New Magic Kingdom Ferry Boat Named Meg Gilbert Crofton Takes Shape in Dry Dock

You might not have noticed that Magic Kingdom only has three ferry boats running across Seven Seas Lagoon — but that is about to change. New aerial photos from @bioreconstruct on X show the fourth vessel is actively taking shape in dry dock at a marina north of the Contemporary Resort. Disney is building it right there on property, welding hull sections together, and the 2027 launch is looking very real.

Quick Summary

• Disney is building a fourth Magic Kingdom ferry boat in dry dock at the marina north of the Contemporary Resort
• New aerial photos show welded hull sections and the transfer platform in place
• The boat will be named the Meg Gilbert Crofton, honoring Walt Disney World’s fourth president
• It will be 120 feet long with similar capacity and feel to the existing three ferries
• The Seven Seas Lagoon fleet has had three boats since 1976 — this is the first addition in nearly 50 years
• Expected launch: 2027

A New Ferry Joins the Seven Seas Lagoon Fleet

For nearly 50 years, Magic Kingdom has relied on three iconic ferry boats to carry guests across Seven Seas Lagoon from the Transportation and Ticket Center. The Admiral Joe Fowler, the General Joe Potter, and the Richard F. Irvine have been making that run since the park opened in 1971. A fourth boat has not been added since 1976 — which makes this a genuinely big moment in Walt Disney World history.

The new aerial photos show that hull sections have already been welded together in the dry dock. You can also see the transfer platform Disney uses to move boats between the marina and the dry dock, giving you a real sense of the scale of this project. The Liberty Belle riverboat is also visible in the photos at the marina — a fun detail for those who follow Disney’s watercraft operations closely.

Meet the Meg Gilbert Crofton

Disney has confirmed the new ferry will be named the Meg Gilbert Crofton, in honor of Walt Disney World’s fourth president. Crofton led the resort from 2006 to 2013 and oversaw some major expansions, including the opening of New Fantasyland. Naming a major piece of Magic Kingdom’s guest experience after her is a fitting tribute that will endure for generations.

The boat will be 120 feet long, similar in capacity, look, and feel to the three existing vessels. If you have ridden the Admiral Joe Fowler or the Richard F. Irvine, you will feel right at home on this one. What will set it apart is a portrait of Meg Crofton, developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, displayed on the first deck alongside a plaque telling her story.

How Disney Is Building It On Property

The hull sections were shipped to Walt Disney World in pieces, which Disney had indicated earlier this year. The team at the marina is now assembling, welding, and fitting out the vessel in the on-site dry dock. Once the construction is complete, the finished boat will make a short journey from the marina to Seven Seas Lagoon to begin its career carrying guests to Magic Kingdom.

This on-site construction approach is not unusual for Disney’s watercraft. Building the vessel at the resort gives the team full control over the assembly and allows for precise fitting to the unique requirements of Seven Seas Lagoon operations.

What This Means for Your Magic Kingdom Visit

For your upcoming trips, nothing changes just yet. The three existing ferries continue running daily between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom, and the Meg Gilbert Crofton will not be joining them until 2027.

But when it does arrive, expect shorter ferry wait times during peak periods. If you have ever been stuck in a long ferry line on a busy holiday weekend, you know exactly how welcome a fourth boat will be. Spreading guests across four vessels instead of three will make a noticeable difference on the busiest days of the year.

A Historic Addition to Walt Disney World

Think about what it means to add a fourth ferry boat after nearly 50 years with three. This is not just a routine maintenance upgrade — it is a genuine expansion of one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved transportation experiences. The ferry ride across Seven Seas Lagoon is part of the Magic Kingdom tradition for millions of guests every year.

The Meg Gilbert Crofton will carry that tradition forward while honoring one of the resort’s most accomplished leaders. From hull sections in dry dock to a finished vessel on the lagoon — that 2027 target is looking very real. Keep an eye on @bioreconstruct on X for the best ongoing construction aerial updates as this build progresses.

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