Disney has announced what might be some of the BIGGEST news of the year so far!
Magic Kingdom Ferryboat
For the first time in 50 years, Disney World is expanding its fleet of ferryboats that take guests between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom. This is a massive surprise, and a welcome one too! Let’s take a look at all the details that we know.
For the first time since 1976, Disney World will be adding a new ferryboat to take guests to the Magic Kingdom! The ferry will be coming next year, in 2027, setting sail in the Seven Seas Lagoon. The boat will increase the Disney World fleet from three to four ferries.
Magic Kingdom Ferryboat
Apparently, a team of engineers and craft workers has been hard at work on the ferryboat for some time, as it’s actually been under construction at a marina in Florida. The ferry will be shipped to Disney World in pieces over the next couple of weeks.
Walking to the ferry!
Despite being worked on for a while, there is still a good amount of work left to be done before it debuts at Magic Kingdom. Pieces still need to be assembled, paint still needs to be applied, and that special Disney touch needs to be added.
Hidden Mickey?
If you’re an avid ferryboat rider, rather than taking the monorail to Magic Kingdom, you may have noticed that the boats have names. They are Admiral Joe Fowler, General Joe Potter, and Richard F. Irvine. Recognize the names? The boats were given those names in 1997 to honor three Disney legends who were instrumental in making Disney World a reality. Now, another Disney legend’s name gets added to the fleet…but who?
General Joe Potter
The fourth ferryboat of the fleet will be called Meg Gilbert Crofton, named after Disney World’s fourth president. Meg has had a significant impact on Disney World! She started her Disney career in 1977 as a marketing manager. She followed that up with several roles in the company before eventually taking on the helm as president of Walt Disney World from 2006 to 2013.
©Disney
Each ferry features a portrait of the respective Disney legend, and you’ll find Meg’s portrait on the first deck of the new boat. It was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, and it will come with a plaque that will “share Meg’s story with generations of guests as they glide across Seven Seas Lagoon.”
©Disney
“I was humbled to learn that my name would be on this new ferryboat,” Meg said. “It means so much to be recognized by the cast members I had the privilege of working with for so many years.”
During her time as president for Disney World, Meg ushered in the resort’s first major theme park expansion since Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. This project was New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. That massive expansion brought in brand-new experiences like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Be Our Guest Restaurant. It’s almost fitting that she’s a part of this next massive Magic Kingdom expansion in a way. She also opened Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort in 2012.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Meg has been honored for her legacy before, as she received her window on Main Street, U.S.A. in 2015. The window identified her as the founder of the “Center for Leadership Development,” adding, “We start leaders on their journeys.”
Main Street U.S.A.
We’re thrilled that a new piece of Disney World transportation is coming! Like we mentioned before, this process will take about a year to complete. The new vessel will launch at some point in 2027, with no official date yet, and we can’t wait! For more Disney news and updates, make sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog!
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How about Ferryboats from Wilderness Lodge to the monorail resorts during the day?
Let me get this straight, they’re going to ship the ship? 😂
Leaves me believing that the monorail is doomed in the future.