Theme Park Scope

One of Walt Disney World’s newest additions isn’t an attraction; it’s the ride that gets you there!

Construction is making steady progress on Magic Kingdom’s fourth ferryboat, and new aerial photos reveal the vessel has officially reached a major milestone. The first deck has now been fully assembled, giving Disney fans their clearest look yet at the future ferryboat that will soon help transport thousands of guests across the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Captured in new aerial photos by Bioreconstruct, the ferryboat’s lower deck is now fully formed and resting on cradle supports at an off-site assembly location near Walt Disney World. The recognizable double-ended hull is clearly visible, surrounded by temporary safety railings as construction continues.

While this is a significant milestone, there’s still plenty of work ahead. The current structure represents only the first level of the vessel. Disney’s Magic Kingdom ferryboats are two-story boats, meaning the upper passenger deck has not yet been installed.

The First New Ferryboat in Decades

Disney officially announced the expansion of the Magic Kingdom ferry fleet earlier this year, marking the first new ferryboat added since 1976. The new vessel will be named the Meg Gilbert Crofton, honoring Walt Disney World’s fourth president, and is expected to enter service in 2027.

Once complete, the 120-foot, double-decker ferryboat will join the Admiral Joe Fowler, General Joe Potter, and Richard F. Irvine, increasing the fleet from three vessels to four. Like its sister ships, the Meg Gilbert Crofton will transport guests between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom, helping improve capacity during the park’s busiest times.

More Construction Is Still Ahead

Although the boat is already recognizable, the project is still in its early stages. The upper deck, pilothouse, mechanical systems, guest seating, and finishing details have yet to be added before the ferryboat is ready to begin testing.

At the same time, Disney is also expanding the Magic Kingdom ferryboat dock to accommodate the growing fleet, ensuring operations remain efficient once the fourth vessel enters service.

For Disney transportation enthusiasts and longtime Walt Disney World fans, it’s exciting to see one of the resort’s most iconic transportation systems growing for the first time in nearly 50 years.

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