Each of the (8) Watertaxi has 2 Perkins 4 cyl 236ci diesel engines... One for the drive engine and the other for the generator. The propeller thrust can be directed around laterally in a 360 degrees direction, to go forwards or in reverse. There's a round knob on the ship's tiller, to grab and turn the tiller effortlessly, so the EPCOT Watertaxis can be pivoted around, almost on a dime. The guests are always fascinated by this "sleigh of hand" maneuvering of the ship's tiller, the throttle, and the boat.
About the EPCOT Watertaxis at Walt Disney World
Left: The Friendship I Watertaxi seen here in this photo, during the Fall of 1982, during the opening month of Disney's huge EPCOT theme park. The original curved upper windows were covered over with aluminum plating.
Below: The Friendship II Watertaxi, loading guests at the dock, and also crossing the World Showcase Lagoon, in front of the Germany Showcase. There are (4 ) T-shaped Watertaxi Docks along the shores of the Lagoon.
Below: There are now a total of (8 ) Watertaxis in all, built since 1982, and they also service the (5 ) nearby EPCOT Resort Hotels, and the Disney Studios Theme Park, to the southwest. Each boat sports a different roof color scheme. Later, the colors were changed to reflect the early 1900's look of the new Disney Boardwalk Resort and pier.
Back to Top
To Previous Page
Click on pictures to see enlarged images