If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, there’s a lot of walking in your future.
The theme parks are huge, as is Disney Springs, and it’s not uncommon to rack up tens of thousands of steps (my personal record is 21,000 steps in one day).
While this may be more than enough walking for many Guests, it can be fun to learn about the walking paths on Disney property that connect Resorts, theme parks or dining, shopping, and entertainment areas.
Imagine not having to rely on Disney’s complimentary transportation to get where you want to go (not that we don’t love a good ferry ride or gondola adventure)! Here are some of the best, and most convenient, walking paths in Walt Disney World.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Disney’s Magic Kingdom
Most Guests probably know about the walking path that connects Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park.
In fact, a short, 10-minute stroll to Walt Disney World’s original theme park is one of the reasons this Resort Hotel remains so popular!
This walking path is perfect for Guests with little ones who might need to return to the room for an afternoon nap during a day of fun at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. But it’s also great for Guests who aren’t staying at Disney’s Contemporary at all, but want to walk there for a meal at California Grill, Chef Mickey’s or Steakhouse 71.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
For years, we’ve been Resort-hopping by Monorail to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for the opulent ambience, dining, shopping and that heavenly lobby smell (if you know, you know – if you don’t, you owe it to yourself to visit!).
And while you can still hop on a Monorail to get to this elegant Resort Hotel, there’s also now a walking path accessible from the boat launch area of Disney’s Magic Kingdom that will get you there in about 15 minutes.
Walking from any Disney Park to a Disney Resort Hotel is pretty cool, and this new path allows Guests to access spaces that were previously inaccessible, not to mention the views of the Monorail zooming by above you are fabulous!
Disney’s EPCOT to EPCOT-Area Resort Hotels
If you’re staying at or visiting any EPCOT-area Resort Hotel (Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk Resorts, along with Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotels), you’ll be within an easy 5-10 minute walk from Disney’s EPCOT Park – specifically, the International Gateway at the World Showcase.
We’ve often used this walking path when dining at one of the fabulous restaurants located in these Resorts (Yachtsman Steakhouse, I’m looking at you) during a day in Disney’s EPCOT Park.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios to EPCOT-Area Resort Hotels
Guests can also walk from any of Disney’s EPCOT-area to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, although it will take slightly longer than walking to EPCOT (about 10-20 minutes, depending on which Hotel you’re walking to/from).
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to Disney Springs
The perfect Resort Hotel for Guests planning on spending a lot of time at Disney Springs is Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
There’s a lovely walking path from the Resort to Disney Springs, and it only takes about 10 minutes or so. We used this path once during a visit to Disney Springs to check out Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and then hopped on a bus to a theme park.
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
Disney’s Deluxe Hotels can’t have all the fun, right? That’s why we love the mile-long paved path that connects all three of Disney’s All-Star Resort Hotels: All-Star Music, All-Star Movies and All-Star Sports.
These Disney Value Resorts are sprawling Hotels, so Guests staying here might not be too excited to add MORE walking to their day – but if you’re a Guest at an All-Star Resort, you’re entitled to use the pools at all of the All-Star Resorts.
That walking path is starting to look pretty good, isn’t it?
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside to Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter are sister resorts, located adjacent to one another.
Conveniently, there’s a walking path along the Sassagoula River that connects them, and it’s one of the most beautiful places for a stroll on Walt Disney World property!
Guests at one Port Orleans Resort are welcome to use the pools at the other Port Orleans Resort, plus being within easy walking distance of another Resort multiplies your options when it comes to mealtime.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Transportation and Ticket Center
Guests or visitors to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can use a walking path to get to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa next door in about 8-10 minutes, or they can walk to or from the Transportation and Ticket Center on the other side of the Polynesian in about 5-7 minutes.
This means that you can also effectively walk all the way from the Polynesian to Disney’s Magic Kingdom!
Or, if you’re driving, park at the TTC and walk to Magic Kingdom, avoiding all transportation hassles – this will take upwards of 35 minutes, but depending on lines for the monorail, could be worth it.
Bottom Line
Walt Disney World is massive, and most Guests rely on bus, monorail, boat or gondola transportation to get where they’re going.
But there are lots of walking paths that connect Disney Resort Hotels, Disney theme parks and shopping, dining and entertainment districts that are an excellent alternative to transportation – if your feet can take it!