if the check in time matters when you're using Disney's transportation? I thought I read somewhere that if you used their transport that checkin time didn't apply...

Using Disney Transportation check in time does not matter. Only about 30 more days till I set foot on the Dream....

 

[RobnRachal]

Using Disney Transportation check in time does not matter. Only about 30 more days till I set foot on the Dream....

Thanks! Ya!!! for you. . .183 days for us :lookaroun

 

[erstwo]

Using Disney Transportation check in time does not matter. Only about 30 more days till I set foot on the Dream....

According to my countdown clock - assuming my group boards at 11:00 am, only 28 more days and 22 more hours! :sohappy:

 

[WDWRLD]

its fast approaching....I think our port check in time is 10:30. I cant wait.