Getting to Port Everglades
There's no walking to this port. No train drops you there either. You need a car, rideshare, or a Disney/cruise line transfer — full stop.
If you're flying in, rideshare pickup at Fort Lauderdale airport is a little confusing. After you grab your luggage and head outside, make a hard left. It looks wrong. It's not. That's where your driver will be.
A lot of content creators are pushing the Brightline train right now. As of late 2025, there are ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety incidents with that service in Florida. Do your own research, but it's worth knowing before you book it.
Where to Stay (and Why "Near the Port" Is the Wrong Call)
Port Everglades is about a 15-minute drive from the city of Fort Lauderdale. You can't walk there from anywhere anyway, so staying close to the port doesn't actually save you anything.
If you're getting in late the night before, sure — stay near the airport and sleep. But if you're arriving the day before with any time at all, go into the city.
Fort Lauderdale is genuinely underrated. It's a real city with skyscrapers, walkable streets, murals, sculptures, waterfront restaurants, and a lot going on. It's not Port Canaveral. It's not Miami's little boring neighbor. It surprised me.
Where we stayed: The Hyatt Centric on the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk — walkable to a ton of great spots.
What's nearby:
- Worth Wyld — very allergy-friendly, gluten-free and vegan menus, fresh food
- Museum of Science and Discovery — walking distance, has a massive public marble run kids can play with
- Free water taxis along the waterfront
- Historic landmarks, street festivals, local shops and coffee
When we visited in December, there was a tree lighting and a street festival happening the same weekend. It's the kind of city where things are just going on.
Bottom line: Stay where your vibe is — beach, city, Riverwalk, wherever. You're getting an Uber to the port either way.
The Thing Most People Find Out the Hard Way: Up to 8 Ships at Once
Port Everglades can have up to eight cruise ships in port on the same day. The Disney embarkation itself runs smoothly, but getting to the port can be chaotic if you're not prepared.
The night before or morning of, look up how many ships are in port that day. If it's six, seven, or eight ships, plan to arrive earlier than you normally would. Traffic is the main issue, and your Uber driver has no control over it.
Pack snacks and something to drink for the ride and the wait. Disney's lines at Port Everglades are mostly in a parking garage or covered area connected to it, so rain isn't a problem. If it's summer, skip the long sleeves — it's right next to Miami and it's warm.
How Disney's Embarkation Works Here
Disney runs this differently than Port Canaveral. You check in first, then go through security. Once you're through security, you're done — you just wait to board.
Lines split by Castaway Club status: Concierge, Pearl, and Platinum get their own lane, then the rest by status level. The waiting area has outlets for charging, restrooms, and vending machines if you didn't bring snacks (bring snacks).
There's no great ship-viewing area at this port, but it doesn't matter. You'll be on the ship soon enough.