After more than two months off the water, one of Magic Kingdom Park's iconic ferry boats has quietly returned to service on the Seven Seas Lagoon. It's even sporting a fresh look.
The Richard F. Irvine Is Back
The Richard F. Irvine disappeared from its route between the Transportation & Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom Park in February with no explanation from Walt Disney World Resort. Sometime this month, the vessel returned to service. BlogMickey captured this image of the refreshed watercraft showing a new coat of dark red paint on its exterior trim:
Disney cast members onsite confirmed that the wood fixtures throughout the boat had also been repainted and refinished during the time away.
Whether the dry-dock period included any engine work remains unconfirmed, though it was widely speculated that crews may have taken the opportunity to service the vessel mechanically while it was out of commission.
The Richard F. Irvine is one of three ferry boats currently operating at Magic Kingdom Park alongside the General Joe Potter and the Admiral Joe Fowler. Each carries its own color scheme, but all three share a similar two-deck design capable of transporting hundreds of Walt Disney World Resort guests per crossing.
A Bigger Change Coming to the Dock
The ferry's return coincides with movement on a larger infrastructure project at Magic Kingdom Park. Walt Disney World Resort filed a construction permit in February to expand the ferry boat's loading area and dock, and local authorities approved that permit in late March — clearing the way for construction to begin.
With both the Disney Villains land and the Cars (2006)-inspired Piston Peak National Park expansion under development in Frontierland, Walt Disney World Resort is likely anticipating a surge in park traffic and working to ensure its transportation network can handle it.
What do you think of the refurbished Richard F. Irvine ferry boat? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
