Fans of getting some cardio in while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort will soon have a new, healthier option for getting to the Magic Kingdom. While other parks and resorts have had walking paths to and fro for years, there has never been a walking path from the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to the Magic Kingdom. But that is in the process of changing.
For months we’ve heard of a new walkway being constructed between the Grand Floridian Resort to the Magic Kingdom. This new path will finally connect two of Disney World’s most well-known landmarks allowing guests to walk from Disney’s most luxurious resort to its most popular theme park.
We first heard of the new walkway construction back in mid-2019. As of March 2020, a brick walking path and a pedestrian bridge have been installed connecting the two destinations. While completion of the walkway will likely not be completed for several more months, the installation of the bridge is a big step in the process.
The bridge has been designed with a swing mechanism which will allow it to open for the passing of boats and pageant floats through the narrow waterway. The land on either side of the bridge has been significantly built up in preparation for completion of the walkway.
There are actually two waterways that need to be crossed in order to travel from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Flordian and vice versa. As the one closer to the Grand Floridian is not a thoroughfare we can likely expect a stationary pedestrian bridge to be installed here. The second, larger waterway is the one that would require a moveable bridge to allow passage of boats.
Most of the walkway on the Magic Kingdom side does already look as if it is near completion, with bricks already laid along the length of the path and lamp posts also already installed. This mainly leaves the path on the Grand Floridian side and the completion of the new bridges yet to be finished.
Once completed, the pathway from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom will be less than 1 mile long and should take approximately 15-20 min to reach the park. For guests staying at the Grand Floridian this will surely be a welcome addition. Although the Grand Floridian already offers monorail and ferry service directly to the Magic Kingdom, this new walkway will make the Grand Floridian just as convenient as the Contemporary Resort for reaching the Magic Kingdom, albeit a slightly longer walk.
Although most guests will likely continue to opt for the rail or ferry option to reach the park, the new pedestrian walkway from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom will definitely be a welcome addition.
For more information on how to get around the Disney World Resort, see How to Get to Each Disney World Theme Park.
Will you take advantage of the new walkway from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom? Let us know why you’re looking forward to completion of the walkway in the comments below.
Katherine Rand
DVC Shop Editorial Team
This is so exciting. Thank you for the update. Of course, I would take advantage of this new Walkway. The idea of building a walkway between Grand Floridian Resort to Magic Kingdom Park does not only allow visitors to walk back and forth between two locations but also enjoy some cardio. Well, 10 to 15minutes-walk is not that bad. Plus, I will surely enjoy the views of Contemporary Resort and Seven Seas Lagoon. I also want to try the swing bridge.