Walt Disney World Water Transportation (The Complete Guide)
It’s no secret that boating is one of the most pleasant methods of travel around Disney World. It is also one of the best ways to get between select resorts, theme parks, and Disney Springs. Disney’s boat transportation system includes a range of vessels from smaller watercraft to larger ferries, each serving unique routes. Guests staying at hotels with boat transportation will find that routes, schedules, and boat types vary depending on location, which we’ll cover in detail below.
Aside from walking, water transportation is our favorite way to get around. There’s nothing like feeling the warm breeze of the open air, sparking the spirit of adventure as you set sail for your destination. Even if it’s only a ten-minute ride, you’ll feel refreshed when you arrive.
Below, we’ll preview the various types of water transportation available at Walt Disney World. We’ll discuss each boat route and the flags that identify it. We’ll also preview the types of boats that run each route and what to expect. So when the time comes for your vacation, you’ll be ready to set sail!
Types of Boat Service at Walt Disney World
Disney World boat transportation is organized by route and identified by colored flags. Each flag corresponds to a specific service, making it easier to recognize which boat you need when arriving at the dock.
The Magic Kingdom Ferry
- The Magic Kingdom Ferry transports guests across the Seven Seas Lagoon between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom. This is the largest vessel used in Disney World water transportation and operates continuously throughout the day.
Magic Kingdom Resorts Boat Service
These routes connect select Disney resorts with Magic Kingdom using smaller launches.
Gold Flag
- Travels between Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Red Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Magic Kingdom.
Green Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Magic Kingdom.
Blue Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness.
- This route typically operates in the afternoon and evening (approximately 3:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.).
FriendShips (Commonly called Friendship Boats)
Friendship Boats operate in the Epcot resort area and are commonly referred to as Friendship launches. An additional boat service transports guests across the World Showcase at Epcot.
Epcot Resorts Route
- Travels between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Stops include Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club (shared dock), and the Swan and Dolphin area (including Swan Reserve).
Internal World Showcase Lagoon Route
- Provides transportation across World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot.
- One route travels between the Morocco Pavilion and the World Showcase Plaza dock near the Canada Pavilion. One route travels between the Germany Pavilion and the World Showcase Plaza dock near the Mexico Pavilion.
Water Taxis
These water taxis connect Disney Springs with nearby Disney resort hotels. All routes arrive at the Marketplace boat dock.
Blue Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (The Springs area) and Disney Springs.
Green Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Old Key West Resort (Hospitality House) and Disney Springs.
Yellow Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Disney Springs.
Purple Flag
- Travels between Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Disney Springs.
Yellow and Purple Flag (Combined)
- Travels between Disney Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside, stopping at both resorts along the route.
Note: Disney Springs previously had additional boat docks at The Landing and West Side. These docks have not been in regular operation since early 2020. Water transportation at Disney Springs is currently limited to routes serving Disney Springs Resort Area hotels and the Marketplace dock.
Note: Water taxis and bus transportation from Disney Springs to Disney Resort hotels are reserved for guests staying on-property. Guests may be asked to show proof of a valid resort or dining reservation before boarding. See our overview of transportation at Disney Springs to learn more.
Magic Kingdom Ferry
Three ferries operate between Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center, which serves as the parking lot for the theme park. Guests who park at the TTC can take either the ferry or the monorail to reach Magic Kingdom.
These ferries are large, two-level vessels with staircases at the front and back. The lower level provides access for guests with strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs. Each ferry can hold approximately 600 guests, offering higher capacity than the express monorail, which holds around 360 guests. Here is a photo of the upper level of the Magic Kingdom Ferry.
Ferry boats typically load to the far left after guests pass through security at the TTC. The ferry ride across Seven Seas Lagoon takes approximately 10 minutes. While it is not as fast as the express monorail, it’s much more open and airy. A fourth ferry and an additional dock are currently under development, with the new vessel expected to enter service in 2027.
Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation
Several Disney Resort hotels offer water transportation to nearby parks or Disney Springs. These routes vary by location, with some resorts offering direct boat access to a single destination and others connecting to multiple stops. Resorts with boat transportation include:
Magic Kingdom Resorts with Boat Service
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge (Opening in 2027)
Epcot Resort Area with Friendship Boats
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve
Disney Springs Resorts with Water Taxi Service
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the types of boats you can expect on these routes.
Magic Kingdom Resorts Boat Service
All of the Magic Kingdom Resorts offer some type of boat service. These routes are identified by the flags we discussed above. Two primary types of boats are used for these routes. The most common is a smaller water taxi, which services resorts along Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Larger vessels are also used on select routes, depending on capacity needs and time of day. The picture below shows one of the smaller boats.
This boat seats approximately 30 guests. About 8-10 seats are available toward the front of the boat. This boat requires a step-down, so it’s not accessible for ECVs and anyone who isn’t ambulatory. If you have a wheelchair or stroller, it must be collapsed (folded) before boarding. This boat type regularly runs between the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, and the Magic Kingdom. (This route is shared.) We have an overview of taking the boat from the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom if you would like to know more. It includes the stop at the Polynesian.
The water cruiser pictured below also services the Magic Kingdom Resorts. It’s substantially larger and can accommodate guests with ECVS. This type of boat regularly runs between the Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and the Magic Kingdom. (These routes are separate and not shared between the resorts.)
Here is a look at the inside. (Both types of boats (the water taxi and cruiser) service the Magic Kingdom Resort routes we’ve discussed.) We have an overview of taking the boat between Wilderness Lodge and Magic Kingdom if you would like more details of the route.
FriendShips Boat Service
Disney’s FriendShips service the Epcot Resorts Area. Guests can take the boats to park hop between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. These boats are primarily interior, with one row on the back exposed to the elements. The back row is pretty popular and often the first to fill up. The FriendShips have a dedicated interior area for guests in wheelchairs and ECVs. However, Disney notes that circumstances like the water level can sometimes affect access.
The Friendships run in the following order before returning in the exact opposite order:
- Epcot’s International Gateway
- Disney’s Boardwalk
- Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
A walking path is also available between both parks and the resorts. If there’s a long line for the boat, the walking path will likely be the quicker option. See walking between Epcot and Hollywood Studios for the park-hopping distance. Or if you want to compare all options, see the best ways to park-hop between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
As mentioned earlier, this same boat type also services the World Showcase Lagoon inside Epcot. You can use it to travel from the Morocco Pavilion area to the Canada Pavilion area (World Showcase Plaza). However, you’ll skip many countries along the way. But if you have someone who’s grown weary or needs to minimize walking, this route is a good option. Additional docks are available along the promenade in the Germany Pavilion and the Mexico Pavilion. (Note: Some of the docks within Epcot might not always be operational.)
Disney Springs Resorts Water Taxis
Our last set of boats is the water taxis that service Disney Springs. These open-air boats run between the following Disney Springs area resorts and Disney Springs:
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West
*A walking path is available between Saratoga Springs and Disney Springs. That article details both walking paths from the resort to the Marketplace and the West Side. I mention this because if you’re at The Springs boat dock and going to the West Side of Disney Springs, you would have a much shorter walk if you took the walking path to the West Side. If you took the boat, you would end up at the Marketplace. Then, you would have to walk to the West Side, which would be considerably longer.
The water taxis have bench-style seating, as shown in the photograph below. Two people are asked to sit on the benches on the left side of the boat, and three are asked to sit on the longer bench on the right side. These boats are wheelchair and ECV accessible.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this Walt Disney World water transportation overview helps set your sails in the right direction. Knowing your options is half the battle for getting around the resorts and theme parks! For more on transportation, see our beginner’s guide on how to get around Disney World. It’s perfect for anyone just starting or who needs a refresher. Check back with ResortsGal.com for more details.
In the Comments
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If you are at Disney Springs, where do you catch the water taxi to the resorts? I have been to Disney Springs many times and have never seen it.
Also, how long is the wait and is there a cost? Can you get to all the resorts such as Contemporary and Polynesian Hotels?
The boat dock is at the far end of the Marketplace. You would exit Disney Springs at the old Marketplace entrance, past Goofy’s Candy Kitchen. From there, you would walk down to the dock. There is boat service to Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, and Disney Springs. It’s a complimentary transportation option. If you would like to leanr more, we have a guide that shares how it all works: https://www.resortsgal.com/disney-springs-water-taxis/