Walt Disney World Resort has implemented a new safety measure following a ferry accident in July that left nearly two dozen guests injured. The update is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen guest safety across its transportation systems after a series of recent incidents on property.
The July ferry crash took place on one of the boats used to transport visitors between the Transportation & Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom. These ferries are a familiar part of the park experience, carrying thousands of guests each day across Seven Seas Lagoon. On that night, however, a routine journey ended abruptly when the vessel made a “hard landing” at the dock.
The Night of the Ferryboat Crash
According to a 911 incident log obtained by Blog Mickey, the first emergency call came in at 11:40 p.m. Units arrived within minutes to find injured guests amid heavy rainfall. One witness described the scene as “people weren’t just falling, they were flying.” Officials declared a “mass casualty incident,” indicating multiple injuries that required immediate attention.
Nineteen people were transported to four local hospitals, including a 25-year-old pregnant woman who reportedly landed on her stomach during the impact. Reported injuries included fractures and joint trauma — one guest suffered a broken foot, while another sustained wrist, elbow, and hip injuries.
Investigators determined that unsecured items on board contributed to the severity of the injuries. One child was reportedly struck or pinned by a trash can during the crash. In response, Disney removed all trash cans from its ferries in the weeks following the incident as a precautionary step.
A New Approach to Safety at Disney World
The company has since reintroduced trash cans to the ferries, but with a redesigned setup. Each can is now anchored with 36 secure points to prevent movement during operation or impact. According to Blog Mickey, two metal sheets are positioned on either side of the structural pole beside each trash can, with each sheet fastened to the can itself but not directly attached to the pole.
The modification reflects Disney’s approach to addressing safety concerns quickly and precisely. While such incidents are rare at the resort, the changes underscore how the company continues to evaluate and update safety protocols across its parks and transportation systems.
The ferry crash was one of several serious events reported at Walt Disney World in recent months.
In October, authorities confirmed multiple deaths across resort properties, including two apparent suicides at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
A death was also reported at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, while a separate case at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds involved a guest who died of natural causes. Officials have not reported any signs of foul play in these incidents.
