The Grand Floridian Walkway to Magic Kingdom

This article discusses the walkway between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Magic Kingdom. We’ll take a photo walk between the two destinations, discuss the distance, and I’ll add a few tips for the best time to take advantage of this walkway.

Did you know you can walk between Disney’s Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom? Thanks to a pathway added a few years ago, you can!

This walking path starts at Disney’s Grand Floridian and wraps around Seven Seas Lagoon as it continues all the way to Magic Kingdom. Before the path was installed, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the neighboring Bay Lake Tower were the only resorts that offered a walking path to the Most Magical Place on Earth.

However, now guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian and Disney’s Polynesian can use the walkway to travel to and from the park. So if you’re in the mood for a leisurely walk or want to escape the crowds–this serene connector is the perfect solution.

As of this update, the walking path between Disney’s Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom has reopened. It was temporarily closed due to construction at the resort. Below, we’ve provided new photos and details about the walkway.

Grand Floridian Walkway to Magic Kingdom

Guests staying or visiting the Grand Floridian can access the walkway to Magic Kingdom on the far side of the resort’s property. The path begins between Sago Cay and the resort’s convention center.

When you exit the back entrance of Grand Floridian’s lobby (near the Grand Floridian Cafe), you’ll take a hard left. Then you’ll continue past Gasparilla Island Grill as you veer slightly to the left.

Signage indicates where the walkway to Magic Kingdom begins. The image below shows where the path starts immediately to the side of Sago Cay.

If you feel unsure about where you’re headed, my best advice is to stay in the same direction as the monorail track. It runs almost directly underneath the entirety of the walking path. You cannot miss it.

Sago Cay sits on the outskirts of the resort. It was the last outer building to be refurbished. Fresh landscaping was recently added around the building and the walkway.

As you continue, you’ll depart the resort’s grounds and continue through an area that has yet to be developed.

A small pedestrian bridge crosses a stream that feeds into Seven Seas Lagoon.

In the distance, you can see Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

If you’re headed back to the Grand Floridian from the park, you’ll take in stunning views of the resort sitting on the lagoon.

It’s a peaceful journey. But I must note that when it’s 100 degrees out or anywhere comparable, you could melt along the way. Additionally, thunderstorms can approach rather rapidly. So it’s important to consider weather conditions before making the walk.

At about the halfway point, you’ll come to a swinging bridge. It pivots across the canal to allow the Electric Water Pageant floats to pass through at night.

If you want to see it, Disney lists the times the water pageant passes on their website. It passes each of the Magic Kingdom Resorts in the evening as it makes its way across Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

More than likely, you’ll be able to see where the water pageant is stored on the opposite side of the bridge. In passing, you might not realize it’s there. So here’s a picture to give you an idea.

Looking back to the Grand Floridian from the walkway, here is a view before you reach the bridge.

You’ll walk through a few shaded areas. However, most of the pathway is in direct sunlight during the day.

Every few moments, a monorail glides by overhead.

You’ll encounter a few benches as you get closer to the Magic Kingdom.

However, you won’t run into any benches near the resort side of the path.

Once you reach Magic Kingdom, the walkway comes up alongside the resort boat launch.

Then, you’ll pass through the security area shared with guests visiting the Magic Kingdom via the resort boat launch. After heading through the security checkpoint, you’ll make your way to the ticket turnstiles before entering the park.

You’ll return to the walkway from Magic Kingdom as though you’re headed down to the Grand Floridian resort boat launch. The walkway to Grand Floridian is on the far right of the dock.

Signage will point you in the right direction.

How Long is the Path Between Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom?

From the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom, it’s approximately 0.70 miles. It takes approximately 15 minutes at an average pace, which equals about 1700 steps.

Since the walkway opened, it’s become a tremendous benefit for anyone traveling between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom. You no longer have to worry about waiting on any form of transportation to get to and from Magic Kingdom.

For most of us, leaving Magic Kingdom at closing is the significant benefit. Think of all those crowds trying to return to their resort or the Transportation and Ticket Center.

You’ve waited in line all day and are exhausted with worn-out children clinging to your side. Or maybe you are just exhausted.

A broad, fresh-air walkway will get you back around the lagoon to Grand Floridian in about 15 minutes. I don’t know about you, but as long as I’m able, I’ll choose to up my step count a little more over standing in another long line.

Plenty of lamp posts line the pathway, making it convenient to use at night.

Can You Walk from the Polynesian to the Magic Kingdom?

Those staying next door at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can take advantage of this path. At this time, you’ll need to take the construction path between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.

Can you Walk from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom?

Since you can walk from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Polynesian and then on to the Grand Floridian–you can technically walk from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom.

However, it is a long walk. It takes us approximately 35 minutes to walk the entire distance (without stopping) from the front of the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom.

We would only recommend taking this long of a walk for leisure. For instance, you could go this way to stop at the resorts along the way.

We find the pathway pleasant and enjoy being outside and taking long walks. It’s nice that it works out how all the various properties connect.

We’ll often park at Magic Kingdom (TTC) and then walk to the Polynesian’s Great Ceremonial House to explore. I love to check out new items in the gift shop.

Then we’ll stop at the Grand Floridian and listen to the live piano player in the lobby. After that, it’s usually time for a bit of fun at Magic Kingdom. So we’ll continue our slow crawl to the theme park.

A Quick Recap

• A walkway connects Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort with the Magic Kingdom.
• Guests staying at the Polynesian can also walk to the Grand Floridian and access the new walkway.
• A walkway from the Polynesian connects the resort with the Transportation and Ticket Center. Therefore guests can walk from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom, but it’s a long walk!

Anyone looking for a scenic, peaceful walk (or possibly jog) will enjoy this area immensely. I highly recommend a sunset walk. Sunrise would also be nice for those of you who are early birds.

But the massive benefit is not relying on Disney transportation when using the new walkway from the Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian!

For more information about the resort, we have a complete guide that lists our articles:

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Some of our articles for the resort include:

• Restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Review
• Pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian
• Curioser Clothiers Gift Shop

Resorts Gal specializes in providing information about Walt Disney World Resorts. You can browse our entire list of Disney World Hotel Reviews. It includes a variety of reviews for the following resort categories.

• Disney Value Resorts
• Disney Moderate Resorts
• Disney Deluxe Resorts

If you are planning a trip to Disney World, make sure to familiarize yourself with our Disney Restaurants Reviews. Some of our most popular dining guides include Character Dining at Disney World, our Disney Signature Dining Guide, and the Best Restaurants at Disney Springs List.

In the Comments

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