Creating 1,000 new jobs and boosting the local economy by an additional $100 million

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2014) – Starting today, three of Disney Cruise Line’s ships are homeporting in Port Canaveral for the first time in the history of the cruise line.  The Disney Magic returns to Port Canaveral to join the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy through mid-May, which not only brings more options for guests but also brings a sizeable economic benefit to the entire Central Florida region.

According to a study by Martin Associates, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based firm that conducts economic research for many of the nation’s ports and cruise lines, the addition of a third ship in Brevard for the first part of 2014 creates about 1,000 new jobs in the region and boosts the local economy by an additional $100 million.

The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy homeporting in Port Canaveral already generates more than 4,000 jobs in Central Florida and contributes more than $450 million to the local economy. With the Disney Wonder currently sailing from Miami, this marks the first time the entire Disney fleet of four ships is sailing from Florida ports. A similar schedule is planned for the early part of 2015.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Disney Magic home to Port Canaveral, joining the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, for the beginning 2014 and again for the first part of 2015,” said Anthony Connelly. Sr. Vice President, Operations, Disney Cruise Line. “This not only creates a sizeable economic impact to the Central Florida region, but it also gives our guests more options to sail to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and more options to create a land and sea vacation of a lifetime with the Walt Disney World Resort only an hour drive away.”

Based in Celebration, Fla., Disney Cruise Line is focused on providing a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create. The company was recognized by the readers of Travel + Leisure as the No. 1 Cruise Line for Families for the fourth consecutive year. Condé Nast Traveler magazine named Disney Cruise Line the top “Cruise Ships of the World,” with the Disney Magic being voted No. 1 and the Disney Dream and Disney Wonder tying for No. 2. The 2013 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards recently recognized Disney as “Best for Families” and “Best Shore Excursions.”