Walt Disney World Adds Fourth Magic Kingdom Ferryboat, Named the Meg Gilbert Crofton

Walt Disney World is adding a fourth ferryboat to its Magic Kingdom fleet for the first time since 1976, with the new 120-foot vessel set to launch in 2027. Named the Meg Gilbert Crofton in honor of Disney World fourth president, the ferry is currently being built at a Florida marina and will be shipped in pieces to the resort for final assembly. The addition arrives alongside Magic Kingdom largest-ever park expansion.

Walt Disney World is expanding its iconic fleet of Magic Kingdom ferryboats for the first time since 1976, adding a fourth vessel to the beloved crossing of Seven Seas Lagoon. The new ferryboat arriving in 2027 will be named the Meg Gilbert Crofton, honoring Disney World fourth president who helmed the resort from 2006 to 2013. The addition coincides with Magic Kingdom largest-ever expansion and underscores Disney investment in the arrival experience.

A 120-Foot Addition to a Beloved Tradition

The Magic Kingdom ferryboats have been a staple of the Walt Disney World arrival experience since 1971. For the first time in nearly five decades, the fleet is growing. A brand-new, 120-foot ferryboat has been under construction at a Florida marina and will soon be transported in pieces to Disney property, where it will be assembled, painted, and finished over the course of roughly a year before its 2027 launch. The new vessel will expand the total fleet from three to four ferries -- a meaningful operational boost as Magic Kingdom welcomes its largest-ever theme park expansion.

Named to Honor a Disney World Pioneer

The tradition of naming Magic Kingdom ferryboats carries real significance. In 1997, the resort rechristened its three vessels as the Admiral Joe Fowler, the General Joe Potter, and the Richard F. Irvine -- each named for a key figure instrumental in making Walt Disney World a reality. Now, 30 years later, a fourth name joins that distinguished list: the Meg Gilbert Crofton. Meg joined Disney in 1977 as a marketing manager and led Walt Disney World as its fourth president from 2006 to 2013.

Just as with the other ferryboats, Meg Crofton portrait will be displayed on the first deck of the new vessel, developed by Walt Disney Imagineering and accompanied by a plaque sharing her story with generations of guests. As Meg noted: "It means so much to be recognized by the cast members I had the privilege of working with for so many years."

A Legacy Built Through People and Parks

During her tenure as president, Meg oversaw Disney World first major theme park expansion since the opening of Animal Kingdom: New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. That expansion brought beloved experiences like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Be Our Guest Restaurant to guests. She also led the opening of Art of Animation Resort in 2012.

Beyond the physical expansions, Meg legacy is defined by the people she led. Guided by the belief that what truly lasts is how one makes others feel, she championed cast member development across the company. When she received her window on Main Street, U.S.A. in 2015, it identified her as the founder of the Center for Leadership Development, with the inscription: "We start leaders on their journeys."

Why This Matters for Disney World Guests

For many guests, the ferryboat crossing is more than transportation -- it is the moment a Walt Disney World vacation truly begins, with an unobstructed view of Cinderella Castle growing larger across the water. A fourth ferry means shorter waits and improved throughput for one of the resort most beloved arrival experiences. Guests planning a visit in 2027 or beyond can look forward to boarding the Meg Gilbert Crofton as part of the classic Walt Disney World journey. Upcoming park and resort information is available at DisneyWorld.com.