Planning a Disney Cruise from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Here’s everything you need to know—parking, terminals, hotels, transportation, and insider tips to make embarkation day smooth sailing.

Port Everglades, located in Fort Lauderdale in South Florida, is the home port of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny. Seasonally, the Disney Dream will also sail out of Port Everglades. It’s Disneys second home port in Florida (the first is in Port Canaveral), and we love how convenient this port is for cruisers, especially ones who are not planning to pair their cruise with a trip to the Walt Disney World theme parks (Port Canaveral is better for that).

We love Fort Lauderdale because it’s airport is smaller and easier to navigate, but it still has lots of amenities. The cruise terminal is only about 30 minutes away from the FLL airport (or 60 minutes, if you’re flying into Miami’s airport), and there are lots of affordable hotels and unique marina-adjacent stays to choose from before your cruise. Taking an Uber or Lyft from your hotel or the airport is inexpensive, and there are even some free options for getting around the city. Sailing out of Port Everglades can save a lot of time and money for families who are on tight timelines or strict budgets.

Port Everglades: An Overview

• What to Expect for Disney Cruises
• Tips for Disney Cruisers
• The Disney Cruise Terminal at Port Everglades
• How to Get to Port Everglades
• Where to Stay Before Your Cruise

Welcome to Port Everglades! Photo by Danny Shuster

What to Expect During Disney Cruises from Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades

When you arrive at Port Everglades, you’ll immediately see Disney signage and Cast Members welcoming you and directing you into the terminal. Leave your bags with the porters who will ensure they get on the ship (make sure your Disney Cruise luggage tags are attached – and keep valuables, medicine and alcohol with you in your carry-on bag).

The first checkpoint will ensure that you’re in the right Terminal, and that you’ve arrived at the right time (more on that in a minute!). Then you’ll enter a line based on your Castaway Club status: first time cruisers, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl members.

At the check in desk, you’ll need your Port Arrival Form (completed online before your trip and printed out), and IDs for everyone in your sailing party. You’ll then proceed through security (more like Disney parks security than airport security) to ensure you aren’t boarding with prohibited items.

Finally, you can relax in the terminal until your boarding group number is called, at which time you can join the queue to board the ship! Once you’ve boarded, a Cast Member will ask for your family name, and announce you like royalty as you step into the ship’s atrium/grand hall.

Upon arrival back at Port Everglades after your cruise, you’ll debark the ship at the time Disney provides to you on the last night of your cruise, gather your bags, proceed through customs, and then you’ll be directed to the parking lot and other transportation options. The whole operation is efficient and easy.

When it’s time to board the ship, process though the ears! Photo by Danny Shuster

Tips for Disney Cruisers

There are a lot of steps to follow and lingo to learn before your Disney cruise, so here are some quick tips:

• You’ll need to fill out your Port Arrival Form on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or website before your cruise. Depending on your Castaway Club status, this will open up be 30-40 days prior to sailing. Bring this with you to the port to expedite boarding.
• On your Port Arrival Form, you’ll see your Port Arrival Time (you may see it called a PAT online). This is the time you are expected to arrive at the port – show up early, and you’ll likely be asked to leave and return. Show up too late and you might miss the boat, literally. The seating area in the terminal is limited, which is why PAT is enforced to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable.
• On your Port Arrival Form, you’ll see your Boarding Group number. This is what you listen for within the terminal to know when it’s your time to enter the boarding queue, much like at the airport.
• When you arrive at the terminal, it’s customary to tip the porters $1-2 per bag, so have some cash handy.
• Before your bags are loaded on board, they will be checked for prohibited items – any found will be removed and returned to you at the end of the cruise.

But our top tip for Disney Cruisers at Port Everglades is this: As soon as you are in the terminal and past security, you can officially join the ship’s internet, which means you can use your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to see the planned activities on board.

This is your chance to start planning the details of everything you want to do, from fitness classes and spa demonstrations to trivia and dance parties to kids’ activities and musical acts. This is a great time-saver so you can be ready for fun as soon as you board, and it makes the wait go by so fast!

Disney’s Port Everglades terminal has a Finding Nemo theme. Photo by Danny Shuster

Disney Cruise Terminal at Port Everglades

Disney operates out of Terminal 4 at Port Everglades, located at 1800 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.

See Disney Cruise Terminal 4 at Port Everglades on a map.

Please note that select sailings may use other terminals at Port Everglades, so verify this info on your cruise documentation before arriving at the port. Even more importantly, make sure you are not booked on a cruise leaving from Port Canaveral, Disney’s other port in Florida – it seems like every week we hear a story about someone nearly missing their cruise after arriving at the wrong port!

Inside the terminal, there’s a beautiful Finding Nemo theme to the decor, with ocean-colored bubbles on the ceiling, hand-painted murals (keep the kids busy looking for hidden Mickeys!), charging stations for your devices, lots of seating, and a bathroom.

Just like at Port Canaveral, there is an iconic yellow Mickey funnel entrance to use when you’re boarding, and photographers are on hand to capture your embarkation family pictures.

Can you spot the hidden Mickey? Photo by Danny Shuster

How to Get to Port Everglades

You have a number of options for arriving at Port Everglades. Flying into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA) are the closest airports. Fort Lauderdale is a 25 to 30 minute drive and Miami is a 45-60 minute drive, depending on traffic. Taking the Brightline train is another option, the station is about a 30min drive from the port.

You can also Uber/Lyft/taxi to the port or drive your own car (refer to Disney’s official info for current parking info and fees), and if you are staying in Fort Lauderdale before or after your sailing be sure to check if your hotel offers a shuttle, or if you’re conveniently located to use the LauderGo! Community Shuttle.

When you arrive, make sure you head to the Disney Cruise Terminal 4 (unless you’ve been advised your sailing will use a different terminal).

Other lines including Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival, and Celebrity also sail from port Everglades. Unlike an airport, the terminal are not easily connected; you should see Disney signage immediately upon arrival. If you don’t, verify you’re in the right spot.

The view when sailing out of Port Everglades is beautiful. Photo by Danny Shuster

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale Before a Disney Cruise

Unless you are within a short driving distance (34- hours max!), we always advise arriving in Fort Lauderdale at least a day before your cruise departs. Weather, technology and plain bad luck can delay your travel if you plan to fly in the morning of your cruise, and the ship will not wait for you. Sadly, travel delays are only worsening, and losing out on your vacation because your arrived to late is a headache and expense that none of us need while trying to have a magical vacation!

There are lots of great options for places to stay near Port Everglades, from budget to deluxe price ranges. Whether you’re looking to stay near the airport for convenience, near the beach for relaxation, or even in the unique marinas near the port, you’ll be able to find a great fit for your family.

If you’re booking with our travel agent partner, they can help with all of your accommodation and transportation arrangements, plus they’ll gift you free onboard credit when you book a Disney cruise (or any cruise!) with them!

Of course, you could really make a dream land-and-sea Disney vacation if you head to Walt Disney World first, then drive or take the Brightline down to Fort Lauderdale (just be sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare, ideally the day before). If you’re flying, it’s easy to book a multi-city trip into Orlando (MCO) and out of Fort Lauderdale!