Hi. Love this site, has a lot of info. Well, 3 families are sailing in 30 days. However, we all assign to different arrival time. So can we check-in before the assigned time? What about if we miss the time due to traffic ? Thanks.”

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Answer 1

Hi, Jessy from my beautiful home state of Alabama!

I'm glad you're enjoying our Disney Moms Panel site and finding information to help you plan your family's vacation. That's exciting that you have three families on the same Disney cruise!

When you check in online, you are given a pre-assigned arrival time which helps stagger the crowds at the terminal on Embarkation Day -- especially for the Disney Dream since the capacity is larger. However, every effort will be made to keep your traveling party together and to process as many guests as possible as early as possible.

My advice is to arrive at the port terminal as soon as it opens at 10:30 a.m. if you can. Chances are, you'll zoom through the process and be assigned an early boarding group. Plus, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the port while you wait for your number to come up -- including taking character photos and snapping pictures of the ship. You can also get "Mickey Bands" for the kids who will be attending Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab (or you can simply wait until you're on the ship).

If you arrive anywhere around 12-2 p.m., the terminal may be quite crowded, and you'll just need to get in line when and where you can -- unless you're a Platinum Castaway Club Member or Concierge Guest. There is a line specifically for returning guests (Castaway Club Members), too. If you want your boarding picture made together, you'll want to stay together to check in.

The lines start to die down after 2 p.m. -- making it much less hectic in the terminal. Yet, more than likely, you may miss lunch on board if you check in after 2 p.m. You'll have to decide what you can feasibly do with your large group and what's most important to you -- staying together or getting on the ship as soon as possible as separate families.

I hope this helps you. Have a wonderful day and a magical vacation. Bon voyage!

Andi

Hi. Love this site, has a lot of info. Well, 3 families are sailing in 30 days. However, we all assign to different arrival time. So can we check-in before the assigned time? What about if we miss the time due to traffic ? Thanks.”

Meet the Panelist: Andi, Alabama

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