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One of the most scenic commutes in all of Walt Disney World Resort is back to full capacity after an out-of-service Magic Kingdom Park ferry finally returned to the Seven Seas Lagoon this month.
Two Months on Dry Land
Credit: Disney
The Richard F. Irvine, one of three ferry boats serving the Seven Seas Lagoon route between the Transportation & Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom Park, went offline in February without any explanation from Walt Disney World Resort. For over two months, Disney Park guests relying on ferry service had to make do with reduced capacity while the vessel remained out of commission.
That wait is finally over. The Richard F. Irvine returned to service this month, and a photo shared by BlogMickey shows the boat looking noticeably different than before. Fresh dark red paint now covers its exterior trim, and Disney cast members confirmed that wood fixtures on board were also repainted and refinished during the refurbishment.
Whether Imagineers took the opportunity to perform any engine work while the boat was out of the water hasn’t been confirmed.
Richard F. Irvine joins General Joe Potter and Admiral Joe Fowler in rotating service across the lagoon. All three share a two-deck layout that can carry hundreds of Central Florida Disney Park guests per trip, each distinguished by its own color scheme.
The Dock Itself Is Next
Credit: kaleb tapp, Unsplash
Beyond the ferry’s return, a larger change to Magic Kingdom Park’s waterfront is in the pipeline. Walt Disney World Resort filed a permit in February to expand the ferry boat loading area and dock at the park, and that permit cleared local approval in late March. Construction can now begin.
The expansion appears to be forward-thinking. As development accelerates on both the Disney Villains land and the Cars (2006)-inspired Piston Peak National Park in Frontierland, Magic Kingdom Park is expected to draw significantly higher crowds, and the transportation infrastructure getting Walt Disney World Resort guests there will need to keep pace.
What’s your favorite way to travel to Magic Kingdom Park: watercraft transportation, the Monorail, Disney buses, or something else? Disney Tips would love to hear from you in the comments!
