Welcome to those of you joining me from Heidi’s Head and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the fourth stop on our Magical Blogorail.
Ahoy seafarers, dreamers and Main Street, U.S.A. goers- it’s time to set sail to the Magic Kingdom. I will admit, until very recently I had not taken this tranquil voyage since 1973… It is a pleasant ride, and provides a beautiful overview of not only the Magic Kingdom but the three surrounding resorts on Seven Seas Lagoon (Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa).
The majority of the ferryboat’s passengers are those who drive to this park and walk or take a tram from the parking lot to the main transit hub, the Transportation and Ticket Center. The last time my family used a car at Walt Disney World Resort was forty years ago, and hence our hiatus! (Guests of Disney’s Polynesian Resort may find a short walk to the ferryboat loading dock a convenient method of travel also.)
Three separate ferryboats (the Admiral Joe Fowler, the Richard F. Irvine and the General Joe Potter) transport Guests to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom, though during off peak hours they may not all be in service at once.
Ferryboats generally begin operating about one hour before the park opens (including Morning Extra Magic Hours) and one hour after park closing (including Evening Extra Magic Hours), but operation is dependent upon weather conditions and the season. Departure does not follow a strict schedule, but crossings generally take place every 15 minutes. Each boat offers a lower and upper level, with bench seating ( life jackets within) and standing room that together accommodate up to 600 passengers. Though slower than the Express Monorail (mainly due to loading, docking and unloading), its capacity to move large numbers of guests is greater.
Interesting facts:
– Each vessel is a double decker and is modeled after the famous Staten Island Ferry!
– The “Admiral Joe Fowler” is named for the gentleman who was Construction Manager of Walt Disney World from 1968 through 1971.
– “Richard F. Irvine” was the president of WED Enterprises during the Walt Disney World design phase.
– “General Joe Potter” is named for the legend who engineered field construction and was know as “Mr. Disney” in the Orlando area.
– The ferryboats were initially designed to be luxury vessels that would host private charters after hours.
Top PT Tips:
– Ferryboats are fully accessible to wheelchairs, Electric Conveyance Vehicles, medical strollers, double strollers and strollers, with no transfers or folding required. (Making the ferryboats more user-friendly than buses or water launches). In addition to very steep inclines on the Monorail approaches and disembarkations, temporary ramps must be put in place by Cast Members to enter and exit the vehicles.
– Children with sensory stimulation concerns will generally find the ferryboats quieter, less crowded and far more sedate than all other forms of Magic Kingdom transit.
– Because ferryboats are basically open air vessels, they are not climate controlled. Those with temperature sensitivities or intolerance should take other forms of transportation.
Bon voyage and as always, enjoy the journey.
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Focused on the Magic.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
The Walt Disney World Buses~ yourfirstvisit.net
Disney’s Magical Express~ The Disney Kids
The Monorail~ Heidi’s Head
Ferryboats to the Magic Kingdom~ DISTherapy (You are here!)
Motor Launches~ Focused on the Magic
Friendship Boats~ The Disney Point
Ferryboats to Downtown Disney~ Can Do It Mom aka Mouse Fan Diane
The Walt Disney World Railroad~ Return to Disney
Surrey Bikes~ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
Parking Lot Trams~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
Walt Disney World Walking Paths~ Disney Living
I have to say that we LOVE the ferry! For many years, we drove to Walt Disney World and stayed off-site. So, when we'd arrive at the TTC, we'd rush to the ferryboat dock rather than the monorail because of the large capacity and the shorter lines. Lately, we've been staying on-site, and I must admit that I miss the opportunity to ride the ferry! Thanks for your great post!
Every Disney experience has its silver lining, right Heidi?!
Although I don't ride it as often as I should, I really do enjoy a ride on the ferries. It's so relaxing, and sometimes that's just what we need after a hectic day at MK.
Yes! It beats the heck out of the crazy Monorail lines at park closing!!
The ferries are a great option if you are using a wheelchair. We usually take them over the monorail because it is a little easier getting to them. It is a beautiful ride!
I can see why Melissa; those ramps to the Monorail are for mountain climbers. (And it IS a beautiful ride!)
I recently went on the ferry for the first time and I loved it. It has a calming, relaxing feel just before getting to the MK. Thanks for a great post and tips 😉
Thanks Diane; I love the sense of anticipation that slowly builds as you get closer and closer to the Magic Kingdom!
The ferry rides are so relaxing and a wonderful way to approach the Magic Kingdom. As you said the anticipation builds and builds as you get closer. Love it!
True Deb- we won't be overlooking the ferryboats in the future!
I enjoy the ferryboats and love the backstory to the names! I didn't know that! I also never thought to walk to the ferryboats from the Poly- another reason to stay there! 🙂
People always assume that the monorail is faster, but it's not. Many times we have taken the ferry and arrived earlier than the monorail with its two stops (at Poly and Grand Floridian). Plus it's awesome to go to the top and act like you are king of the world. Or is that just me?
That it is true for the Resort Monorail Sean, and the lines for the it and the Express move far more slowly. I was surprised to read that the actual voyage is only 5 minutes long!
Beth, when we stayed in the Rapa Nui Longhouse last February, we could almost roll out of bed and into the ferryboat! GREAT transportation options at Disney's Polynesian Resort!!
We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge in November. We've never stayed at a resort with a ferry before so I'm curious to see how that works out, Especially considering we have an infant.
Hosting a giveaway to win a Disney Gift card on my blog over at Disney 'n Diapers if you are interested!! http://babyscardina.blogspot.com/2013/10/disney-n-diapers-giveaway.html
Hi Laurie- I love the Wilderness Lodge! For your transit you'll have the Motor Launch or Motor Cruisers to choose from (not the larger ferryboats, but very adequate for getting to and from the Magic Kingdom). I'm heading to your giveaway now- thanks for stopping in!!
Can you PLEASE explain to me how I did NOT know that the Magic Kingdom ferryboats were modeled after the old Staten Island Ferries? HOW? I ride the ferry every single day. This is such a great post. Thanks for sharing!
Can I say that you were the FIRST person I thought of when I read that- I'm embarrassed that I didn't know either! (Thank goodness for Magical Blogorail research!!)
I don't think I have ever ridden on one of the Ferryboats. I will put that on my list for my next visit.
Always another Disney "first" awaiting!!
I see in your last shot you got one of the former Animal Kingdom Boats at the dock in the foreground of the ferry, this is very cool, I understand that they have renamed these vessels using the OLD (pre 1999) names of the ferries as in Kingdom Queen, Magic Kingdom I, and Magic Kingdom II).
Thank you for solving the mystery Brian! I took this shot on October 6th of this year, and wondered what it's use might be. I had no idea it was one of the original Animal Kingdom vessels. Please let me know if you have additional information. Thanks!!
I have not seen them in use myself, but heard they were used now for fireworks cruises, and at times when additional capacity is needed.
Thank you for keeping us in the know Brian!!