The pathway between Magic Kingdom and Grand Floridian Resort provides Walt Disney World visitors the choice to journey by foot from the Transportation & Ticket Center or Polynesian Village Resort. This publish shares photographs, video, and extreme enthusiasm for this strolling path mission. (Updated February 7, 2023.)
We’ll preface this by saying we’re suckers for infrastructure tasks, particularly ones at Walt Disney World that give us non-bus transportation choices. Long-time readers of the weblog know we’re vehemently anti-bus, and whereas that’s not even remotely related right here, it’s all the time price reiterating as a result of buses are the worst.
We have been additionally ardent advocates of the Disney Skyliner gondola system lengthy earlier than it opened (and after its “infamous incident”), whilst many readers had myriad “what if?” issues and the explanation why it’d be a colossal failure. If it weren’t for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance being so superior, the Skyliner would’ve been our favourite Walt Disney World addition of final 12 months. We definitely experience the Skyliner greater than something in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
February 7, 2023 Update: Walt Disney World has introduced that, because of refurbishments of visitor rooms and buildings at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the strolling path between Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom will probably be quickly closed starting February 13. The walkway is anticipated to reopen in late Spring 2023.
Grand Floridian is at present within the midst of a considerable overhaul with “Enchanted Gardens” because the unifying visible type. The scope and scale aren’t but identified, however the lodge rooms have been receiving a reimagining that’s just like the DVC aspect since final fall. See our Grand Floridian Resort Reimagining Report for extra particulars about development.
In all probability, this closure is going on as a result of the room reimagining is progressing to the constructing closest to the Grand Floridian walkway, and development progress will necessitate its closure. Thus far, the Big Pine Key (DVC) and Boca Chica buildings are completed; Conch Key and Sugarloaf at the moment are in progress. It would thus make sense for Sago Key to be subsequent up, and that’s the constructing adjoining to the walkway. Once work begins, anticipate it to take just a few months to finish. For a glance inside the brand new rooms, see Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort.
What follows is our unique overview and “tour” of the walkway between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom from when it first opened. Given that not many individuals have been touring on the time, you would possibly’ve missed it. (I’ll take any excuse to share my enthusiasm for this peaceable path!) Here’s why we love this path a lot, and the way it’s a giant deal for visitors of the Grand Floridian…
While there’s nothing to “ride” on the Grand Floridian Resort to Magic Kingdom walkway, this may doubtless go down as our favourite and most-used Walt Disney World “new attraction” of the 12 months. Sure, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is sweet, but it surely has lengthy traces, makes use of Ren & Stimpy character fashions, and is inferior to its predecessor.
By distinction, the Grand Floridian Resort to Magic Kingdom walkway helps you keep away from ready within the monorail line, is IP-free, and much superior to the irritating “sidewalk to nowhere” that preceded it. Some would possibly even name it the walkway of the longer term, paving the best way for a fantastic large stunning tomorrow. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you that there’d be extreme enthusiasm for this walkway!)
We’ll have loads of time for pointless commentary on the wonderful Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom path. For now, let’s provide one thing of a “tour” between the resort and Walt Disney World’s flagship park.
Exiting the foyer of Grand Floridian, you’ll see signage directing you in the direction of the walkway. Right now, that is considerably inadequate. When you get to the subsequent juncture, it’s unclear whether or not to go proper (in the direction of Narcoossee’s) or left (in the direction of Gasparilla Island Grill).
Left is the reply to that query. You’ll mainly hug the perimeter of the principle constructing earlier than choosing up with the pathway underneath the monorail observe.
Alternatively, you can in the reduction of from the conference middle or bus cease space for a shorter stroll, however that might be a fairly odd use case.
This immediately makes Sago Cay or Sugarloaf probably the most fascinating buildings at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
They’re handy to eating, the principle foyer, and now this strolling path.
One of my favourite issues in regards to the Grand Floridian Resort to Magic Kingdom walkway is the best way the monorail crisscrosses overhead.
It makes for a extra participating expertise, and makes the time go faster.
The winding walkway additionally has loads of mature bushes, waterfront views of boats traversing Seven Seas Lagoon, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower because the fixed “wienie” within the distance.
There are additionally occasional views backstage (together with a peek on the Electrical Water Pageant barges) and glimpses of Cinderella Castle by the bushes.
You most likely didn’t come right here for a overview of the walkway, however I’d give this one excessive marks. The walkway is sufficiently secluded and far of its size seems like a stroll by a park, however there’s additionally quite a lot of visible curiosity, two bridges, and you may hear the music from Main Street.
This walkway has wonderful kinetic power and it strikes a fantastic stability. Pretty a lot every part you’re in search of in a serene saunter.
A few different unsung highlights about this pathway: it doesn’t stink and it’s large.
Two of my largest complaints in regards to the walkway between Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom are that parts of it scent like sewage and it’s extremely slim, making passing tough. Neither current points right here.
Continuing with the Contemporary comparability, this walkway is about double the size, however the upside is that it’s nonstop–no ready at an intersection. The Contemporary path is extra utilitarian, whereas this one is nice and gives a meandering mosey.
I’m not about to pooh-pooh the Contemporary walkway (in addition to, it smells like somebody already did that!) because it’s been a sidewalk stalwart for many years. For so long as I can bear in mind, that has been our unique type of transportation between these resorts and Magic Kingdom.
With that stated, the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom walkway is undeniably superior. It simply is.
There’s no sense in letting our Walt Disney World walkway energy rankings be coloured by nostalgia and historical past. After all, we’re not speaking traditional EPCOT Center sights.
I’ve walked quite a lot of Disney theme park pathways in my day, and nothing totally compares to the best way this melds ‘peaceful promenade’ with waterfront & transportation views.
The former side jogs my memory of the trail at Hong Kong Disneyland between the accommodations and park. That’s a completely beautiful stroll with stunning bushes, ample benches, and good pavers. That one is certainly extra polished than this path.
However, the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom walkway completely trounces that one in the case of views and commotion. This is a way more thrilling stroll.
Some would possibly even say it’s an E-Ticket Expedition.
It’s actually laborious to attract a transparent parallel between this path and Disney’s different elite avenues.
All of the opposite walks that characteristic monorails (Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort) are way more city and lose factors for that. This is a type of ‘distinctly Walt Disney World’ issues. Here, you have got tranquility but additionally the bustle of transportation, all whereas being within the Disney bubble. Nowhere else can replicate that.
Some of that is undoubtedly inducing eye-rolls, and there’s some hyperbole and sarcasm right here, to make certain. Probably not as a lot as you would possibly suspect, although.
We legitimately love strolling. We would favor to be “masters of our own fate” than being beholden to a breakdown-prone monorail. Even if the trail takes barely longer and requires extra steps, strolling is all the time our sturdy desire.
We will completely use this walkway not simply when staying on the Grand Floridian and its villas, but additionally when staying on the Polynesian and its villas.
Walking time goes to differ from individual to individual and exact beginning and ending places, but it surely’s about 10-14 minutes from Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian (.75 mile), 8-13 minutes from Grand Floridian to the Polynesian (.5 mile), and 5-8 minutes from the Poly to the Transportation and Ticket Center (.3 mile). Please word that these strolling occasions and mileage are very a lot estimates; we stroll at an extremely brisk tempo but additionally get distracted simply alongside the best way.
As with so many issues, your mileage might differ on how a lot of that’s sensible. Time of 12 months may even make a distinction. This is way more satisfying proper now with temperatures within the 70s than it’ll be in July with excessive warmth and humidity.
While we “only” did just a few laps on the walkway yesterday, we now have a Villas at Grand Floridian Resort keep arising subsequent month. (After this 12 months’s earlier “Stroll-less Stay at the Grand Floridian,” we guessed proper this time!) I’m attempting to persuade Sarah to experience the monorail and “race” me from Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian and TTC, so keep tuned for that (possibly).
This walkway is totally the kind of factor we like to see. Even although that is coming to fruition many years after initially deliberate and over a 12 months since development started, we had misplaced hope that this mission could be undertaken ages in the past.
It’s not a “sexy” or marketable addition, however one which improves the expertise tremendously for a choose group of visitors.
Since my photographs bounce round and don’t give full context, right here’s a 14-minute video of the stroll by Sarah.
Kudos to her on this–if left as much as me, it’d be a jerky mess with quite a lot of stopping, beginning, and dropping the cellphone for photographs each time the monorail handed.
Finally, right here’s a reward for these of you who tolerated my walkway rambling and made all of it the best way to the top of the publish. In addition to being nice climate for a stroll, it was additionally a pleasant night time in Magic Kingdom. While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment of “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” I’m not so certain that’s true right here. The walkway is a joyous journey, however when this is the vacation spot…effectively.
Ultimately, we hope you didn’t thoughts humoring our overly passionate pathway publish. In our view, this walkway exemplifies what helps make Walt Disney World a particular, memorable place. It’s the closest many visitors will get to experiencing a fantastic metropolis’s infrastructure and transportation community, and walkability is an integral a part of that. As with so many elements of Walt Disney World, it’s the cumulative little issues that depart an enduring impression and make a giant distinction, even when they don’t distinctly stick out in your thoughts.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you taken this E-Ticket Expedition but? Where wouldn’t it rank for you among the many prime additions of the 12 months at Walt Disney World? Any deep ideas of your individual on transportation and/or walkability at Walt Disney World? Are you wanting ahead to this path between the TTC and Magic Kingdom? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!