Port Canaveral, Florida Disney Cruise Port Guide: Hotels, Transportation & Things To Do

A large cruise ship docked at a terminal during dusk with a purple and pink sunset. The building has a rounded glass facade with the words "Hey Cruise Line" illuminated on it and features a large clock. Several buses are parked nearby, and palm trees are visible around the area.

Port Canaveral is one of the most popular cruise ports in Florida and the primary home port for many Disney Cruise Line sailings. Located on Florida’s Space Coast, Port Canaveral is easily accessible from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and is a favorite for families who want to combine a Disney Cruise with time in Orlando or Cocoa Beach. The port is well-organized, easy to navigate, and surrounded by a wide range of cruise-friendly hotels.

Disney Cruise Line typically sails from Cruise Terminal 8 at Port Canaveral, with select sailings occasionally using Cruise Terminal 10. Both terminals are modern, clearly marked, and designed for a smooth embarkation experience, with convenient parking, luggage drop-off, and short transfer times from nearby hotels. Because of its efficiency and location, Port Canaveral is an excellent choice for first-time Disney cruisers and seasoned Disney Cruise fans alike.

Top Hotels Near Port Canaveral

An aerial view of a resort swimming pool area with multiple pools, surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, palm trees, and shaded structures.

8701 Astronaut Blvd,
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Distance to port: 1.5 miles | 7 min drive
Shuttle to port: Yes, for a fee
Free breakfast: No
Onsite parking: Yes, for daily fee

An aerial view of a hotel swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, palm trees, and a parking lot with cars and an RV camper.

9000 Astronaut Blvd,
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Distance to port: 1 mile | 8 min drive
Shuttle to port: Yes, for a fee
Free breakfast: Yes
Onsite parking: Yes, for daily fee

Modern multi-story hotel building with palm trees and landscaped greenery in front, under a blue sky with clouds.

605 W Central Blvd,
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Distance to port: 1.3 miles | 10 min drive
Shuttle to port: No (Ride share recommended)
Free breakfast: No
Onsite parking: Yes, for daily fee

A swimming pool area at a hotel with lounge chairs and orange umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a multi-story hotel building under a blue sky with some clouds.

9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32827
Distance to port: 57 miles | 55 min drive
Shuttle to port: Yes, including Disney Transportation
Free breakfast: No
Onsite parking: Yes, for free

Things to Do Near Port Canaveral

Multiple rockets displayed outdoors, with one rocket on a launch pad, a large rocket standing upright, and another smaller rocket with a crane beside it.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Merritt Island, FL
A must-visit for space fans — get up close with real rockets, interactive exhibits, astronaut experiences, and more. Whether you’re into science or just looking for an unforgettable day trip, it’s one of the Space Coast’s biggest draws.

Entrance of Brevard Zoo with a large banner overhead that reads 'Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation'. Ticket booths for pre-paid and membership purchases are visible, along with a sign for the JazZoo event and a lion statue.

Brevard Zoo

8225 N Wickham Rd,
Melbourne, FL
Perfect for animal lovers and families, this 75+ acre zoo features wildlife from around the world, animal feedings, a splash park, and even kayak tours through the animal habitats. It’s a fun full or half-day outing about 30–40 minutes from Port Canaveral.

Beach scene with yellow umbrellas, a pier extending into the ocean, and a sandy shore with a lifeguard tower.

Cocoa Beach Pier

401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
A historic oceanfront pier with shops, live music, restaurants, bars, and great views of the Atlantic. It’s perfect for a laid-back stroll, lunch with a view, or watching surfers ride the waves

The exterior of a colorful building with a sign for Wizard of Oz immersive experience, museum, gift shop in Florida. A yellow and red spiral painted on the parking lot road leads to the entrance, with the words "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." There are palm trees and landscaped bushes around the building.

The Wizard of Oz Museum

Cape Canaveral, FL
A fun, family-friendly museum with thousands of artifacts from The Wizard of Oz, immersive exhibits, and even Van Gogh rooms. It’s quirky, unique, and only a short drive from the port — great for a quick cultural break.

Sign at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station welcoming visitors to the Air Force Space & Missile Museum, with directional arrow pointing to Launch Complex 26.

Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum

190 Museum Circle,
Cape Canaveral, FL
Learn about the history of America’s space exploration and military space efforts at this museum near the Space Force base. It’s a great pick for aviation and history buffs and makes a nice stop if you’re exploring beyond the cruise port area.

Disney castle at a theme park with visitors in front on a sunny day.

Walt Disney World Resort

Orlando, FL
If you have a full day before or after your cruise, Walt Disney World is a classic Florida bucket-list destination. With four theme parks, water parks, shopping, dining, and entertainment, it’s ideal if your schedule and energy allow for an Orlando adventure before setting sail. The drive from Port Canaveral is about 60–70 minutes each way, making it a doable day trip for theme-park fans.

Planning Tips for Port Canaveral Cruisers

Interior of a cruise ship cabin with a large bed, a window with ocean view, and a sitting area with a round window showing the sea.

Planning Tips for Port Canaveral Cruisers

  • Plan to arrive in the area at least one day before your Disney Cruise, especially if you’re flying into Orlando (MCO), which is about an hour from the port.

  • Many Port Canaveral hotels offer cruise shuttle services, but pickup times and fees vary — always confirm details in advance if you plan to use one.

  • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is an easy and flexible option for hotels located close to the port, particularly those along Astronaut Boulevard.

  • If you’re staying at an Orlando airport hotel, consider booking a hotel + cruise shuttle package to avoid renting a car.

  • Parking is available at Port Canaveral terminals, but families often find drop-off plus rideshare to be simpler on embarkation morning.

  • Keep pre-cruise plans relaxed — a beach visit, early dinner, and a good night’s sleep help make embarkation day smooth and stress-free.

FREE DISNEY CRUISE PACKING GUIDE

Ready to Plan Your Disney Cruise?

If you’d like help pairing the right Port Canaveral hotel with your Disney Cruise sailing, and want expert guidance every step of the way, I’d love to help! Disney Cruise Line pricing is the same whether you book direct or with a certified travel advisor, so you might as well have personalized support along the way.