Disney theme park ferryboat carrying holidaymakers in 'shock' crash into dock

It was a day like no other in sunny , Florida, as holidaymakers grabbed their morning coffee and ears to head into the Magic Kingdom However, some visitors left with more than just fun-filled memories of rides, snacks, and character meet-and-greets after an unexpected ferryboat collision.

Guests to the park excitedly boarded the ferry around mid-morning on April 23, 2025, but it wasn't long before their smooth sail towards magic was abruptly met with a sudden thud.

In what should have been a routine and peaceful sail across the Seven Seas Lagoon, the iconic ferryboat was suddenly thrust into a more dramatic entrance and start to the day when it made a jolting and rough impact into the docking pillars at the theme park shores.

Although the impact was jarring and unexpected, Walt World officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among the guests or the crew onboard.

READ MORE:

The vessel crashed into the dock with enough force to shut down the transport system, and investigations took place to inspect the ferry and the dock for any structural damage. Luckily, things were back up and running quickly afterwards, with officials confirming the minor closure of services was precautionary.

Witnesses shared that the boat appeared to 'misalign during docking' and smacked into the pylons 'harder than expected'.

The ferryboats are free-floating vessels, so bumping can occur when docking. Audio announcements warn guests that this could happen, but a hard docking, such as this reported incident, is relatively rare but not impossible.

Guests were gracefully redirected to enter the park via the monorail system in place, or buses were provided so they could still gain spectacular views of Cinderella's Castle and the stunning surrounding landscapes.

Questions have now been raised as to why this happened on what is usually a peaceful and calm first ride of the day.

The operational team was on hand to quickly manage the event, but a mishap in a park known for precise planning and perfection is often unheard of, and transportation issues at any of the four Disney parks are rare.

Many factors could have been at play, from human error or weather-related factors to a simple mechanical malfunction.

With more Walt Disney World park expansions scheduled over the coming years, the parks will continue to get busier, shining a light on the current transportation and the higher demands to come.

In a classic goodwill Disney gesture, some ferry-goers were reportedly given Lightning Lane passes, which allow them to bypass huge queuing times for popular attractions.

The safety and comfort of visitors is the company's first priority.