Ahoy there, Leslie!
Welcome aboard planDisney! You’re asking exactly the right kind of question, and it’s great to see you thinking through the details that can make embarkation day feel stress-free.
My crew and I have stayed at the
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, and it’s a great pre-cruise choice. The location is incredibly convenient, and being able to walk to nearby food options the night before sailing is a big win. We lucked out with a room facing the terminal and waking up to
the Disney Dream sitting right there felt like spotting Sorcerer Mickey at dinner. I’m sending some pixie dust your way for a similar view, and it never hurts to politely ask at the front desk.
Now for the walk itself. From the hotel to
Terminal 4 at Port Everglades, you’re looking at about half a mile, which usually translates to roughly a 10 to 12-minute walk depending on your pace. You can walk under the causeway directly in front of the hotel, which is nice because you don’t have to cross the traffic. When I was there a couple of months ago, most of the construction in the area had wrapped up, but if any work near the convention center is still ongoing, you may need to take a slightly longer route that could add a few extra minutes.
One thing to keep in mind is luggage. Walking that distance with rolling bags is very doable, but it does turn the stroll into more of a Hercules training montage than a casual promenade. If you have little ones along for the adventure, that half-mile can feel longer, so building in a bit of extra time is always a smart move.
I hope this helps as you
fine-tune your embarkation day plans and countdown to adventure. With a little planning and a comfortable pair of shoes, you’ll be stepping into the cruise terminal feeling ready for your Disney cruise story to officially begin.
Sea ya real soon as the adventure continues into a bright new year,
Dustin