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

A large cruise ship docked at a terminal during sunset, with a modern glass-fronted terminal building labeled 'Ferry Cruise Line' in the foreground, palm trees, buses, and a parking lot visible.

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

Aerial view of a tropical resort pool area with two swimming pools, palm trees, lounge chairs, shaded cabanas, and a bridge over one pool.

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 outdoor swimming pool area with lounge chairs, a fence, palm trees, and a parking lot with cars and RVs in the background.

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 hotel building with palm trees in front, blue sky with clouds above.

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

View of a rooftop swimming pool with orange umbrellas, lounge chairs, and palm trees under a blue sky with clouds, adjacent to a white multi-story building with balconies.

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

Several rockets at a space exhibit, including a large white rocket with black markings, a smaller white and teal NASA rocket, and a rocket with red engines, all set against a clear blue sky.

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 to Brevard Zoo with a large banner displaying the zoo's logo and motto, 'Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation.' Ticket counters are visible with people purchasing tickets and membership. Signage for pre-paid tickets, member entry, and ticket purchase is present. There is an informational board and a statue of a lion on a pole.

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.

View of a sandy beach with yellow umbrellas, a lifeguard tower, and a wooden pier extending into the ocean.

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

Building with a sign promoting an immersive experience, museum, and gift shop in Florida themed after Wizard of Oz, with yellow and red painted spiral road pathway in front reading "Follow the Yellow Brick Road."

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 for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Space & Missile Museum, with an 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's Cinderella Castle at Disneyland with visitors in front, under a clear blue sky.

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 featuring a bed with white linens, a wall painting of a forest and river scene, a window showing the ocean, a small seating area, and a TV screen displaying a cruise ship.

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.