Anchors aweigh, Kevin!
You must be counting down the minutes until your
Disney Cruise Line adventure begins! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your questions. Since your cruise is just a few days away, let's get down to business!
If you are driving your own vehicle and plan to park at the
Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal, I recommend arriving about 30 minutes prior to your boarding time. This should give you time to park, transport and drop off your luggage with the porters, and go through the security and check-in process before your boarding group is called. If you are traveling with a lot of luggage or with a large group, you could time your arrival a little earlier. If you are riding a shuttle or using a ride-share app for transportation, you won't need as much time to make your way to the terminal, so you can arrive closer to your Port Arrival time. Keep in mind that Guests are generally not permitted to board early and Disney Cruise Line asks that Guests not enter the terminal until their boarding time approaches.
I see that you also asked about restaurants near
Port Canaveral and I am happy to tell you that there are many options nearby. While I have not eaten at any of them, I've literally cruised past several that line the waterway as the ships leave the port and head out to deeper waters. You will find many seafood and comfort food locations along Glen Cheek Drive. Kevin, remember to save room for all of the complimentary food available once you board the ship!
Just a little navigational note, some GPS systems do not recognize "Port Canaveral" as a city, in which case just enter "Cape Canaveral" and you should get the correct driving directions. And speaking of navigating, don't forget to download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. While I try to unplug on vacation, I do appreciate how the app helps me make the most of my time onboard with helpful reminders. When you find an activity you are interested in, just select the heart icon next to it and the app will remind you about 15 minutes before the event begins.
I hope this information helps you plan your embarkation day––which is just days away!! I hope everything is smooth sailing for you!
Wishing you many magical memories,
Shannon