From the Transportation & Ticket Center, Walt Disney World Guests have a choice of ways to get to the Magic Kingdom. While many forge straight ahead up the ramp to the Monorail station, I often prefer to take the Ferryboat instead (saving the Monorail for the return trip in the evening). Both take about the same amount of time, but for me there's just something about making that trip across Seven Seas Lagoon that makes the experience complete.
Since 1971, the Magic Kingdom has been served by a fleet of watercraft, although the Ferryboats we know today weren't among them. Originally, a pair of side-wheel steamers (Southern Seas and Ports of Call) traversed the lagoon, but they were quickly deemed too small and unreliable to handle all the Guests coming to the park.
In 1972, a pair of Staten Island-style Ferryboats (dubbed Magic Kingdom I and Magic Kingdom II) were introduced to help handle the demand. They were joined in 1976 by a third, Kingdom Queen, which was also outfitted with wet bars, restrooms and an upper-level dance floor so it could be rented out for charter excursions in the evening.
The three Ferryboats were re-christened in 1999 and named for key individuals who contributed to the development of the Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom I became the Admiral Joe Fowler. Magic Kingdom II became the Richard F. Irvine, and the Kingdom Queen was renamed General Joe Potter (around this time, the facilities on board were also removed, since the boat is now used exclusively for transportation).
The Ferryboats are very similar, but do sport some differences. Most noticeably, Admiral Joe Fowler has green side panels. Richard F. Irvine has red panels, and there are blue panels on the General Joe Potter. That third boat, built later by a different contractor, is also the only one with two smokestacks.
Once aboard, head up top or out front for the best views. Crossing the lagoon, it's as if each scene plays out one at a time: the tropical paradise of Disney's Polynesian Resort, the Victorian luxury of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the majesty of Disney's Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower. All along the way, the water, islands, landscape and wildlife you encounter make it hard to believe that the whole thing is man made.
Of course, the best part of all comes as the Ferryboat rounds a bend and the Magic Kingdom comes into view. No matter how many times I've experienced it, the sight of Space Mountain and Cinderella Castle on the horizon puts a smile on my face.
