[1] Mediterranean Harbor is the entrance "port-of-call," or hub, themed as an Italian port city named "Porto Paradiso", complete with Venetian gondolas that guests can ride.

[2] Mediterranean Harbor's layout differs from the entry lands of other Disney parks as it is a large "V" shape rather than the main street that leads to a hub (as found in Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A. or Disney's Hollywood Studios' Hollywood Boulevard).

The hotel itself serves as a full-scale reproduction of the various buildings of Portofino and Venice's ports.

Since the hotel is a functional building (rather than a "set facade"—the general standard in theme park designs), the effect of onlooking hotel guests that may observe the park from hotel's rooms, balconies, and terraces serve in adding a level of kinetic authenticity in passing for an authentic Italian villa for park visitors, while the hotel guest enjoys the harborside views and novelty of location.

Mediterranean Harbor also features attractions such as the Fortress Explorations, which is a meticulously themed, large-scale interactive play area for guests that features exploration-themed activities and attractions.