Ahoy, Walter! I'm thrilled you cruised by planDisney with this question as you plan a magical adventure beyond the reef. Living in Florida makes cruising so easy!
I grew up just across the bridge from Port Canaveral, and I love seeing all the ships when I visit my family. Although driving by and not stopping at the port... It's tough! When the directional signs list one of the
Disney Cruise Line ships, I'm tempted to follow them. But it won't be long before you get to heed their call and board one of the most magical ships at sea. Hot dog!
Currently, neither
Port Canaveral nor
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale takes reservations for parking. Spaces are available on a first-come basis in parking decks next to the ships. We stay with family the night before and drive to the port for our cruise, and I have always found spaces available.
One way to put your mind at ease is to get an early Port Arrival Time (PAT). In about a month, it will be time to complete the online check-in process (30 days before your cruise if this is your first or if you have your sea legs, 33-40 days before, depending on your
Castaway Club level). This is when you pick your PAT. I stay up until midnight to complete the process the moment the calendar changes to my check-in day. The sooner I complete the process, the more likely I am to get an early PAT.
Even though this is called Port
Arrival Time, I plan to arrive a half hour (or 45 minutes) before it to have time to drop off the luggage I want delivered to the room, park, and triple-check my carry-on bag for the
required travel documents. This gives me the time I need to take care of the last pieces of business and arrive at the check-in kiosk at my PAT.
Walter, I hope this information helps. I know it's reassuring to have all the items on your to-do list marked off. While I cannot guarantee that parking will be available, it has never been a concern for me or any of my Disney Cruise Line-loving friends (and I have more than a few). If you have any other questions, please come back to
planDisney. We're all aboard to help!
SEAS the Adventure!
Jana