Breakfast after checking in at PC...doable?

DisneYE

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
For our upcoming cruise in July, I was thinking about arriving early at the port, say 10-10.30, drop off our bags at the terminal, check in and go out for breakfast somewhere close, say Charlie's cafe (or elsewhere, recommendations appreciated), then come back around 12.30-1.30 to embark.

We want to arrive and check in early but don't want to hang around in the terminal with tons of ppl and nothing to do for 2+ hours.

We'll only have backpacks/tote bags as carry ons so no big deal walking around with them.

Anyone done this?
How easy/hard is it to get a uber or taxi at the terminal? It'll be 4 of us.
 
What time is your PAT? Checking in early doesn't really get you any benefit since a. your boarding number is tied to your PAT and b. you are planning to return after it is likely that Open Boarding will have started.

Could you stop for breakfast on the way to the terminal?
 
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How are you arriving at port? It doesn't sound like you will have a car since you mention using Uber or a taxi. I've heard that private car services and shuttles aren't allowed to enter the terminal drop off area until 11:00am. If you had a car, I'd say to drive to the port, drop your bags off with a porter, then head to breakfast without going all the way into the terminal to check in. Check in won't start until 10:30 so if you get there at 10:00, you'd be waiting around if you wanted to check in. Without a car, I would just recommend staying at the terminal. Even with a late boarding number, you would be boarding by 12:30, and why fill up with a breakfast at 10:30 or 11:00 when you will have lunch available as soon as you board?
 
I would just get a light snack on the way to the terminal then go to the lunch buffet as soon as I get on board.
 


I get what you're saying, but i'm unsure about the 'check-in and leave the terminal' part. I've not seen anyone do that. I'm sure it's possible, but I've never seen it. Totally do-able, though. Head over to Cape Canaveral and there's tons of restuaraunts 5 minutes from the terminal
 
What time is your PAT? Checking in early doesn't really get you any benefit since a. your boarding number is tied to your PAT and b. you are planning to return after it is likely that Open Boarding will have started.

Could you stop for breakfast on the way to the terminal?

I don't remember our PAT (our DD is in charge of online checkin and activities).. I think 11.00.
We could go for a bite on the way to PC but our goal is to skip the crowd at the terminal and having to just sit there.


How are you arriving at port? It doesn't sound like you will have a car since you mention using Uber or a taxi. I've heard that private car services and shuttles aren't allowed to enter the terminal drop off area until 11:00am. If you had a car, I'd say to drive to the port, drop your bags off with a porter, then head to breakfast without going all the way into the terminal to check in. Check in won't start until 10:30 so if you get there at 10:00, you'd be waiting around if you wanted to check in. Without a car, I would just recommend staying at the terminal. Even with a late boarding number, you would be boarding by 12:30, and why fill up with a breakfast at 10:30 or 11:00 when you will have lunch available as soon as you board?

Tentatively private shuttle (Ace or similar)
But based on what you said I may keep the rental car (we're in Orlando for 3 days prior) and then the plan would be:
- Drop off bags with porters at the terminal ~10.00, park the vehicle, check in ~ 10.30, go for breakfast from 11-12, return the car in Alamo around 12, board 12.30-1.00

I would just get a light snack on the way to the terminal then go to the lunch buffet as soon as I get on board.

That's what we've always done before, but we used to arrive with DCL's bus and usually would get there around noon and board around 1-2pm
Since we have an earlier PAT this time around, and not using DCL's transportation, I thought about changing logistics a bit.
 
I get what you're saying, but i'm unsure about the 'check-in and leave the terminal' part. I've not seen anyone do that. I'm sure it's possible, but I've never seen it. Totally do-able, though. Head over to Cape Canaveral and there's tons of restuaraunts 5 minutes from the terminal
Since they are just doing drop off, not a big deal. Folks will drop bags and their families off, return the rental car and take the shuttle back. As long as they can get an uber or similar out of the port, they can do it.
 


You can arrive around 9:30-9:45 and drop your luggage off with the porters. The terminal doesn’t open until 10:30. You could check in and then leave. You will get the same boarding number whenever you check in because it’s tied to your Port Arrival Time.
Boarding usually begins 11:15-11:30.
Restaurants open 11:45-12:00 for lunch.
The terminal can be very crowded but fun. The characters will come out for pictures.
There is a balcony that you can go outside and see the ship.
The only Disney Cruise pressed penny machine is at Port Canaveral. 6 different designs .51 each bring change.
So to answer your question yes it’s possible:)
Not sure I would do it because you will ruin your appetite for lunch and ice cream
 
You won't have any idea how long the check in time will be. I agree with the others, grab breakfast before heading to the port and then have lunch onboard. If you don't want to wait around at the terminal plan on arriving about 12:15pm after the initial boarding begins.
 
With an 11:00 pat you'll have an early boarding number, so can get on the ship for lunch. If you check in, then leave for food, by the time you very back you'll miss lunch. And wouldn't be hungry for it.

Also, logistically, no matter how you plan on getting to port, it had to be easier to get food before arriving
 
- Drop off bags with porters at the terminal ~10.00, park the vehicle, check in ~ 10.30, go for breakfast from 11-12, return the car in Alamo around 12, board 12.30-1.00

The terminal doesn't open until 10:30am. If you arrive at 10 to drop your bags, you will then stand in line waiting to enter the terminal. Security first, then check-in. Depending how many others opt to arrive early, it might be 10:45 or 11:00am before you complete check-in. If you then leave the terminal, you will need to go back through security when you return.

If you want to drop bags and go grab breakfast, that's fine, possibly as early as 9:30/10:00 -- BUT as a PP mentions, many of the private transfers won't schedule your pick-up for an arrival that early. If you drive a rental, I believe you will pay to park even for a short-term.

Whether you use a car service or rental, I suggest you plan to simply drop your bags with porters and go back out for breakfast. Don't waste time in line, going through security and doing check-in with the early-rush crowds. If your point is to avoid the crowds, avoid them. Do your check-in when you return later for boarding.

Enjoy your cruise!
 
Whether you use a car service or rental, I suggest you plan to simply drop your bags with porters and go back out for breakfast. Don't waste time in line, going through security and doing check-in with the early-rush crowds. If your point is to avoid the crowds, avoid them. Do your check-in when you return later for boarding.

Enjoy your cruise!

This is very good advice. I think I will heed it and drop off bags around 10.00, go for breakfast, return the car and go back to the terminal around 1.00
Unlike 99% of cruisers, I don't look forward to the cabanas lunch on embarkation day. In fact I dread it, t's an absolute zoo. I like to have a hearty breakfast instead, eat a light snack by the pool later on or just wait til dinner if we get early MDR. DW and DD do not care about crowds and they will wrestle the hordes in cabanas. I have a mild case of demophobia.

Thank you.
 
There will be more people checking in early vs later. Why not just ignore your PAT, have a leisurely breakfast around 10-11, and arrive to the port at 1 or so, then do your checkin and board. By that time, the crowds will be gone, as everyone will have boarded already. It seems like a major hassle to arrive early,go through all the security, go through the check in process and then just leave and have to repeat most of it again when you come back.
 
There will be more people checking in early vs later. Why not just ignore your PAT, have a leisurely breakfast around 10-11, and arrive to the port at 1 or so, then do your checkin and board. By that time, the crowds will be gone, as everyone will have boarded already. It seems like a major hassle to arrive early,go through all the security, go through the check in process and then just leave and have to repeat most of it again when you come back.

I totally agree with this recommendation. Arriving at 10am to drop off bags will be super busy not only with people arriving at the terminal but also all the people disembarking and waiting for their transportation to leave the terminal. Really doesn't make sense to do this. Why not leave luggage in your car - have a leisurely breakfast - then drop off luggage with porters when the terminal is less busy?
 
I totally agree with this recommendation. Arriving at 10am to drop off bags will be super busy not only with people arriving at the terminal but also all the people disembarking and waiting for their transportation to leave the terminal. Really doesn't make sense to do this. Why not leave luggage in your car - have a leisurely breakfast - then drop off luggage with porters when the terminal is less busy?

This is good advice too.
Thank you.
 
FYI: completely understand not liking Cabanas but did you know they now have one of the restaurants available as table service. Much quieter. I like your plan though but don’t think I could talk my family into it lol
 

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