Disney’s Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom (All Options With Time Comparisons)
If you’re staying at the Grand Floridian, you might not know that you have three options for traveling between the resort and the Magic Kingdom. Over a weeklong stay, you might enjoy all three methods of travel and even have one you prefer over the others. Or you could stay elsewhere and have plans to visit the Grand Floridian for dinner one evening. If so, you could use what we call the resort-to-resort transfer method, meaning you could travel from your resort to Magic Kingdom and then use the routes listed below to continue to Grand Floridian. Let’s look at each option!
Route 1: Take the Monorail from the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom
The monorail platform at Disney’s Grand Floridian is on the 2nd floor of the main lobby. Magic Kingdom is the next stop once you board the resort monorail at Grand Floridian. It takes approximately 4 minutes (travel time) to reach the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian. You’ll go through security at Grand Floridian before boarding the monorail. So once you reach the park, you can walk directly up to the ticket readers.
Return Route: The return trip is significantly longer because you must make all the stops on the resort monorail on the way back. This route averages 18 minutes. That sounds like a big difference, but you must stop at the Contemporary, TTC, and the Polynesian before reaching the Grand Floridian. It takes a few minutes at each spot to let guests unload and others board. If you would like to learn more, see our overview of the monorails at Disney World.
Route 2: Take the Resort Watercraft
Another option is to take the resort watercraft between the Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian boat launch is near the entrance of Narcoossee’s restaurant. This route takes 14 minutes and stops at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on the way to the park.
Return Route: Upon returning from Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian is the first stop, so the route is shorter. The route from Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian via boat service takes approximately 6 minutes. For more information on this route and accessibility details, see our photo walkthrough of how to take the boat between Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian, and Polynesian. Or you might like to learn about other boat services at Disney World.
Route 3: Walking from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom
This route is a game-changer for those who want to escape the crowds and don’t mind the extra steps. You can walk to and from Disney’s Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom. We walk this route regularly and enjoy it most in the evening when the park closes. If you’re headed back to the Grand Floridian, you can skip the long lines for the monorail and boat. Just take this walkway to return to the resort. Either way, it takes approximately 16 minutes and is 0.71 miles.
About this route: We enjoy walking this route immensely, but you’ll want to consider the weather. You won’t have much shade if it’s midday and the sun is beating down. The walkway is almost entirely in the direct sun. You also wouldn’t want to get caught on this long stretch if a storm were approaching. We have an entire article that details the walkway from the Grand Floridian. If you enjoy walking, see our overview of walking paths at Disney World.
Our Spin
We love all three options for traveling between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom, especially the boat and the walkway. We spend as much time outdoors when the temperature is comfortable. Nothing beats the warm breeze and fresh air. You’ll feel refreshed from a short ride on the boat, even after a long day in the parks.
If you’re visiting between August and December on an evening when Magic Kingdom closes early for a seasonal party, you’ll want to remember to avoid the monorail around that time at all costs. The monorail lines at the resorts get backed up because so many guests are leaving Magic Kingdom earlier than usual. This is typically between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on evenings when a seasonal party is offered.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found this overview of options helpful. You might also enjoy our guide to Grand Floridian Transportation or one of these other routes:
How to Get to and From the Grand Floridian (Free PDF)
How to Get from the Grand Floridian to Epcot
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Bus Schedule
How to Walk from the Grand Floridian to the Polynesian (With Photos)
If you would like to learn more about how things work, see our guide to transportation at Disney World. Check back with ResortsGal.com for more updates around the resorts!
In the Comments
I don’t know about you, but I would rather take a 15-minute walk to get back to my resort than stand in line for the monorail for 20 minutes plus the additional travel time. Of course, if you’re exhausted, you might not be up for the walk. Which route would you take?
