Please confirm Dublin pre-clearance impression

You got it right.

Yep, make sure you allow yourself enough time in the Dublin airport. I remember it taking awhile to get thru but as usual, it will depend on the number of flights going out.

Thanks Frank II and Margie!! Appreciate the confirmations and advise.

It's fabulous! Just keep in mind (at least our experience in 2017) was in Dublin you go through Ireland's TSA equivalent of security, then you are in an area of the airport where there is food, coffee, etc. like any other airport post security. I bought a coffee then headed over to nearby US pre-clearance where I learned my coffee wasn't allowed to go with me. Then you go through US Immigration. (I can't remember if our carry on got screened again; but likely.) Then you are in a pretty isolated part of the airport where there are some basic vending machines/food stalls.

Then when you land in Chicago, you'll get off the plane like you've landed on a domestic flight. It's so convenient!

My experience tallies with those described above. One caution, though - at one point in the process at the Dublin Airport, they put you through a machine that gives you a little piece of paper that includes a (really bad) photo of you. Please hang on to this piece of paper where you can find it easily - you will need it as proof that you can exit your American airport. I had just jammed it into a random pocket and had to get out of the queue and hunt for it for awhile. Fortunately, a really kind TSA agent let me back in.

Thanks KD and Inbsig for sharing your experiences.

I accepted United’s change, no point of looking for another flight. Only problem now is my Priority Boarding disappeared so I need to call to try to get it fixed. Last time it took an hour call and she never could get it to show on the boarding pass (gate rep resolved the problem). Since I’m 6 months out, I’ll let the reps deal with holiday problems before calling.