The South Florida Water Management District approved Disney's permit application for expanding the ferry dock at Magic Kingdom in late March 2026. The project includes dock expansion, hardscape improvements, and a floodplain compensation area. No timeline for construction has been announced.
Disney filed an application several months ago to expand the Magic Kingdom ferry dock, located at the park's boarding area. The South Florida Water Management District granted approval in late March 2026, allowing work to proceed on the dock expansion, hardscape enhancements, and creation of a floodplain compensation area nearby. Details on when construction will begin remain undisclosed. This approval marks another upgrade to the ferry infrastructure, which has been evolving over the past decade. In 2014, Disney added a second dock at both Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center, effectively doubling the number of boats and passenger capacity. Then, in 2021, a second level was introduced at these docks, enabling guests to board and exit from upper and lower decks. Ferry service has connected Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center since the park opened in 1971. The boats, which can carry up to 600 passengers each trip, continue to be a favored option for visitors avoiding traffic on routes like Interstate 4.