Construction on Walt Disney World's newest Magic Kingdom ferryboat is moving forward, with recent aerial photography revealing a significant milestone in the vessel's assembly. The first deck of the fourth ferryboat — set to be named the Meg Gilbert Crofton — is now fully formed and resting on cradle supports outside its backstage assembly building at the resort.
A Milestone in Construction
The newly assembled deck is currently finished only in bare primer, meaning no paint, decorative details, or finishing touches have been applied at this stage. While the structural progress is encouraging, the boat still has a considerable way to go before it's ready to carry guests across the Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom's main entrance.
The ferryboats at Walt Disney World serve as one of the park's most iconic and beloved transportation options. Departing from the Transportation and Ticket Center, they offer guests a leisurely and scenic approach to Magic Kingdom — a tradition dating back to the park's opening in 1971. The addition of a fourth vessel will bolster capacity and operational flexibility for what remains one of the resort's most heavily used transit routes.
Why the New Boat Matters for Guests
The Magic Kingdom ferryboat fleet plays an essential role in managing the massive number of guests who visit the park each day. During peak periods, wait times for the ferry can stretch considerably, and a fourth operational boat provides Disney with greater flexibility to reduce those waits and keep guests moving efficiently — particularly during busy mornings and the evening rush following fireworks.
- The fleet currently operates three ferryboats: the Richard F. Irvine, the Admiral Joe Fowler, and the General Joe Potter.
- The new vessel, Meg Gilbert Crofton, is named in honor of a longtime Disney executive who served the company for decades.
- Once complete, the boat will join the rotation across the Seven Seas Lagoon, supplementing monorail service as a primary guest transportation option.
What's Next
With the first deck now assembled, construction crews will continue building out upper decks, installing mechanical systems, and eventually applying the classic blue-and-white paint scheme and branding that guests recognize. No official launch timeline has been announced by Walt Disney World, but the visible progress suggests the project is advancing steadily.
Planning a trip to Magic Kingdom in the meantime? Check the latest Magic Kingdom wait times before you head out, and consult our crowd calendar to find the best days to visit and make the most of your time at the park.
