With the new Disney Wish cruise ship setting sail in the summer of 2022 and two more ships on the way in the coming years, Disney has announced Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale will be a new home port for many future sailings. Here’s everything we know about this major step for Disney Cruise Line and a first look at the plans and location of the new terminal.
The Location and Plans
At the announcement of the Port Everglades agreement, President of Disney Cruise Line, Thomas Mazloum, described the cruise terminal as, “magical memories starting the moment they arrive at this exciting new homeport.” The Disney Cruise Line will dock at Terminal 4, berth 4. The berth will be big enough to fit the existing Disney Dream and Magic class ships as well as the soon-to-launch Disney Wish.
At the Broward County County Commission Meeting on April 5, 2022, Broward County Mayor Michael Udine said, “Disney is known for its remarkable creativity worldwide. I’m sure this new terminal will reflect the magical Disney experience for travelers. We are certainly very happy and complimented that Disney Cruise Line will be sailing from our Port Everglades.” Looking at the Port Canaveral Disney Cruise terminal, we would hope for the same Disney feel.
The approved plans for the new Disney terminal include a large entrance and validation area. A large seating area past security notes 800 seats plus “Character.”
Concierge guests will have their own seating area and gangway.
Location, Location, Location
In December of 2021, Disney Cruise Line and Port Everglades made an agreement to make Disney’s newest homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Port Everglades is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, approximately 3 hours from Walt Disney World. Port Everglades is only 10 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale airport and within close proximity to two other airports and has numerous family-friendly pre and post cruise options nearby.
HOW FAR IS THE PORT FROM WALT DISNEY WORLD? It takes approximately one hour to get to Walt Disney World from the current Port Canaveral terminal, about 4 hours from the Port of Miami to Walt Disney World, and about 3 hours from the new Port Everglades. Is port distance from Walt Disney World a factor for your family?
The Disney Port Everglades Agreement
The agreement between Disney Cruise Line and Port Everglades is a 15-year partnership with three 5-year extension options. The agreement will bring a minimum of 10.6 million passengers to the area, with another 11.25 million with all three extensions. At least one Disney ship will be ported in Port Everglades year-round beginning in the fall of 2023 with a second arriving seasonally beginning in 2025.
There has been no announcement regarding the Port of Miami, currently the second eastern year-round port to Port Canaveral port. Disney’s current contract at Port of Miami expires in April 2023.
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Let’s Hear From You!
How does a Port Everglades sailing sound to you? Is port distance from Walt Disney World an important factor for you when choosing a Disney Cruise? And would you prefer that Disney stay in Miami, expand the Port Canaveral facility, or perhaps move even more cruises to Port Everglades (or any combination you’d like to discuss)?
For more information about the upcoming Disney Wish cruise ship, please check out these MiceChat articles:
- Disney Wish News – Disney Cruise Lines Castle at Sea DELAYED & Ship Information
- New Kids Spaces on the Disney Wish and Looking Ahead at Disney Cruise Line’s 2022 Intineraries
- Disney Wish – A Visit to Imagineering as Dreams Become Reality
Update History – This article was written on December 15th, 2021. It was updated by the author on April 10th, 2022 with new information on the location of the new Port and ships expected to sail from it.