Transportation and Luggage Information for Disney Cruise Line (DCL)
We are sharing information that can help guide you through Disney Cruise Line Transportation which includes the shuttle buses, times to be ready for luggage pickup and bus times to early arrival and port information.
To start the shuttle bus will pick you up at your resort hotel and take you directly to Port Canaveral, are available to book at an additional fee. You can reserve Ground Transportation for both your pre- and post-cruise stays at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn through your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, online through “My Reservations“, or by contacting a Disney Cruise Line representative.
You’ll then receive an email with everything you need to know – from where to put your luggage to what time you’ll be picked up – about a day or two before your departure. Once you complete your Online Check-In, you’ll also receive your port arrival time, which (while not guaranteed) is typically earlier for guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort. This means you can start having fun on the ship as soon as possible!
For our family, we know our cruise vacation has started the moment we step onto the bus. I also love how our checked baggage will be delivered directly to our stateroom for us. Just make sure to keep your travel documents, medications, and swimsuits in your carry-on bags since rooms aren’t typically ready until about 1:30, and it may take a couple of hours for your luggage to arrive outside your door.
When it comes time to head home, you’ll receive information the night before about disembarkment procedures and how to find your shuttle back to Walt Disney World. Depending on your travel days, the trip can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, so I like to review all the pictures I took and relive the memories we made. Speaking of, make sure to purchase any photos taken onboard before you leave so you don’t lose them. Or better yet, you can pre-order your photo package for additional savings, and then you won’t miss a moment of fun at sea.
I hope this helps prepare you for the race ahead. If you think of any other questions before your trip, don’t hesitate to circle back to us here at planDisney.
- Air and Ground Transportation: DCL can arrange flights and ground transportation to and from the port. You can book round-trip airport transfers online through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or My Reservations.
- Luggage Handling: Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, porters will collect your checked luggage and deliver it to your stateroom. You will receive luggage tags in the mail before your sailing, which you must attach to your bags.
- Ground Transportation: DCL offers ground transfers from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort hotels to the cruise port. The transportation is comfortable and includes luggage assistance.
- Booking: You can add ground transportation during the online booking process or via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
For more detailed information, you can visit the official Disney Cruise Line website.
Disney Cruise Line Air Program
The Disney Cruise Line Air Program offers two convenient options to suit your vacation plans.
- Flexible Fares provide the convenience of customizing your flight schedule, with an extended payment and cancellation option.
- Restricted Fares let you confirm the best available non-refundable, airline-published airfare offered by Disney Cruise Line at the time of booking, while still receiving the peace of mind of booking your flights with the Disney Cruise Line Air Program.
More details about the features and benefits of each program is available below. To add air to your cruise vacation, please call Disney Cruise Line at (800) 951-3532, or contact your Travel Agent. Guests under 18 years of age must have adult or guardian permission to call. Air can be added within 330 days of the end of your cruise vacation.
| Features | Flexible Fares | Restricted Fares |
| Choose the flight schedule (dates, airline(s), times) that work best for your vacation plans, to/from your preferred home airport within North America, as well as select airports within Latin America and the United Kingdom | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pre-travel flight monitoring by Disney Cruise Line to ensure any carrier-communicated changes to your air schedule will still allow you to get to and from your cruise vacation on time | ✔ | ✔ |
| Day-of-travel flight monitoring and assistance from Disney Cruise Line in case of any airline-related flight delays or cancellations | ✔ | ✔ |
| Assistance from Disney Cruise Line with flight arrangements to meet the ship in the first available port of call if unable to make your cruise due to day-of-travel airline-related flight delays or cancellations | ✔ | ✔ |
| No payment required for your air arrangements until your final cruise payment date | ✔ | ✗ |
| Ability to modify or cancel your air reservation without penalty fees up to 119 days prior to the start of your vacation — or even as close as 56 days for select itineraries | ✔ | ✗ |
| Confirm the best available airline-published airfare offered by Disney Cruise Line at the time of booking | ✗ | ✔ |
| Payment for air due at time of air booking in order to secure published rate | ✗ | ✔ |
| Air is non-refundable for any changes or cancellation after payment | ✗ | ✔ |
Guidelines for Air Transportation
Flights booked through Disney Cruise Line are booked in accordance with the recommended time guidelines for arrival and departure from the cruise embarkation and debarkation port(s).
Flight details arranged through Disney Cruise Line are available by calling (800) 951-3532. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Sailing from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas or the Caribbean
Guests embarking on a Disney cruise traveling to The Bahamas or Caribbean from Port Canaveral will fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). The ship departs from the Disney Cruise Line Terminal at Port Canaveral. Travel time from the airport to the terminal is one hour, depending on traffic.
Air/Ground Transportation & Accommodations
You may add air travel, ground transportation or a hotel stay by contacting Disney Cruise Line. Guests younger than age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Airport Transfers
Ground transfers between Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral are available for purchase in 2026. Airport transfers are available on embarkation and debarkation days only, for $45 per Guest. Guest transportation will begin at 10:00 AM. Guests arriving prior to that time can enjoy the airport amenities until transportation begins.
We recommend contacting Disney Cruise Line to add ground transfers in advance, as only a limited number may be available for purchase upon arrival. Please be prepared to provide your inbound and outbound flight details. Private transportation options are also available.
If you have booked a stay before your cruise at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport and purchased transfers from the airport to the port, please call and let us know so we can ensure your transportation experience is seamless.
If you’ve purchased transfers, be sure to collect your luggage at baggage claim upon arrival at Orlando International Airport. Guests arriving at Terminals A or B should proceed directly to Side B, Level 1 – Ground Transportation. Guests arriving at Terminal C should proceed to Level 6 – Baggage Claim to be directed to their transportation.
Luggage Tags
You’ll receive Disney Cruise Line luggage tags in your document package. If you’ve purchased Disney Cruise Line transfers from the airport, remember to attach the luggage tags to any bags before you board the motorcoach. This will help us identify them so we can deliver them directly to your stateroom.
Please ensure that your luggage does not contain prohibited items and that alcoholic beverages are in a carry-on bag when you arrive at the port. If you are flying with alcohol you intend to bring on board, we recommend packing it in your luggage before checking in with the airline. After retrieving your luggage at the airport, we recommend transferring the alcohol to a bag you will be carrying on board with you. Alcohol packed in checked luggage will be removed and no compensation will be offered.
If you have arranged a pre-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel or at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, have purchased private transportation or are not using Disney Cruise Line transportation, please do not attach the luggage tags until just before you arrive at the port.
Guests Arranging Independent Air Travel
For the Port Canaveral to Port Canaveral sailings in 2026, we recommend the following flight-time guidelines:
- Latest arrival time to Orlando International Airport on embarkation day: 11:30 AM
- Earliest departure time from Orlando International Airport on debarkation day: 11:15 AM
For the Port Canaveral to Port Canaveral sailings through June 5, 2027, we recommend the following flight-time guidelines:
- Latest arrival time to Orlando International Airport on embarkation day: 11:30 AM
- Earliest departure time from Orlando International Airport on debarkation day: 11:15 AM
Pre- and Post-Cruise Hotel Stays and Transportation
If you’ve booked a hotel stay with us before or after your cruise, transfers are available (for an additional fee) between the airport, hotel and cruise port. Contact Disney Cruise Line for more information or to add these transfers.
A Disney Cruise Line representative will be available outside the baggage claim area to direct you to your designated transportation. Transportation may include a motorcoach, minibus or taxi, depending on arrival time and party size. If you have booked a hotel stay before your cruise you will receive additional information about transportation to Port Canaveral when checking in.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport is located inside the main terminal of the Orlando International airport. If you’ve booked a stay in this hotel, enter the main terminal at Orlando International Airport and follow signs to the hotel.
Hello and good morning, my family will be staying at All Star Movies 2 days before we go on our Disney cruise and using the DCL transportation. On the first day we arrive at our resort can we still go to the water parks for free?
Thank you for reaching out to Walt Disney World Resort! Is the magic calling to you like the sea calls to my friend Moana? My name is Daffodil. Please allow me a few moments to review your initial message so I can determine how I can assist you on your voyage today.
Start your stay with a Water Park day! Disney Resorts Collection hotel Guests can enjoy Water Park admission on check-in day, included with your stay, for arrivals from May 26 to September 8, 2026.
This benefit is available only to registered overnight Guests (those listed on the Resort reservation) staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel with a check-in date from May 26 to September 8, 2026.
This benefit is available only on the day of check-in and is valid for admission to either Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park (whichever is open). This benefit cannot be transferred to a different day.