Walt Disney World Transportation, Watercraft

Encompassing the Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, and EPCOT resort areas, Walt Disney World has one of the largest transportation fleets of boats. Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, and EPCOT each have their own types of boats running different routes. Disney water transportation is slower than a bus or car, but it is unique and distinctly Disney. Give yourself extra time, sit back, and enjoy the voyage.

Ferry Boats

Two twin Magic Kingdom class ferries, the Richard F. Irvine and Admiral Joe Fowler, along with the Kingdom Queen class, General Joe Potter, transport guests daily between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom.

Operating Hours

• Opening: Ferries typically begin operating 30 minutes before park opening, including Early Theme Park Entry or special morning hours.
• Closing: Ferries operate until about 90 minutes after park closing.
• Capacity and Schedule: Each ferryboat holds about 600 guests and 3 crew members. During opening and closing, all 3 ferries usually operate. During daytime and late-night periods, 2 ferries usually operate, with waits between 10 and 20 minutes in most cases.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort use water transportation in addition to the monorail when traveling to and from Magic Kingdom. Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground use water transportation to and from Magic Kingdom. Wilderness Lodge also offers bus service to Magic Kingdom.

There are 4 routes in the Magic Kingdom area, each designated by a colored flag. Routes operate about 30 minutes before park opening until about 90 minutes after park closing. Boats may stop operating due to inclement weather. If lightning is in the area, launches are shut down and boats are adjusted, so expect longer waits.

• Gold Flag Launch: The gold route carries guests from Magic Kingdom to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, continues to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and returns to Magic Kingdom. This route runs opposite of the resort monorail. It usually has two launches and takes about 20 minutes around the lake, with about 7 minutes between stops. It cannot accommodate ECVs. Guests in wheelchairs can board if they can transfer and step down into the boat.
• Green Flag Launch: The green route carries guests from Magic Kingdom to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. This is a busy route because guests staying at Fort Wilderness use boats to reach Magic Kingdom. This route usually runs two cruisers, both able to accommodate ECVs and wheelchairs without transfer. Travel time from Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness is about 13 minutes once underway.
• Red Flag Launch: The red route transports guests from Magic Kingdom to Disney's Wilderness Lodge. This route usually runs one cruiser and one launch. Guests using an ECV may need to wait for the cruiser. Travel time from Magic Kingdom to the resort is about 8 minutes.
• Blue Flag Launch: The blue route consists of two launches transporting guests around Bay Lake between Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and Disney's Contemporary Resort. The two launches operate in opposite directions and meet at the Contemporary.

Friendship Boats

Friendship Boats offer a relaxed trip to your destination. Walking is often faster, but after a long day in the parks, a boat ride can be a welcome break.

Disney's BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Dolphin, and Swan Resorts use water transportation on Crescent Lake to reach both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Tip: The wait for the Disney's Hollywood Studios boat can be long after park closing. A walking path connects the park and nearby resorts.

Within EPCOT

Beginning at 11:00 a.m., Friendship Boats begin running across World Showcase Lagoon. Two routes originate from World Showcase Plaza. One goes to Morocco, and the other goes to Germany. The last boat from World Showcase leaves around 7:15 p.m., and the last boat from the countries leaves around 7:30 p.m.

Disney Springs water transportation is typically offered daily from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., about every 20 minutes.

• Yellow Route: Sassagoula River Cruise to and from Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside from the Marketplace Dock.
• Green Route: The Landing to and from Old Key West.
• Blue Route: The Landing to and from Saratoga Springs Resort.
• Red Route: Disney Springs Water Taxi between the West Side Dock, The Landing Dock, and the Marketplace Dock. This route is open until 1:00 a.m.