San Diego cuts deal with Disney that will bring huge boost to port traffic

Disney Cruise Line is going all in on San Diego.

The Port of San Diego announced Thursday it has struck a new agreement with the company that will run through at least 2031, paving the way for nearly double the number of Disney cruises departing the city each year.

Under the deal, Disney will receive priority access to both the North and South berths at the B Street cruise terminal, a key foothold expected to drive a major uptick in passenger traffic.

More than 1 million Disney travelers are expected to move through the port over the life of the agreement.

The pact also breaks a long drought. It marks the first time in more than 20 years that a cruise line has committed to a minimum annual guarantee at the Port of San Diego.

“San Diego has been an important part of our West Coast operations for more than a decade, and a place our guests love sailing from,” said Jose Fernandez, vice president of port strategy, development and operations for Disney Cruise Line. “This new agreement supports our long-term growth and helps us continue contributing to the region’s economy.”

The expansion is set to ramp up quickly. San Diego will host two Disney ships during the 2026 to 2027 season.

The Disney Magic is scheduled to arrive in October, running three to seven night sailings through November before departing on a 14 night Panama Canal voyage to Galveston.

Meanwhile, the Disney Wonder will be based in San Diego from October 2026 through April 2027, offering three to seven night trips to destinations including Catalina Island, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta, according to a joint statement from the port and Disney.

Disney Cruise Line has operated out of San Diego since 2012, offering voyages to Catalina Island, Baja and the Mexican Riviera.

The newly inked agreement is expected to expand both the frequency of departures and the range of seasonal itineraries available to travelers.

Shares of The Walt Disney Company have been choppy in recent months, slipping year to date and still below past highs, even as Wall Street remains optimistic about long term growth driven by its parks and cruise expansion.