Construction of Walt Disney World’s fourth Magic Kingdom ferryboat has reached another significant milestone. New aerial images show that crews have now completed the installation of the vessel’s second deck, bringing the project one step closer to expanding transportation capacity across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
The new ferry, named Meg Gilbert Crofton, is expected to enter service in 2027 and will become the first addition to Magic Kingdom’s ferry fleet in more than 50 years.
Ferry begins to resemble Disney’s existing fleet
Since construction began earlier this year, the vessel has steadily taken shape at a backstage construction site near the Seven Seas Lagoon. Initially only the hull and lower deck were visible, but the latest construction update reveals that the upper passenger deck has now been installed.
The new structure closely mirrors Disney’s three existing ferryboats, with the overall silhouette now clearly recognisable. Work is still underway on the bow and stern sections, while staircases, railings, passenger facilities, navigation equipment and the vessel’s distinctive exterior details have yet to be added.
Construction crews continue to assemble the ferry outdoors after the individual components arrived in sections earlier this year.
Named after a former Walt Disney World president
When the ferry enters service, it will be named Meg Gilbert Crofton in honour of Walt Disney World’s fourth president. Crofton joined Disney in 1977 and became the resort’s president in 2006, overseeing several major expansion projects during her tenure.
The vessel will join the existing ferry fleet consisting of Admiral Joe Fowler, General Joe Potter and Richard F. Irvine, all named after influential Disney executives.
Expanding transportation capacity
The new ferryboat forms part of Walt Disney World’s ongoing investment in guest transportation. Operating between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom, the large ferries play a vital role in moving thousands of visitors each day, particularly during park opening and closing.
Each crossing of the Seven Seas Lagoon takes only a few minutes, but the ferryboats are capable of carrying hundreds of guests at once, helping reduce pressure on the resort’s iconic monorail system.
Disney announced the fourth ferryboat in 2026 as part of a broader transportation expansion. The additional vessel will provide greater operational flexibility while increasing capacity during the resort’s busiest periods.
Plenty of work remains
Although the latest construction milestone represents visible progress, considerable work remains before the ferry can enter service. The vessel still requires its bridge, passenger seating, accessibility features, mechanical systems, paintwork and final interior finishes before testing on the Seven Seas Lagoon can begin.
If construction continues on schedule, guests visiting Walt Disney World in 2027 can expect to see the Meg Gilbert Crofton join Disney’s iconic ferry fleet, marking the first expansion of the service in decades.
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