The Disney Dream made her maiden voyage in 2011 and has been sailing from Port Canaveral ever since. She is the third ship to join Disney’s fleet, accommodating up to 4,000 passengers and greatly amplified the onboard offerings from Disney Cruise Line.
If you’re planning to cruise on the Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral, we’ve got a ship overview, travel tips for before and after your cruise, and a discount code to kick off your vacation!
Disney Dream – Ship Overview
When Disney Dream was launched in 2011, she charted a new course for Disney Cruise Line with the introduction of the cruise industry’s first water coaster. While many popular features were carried over from previous ships, the larger size allowed the line to expand on those original ideas and introduce a host of new experiences.
Ship Stats:
Maiden Voyage: January 2011
Last Refurbishment: 2015
Size: 130,000 GT
#Guests: 4,000 (max occupancy)
Dates & itineraries:
Departure Months: Year -round
Itineraries: 3, 4, & 5 Night Bahamas
Accommodations
One thing you’ll notice about even the standard interior staterooms onboard Disney Dream is their size, design and little Disney touches like the magical portholes. When you move up to the deluxe categories, you’ll get the convenience of a split bathroom. This layout provides one bathroom with sink, tub/shower combo, while the other has a sink & toilet. The majority of the rooms feature a private verandah and there are concierge level accommodations that have space for five, upgraded in-room amenities and access to the concierge lounge and private sundeck.
Dining
With cruising’s only rotational dining program, you’ll get to experience dinner in every dining room onboard, while your servers follow along with you. Venues include Animator’s Palate, Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden. There’s also casual spots as well like Cabanas buffet and poolside eats at Flo’s V8 Café with options like pizza, chicken and burgers, as well as complimentary 24 hour room service. Adults looking for a special experience have a choice of two specialty dining venues, Palo & Remy.
Entertainment
Guests onboard Disney Dream will experience the best of Disney entertainment. In the Walt Disney Theater the live production of Beauty and the Beast will bring all of the favorite characters from the classic animated tale to life. Disney’s Believe, takes guests on a journey through several Disney classic movies. In the Buena Vista Theater watch first-run and classic movies in 3D.
Activities
Finding something to do onboard Disney Dream is never a problem. Infants, kids and teens have separately themed spaces with a daily schedule of supervised activities. The pool deck features the wet and wild fun of AquaDuck, the shallow Mickey’s pool and slide, Donald’s family pool, and splashing fun of Nemo’s Reef. Join in a game show or trivia at the D Lounge and try your skills at Goofy’s Sports Deck with mini-golf, foosball and basketball.
Also Watch: Disney Dream – Cruise Ship Tour (2019)
Travel Tips
Choosing an Airport
If you’re flying in for your Disney Dream cruise, selecting an airport is the first decision you’ll make. There are 3 Orlando Airports: Orlando Sanford, Orlando Melbourne, and Orlando International Airport. Out of all of them, The Orlando International Airport has the shortest travel time to Port Canaveral — making it the most popular choice among frequent cruisers. It’s 45-miles away, but with its direct highway access, you’ll arrive at your terminal in under an hour.
Transfers
After booking your flight, you’ll need to decide how you’re getting to the port. Ship departure days at the airport are always busy, with thousands of cruisers needing a ride to Port Canaveral — so you’ll want to pre-arrange transportation before you land.
A shared shuttle service is the easiest and most practical way to get to your terminal. Besides saving money, you can avoid waiting in long lines for car rentals, taxis, and ride sharing services that charge peak rates for this in-demand time. GoPort.com is the leader in airport to cruise port shared shuttle transportation — known for their award-winning service that costs less than half the price of the cruise lines’. Simply book your ride ahead of time and GoPort will take care of the rest. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll just check in at their counter. In no time, you’ll be enjoying a relaxing ride to your terminal entrance.
Hotel Packages
If your flight lands the day before, or you decide to drive in a day early, you’ll need to plan a hotel stay in addition to arranging transportation and parking. Luckily, with GoPort.com, you can book everything all at once. Their hotel packages are designed to help cruisers save planning time and money. For cruisers flying in, GoPort.com’s Fly Snooze Cruise packages include a hotel stay, round-trip airport transportation, and transfers to your ship for every member of your party. Whereas their Snooze Park Cruise packages are ideal for cruisers driving in from anywhere — complete with a hotel stay, cruise parking, and transfers to your ship.The only thing left for you to do is pick from one of their Orlando or Port Canaveral hotel options featuring brand names you already trust. There’s over 30 to choose from!
Curious about where other cruisers are staying? Here are GoPort.com’s top 4 cruise hotel packages that other Disney Dream cruisers are booking:
(1) Holiday Inn Orlando Airport: The newly-renovated Holiday Inn Orlando Airport is GoPort.com’s most popular Fly Snooze Cruise package choice among Disney Dream cruisers flying in. Not only is this hotel located just 5 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, but it also has a restaurant on site that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s also plenty of amenities, like a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, and sports courts. Airport transportation and cruise transfers are also included in the package. For cruisers driving down I-75, this hotel doubles as a convenient Snooze Park Cruise hotel option to unwind at on your way to the port. Cruise parking and transfers are included in this package at GoPort’s parking facility that’s just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral.
(2) Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport: The Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport, just 4 minutes from the Orlando Airport, is another favorite for Disney Dream cruisers booking a Fly Snooze Cruise package through GoPort.com. Airport transportation and cruise transfers are included in this package as well as a complimentary hot buffet breakfast. There’s also an outdoor pool and hot tub to take advantage of. For cruisers driving down I-75, this is another great Snooze Park Cruise hotel option on your way to the port. Cruise transfers and cruise parking and are also included in this package at GoPort’s parking facility located just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral.
(3) Best Western Titusville: GoPort.com’s Snooze Park Cruise exclusive package at Best Western Titusville is another popular choice for Disney Dream cruisers, due to its convenient location off of I-95. Some of the top perks of this package are a complimentary hot buffet breakfast, an outdoor pool, as well as close proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Cruise transfers and cruise parking and are also included in this package at GoPort’s parking facility located just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral.
(4) Hilton Oceanfront Cocoa Beach: It’s no surprise GoPort.com’s Fly Snooze Cruise package at the Hilton Oceanfront Cocoa Beach is a top pick for Disney Dream cruisers. This family-friendly hotel has direct beach access, making it perfect for those looking to enjoy some fun in the sun before setting sail. Some of the Hilton’s top amenities include a heated outdoor pool with a sundeck and tiki bar, aquatic rentals, and an on-site restaurant and coffee bar. Airport transportation and cruise transfers are included in this package. For cruisers driving in, a Snooze Park Cruise package at the Hilton is a great choice if you’re arriving early and want to enjoy the benefits of staying on the beach. Cruise parking and transfers are also included in this package, with the convenience of leaving your car right at the hotel for the duration of your cruise.
Cruise Parking
If you have a short drive and just need cruise parking, it’s important to understand how rates are calculated before finding your best option. Most parking facilities advertise a pay-per-day rate and charge you for every calendar day your vehicle is parked. Seems straight-forward, but even though your cruise ship returns back to Port Canaveral early in the morning, you’ll still be charged for a full day of parking at these facilities.
On top of that, this pricing structure often comes with additional hidden fees and unexpected transfer charges. How can you avoid these unexpected costs? When you book with GoPort.com, cruise parking is included with the price of transfers to and from your ship for one flat fee. This can add up to big savings. Located just 10 minutes from Port Canaveral, GoPort’s parking facility is paved and lit with shuttles that drop you off right at your Disney Dream terminal.
