We are going to be doing a 4 Day Land/3 Day Sea cruise as part of our honeymoon in August. My question is about check-in:

We check in at Port Orleans Riverside on Sunday, August 8th to begin our 4 days on land. Now, normal hotel check-in isn't until later in the day - like after 12:00 noon or so.

I have heard that you can arrive at the hotel early and check in for your package and receive your park tickets and do all of the paperwork early so you don't have to waste 1/3 a day in one of the parks - is this correct? If so, does anyone know how early you can check in?

Also, what can we expect for this check-in - I know there is a bit more to do than your normal hotel check-in - what all does it involve?

Thanks for the help.

Fear not, Disney has the check-in thing down to a science. :)
If memory serves (and this was a few years ago) when you get to the hotel, make sure you have filled out all the documents DCL sent you: emergency form, credit card form, boarding pass, immigration form et.al. The people at POR will take all of them from you so you only have to check in once. You will recieve your Key to the World card which will not only open your room in your hotel, it will be your park hopper while at Disney World AND it will open your stateroom on the ship, as well (and allow you to charge since you don't use cash on board). It will probably even have your meal rotation on it.
Once you are checked in at the hotel you can give your luggage to the bell desk and they will make sure your items get to your room once it is ready (usually around 3 p.m.).
You are then free to hop on a shuttle and go play.
When you come back later that night -- if the luggage is not in your room -- call the desk and they will send it over right away.
When you get to the dock, all you need to do is scan your Key to the World card at the appropritate spot (to make sure you are "officially on board") -- and go right on.

If any of this has changed, please correct me.

Thanks for the info!

I am planning on writing a huge trip report so I will make sure to write down how this all works for posterity sake and post it when I return.

Thanks for the info!

I am planning on writing a huge trip report so I will make sure to write down how this all works for posterity sake and post it when I return.

I’ll be looking forward for your trip report. Have a great honeymoon!! :)