For Sean and Shannon Murphy, Dora Queen was not part of a long business plan.

It was not something they set out to buy. It was not a carefully mapped-out next step. It was something Sean came across, felt drawn to, and could not stop thinking about.

“I just stumbled across it and fell in love with it,” Sean said.

Now, Sean and Shannon are the owners of Dora Queen, the 80-foot New Orleans-style paddlewheel boat that cruises across Lake Dora from Tavares Marina. Known for sunset cruises, afternoon rides, private events, music, cocktails, lounge-style seating, and beautiful views of Lake Dora, Dora Queen has become one of the most recognizable ways to experience the Mount Dora and Tavares area from the water.

For the Murphys, the business represents something more personal: a new adventure in the place they already chose to call home.

“Lake County has always appealed to my wife and I,” Sean said. “We moved here, we bought a home here, and now we own a business here.”

A New Chapter on Lake Dora

Sean and Shannon became the owners of Dora Queen in 2026, taking over from the previous owners, Brandy and B.J. Herron, who helped build the business into a well-known Lake Dora attraction.

For many new owners, stepping into an established business can be intimidating. For Sean and Shannon, the transition came with gratitude and preparation.

“We have been extremely blessed,” Sean said. “The previous owners did a great job running the business and they trained us well. We didn’t walk in blind, we walked in prepared.”

That foundation has allowed the Murphys to focus on learning the rhythm of the business, getting to know passengers, supporting the crew, and carrying the Dora Queen experience forward without losing what people already love about it.

Their one-sentence description of the business says it best:

“Chasing sunsets one cruise at a time.”

More Than a Boat Ride

Dora Queen offers 2-hour cruises on Lake Dora, giving guests a relaxed way to enjoy the water, the views, and the atmosphere of the area. Guests can take in the scenery from lounge-style seating while enjoying music and cocktails from the full-service bar.

The experience appeals to both visitors and locals. For some, it is a date night. For others, it is a family outing, a group activity, a birthday celebration, a relaxing afternoon, or a way to show visiting friends and relatives a different side of Lake County.

Dora Queen also serves as a private event venue for weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, baby showers, family reunions, business events, team-building outings, senior groups, civic organizations, and other special occasions.

It is part cruise, part gathering place, and part local experience.

Building a Business While Still Working Full-Time

One thing people may be surprised to learn is that Sean, Shannon, and the team are still balancing Dora Queen with full-time day jobs.

“We all still have our full-time day jobs and we operate the Dora Queen on nights and weekends,” Sean said.

That reality makes their work even more impressive. Dora Queen is not just a business they own from a distance. It is something they are actively building, learning, and growing while managing the rest of life at the same time.

Sean said success today looks different than it did at the beginning. In the early days of ownership, there was a lot to absorb. Now, things are beginning to feel more natural.

“We are getting into a good rhythm,” Sean said. “Less stress as owners, and more fun with our passengers and crew.”

A Business Built Around People

For Sean and Shannon, one of the best parts of owning Dora Queen has been the people.

They joined the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce because they wanted to build connections, meet more people, and become more involved in the local business community.

“We love meeting new people and making new friends,” Sean said. “Joining the Chamber has certainly helped us with that.”

That spirit also extends into the community. Dora Queen has donated free cruises to charity organizations and local support groups, giving back through the experience they know best: time on the water.

As new owners, the Murphys are still settling into the business, but they are already thinking about how Dora Queen can continue to grow as a favorite attraction for the area.

What’s Ahead for Dora Queen

Looking ahead, Sean and Shannon are excited to expand Dora Queen’s cruise offerings with more themed cruises and special events.

That could mean more live music, more holiday cruises, and more unique entertainment experiences that give guests a reason to come back throughout the year.

“Our goal is to give guests a new reason to come back throughout the year while continuing to grow the Dora Queen into one of the area’s favorite attractions,” Sean said.

It is a fitting next chapter for a business built around movement, water, sunsets, and celebration.

Sean and Shannon may not have set out to buy a paddlewheel boat. But now that they have, they are rowing into the opportunity with gratitude, energy, and a clear sense of what matters most.

As Sean puts it, his advice to other local business owners is simple:

“God will steer, but you must row.”

Quick Insights

Why Mount Dora and Lake County?
Lake County already felt like home to Sean and Shannon. They moved here, bought a home here, and now own a business here.

Biggest lesson learned:
Surround yourself with good friends, good family, and a good partner, and everything becomes easier.

Biggest challenge:
Learning the business as new owners, while being grateful that the previous owners trained them well and prepared them for the transition.

Definition of success:
Finding a better rhythm, feeling less stress as owners, and having more fun with passengers and crew.

Something people may not know:
Sean, Shannon, and the team still have full-time day jobs and operate Dora Queen on nights and weekends.

What’s next:
More themed cruises, special events, live music, holiday cruises, and entertainment experiences.

Advice to other business owners:
“God will steer, but you must row.”