Hello, Marissa! Thanks for sailing to planDisney with your question. Welcome!
I just returned home from a sailing aboard the
Disney Destiny, and I'm thrilled for you that you'll be sailing so soon. So much fun is just ahead on the horizon for you! I just experienced it for myself, and I'm already jealous of you. I want to go back!
I'd be happy to help you figure out some of your travel details. Disney Cruise Line has a couple of suggested hotels listed on their
Fort Lauderdale destination page on their website. They recommend Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa and Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina. For my recent stay, I was on a tighter budget and chose to stay at a Hyatt House near I-95 and Stirling Rd. Right in this spot, there are a number of hotels to choose from, and they are all about 10 minutes from the airport and about 10 minutes to the cruise port. The hotels are also within walking distance of several restaurants, shops, and even a movie theater. It was an ideal location for my family. Some of the hotels in this area offer complimentary airport shuttles or cruise port shuttles (usually for a fee) as well.
Whether you take a shuttle to the airport or book a rideshare service (like we did), I would plan the drop off no more than ten minutes before your Port Arrival Time. I booked a rideshare car to pick us up about twenty minutes before our Port Arrival time, and it worked out well. If you arrive at the cruise port prior to your Port Arrival Time, you will be asked to wait in lines marked by your Port Arrival time to enter. It's much more comfortable to arrive on time and enter the cruise terminal than to arrive early and stand outside in a line to wait.
Marissa, I encourage you to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once you are waiting in the cruise terminal to see all the activities listed for your sailing. Some of my favorite activities on board the ship were Treble Making with Cruella, Dr. Facilier's Parlor, and watching
Disney Hercules in the Walt Disney Theatre. My daughter loved the show so much, she saw both the matinee and the evening show!
Marissa, please cruise back to us if you have additional questions. We'll be here for you!
Bon Voyage,
Adrianna