Walt Disney World is adding a fourth ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom fleet, with the new vessel named after former WDW president Meg Crofton and scheduled to set sail in 2027. The 120-foot boat will increase ferry capacity for guests travelling between the Magic Kingdom and Transportation and Ticket Centre, marking the first ferryboat addition to the fleet since 1976.
Engineers and craft workers are currently building the boat at a marina in Florida, though the specific location has not been confirmed. Pieces will be shipped to Walt Disney World over the next couple of weeks for final assembly.
When Will the New Walt Disney World Ferryboat Enter Service?
The Meg Crofton ferryboat is expected to begin operations in 2027. Assembly, painting and final touches at Walt Disney World will take another year following the arrival of the boat components in the coming weeks.
This represents the longest gap between ferryboat additions in Magic Kingdom's history, with nearly five decades passing since the last vessel joined the Seven Seas Lagoon ferry fleet.
Who Was Meg Crofton?
The new ferryboat will be the first in the Magic Kingdom fleet named after a woman. Meg Crofton served as Walt Disney World's fourth president from 2006 to 2013, overseeing the resort during a period that included significant expansion and the early development of MyMagic+.
Crofton joined Disney in 1977 as a marketing manager and spent her entire career with the company. She received a Main Street window honour in 2015, recognising her contributions to Walt Disney World.
A portrait and plaque commemorating Crofton will be installed on the ferryboat's first deck, following the tradition established with the existing vessels.
How Does This Compare to the Current Magic Kingdom Ferry Fleet?
The existing three ferryboats serving the Seven Seas Lagoon are named Admiral Joe Fowler, General Joe Potter, and Richard F. Irvine. All three vessels have been in operation since the early years of Walt Disney World, with the most recent addition dating back to 1976.
The new 120-foot Meg Crofton ferryboat will match the general specifications of the current fleet. However, Disney has not confirmed the exact passenger capacity of the new vessel or whether the addition will result in increased service frequency between the Transportation and Ticket Centre and Magic Kingdom.
