New Magic Kingdom Ferry Boat Coming in 2027: Meet the Meg Gilbert Crofton

Magic Kingdom is getting its first new ferry boat since 1976, and it is about to change how you arrive at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Disney has confirmed a fourth ferry is joining the Seven Seas Lagoon fleet — and it comes with a name that honors one of Walt Disney World’s most important leaders.

The new boat is called the Meg Gilbert Crofton, named after Walt Disney World’s fourth president, who led the resort from 2006 to 2013. If you have ridden Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, eaten inside Be Our Guest Restaurant, or checked into Art of Animation Resort, you have experienced her legacy firsthand. Now, her name will join the ranks of the original fleet as the new Magic Kingdom ferry boat launches in 2027.

The vessel is currently under construction at a Florida marina, arriving in pieces to be assembled on-site — a process expected to take about a year. Here is everything you need to know about what is coming, why it matters, and what it means for your future Magic Kingdom visits.

Quick Summary

• Disney is adding a fourth Magic Kingdom ferry boat — the first new vessel since 1976
• The new boat is named the Meg Gilbert Crofton, honoring WDW’s fourth president
• It is a 120-foot vessel currently under construction, expected to launch in 2027
• The existing fleet includes Admiral Joe Fowler, General Joe Potter, and Richard F. Irvine
• A dock queue expansion permit has been filed as part of Magic Kingdom’s largest-ever expansion
• Meg Crofton joined Disney in 1977 and oversaw some of the resort’s biggest growth milestones

Who Is the Meg Gilbert Crofton Named After?

If you are a Disney fan who pays attention to park history, you already know the name Meg Crofton. But here is a quick primer for everyone else.

Margaret “Meg” Gilbert Crofton served as Walt Disney World’s fourth president from 2006 to 2013. She joined Disney back in 1977 — the same year Star Wars first hit theaters — and spent her career growing through the ranks to eventually lead the most visited theme park resort in the world.

Her presidency oversaw some of Magic Kingdom’s most significant additions. She championed the New Fantasyland expansion, which brought Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Be Our Guest Restaurant to life. She also presided over the opening of Art of Animation Resort in 2012, one of the most beloved Disney resort hotels among families.

When word came that a new ferry would carry her name, Crofton said: “I was humbled to learn that my name would be on this new ferryboat.” That genuine response reflects the kind of leadership that defines Disney’s best people.

Disney’s imagineers will commemorate her legacy with a portrait and a plaque on the first deck of the new boat — keeping the tradition of honoring the people behind each vessel.

The Magic Kingdom Ferry Fleet: A Brief History

The Seven Seas Lagoon ferry crossing has been part of Magic Kingdom’s arrival experience since Day 1. When the park opened in October 1971, two ferries were already in service: the Admiral Joe Fowler and the General Joe Potter, both named after the naval officers who played key roles in building Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

A third boat launched in 1976 — the Richard F. Irvine, named after the Disney art director and Imagineer who helped design both parks. In 1997, that boat was briefly renamed the Liberty Belle, but it later returned to the Irvine name.

For 50 years, those three boats handled the entire crossing load for one of the busiest theme parks on the planet. Adding a fourth boat is more than symbolic — it is a capacity solution for a park that is about to grow in a major way.

What We Know About the New Fourth Ferry Boat

The new Meg Gilbert Crofton is a 120-foot vessel currently under construction at a marina in Florida. The boat is being built in pieces and assembled on-site, a process expected to take approximately one year.

Disney has not announced a specific launch date yet beyond the general 2027 timeframe, but construction is actively underway. Here is what we know so far:

• Length: 120 feet
• Name: Meg Gilbert Crofton
• Construction: Built in pieces, assembled on-site at a Florida marina
• Expected launch: 2027
• Notable features: WDI portrait and plaque honoring Meg Crofton on the first deck

The Bigger Picture: Magic Kingdom’s Largest Expansion Ever

This new ferry boat is not arriving in a vacuum. Disney has filed a queue expansion permit at the Seven Seas Lagoon ferry docks — an infrastructure upgrade designed to handle more guests as Magic Kingdom’s capacity grows.

That is because the park is in the middle of what Disney is calling its largest expansion ever. A massive new land is under development, new attractions are on the way, and the infrastructure around the park is being upgraded to match the increased demand.

More capacity at the gates means more guests crossing the lagoon. Adding a fourth ferry is a smart operational move — it shortens wait times at the docks and keeps the magic flowing from the moment guests step off the monorail or tram.

The arrival experience at Magic Kingdom has always been special. Whether you take the monorail or the ferry, that approach across Seven Seas Lagoon — watching Cinderella Castle grow larger with every minute — is one of the most iconic moments in all of theme park travel. More boats means more guests get to enjoy that approach without a long wait.

What This Means for Your Magic Kingdom Trip

If you are planning a trip to Magic Kingdom in 2027 or beyond, here is the practical takeaway.

Shorter ferry wait times. Right now, with only three boats in service, there can be a meaningful wait at the docks during peak arrivals. A fourth boat in rotation should cut that down significantly, especially during busy seasons.

A piece of history. Every Disney ferry carries the name of a legend. When you step aboard the Meg Gilbert Crofton, you are riding on a vessel that honors 46 years of dedication to Walt Disney World. That is worth knowing before you board.

Watch for the 2027 debut. Disney has not nailed down a specific launch month yet. Keep an eye on Disney Parks announcements — this one will be worth celebrating when it happens.

A Quiet Milestone Worth Celebrating

The arrival of the Meg Gilbert Crofton is one of those quiet, meaningful moments in Disney history that deserves more attention than it usually gets. This is not a headline attraction or a flashy new land — it is a boat. But it is a boat that honors a woman who spent nearly four decades shaping the Walt Disney World you love today, and it is arriving as part of a wave of growth that is about to transform Magic Kingdom.

If you have never paid attention to which ferry you are boarding, 2027 might be the year to look at the name on the hull. You will have four great options — and one brand-new story to tell. Stay tuned to DisMornings for the latest updates as Magic Kingdom’s biggest expansion ever continues to unfold.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!