Disney World Boat Transportation for Wheelchairs

With all the bodies of water at Walt Disney World, boats are bound to be a common form of travel. Keep reading to see how using a boat with special needs plays out.

Yes there’s plenty of attractions in the Disney parks where you board and ride a boat but this time we’re discussing boats, water taxis, and ferries used for transportation.

Water Taxi Details & Wheelchair Loading

These small boats have a few seats outside in the breeze but are primarily covered.

They run in accordance with park hours typically with pickups every 15-30 minutes. You’ll see easy to find signs and time guides at the dock.

Most boats will accommodate wheelchairs but may have certain changes depending on water level.

With these boats, the captain or skipper will put down a ramp to allow loading for wheelchairs and ECVs.

If possible, be visible to the captain so they can determine when is the ideal time for you to board.

When water level is high, they will have other passengers board first so the weight will lower the boat level to make boarding using the ramp easier.

When water level is lower, they will have you load first while the boat is at its highest.

Be prepared to fold strollers—so if you’re using a stroller as wheelchair be sure to let the cast members know so you can leave it open and in use when space allows.

You’ll be directed to park in a specific wheelchair area if staying in your chair  or ECV.

Friendship Boats

Over at Crescent Lake, Friendship Boats transport guests from the boardwalk area to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. These boats service Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, and The Swan & Dolphin Resorts.

World Showcase Friendship Boats

These boats also float the Crescent Lake but within Epcot’s World Showcase. They run routes between countries to cut down on some of your walking. This mode of transportation won’t save you time but they are a relaxing way to see beauty in the park with a breeze.

You can ride from World Showcase Plaza in Canada to Morocco or World Showcase Plaza in Mexico to Morocco and back of course.

These boats are typically wheelchair and ECV friendly with the exception of the scooters rented on-site at the park. There’s a bumper that limits loading abilities.

Sassagoula River Cruise

Another water travel opportunity is from Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, or Port Orleans Riverside

+ French Quarter Resorts to Disney Springs.

• Purple flag: route from French Quarter Resort to Disney Springs Marketplace

• Yellow flag: route between Riverside Resort and Disney Springs Marketplace

• Blue flag: route runs from Saratoga Springs Resort and Tree Houses to Disney Springs Marketplace, then to Disney Springs Landing.

• Red flag: route travels from Disney Springs Marketplace and back to Disney Springs Landing.

These operate 10a-11p daily and drop off/pickup near Rainforest Cafe.

Seven Seas Lagoon Water Taxis

These watercraft options are not consistently wheelchair accessible but they are very convenient.

For the restaurants at Fort Wilderness for example, the green flag route drops off closer to the dining destination than any other transportation and red flag docks right at Artist Pointe.

I also love when the Electrical Water Pageant is on the lake while we are on a boat.

•Green Flag: Runs between Fort Wilderness and the Magic Kingdom and should be wheelchair and ECV accessible as long as water levels are not too low or high.

•Red Flag: Runs between Magic Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge and should be wheelchair and ECV accessible as long as water levels are not too low or high.

•Blue Flag: Runs between the Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resorts. These are usually not ECV accessible. Wheelchairs can be taken on board if they’re folded and user can step down and safely transfer. Passengers must step down into the boat and sit in a regular boat seat.

•Gold Flag: Runs between the Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. These are usually not ECV accessible. Wheelchairs can be taken on board if they’re folded and user can step down and safely transfer. Passengers must step down into the boat and sit in a regular boat seat.

Ferry to Magic Kingdom

An attraction all its own, the huge Ferry that travels from the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center) to Magic Kingdom and back is a must do every trip.

It’s one of 3 options when parking at the TTC.

The Ferryboat runs 45 minutes prior to park opening (including early magic hours) up until 1 hour after closing (including any special after hour events).

It takes approximately 15 minutes to load, voyage, and arrive at your destination.

Boarding with a wheelchair or ECV is very easy- the entire access to the ferry is a ramp that everyone enters on. A few benches are scattered aboard but mostly open area or standing and plenty of space for chairs, although the boat can get crowded at peek times.

There’s a 2nd level on the ferryboat but it’s only accessible by stairs.

It’s important to note that water travel is not always available due to inclement weather. Not only can you find yourself suddenly caught in a downpour, they may be closed all together.

There’s truly nothing better at the end of a long park day than cruising back to the resort with only the sounds of the water and the breeze to lull the little ones to sleep.