The Construction Path Between Disney’s Polynesian and Grand Floridian (While the Island Tower is Built)
Do you remember the pleasant walkway between Disney’s Polynesian and Grand Floridian? Unfortunately, it closed to make way for a significant construction project that will bring a new DVC tower to the Polynesian. Since guests can no longer walk the peaceful shoreline, Disney opened a temporary walkway between the resorts.
Initially, the walkway required crossing a reasonably busy road, which led to many complaints and concerns from visitors. Thankfully, a new construction path has recently opened that keeps guests on the same side of the road. As you may know, this project has progressed quickly. But there is still plenty of work to be done. So, I felt it would be a good idea to walk the new pathway to give you an idea of what to expect. Here is a photo of where the former path passed by the Grand Floridian wedding chapel. A partial framework for the new hotel now exists along the former white sand beach.
Update: The new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has opened. Guests can now take a new, pleasant pathway between the resorts. We’ve moved this article to our archives section. If you want to revisit photos of the previous walkway before the Island Tower was constructed, you might enjoy: A Dose of Nostalgia: The Former Walkway Between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.
Our walk begins in front of the main Grand Floridian Villas building at the resort’s edge. Then, we’ll continue to the Great Ceremonial House, the center of Disney’s Polynesian.
For those leaving the Grand Floridian’s main building, you’ll exit the resort’s front entrance and take a left. Then, you’ll continue under a covered walkway until you reach the Disney Vacation Club building. There, a separate walkway extends to the right of the building. (Follow the monorail tracks.)
My trip along the new walkway was approximately 0.42 miles. Of course, you’ll walk a bit further if you’re headed to the main lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian. But overall, that’s a reasonably accurate distance between the two resorts.
As I was leaving the Grand Floridian Villas, I noticed new signs had been added. These signs no longer direct guests to walk through the DVC parking lot. The new path is clearly defined and wraps around the outer parameter of the Disney Vacation Club parking lot at the Grand Floridian. As I approached the road, I noticed the sign ahead said to take a left.
When I turned the corner, I saw a new path that keeps guests on the same side of the road had been poured.
Now, you can continue without having to deal with traffic.
Unfortunately, the walkway isn’t scenic. However, it is a much better solution for traveling between the resorts.
One wonders what this area will look like in the coming years. It will be a significant change.
Signs along the way instill confidence that you’re on the right track. But with the new changes, it’s pretty straightforward.
We’ve nearly made it to the Polynesian.
I noticed a few mirrors had been added where guests can see if anyone is coming around the corner. Many cast members and construction workers drive various service vehicles/carts around the resort. So, even though you don’t have to cross the road, you’ll still want to be mindful of potential traffic.
Once you enter the grounds of the Polynesian, you’ll stay along the path. It winds its way to the Great Ceremonial House. You’ll run directly into it.
You’ll return the same way when traveling to the Grand Floridian from the Polynesian. Since this new, safer path has opened, I’ll likely resume walking between the resorts. However, if you don’t want to deal with the construction path, there are a few other options.
- You can take a bus from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian. Most buses will stop at both resorts (Poly first, then Grand), but you can ask the driver to confirm.
- You can take the monorail from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian.
- You can take the resort boat launch from Grand Floridian to return to the Polynesian.
Final Thoughts
Technically, you can take the monorail from the Grand Floridian back to the Polynesian. But you’ll have to make several stops along the way. The same thing goes for the resort boat service. For more tips on traveling to and from either resort, you might like one of the following:
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Transportation Options
- Transportation Options at Disney’s Grand Floridian
- Travel Times and Bus Schedule for Disney’s Polynesian
- Travel Times and Bus Schedule for Disney’s Grand Floridian
Or you might like our resort guides for either resort.
The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
In the Comments
What are your thoughts about the construction pathway between Grand Floridian and Polynesian? Do you ever take the former scenic route? Will you be glad to see it return?
