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Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal Boarding Process

If you are taking a Disney Cruise more than likely it will be out of Port Canaveral. You might find the entire Disney Cruise boarding process a bit overwhelming if you haven’t been to the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal before.

There are a lot of lines, and a ton of people, and the last thing you want to do is to be stressed out as you embark on your magical vacation because you don’t know what to expect.

Being prepared is one way to make the Disney Cruise boarding process a little easier.

Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal

Navigating the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal

Disney Cruise Line Transportation from Resort

If you are staying at a Disney World Resort prior to your cruise, you will have the option to book ground transportation through Disney Crusie Line.

Disney Cruise Line Transportation
Courtesy Disney

A bus will stop at your resort to pick you up and take you straight to the terminal.

What you need to know is that it can be a bit of a pain.

First off, you have to put your bags out at 7 am the day of your departure. If you were hoping to sleep in or keep your bags with you, forget it.

You also have to be at the meeting place at the resort at a set time.

Depending on where your resort falls on the route, it could be early and then you have to stop at all the other resorts before making your way to Port Canaveral.

While Disney makes this seem to be a great option for guests to use, we found didn’t enjoy it.

Port Canaveral Parking

If you are planning on parking your car at Port Canaveral, you are going to want to make sure that you are prepared for the cost and factor that into your cruise budget.

Cost is on average $17 a vehicle per day.

You do not need to pay in advance of your trip, just pay to park at the cruise terminal’s designated parking area.

If you don’t want to pay the hefty fee for Port Canaveral Parking another option is to park off-site and be shuttled to Port Canaveral.

This is a much less expensive method and the one we use every time we cruise out of Port Canaveral.

You can park your car at ParkPort Canaveral, located at 500 Thurm Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

If you park for the duration of your cruise, you can receive shuttle service to Port Canaveral and pay per day.

Luggage Collection at the Disney Cruise Terminal at Port Canaveral

Once you park or are transported to the Cruise terminal, you will unload your luggage and hand it over (if you choose) to a luggage attendant.

When you received your cruise documents, you would have been given paper luggage tags for your belongings.

Be sure to tag each of your bags, that your cabin number is visible and that all your bags are securely fastened so the contents don’t fall out.

Want to bring your own alcohol on board?

You can bring alcohol with you, but be sure you follow the Disney Cruise line Alcohol policy.

If you don’t, you might be wasting money having it thrown away before you even get to enjoy it.

Can you carry your own luggage on board?

Yes, you may carry your bags onto the cruise ship and many people do!

We found that if you are arriving after 1 p.m., you are better off bringing your luggage on board with you.

This way, you can go straight to your room with your bags rather than waiting (sometimes hours) for your bags to arrive.

Checking the Disney Cruise Terminal

The check-in process at the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal has changed in recent years.

As soon as you enter the building, you will be queued up in lines. It is very important to have all your documents ready before you walk in.

In years past, you would go upstairs to check-in. Now, it is immediately as you enter the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise terminal.

I can’t stress enough that it is really important to do all your prescreening documents online prior to your departure. If you don’t, you will be queued in a second line which takes even longer.

Inside the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Terminal

Once you arrive upstairs, you will find plenty of seating for those who have to wait for their cruise number to be called.

While you are waiting, you can check out the large Disney Magic replica that is in the center of the terminal.

You will find many people lining up here for photos. Just understand that it is the Disney Magic replica and doesn’t change out even though you might be taking another ship.

Pressed Penny Machine at the Disney Cruise Terminal

If you collect Disney Pressed Pennies, there is a Pressed Penny machine in the terminal.

We loved those pressed pennies and this is the only place where you can get a Disney Cruise pressed penny!

Boarding Disney Cruise

Boarding the Disney Cruise Ship

Once your boarding number has been called you can make your way to the large Mickey Mouse ears.

Here you will scan your Disney Cruise cards because you are ready to board your cruise ship.

Walking onboard the Disney Cruise Ship

Here is a little Disney Cruise Secret: The line for this is LONG. If you move to the right, you will be able to bypass this completely and go straight to the ship!

Disney Cruise Emabarkation

When you board the ship, a cast member will greet you and ask for your party’s name and if you are celebrating a special event. They will announce your event and your family’s arrival as you enter the atrium.

Once Onboard Your Disney Cruise Ship

Depending on the time you board your Disney Cruise, you may have to wait before going to your stateroom.

If you arriving before 1:30 and unable to go to your room, you can walk around the ship or better yet, find a table and grab lunch.

Disney Cruise Cabanas Buffet

Cabanas is open as soon as you get to the ship, so set your luggage at a table and go eat!

Disney Fantasy Pool

If you already had lunch, you can head straight to the pool and enjoy it before it gets busy.

DCL Port

Overall, the boarding process for Disney Cruise is pretty basic, but when you walk in, you can very easily get lost in all the lines. I hope these little pointers help to make your transition from terminal to ship a little easier!

Need a Place to Stay in Port Canaveral Before Your Disney Cruise?

Those looking for a hotel to stay the night before (or after) your cruise, consider the Radisson in Cape Canaveral.

Not only is it a nice hotel that is close to the port, it has on-site cruise parking through ParkPort Canaveral mentioned above!

You can book a Cruise package where you can stay at the hotel and then leave your car during the cruise (and get a shuttle to Port Canaveral).

Another option is to stay in nearby Cocoa Beach. This beach town is just a few miles south of Cape Canaveral and worth a visit if you are planning to stay in the area prior or after your cruise.

There are plenty of things to do in Cocoa Beach, but even if you just want a great beach day, it is well worth the trip.

Bob

Monday 27th of November 2017

3 families going on the Dream. Nana and I are platinum castaway club members. Kids families are first time cruisers. Can they check in with us at the platinum desk?

Gretchen Schott

Sunday 18th of June 2017

Thank you for this! We leave in 4 weeks for our first cruise and I was a bit apprehensive about what to expect. This was clear and made me feel excited to go.

Kristi

Tuesday 25th of July 2017

Yay! I am so glad to hear this. Have a magical trip!

Holly

Thursday 18th of August 2016

I have ordered for a motorized wheelchair to be delivered to the ship I'm just not sure what to get at once I get in the terminal

Kristi

Thursday 18th of August 2016

When you check in, let the agent know that you have one reserved and she should be able to tell you where to go or they will bring it to you.

Dyanna

Monday 17th of November 2014

Are the ID bands used on the ship the Magic Bands? We are doing land and sea so we have ordered customized Magic Bands. I am just unsure if they will be used both places or just on land.

Kristi

Wednesday 19th of November 2014

MagicBands are only good at the park.

Angela @Little Blue's Room

Monday 21st of July 2014

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this information! My family will be going on the Dream in October and this is our first cruise so this information is a diamond jewel! :-)

Kristi

Tuesday 22nd of July 2014

You are going to have a fantastic trip! We just love the Dream!

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