- Booking your Flights to Orlando
- Check-In Process
- Ground Transfers (Disney Cruise Line)
- Private SUV Service (Call FL Tours at 407-857-9606
- Driving to Port Canaveral
- Parking at the Ports
Booking Your Flights for a Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line offers the option of booking flights through them and while this makes things very easy, there is little flexibility with this option. Disney selects the airline and flight times for you but does not provide the details of your flight until closer to your departure date. Many guests like to be in control of their chosen airline, schedule, connections and fares and choose to book air on their own.
We recommend flying in the day before your cruise’s departure. This removes the worry of missing the ship’s sailing should there be any flight delays. This is especially important during the winter months when flight cancellations due to weather are common.
There are several sites for checking airline fares, including Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, Kayak, and Yapta. On most travel sites, you can sign up to be alerted when discount fares are available. You should also check the official airline website because you might get better pricing and flight times by booking directly with the airline.
Keep checking on your flight even after it’s booked. Airlines are known to change flight numbers and times. They are supposed to contact you when they make changes but rarely do. The sooner you notice a change, the sooner you can contact the airline if this change doesn’t work for you. Before calling, check the airline’s website to see what your new options for flights might be. Please don’t wait for them to suggest something. Tell them the option that works best for you. Besides, you might find that your fare has decreased.
If you’re flying in on embarkation day, you need to make sure that you leave enough time to get to the ship from the airport. The call for final boarding is at 4:00 p.m., and no one is allowed to board after that time. The port is approximately an hour’s drive from the Orlando airport, but you’ll also need to factor in the time it will take to get your luggage and get to your transportation. Early morning flight arrivals are recommended if flying on the same day is your only option.
Disney recommends on departure day that you not book a flight before 11:30 a.m. There are times when the ship is delayed at the Port, and you run the risk of missing your flight. Rushing to get to the airport is not the way to end your Disney cruise vacation.
Checking in and Getting to Port Canaveral
We have found the check-in process at Disney Cruise Line to be quick and painless. The operational hours of the cruise terminal and parking garage in Port Canaveral begin at 10:30 a.m. Because the terminal doesn’t open until 10:30, transportation companies cannot drop guests off any earlier. Pickups at the airport or Disney hotels will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Just like at airports, you’ll first pass through a security screening. From there, it’s up the escalator (or elevator) to the check-in area. Here you’ll find a long counter operated by some of the friendliest cast members you’ll find at Disney.
To make this as effortless and quick as possible, have all of the forms in your cruise packet filled out beforehand. Every member of your party needs to complete this. If you have your confirmation number, you can also complete your forms online at the official Disney Cruise Line website.
You’ll need to have the proper ID and documentation for every member of your party. For the latest U.S. Department of State regulations, click here.
Disney Cruise Line Ground Transfers
In terms of getting to Port Canaveral, you have several options. The first and more expensive option is to purchase transfers with your Disney Cruise Line reservation. Included with your transfer is baggage handling. You place a special luggage tag on your bags, check them at your departing airport, and the next time you see them will be in your stateroom. A Disney Cruise Line representative will greet you as you disembark the plane (they wait in the rotunda of Orlando International Airport). They will guide you to your bus, and it’s off to the ship you go. Of course, if you have a land/sea vacation, Disney will bring your bags to your hotel first (provided you purchased the land/sea vacation with Disney Cruise Line. This won’t work if you’re staying at hotels off property).
NOTE: All Disney Cruise Line transportation is provided by motor coaches.
| TRAVEL LEG | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Airport to WDW resort or resort to airport | N/C (Magical Express) |
| Any other one-way transfer (Resort to Port Canaveral or Port Canaveral to resort/airport) | $39 per person per segment |
| Cruise Only (Round-trip airport to Port Canaveral) | $78 per person |
| Transfers in Civitavecchia (Airport to port/resort, resort to port/airport, OR port to airport/resort) | $55 per person per segment |
| Transfers in Copenhagen (Airport to port/resort, resort to airport, OR port to airport) | $35 per person per segment |
| Transfers in Copenhagen (Resort to port, OR port to resort) | $20 per person per segment |
Driving to Port Canaveral
From the Orlando International Airport, the port is just a short drive along Florida’s Beachline Expressway (S.R. 528) to reach the cruise terminals, restaurants, parks, beach and other places of business and recreation.
Port Canaveral is even closer to Melbourne International Airport. From the airport follow signs to eastbound U.S. 192, cross the Indian River and turn north on SR A1A. Drive along the coast until you reach Port Canaveral. Or take, U.S. 192, westbound to Interstate 95 and drive north to the Beeline Expressway’s east exit.
From the Daytona Beach International Airport, go east to Interstate 95, then drive south to the Beeline Expressway’s east exit.
Once you arrive at the port, finding the cruise terminals is easy. Signs along the highway clearly chart your course. Cruise Terminals 5 and 9/10 are located on the north side of the port and can be reached via SR 401. Cruise Terminals 2, 3 and 4 are on the south side near Jetty Park. Just turn left off SR 528 into Port Canaveral, then make a right turn onto George King Boulevard and follow the signs.
Parking at the Ports
Port Canaveral:
3-night cruise – $68
4-night cruise – $85
5-night cruise – $102
7-night cruise – $136
This price includes every day the vehicle is parked in the lot or garage, including the day of arrival and departure. You will pay as you enter the lot. Booth 1 will be manned and the others will be automated. Only credit cards are accepted and guests will receive a printed ticket and receipt. The prices listed are for a standard size vehicle; buses or large campers will be charged an additional fee.
113 spaces are available, with 6 of those being handicapped-accessible. This area is first come, first served.
Other DCL Port Info
Port of Barcelona:
A parking garage is available at the World Trade Center just outside the terminal area. Shuttles are available to take guests to the terminal for a nominal fee. Parking is not available at Terminal C, where the ship will sail from.
Port of Galveston:
4-night cruise – $45
6-night cruise – $60
7-night cruise – $70
8-night cruise – $75
Larger vehicles (e.g., buses, large campers) will be charged double the rate. Limited covered parking is available for an additional price for 7-night sailings. There are discounts if you pre-pay for your parking. The official parking lots are identified as Parking Lot A and Parking Lot B and are located at 33rd Street and Harborside Drive.
Port of San Diego:
There is no parking at the San Diego Port Terminal. Guests may park in one of the San Diego Airport’s off-site parking facilities. Shuttles services are available to the port from the airport.
Port of Miami:
Parking is available in facilities located in front of individual cruise terminals. No reservations are required. Long-term parking for a regular vehicle occupying a single space is $20 per day. Short-term parking is $7 if you see someone off but are not intending to park overnight.
Port of New York:
Disney Cruise Line is using the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The passenger cruise terminal is located on the West Side of Manhattan, between West 48th and West 52nd streets. Piers 88 and 90 have been thoroughly renovated. A vehicle entrance is located at 55th Street and 12th Avenue.
Parking is conveniently located above each of the piers. Drive up the Viaduct Ramp at 55th Street to the receiving area adjacent to the cruise vessel’s berth.
Parking Rates:
Cruise parking $40.00 per night
Please Note:
Payment is due upon arrival into the parking lot. Taxes are included in the rates. Cruise parking opens at 9:00 am. Check out 1:00 pm. They do not accept reservations. Space is subject to availability and is provided to cruise parkers on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Payment accepted by cash, Visa, and Mastercard
For Ports America (Terminal Operator) Parking information, call (212) 641-4454.
Additional parking lots are located at 59th Street.
Port of Vancouver:
Cruise Parking is provided by Vinci Park Services at Canada Place and must be reserved in advance online or by calling (866) 856-8080.