PAT and getting a car service for transportion to Port Canaveral

[clh2]

So, I feel like this question is almost the same as “which came first-the chicken or the egg”

If we do not get a PAT until 33 days in advance…should we try to guess a PAT maybe 11:30 as we make our transportation reservations?

Or is it better to wait until we KNOW what our PAT is, but then risk not getting a car service? My daughter wants the 2&4 year old in car seats, so Disney transportation is not an option, and we are looking at having a sprinter van from MCO to the port.

What happens if your hired service gets you to the port early?

Thanks!

 

[happycamper47]

So, I feel like this question is almost the same as “which came first-the chicken or the egg”

If we do not get a PAT until 33 days in advance…should we try to guess a PAT maybe 11:30 as we make our transportation reservations?

Or is it better to wait until we KNOW what our PAT is, but then risk not getting a car service? My daughter wants the 2&4 year old in car seats, so Disney transportation is not an option, and we are looking at having a sprinter van from MCO to the port.

What happens if your hired service gets you to the port early?

Thanks!

Most car services allow you to reasonably adjust times, at least the ones we've used. Also we never check in until 8 am or so and have never had a PAT later that 12:30 as our first choice.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Since you mention choosing a PAT at 33 days out, I am assuming that you are Silver Castaway Club members. We are platinum and the earliest time we could get for PAT on the Fantasy was 11:30-11:45 am, boarding group 9 when we cruised last summer. While you can be dropped off at the curb outside the terminal early, you won’t be allowed into the terminal until it is your PAT. Not sure I would want to stand around outside for a long time with two little ones. If it was me, I would book the car service now with a “guessed” port arrival time no earlier than 12:30 pm -12:45 pm to be on the safe side. This will let you take your time checking out of your (WDW?) resort. If your port arrival time ends up being earlier, you will be allowed in once you arrive at the port. If it is a lot later, you could check with the car service about pushing back your pickup time.

 

[jimmymc]

I don't think you'll have an issue getting transportation at 33 days out, even with needing 2 car seats.

Get the arrival time first, then book transport.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I don't think you'll have an issue getting transportation at 33 days out, even with needing 2 car seats.

ooohh agreed, I was wondering if there was some "special" DCL car service that people were talking about that would be booked up this far in advance.....

Your preferred car services MIGHT be booked up the night before (I once had to switch companies booking a service to the Rome airport the night before), but definitely not 33 days out.....I might think that if a big convention (with kids though?) or big holiday like Christmas that could bring families might be more booked a week out, but definitely not over a month....

 

[sponica]

I would do PAT first and then car service and if by some absolute fluke nobody is available, you can add the DCL transfers (even if it is the less desirable option)

 

[lanejudy]

I would just go ahead and book, with a plan to arrive around 12:30pm. It should be open boarding by then so no worries. If you end up with an earlier PAT, you can try to adjust but know that you are ok with what you scheduled anyway.