When it comes to Walt Disney World transportation, boats seem to be the most underrated mode. In reality, Disney World boats are one of the best, and most relaxing ways to get around and enjoy the participating parks.
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Where do Disney World Boats Travel: Covering Boat Routes?
Disney World boats, also known as water taxis, typically travel between resorts and the nearby theme parks. Most of the boats are small or mid-sized with the exception of two.
The Richard F. Irvine and Admiral Joe Fowler are the largest ferries. They carry guests between the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and Magic Kingdom. These ferries can hold up to 600 guests.
The remainder of the boats travel from resorts to different parks such as Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs. It is also worth noting that the boat lines do not cross to other parks.
To clarify, water taxis serving the Magic Kingdom resorts will transport guests only to the Magic Kingdom. They will not have access to any other park via boat. But resorts with access to EPCOT via boat will also have access to Hollywood Studios, but not the Magic Kingdom.
Below, you will find a list of resorts that have access to boat transportation along with where the boat will take you.
Disney World Boats Traveling to the Magic Kingdom
You can catch a boat to the Magic Kingdom from the following resorts:
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa/Villas (shares service with Polynesian Village)
- Polynesian Village/Villas (shares service with Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
- Wilderness Lodge
- Fort Wilderness Campground and Cabins at Fort Wilderness
Disney World Boats Traveling to EPCOT
You may also hop on a boat to reach EPCOT from the following resort hotels:
- Swan and Dolphin
- Yacht and Beach Club
- Boardwalk Inn and Villas
The Friendship Boats travel from the above resorts to Epcot and Hollywood Studios in a loop. It is worth noting that from many resorts, walking to the parks can be faster during peak travel times
Disney World Boats Traveling to Hollywood Studios
A few select hotels can take a water taxi to Disney Hollywood Studios. These include:
- Beach Club
- Yacht Club
- Boardwalk Inn and Villas
- Swan and Dolphin resorts
Disney World Boats Traveling to Disney Springs
A few resorts offer water taxi transportation to Disney Springs. These include:
- Old Key West Resort
- Saratoga Springs
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Riverside
What is it Like to Take a Disney World Ferry?
Riding one of the Disney World boats is a relaxing journey, but the experience does vary based on the boat you ride. There are large ferry boats, smaller open-air boats, and boats in between.
First, lets start with the large Ferries you will board at the TTC to Magic Kingdom. These boats are large and can fit up to 600 guests. The experience on this boat is the least private.
These boats are double decker ferries with two staircases leading to the upper deck. Guests can sit on plastic benches or stand to better see the views of Seven Seas Lagoon. These boats can be a bit loud, but not terribly so.
Next, there are the mid-sized water taxis that service Magic Kingdom and resorts such as Polynesian Village, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. These boats are about one-third the size of the larger ferries.
The medium water taxis offer a covered experience, which can limit views. This experience is ideal in wet weather but can be warm during the summer as a lot of the breezes are cut off.
These boats offer plastic bench seating and can be loud once the motor gets going.
Additional mid-sized Disney World boats are the Friendship Boats that service EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and the nearby resorts. These boats are similar in size to the magic Kingdom water taxis.
The Friendship Boats offer mostly indoor, covered seating with a few rows of outdoor seating at the back of the boat. These boats can also be loud while operating.
Next, there are the ferries that take guests from Disney Springs resorts to Disney Springs. These boats resemble large pontoon boats and offer an open air experience with a cover to protect you from rain and direct sunlight.
The experience on the Disney Spring Ferries is relaxing and quieter than the mid-sized boats. Water craft in this category are smaller than the others, but not the smallest of the Disney World boats.
The smallest boats, which are also my favorite, can be found carrying guests between Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge only.
These tiny water taxis hold 20-30 people and offer a more private and relaxing journey. We always enjoy cruising the lagoon in these small boats as we head to a meal at Fort Wilderness.
The small water taxis are open air with a cover so you can feel the refreshing breeze on your face. This does mean they can be a bit cold during bad weather though.
These water taxis offer a slower journey than the bigger boats but do come with the upside of being less noisy.
How Long Does it Take a Disney World Ferry Boat to Get to Its Destination?
Most boat trips at Disney World will take between 15 to 30 minutes once on board. Keep in mind that some boats will stop at other resorts before reaching the final destination. If you are the first resort picked up by the boat, expect your total transit time to be on the longer end of the that timeframe.
Distance from the resort is also a key indicator of how long it will take to reach your destination. For instance, Polynesian Village and Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are closely situated to the Magic Kingdom park, resulting in transit times of around 15 minutes. On the other hand Wilderness Lodge is farther away, so guests should expect a longer ride. Guests staying at Fort Wilderness cabins or campground should expect the longest transit time, since these accommodations are located farther away from Magic Kingdom Park.
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Disney World Boats Hours of Operation
The Walt Disney World Boat schedule runs on a varied time table depending on the locations being served. Typically, you’ll see boats start running around 45 minutes prior to park opening and continuing service until 45 minutes after park closing. Boats that service Disney Springs will usually begin service around 10:00 am with the last boat leaving Disney Springs around 11:30 pm.
When Should You Use a Disney World Boat Over Other Forms of Transportation?
While the Walt Disney World Boats offer a relaxing and leisurely travel option, they are often not the fastest mode of transportation. If you find yourself in a rush, you may want to skip the boats in favor of the buses or monorail when offered.
The best time to use the boats is during the day after opening and up to an hour before closing. During peak travel times the boats are often inundated with guests, especially the boats that travel to resorts.
We often find ourselves boarding the boats on a whim. If we are heading out and see a boat waiting at the dock, we will board and head out immediately. If the boats are not currently at the dock, it can be up to 30 minutes between boats, especially during off times.
One of the best uses of the boats is to get quick service to a resort for lunch or dinner. They offer a great way to relax and unwind as you travel to your restaurant.
The boat that sees the most demand is the small water taxi that travels to Fort Wilderness directly from the Magic Kingdom. There are not many boats that run this route, and the ones that do have small capacity.
Traveling by boat is also the only way to get from Fort Wilderness Lodge to the Magic Kingdom. For those staying at Fort Wilderness, plan for lengthy travel times to Magic Kingdom, particularly in the morning and evening.
Disney World Motor Boats for Fun
Beyond the practical Disney World ferry boats, there are many fun boat rentals available to guests who wish to explore Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. These boat rentals feature pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, and fireworks cruises.
Pontoon boats can be rented for $49 per half hour. These boats seat up to 10 guests and can be driven by anyone over 18. All guests under the age or 12 must wear a life jacket provided at the time of rental.
- The pontoon boats can be rented on a first come first serve basis at the marinas at the following resorts: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Kayaks and Canoes can be rented at Fort Wilderness Campground for $15 per hour each. Kayaks and canoes can be rented by anyone over 18 or over 12 with signed parental permission. And lifejackets are required to be worn by guests.
Last, there are firework cruises offered on private Disney World Boats. These cruises are led by a boat captain. Snacks and beverages are included.
These firework cruises depart from Contemporary Marina, Polynesian Marina, Grand Floridian Marina, Fort Wilderness Marina and the Wilderness Lodge Marina for special water viewing of the Magic Kingdom fireworks shows.
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You can also board a fireworks cruise from the Yacht and Beach Club marina for special viewing of EPCOTs fireworks shows.
The fireworks cruises cost $449 plus tax and seat up to ten guests on a 25-foot boat.
Walt Disney World Boat Frequently Asked Questions
Where do boats go in Disney?
Boats at Disney World transport guests to various destinations within the resort. They travel between the Magic Kingdom and resorts like Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Campground. Friendship Boats connect Epcot and Hollywood Studios with resorts such as Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin hotels. Additionally, boats run between Disney Springs and nearby resorts like Port Orleans and Saratoga Springs
Which Disney Parks are connected by boat?
All of the theme parks, with the exception of Animal Kingdom, are connected by boat to Disney Resort. Guests may find boat service to the Magic Kingdom from Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Campground. Service to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is initiated from Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Beach Club Resort and Villas and Yacht Club as well as the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels.
Where do Friendship Boats go?
Friendship boats service EPCOT park and will travel to nearby resorts, such as Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Beach Club Resort and Villas and Yacht Club as well as the Disney Swan and Dolphin hotels. Friendship Boats will also transport guests within the park around the World Showcase Lagoon.
Can you take a boat from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom?
Boat service is not available between EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom. Disney World ferry boats only travel between select resort hotels and nearby destinations connected by waterways.
Is there a boat from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios?
There is not one boat route that services both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. However, guests may take a Friendship Boat to one of the EPCOT area resorts and transfer to a water taxi traveling to Hollywood Studios.
Where does the boat in Disney Springs go?
There are multiple boat launches from Disney Springs. All travel to one of 4 resort hotels: Old Key West, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside and Saratoga Springs.
