Disney’s Friendship Boats are a charming and convenient way to travel between select locations at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. These boats are a beloved transportation option for guests who want to avoid the crowds and traffic on the roads, while also enjoying a relaxing and scenic ride.
The Disney Friendship Boats operate on several different routes, connecting various resorts and theme parks around the property. Some of the most popular routes include the Epcot Resort route, which stops at Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin resorts, and the Magic Kingdom route, which stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
The boats themselves are designed to resemble classic wooden motor launches, with sleek lines and decorative details that evoke the golden age of boating. They offer outdoor and indoor seating areas, and some even have air conditioning for those hot Florida days.
What are Disney Friendship Boats?
Disney’s Friendship Boats are a fleet of watercraft that provide transportation for guests at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The boats travel along designated routes, connecting various resorts and theme parks around the property.
The Friendship Boats are designed to resemble classic wooden motor launches, with decorative details and sleek lines that evoke the golden age of boating.
Where do Disney’s Friendship Boats Go?
Disney’s Friendship Boats travel along several designated routes, connecting various resorts and theme parks around the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
One of the most popular routes is the Epcot Resort route, which stops at Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin resorts. This route offers guests convenient access to Epcot’s International Gateway entrance, which is located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in World Showcase.
Another popular route is the Magic Kingdom route, which stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. This route offers guests a scenic tour of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake before arriving at the Magic Kingdom theme park.
There is also a route that travels between Disney Springs and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside. This route offers guests a relaxing and scenic journey along the Sassagoula River.
EPCOT’s Friendship Boat
EPCOT’s Friendship Boats are a popular mode of transportation that connects the various resorts and theme parks around the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The boats travel along the Epcot Resort route, which includes stops at Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin resorts, as well as the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT.
The Friendship Boats offer guests a relaxing and scenic ride along the waterways of the Walt Disney World Resort, with views of lush landscaping and beautiful architecture. The boats are designed to resemble classic wooden motor launches and offer both indoor and outdoor seating areas, as well as some boats with air conditioning.
One of the highlights of the EPCOT Friendship Boats is the stop at the International Gateway entrance. This entrance is located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in EPCOT’s World Showcase, providing guests with easy access to the park’s many international dining and shopping options. Guests can also catch a glimpse of the impressive Spaceship Earth geodesic sphere as they approach the International Gateway.
Where do the EPCOT Friendship Boats Go?
Starting from the EPCOT park, the boats make their way to the International Gateway entrance located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in EPCOT’s World Showcase. This stop is particularly convenient for guests staying at the nearby Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin resorts.
From there, the boats continue along the waterways, offering guests a relaxing and scenic ride with views of lush landscaping and beautiful architecture. The next stops are at Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht Club, and Beach Club resorts, all of which offer dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
The final stop on the EPCOT Friendship Boat route is at the Swan and Dolphin resorts, which are located across from EPCOT on the other side of Crescent Lake.
How Long Are the Rides on the EPCOT Friendship Boat?
The length of the ride on the EPCOT Friendship Boat varies depending on the route and stops. However, the entire Epcot Resort route, which includes all of the stops on the route, typically takes around 25-30 minutes to complete.
The ride from EPCOT to the International Gateway entrance is relatively short, taking only a few minutes. The stops at Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht Club, and Beach Club resorts are also relatively close to each other, with the ride between them typically taking around 5-10 minutes.
The ride from the Beach Club to the Swan and Dolphin resorts is a bit longer, as it involves traveling across Crescent Lake. This part of the ride takes around 10-15 minutes.
Resort Friendship Boats
The Friendship Boats are a transportation service offered at several of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, including Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts.
These boats provide a scenic and relaxing way for guests to travel between these resorts and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot theme parks. The boats typically run every 20-30 minutes, and the service is complimentary for guests staying at these resorts.
The Friendship Boats are designed to resemble early 20th-century water taxis, and they offer a charming and unique way to explore the resort. The boats also offer stunning views of the surrounding Disney property, including the lush landscaping, beautiful waterways, and iconic theme park attractions.
Where do the Resort Friendship Boats Go?
The Friendship Boats at Walt Disney World Resort go to several destinations. The routes and destinations of the boats vary depending on the resort, but they generally travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot theme parks, as well as other nearby resorts. Here is a breakdown of the Friendship Boat routes at each resort:
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn: The Friendship Boats at BoardWalk Inn travel to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
- Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts: The Friendship Boats at Yacht and Beach Club travel to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts: The Friendship Boats at Swan and Dolphin travel to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
The Friendship Boats offer a unique and relaxing way to travel between these destinations, allowing guests to enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of the Walt Disney World Resort from the water.
How Long Are the Rides on the Resort Friendship Boats?
The duration of the rides on the Friendship Boats at Walt Disney World Resort varies depending on the route and the destination. Typically, the rides last between 10 to 20 minutes.
For example, the boat ride from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn to Epcot can take around 10-15 minutes, depending on the water traffic and other factors. The boat ride from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios can take around 15-20 minutes.
It’s important to keep in mind that the ride times may also vary depending on the weather conditions or any other unforeseen circumstances. However, the Friendship Boats are designed to offer a relaxing and enjoyable experience for guests, so the duration of the ride should not be too long or too short, allowing guests to appreciate the beauty of the Walt Disney World Resort from a different perspective.
How Many Disney Friendship Boats Are There?
The number of Friendship Boats at Walt Disney World Resort varies depending on the demand and the season. However, typically there are multiple boats operating on each route, ensuring that guests can easily access the various destinations around the resort.
Each boat can hold approximately 35 to 50 passengers, depending on the size of the boat. The boats are operated by experienced and licensed captains, and they are well-maintained to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride for all guests.
The exact number of boats can fluctuate, but guests can generally expect to see several boats running simultaneously on each route during peak times, with regular intervals between departures.
Should You Walk or Take the Friendship Boats?
Whether you should walk or take the Friendship Boats at Walt Disney World Resort depends on a few factors, such as the distance between the destinations, the time of day, and your personal preferences.
Walking can be a great way to explore the resort and enjoy the scenery, but it can also be tiring, especially in hot weather. If the distance between the two locations is short and the weather is pleasant, walking can be a good option.
However, if you are traveling a longer distance, or if the weather is hot, cold, or rainy, taking the Friendship Boats can be a more comfortable and convenient option. The boats offer a unique and enjoyable experience, and they can save time and energy by providing a direct and efficient mode of transportation.
Additionally, if you are traveling with young children, elderly family members, or individuals with mobility issues, taking the Friendship Boats can be a more accessible option than walking.
Ultimately, the decision to walk or take the Friendship Boats at Walt Disney World Resort depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. You can always ask a cast member for advice or directions to help you make the best choice for your situation.
I am a mother of three that has refused to grow up. Adulting is for the birds, so I go to Disney World every chance I get for that magical escape from reality. I believe that Haunted Mansion is the best ride in all of the Disney Parks, and I am fervently in team Happily Ever After for fireworks spectaculars, (sorry, not sorry, Enchanted). Finally, I hope I never grow tired of skipping down Main Street, USA, and my dream come true would be “friends with” the Fairy Godmother in my old age.
