EPCOT visitors recently raised concerns after noticing something unusual at the Morocco Pavilion’s Friendship Boat dock. Unlike its usual appearance, the dock now appears oddly tilted. Parts of the structure seem submerged, and its ends look partially underwater.
Morocco FriendShip Dock Appears To Be Sinking at EPCOT https://t.co/oHbkEu5qEl
— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) July 11, 2025
The Morocco Friendship Dock’s tilt and partially submerged appearance began drawing public attention in July 2025. Photos shared by guests and Disney-focused news outlets show the structure leaning toward the water, with one end appearing lower than usual.
Coverage by fan blogs and websites noted visible changes when compared to nearby docks, which remain level and fully elevated. While no official explanation has been provided by Disney, some fans have expressed concern about the structure’s safety and usability, particularly as boarding activity at the dock has ceased.
Operational Changes in the FriendShip Service
EPCOT operates four Friendship Boat docks around World Showcase Lagoon, situated at Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Morocco. Since reopening post‑COVID, only two docks remained regularly active: the Canada dock and one of the others (typically Morocco). The Germany and Mexico docks rarely see service unless another dock is down for maintenance.
The statue of Walt Disney in Dreamer’s Point in EPCOT at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
In June 2025, EPCOT quietly switched the route: boats now travel exclusively between Canada and Germany. The Morocco dock was omitted without any official explanation. A sign now reads, “Friendship Boats will be operating between Canada and Germany only.”
Curiously, this reroute went unannounced. In past instances—such as maintenance or scheduled refurbishments—Disney typically communicated changes. This time, guests experienced the shift without any formal notice, leading to speculation about the structural integrity of the Morocco dock.
Possible Explanations and Guest Reactions
Fans and frequent visitors have begun speculating about the cause of the apparent submersion. A key question is whether this is due to gradual aging of the structure, inadequate upkeep, or a decision by Disney to permanently restrict its use.
Spaceship Earth in Epcot – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
Some argue the aging dock could be structurally compromised, especially given the lack of visible repair work underway, and might be intentionally phased out. Others believe this may be a cost‑saving measure: maintaining fewer docks means lower staffing and upkeep expenses, even if it means fewer boarding options.
The uncertainty over the Friendship Boat docks comes amid a spate of maintenance problems in EPCOT, raising broader concerns about ride and pavilion upkeep.
1. Ceiling Collapse in the Soarin’ Queue
In late January 2025, a ceiling section—approximately 2–3 feet wide and 15–20 feet long—collapsed over a guest walkway in the Soarin’ queue.
A section of collapsed ceiling in Soarin’ at Epcot’s Land Pavillion in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit, M. Montanaro
Thankfully, no one was injured.
2. Sewage Leak in The Land Pavilion
Earlier that month, a sewage leak from a second-floor restroom in The Land Pavilion caused contaminated water to flood sections of the Soarin’ queue and nearby restrooms. This led to a full closure of the ride and restrooms while cleanup was underway.
A section of collapsed ceiling in Soarin’ at Epcot’s Land Pavillion in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit, M. Montanaro
There was also a massive sewage leak over the Magic Kingdom within the last year which forced parts of Frontierland to close down temporarily.
These incidents are more than isolated flukes, and they have prompted rising guest concern.
How This Affects Park Guests
At present, EPCOT guests who board at the Canada Pavilion dock must now disembark at Germany—or vice versa. Those who hoped to travel to Morocco by boat will need to trek on foot around the lagoon and enter via pathways.
Epcot Spaceship Earth Walt Disney World Orlando 2010. Photo Credit: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
While this rerouting doesn’t eliminate access to Morocco, it adds time and disrupts the leisurely water transit that was part of the experience.
For guests with mobility concerns, the absence of the Morocco dock adds an extra barrier. The lagoon circuit is approximately 1.2 miles, and the missing dock compels users to walk significant distances.
What Disney Might Be Considering
Disney has not issued any statements regarding whether the Morocco dock is undergoing inspection or repair. Since there’s no visible construction, it’s unclear if a temporary refurbishment is underway or if the dock could close indefinitely.
Spaceship Earth in Epcot at night – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
Earlier in 2024 and 2025, EPCOT did refurbish the Morocco dock briefly. That update added crates along the side to support it, but Disney framed that as preventive rather than corrective maintenance. Still, the lack of ongoing upkeep now raises concerns.
Final Takeaway
The Morocco Friendship Dock at EPCOT presently appears tilted and partly submerged. No official explanation or safety advisory has been released, but the evidence—quiet rerouting, structural tilt, and closed-off access—points to either maintenance issues or structural decline.
Spaceship Earth in EPCOT at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
For now, visitors should accept that the Morocco dock won’t be accessible and adjust plans accordingly. This situation highlights how even seemingly minor park elements can deeply impact guest experiences—and how quiet changes can sometimes speak louder than announcements.
What do you think of this quiet change to the Morocco Friendship Dock in Epcot? Let us know in the comments!
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