A summer night at Walt Disney World turned chaotic in July when a ferry carrying guests across Seven Seas Lagoon made a sudden, forceful impact at the dock. In the months since, the company has quietly reviewed safety measures — and implemented changes meant to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While accidents at Walt Disney World are infrequent, the scale of the resort means that incidents occasionally occur despite strict protocols. Past cases include a guest who lost fingertips on Pirates of the Caribbean, several performer injuries during Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the 2009 monorail crash that claimed a driver’s life.
Walt Disney World Resort's Ferryboat Crash
The July ferry crash was one of the most serious transportation-related incidents in recent years. The vessel was traveling between the Transportation & Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom when, around 11:40 p.m., it collided with the dock. A 911 incident log obtained by Blog Mickey detailed what followed.
Within minutes, emergency units responded to what dispatchers described as a “hard landing.” The heavy rain that night added to the confusion, with one guest recalling that “people weren’t just falling, they were flying.” Rescue workers declared a “mass casualty incident,” meaning multiple passengers required treatment.
Nineteen people were hospitalized, including a 25-year-old pregnant woman who reportedly landed on her stomach during the impact. Others sustained broken bones and joint injuries, with reports of wrist, elbow, and hip trauma. Roughly 20 people in total received medical attention, either at the scene or in local hospitals.
Officials later determined that unsecured objects on the ferry contributed to the injuries. A trash can reportedly struck or pinned a child during the crash, leading Disney to remove all such bins from its ferryboats in the immediate aftermath.
Reinforcing Safety Measures at Disney World
In the months since, Disney has reintroduced trash cans — but this time, each one is secured with 36 anchor points. According to Blog Mickey, the design includes two metal sheets attached to either side of a structural pole next to the trash cans. The sheets are fastened to the cans themselves but not directly connected to the pole, ensuring added stability without compromising the structure.
The modification may appear minor, yet it reflects Disney’s broader safety philosophy: addressing issues swiftly and comprehensively. Even isolated incidents often result in property-wide reviews, leading to improved protocols and equipment adjustments.
The ferry changes come at a time when several other serious events have been reported across Walt Disney World properties. In October, authorities confirmed multiple deaths at resort hotels — including two suicides at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and a death at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. A separate death at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds was attributed to natural causes. Investigators ruled out foul play in all cases.
Walt Disney World Resort is gearing up for the busy holiday season right now. Christmas decorations have popped up at Magic Kingdom this week, with spooky season officially in the past as Disney prepares to host the likes of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the main park, plus Disney's Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
