Walt Disney World Water Transportation System

Approximately thirty-five vessels comprise the Walt Disney World Water Transportation System. The fleet consists of five different types, which include Ferryboats, Water Launches/Taxis, Motor Cruisers, Riverboats/Water Taxis, and Friendship Boats. In addition to these listed boats, there are many other motorized and non-motorized boats used at Disney World. They may be rented and used for fishing and recreational purposes. However, they are not part of the Disney World Water Transportation System.

Access to boat transportation is available to all areas of Walt Disney World except for the Animal Kingdom and some Resorts. You may hear some of the boats referred to by other names in various parts of WDW. For instance, Riverboats are called Water Taxis in the Disney Springs area. When these same boats travel to Port Orleans Riverside or PO French Quarter, they are called Riverboats. The Friendship Boats may also be called a Water Bus or Water Taxi. Water Launches are also known as Water Taxis. However, don’t let the terminology confuse you. They are all a means for water travel around Walt Disney World, getting you efficiently from point A to point B!

Wheelchair And ECV Accessibility With The Walt Disney World Transportation System

Most of the transportation systems at the Walt Disney World Resort are accessible to guests with disabilities. The Disney World Water Transportation System is just one part of the extensive Disney Transport System. Above all, guests of the Walt Disney World Resort, receive complimentary use of any mode of transportation they offer. In addition to the watercraft, The Transport System consists of buses, monorail, Skyliner gondola lift system, and parking lot trams. Click on this link for a great interactive map of the “Walt Disney World Transportation Map & Guide” provided by magicguides.com. 

By nature, any of the many Disney World Boats as a means of transportation is usually slower than the monorail, bus or gondola lift systems. However, in certain instances, they may get you to your destination faster. For example, suppose you arrived at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom. The faster way would be by utilizing the monorail. In the meantime, there may be long waiting lines at the monorail station. It could take a while before you could get onto the monorail. There may be other mobility scooters or wheelchairs ahead of you. That is when you should choose the Ferryboat.

Boarding A Ferryboat At The Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) To The Magic Kingdom

A Ferryboat may be at Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) at the same time and soon heading to the Magic Kingdom. Explore that option because it could offer you instant boarding because the ferries hold more people. Each Ferryboat holds up to 600+ passengers plus three crew members. Remember, there are two levels. The lower level is the only one that is accessible with an ECV or wheelchair.

Boarding A Ferryboat At The Magic Kingdom Destined For Parking And The Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC)

Similarly, it may be more comfortable and quicker to catch the Ferryboat back to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC). It would be especially true after the fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom. Usually, the park empties very quickly, with everyone hurrying back to the parking areas.

Tip: Some Nautical Terms To Know When Using Disney World Water Transportation

The most accessible watercraft to board with an ECV or wheelchair is one of the three Ferryboats that run between the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) and the Magic Kingdom. You board through the stern (rear) via a wide ramp as all fellow passengers do and park yourself wherever you want to. On these larger ships, I’d head closer to the bow (front) and move over to one of the sides. The left-hand side is called the port side. Starboard is the right-hand side. At this point, you’d be at the lower Ferryboat level. You would not have access to the upper level unless you can climb the stairs to the top.

No Tie-Downs Nor Wheel Chocking Required

On the Ferryboat, you do not have to tie-down the mobility aid nor chock the wheels. Likewise, I’ve never had to do this on any of the other boats. Turn the key off to your mobility aid and make sure that your brakes are engaged. Those in a manual wheelchair would need to set the brakes by hand. When you get to your destination, you just drive straight off the ramp and go on your merry way!!

I don’t want to confuse the issue, but the Disney World Ferryboats are considered double-ended. That means you can embark and disembark at either end, depending upon which end of the ferryboat is at the docking ramp. Thus, the ferries never turn around to maneuver into a docking position. They just shuttle back and forth, crossing Seven Seas Lagoon between the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) and the Magic Kingdom. The ride takes about 10-12 minutes, not including the docking and disembarking time. Here is a link to a great article, “10 Amazing Facts About Disney Ferry Boats” by DisneyFanatic.com.

Sassagoula Riverboats/Water Taxis As Part Of The Disney World Water Transportation System

The Sassagoula Riverboats/Water Taxis are also pretty easy to board with an ECV or wheelchair. It’s not as easy as a Ferryboat to board and takes a bit more maneuvering to do so. Getting to the boat docks is easy enough though. Once you are in a position to be called for boarding, the boat captain will board you first. Usually, other passengers will get on when your mobility aid is in place. Just be aware that there are always exceptions, and other passengers may already be in place. It depends on the water level and how the boat relates to the dock.

You’d enter the Riverboat/Water Taxi on the starboard (right-hand side) near the bow. The captain or another Cast Member will put a portable ramp down. The ramp bridges the gap from the dock into the boat. There may be a slight slope depending upon the water level.

How To Safely Enter A Riverboat/Water Taxi With An ECV Or Wheelchair

The same procedures apply as when entering other Disney Transport System options. Enter at the lowest speed and drive straight up the ramp and into the boat before turning. Some captains will have you maneuver near the bow of the Riverboat/Water Taxi and back into the designated spot. You’d wind up facing the direction that you entered. For clarification, this is starboard (right-hand side.)

I had one captain direct me to drive straight onto the ramp, into the boat and right into the designated spot without turning. The front of the ECV was facing port (left-hand side.) Upon exiting the Riverboat/Water Taxi, I had to back off the boat and ramp. In another instance, the captain boarded two ECV’s at the same time. A lot of maneuvering ensued, but both ECV’s made it on! There’s nothing to stress about because the boat captain will be right there to assist you when necessary.

As a side note of caution, be careful when disembarking a boat onto a dock area. There are occasions when the dock width will be short, and if you move off too quickly and lose control, you could end up going over the edge and treading water! Always place the speed control to the lowest setting when embarking and disembarking any boat. Also, make sure you drive straight down and off any portable ramp before turning.

Note: There are two entrances near the bow one on each side. I’ve never boarded through the port side (left-hand side) myself, but there may be instances where you would be required to do so. Just be prepared to take your time boarding and listen to the directions of the captain or Cast Member.

The Friendship Boats And Their Roles In The Disney World Water Transportation System

Friendship Boats operate on Crescent Lake in the Epcot Resort area to five Resorts, Epcot’s International Gateway, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They also ply the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon, connecting World Showcase countries in two separate routes. Those routes sail between Canada and Morocco, as well as Mexico and Germany.

The Friendship Boat is a name created by Disney instead of calling it a water bus or taxi. I could not find anything that defines why they call them Friendship Boats. My guess that by naming them Friendship Boats, it emphasized a significant word from the dedication plaque at Epcot. The first line of the dedication plaque near the entrance states: To all who come to this Place of Joy, Hope, and Friendship, Welcome.

The boats are fully enclosed and air-conditioned. Be aware that since they are closed in, it could get hot in them during the summer months. Most of the time, the air conditioner works but is usually not sufficient enough to make it very comfortable. They’re also big, about 65 feet long, but not as large as a ferryboat. Their capacity is up to 100 passengers.

However, when you board a closed sided boat, guests in ECV’s or wheelchairs will be directed indoors. At one time, Disney allowed ECV and wheelchair riders to park outside at the back of the boat. However, they’re not permitting this any longer. Due to safety concerns, a mobility scooter or wheelchair could block the evacuation route in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Boarding A Friendship Boat

Boarding one of the Friendship Boats is relatively easy. A portable ramp bridges the gap between the dock and the boat deck. You’ll board with caution by keeping your speed at the lowest position. Go up and off the ramp entirely before turning towards your intended direction. Disembarking will be done in the same manner. Slowly go down the slope and clear it before making any turns. Just note that the pitch may vary due to water levels.

Varying water levels and adverse wind conditions may not allow for the use of a boarding ramp. In these instances, you may have to step down or up into the boat. Boarding with a mobility scooter or wheelchair would be impossible. The exception would be if the wheelchair were portable, you were able to fold it up, and you could make the step up or down into the boat.

Motor Cruisers Can Be Boarded With An ECV Or Wheelchair

You will be able to board a Motor Cruiser with an ECV or wheelchair. I don’t want to sound repetitive, but the same boarding procedures would apply like those described for the Friendship Boats. And just like the Friendship Boats, wind conditions and water levels determine whether you’ll be able to board or not.

Motor Launches/Water Taxis Are Not ADA-Accessible And Cannot Be Boarded With An ECV Or Battery-Powered Wheelchair

A Motor Launch/Water Taxi is the one vessel that you’d be unable to board with an ECV or electric wheelchair. These are one of the smaller boats and ride low in the water. However, there are no ramps for easy access. You’d have to step up over the side and down a step or two to get aboard. Yes, you can do this with a portable wheelchair, but why go through the hassle? However, make it easy on yourself; there are other choices for transportation that you’d find to be more convenient and accessible.

Disney World Water Transportation System…..All Aboard!

In summary, using Disney World Water Transportation is fun, free, and something different to do. It’s a chance to relax, enjoy the beautiful scenery and cool off, especially after a long hot day in the parks. When the boat is in motion, catch the breeze and enjoy a leisurely, carefree ride. Get to where you’re going in grand Disney style. Turn your travel into a treat on a fleet of boats that are an attraction in itself!

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