Friendship Boats Are Currently Testing at Disney World! - PHOTOS AND VIDEO - DFB Robin Burks - October 18, 2020.

[RaySharpton]

Friendship Boats Are Currently Testing at Disney World! - PHOTOS AND VIDEO - DFB Robin Burks - October 18, 2020.

We’ve always loved traveling on the Friendship Boats on Crescent Lake that stop at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. There’s just something so leisurely and relaxing about riding a boat around Disney World.

Cresent Lake Friendship Boat

After Disney World’s reopening, the Friendship Boats were supposed to resume running again on July 29th. However, that didn’t happen, and until recently, the boats have not been seen at all.

However, one of our Instagram followers, @houseofflores, sent us some video and photos of the Friendship Boats spotted on Crescent Lake TODAY!

Friendship Boat on Crescent Lake ©houseofflores

Even better — we spoke with a Cast Member who confirmed that Disney World is currently testing the boats. Although there isn’t a date set for when the boats will reopen for guests, we were told it should be soon.

Friendship Boat on Crescent Lake ©houseofflores

Here’s a video of the boat running on Crescent Lake:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1317877583866888192

Our insta follower houseofflores spotted Friendship boats in Crescent Lake

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I'm so happy about this!!!!! I was hoping they would be running again before my trip. Hey where the heck did my ticker go?! Ugh.

 

[Goofy2015]

Wait, I totally didn't realize that the Friendship boats were not operational during the COVID reopening period. Well, I hope they are up and running when I am there in two weeks! I love those boats.

 

[RaySharpton]

Major Change to Swan and Dolphin’s Bus Transportation – What Does It Mean For You? - TB Dani - October 19, 2020

For nearly three decades, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels have stood as an iconic property that blends the benefits of staying on Disney property with the amenities of a Starwood (now Marriott) property. By offering many of the same benefits as a Disney owned and operated hotel, plus Marriott’s standards, the Swan-Dolphin hotel area is a great choice for many families. But a recent change to their bus transportation may decrease the overall value of staying at these properties.

For years the Swan and Dolphin utilized Disney’s own buses for guest transportation to the Disney theme parks. This allowed guests to be dropped off at the Disney owned bus stops, which are closest to the theme park entrances. This is especially helpful at Magic Kingdom because it means being dropped off and picked up close to the park entrance itself.

Now, the Swan and Dolphin has switched to Mears Transportation. Although Mears is the absolute largest transportation provider in Orlando, this means a major change to Swan-Dolphin’s transportation. Guests are now dropped off and picked up at the third-party bus lots. For Magic Kingdom this means the Swan-Dolphin bus stop is at the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Guests that are used to the Disney bus terminal just outside the entrance to Magic Kingdom will find this to be a big change. Having to instead come and go from the Transportation and Ticket Center, will add about 15 – 30 minutes to their arrival and departure. And while that may not seem like a huge amount of time, it can certainly feel like a big change, and it can feel like a lot more effort is in involved.

Swan Dolphin Bus Transportation Mears Bus

The Swan and Dolphin still offer an incredible location. They are right next to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. They are part of the Boardwalk neighborhood which is home to Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts. If the main focus of your trip to Walt Disney World is visiting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios then the Swan and Dolphin hotels offer an unbeatable location. For those two parks it is best to walk, especially since the Friendship Ferry Boats are currently not operating. In fact, the Swan Dolphin’s guide to Disney transportation essentially states that to get to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests need to walk there.

Swan Dolphin Bus Transportation Information

I was told that only 10% of MEARS buses are accessible with a wheelchair lift. I think that would be important to note for wheelchair users and mobility scooter users at the S/D.

Did Marriott's S/D have to pay Disney a contract fee to have WDW buses use?

Was this a money issue?

Will this also affect the S/D Friendship boats which were seen yesterday running on Cresent Lake, but not boarding guests?