Menu

Magic Kingdom Access Just Got a Whole Lot Easier

Magic Kingdom Entrance Sign
Credit: V Mills

You’ve got your Park tickets, your Park Pass reservations, and your Disney dining reservation, and you’re ready to experience the “most magical place on Earth”. You’ve entered under the famous Walt Disney World Resort entrance arch, a Disney vacation moment that truly starts the magic for many Guests.

But what’s the easiest route to get to the Magic Kingdom?

There are a multitude of modes of Disney transportation that take Guests all over the Walt Disney World Resort and run all day to and from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks. When staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, Disney Guests are welcome to take advantage of complimentary transportation such as buses, boats, Monorails, and the Disney Skyliner to and from the Disney Parks and Disney Springs.

Now, Disney has just made getting to Magic Kingdom a whole lot easier for Guests, providing a wonderful way to explore the magic of Disney World.

Mickey Minnie

Credit: Disney

Let’s face it. Parking at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is expensive and can dampen a morning for those not expecting the $25 per day fee.

The buses that operate from Disney Springs and the over 25 Disney hotels on property can be busy and delayed. The Monorail is iconic but requires parking at the Transportation and Ticket Centre (TTC). The ferryboat is beautiful but slows down your morning, especially if you want to rope drop.

Well, now, Disney has finally reopened an easy access route into the Magic Kingdom theme park, a route that saves money on parking fees for those staying at the Grand Floridan Resort & Spa.

Credit: Disney

After a long closure, the walkway between Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel and Magic Kingdom Park is open once more for Guests.

The Monorail Resort offers this convenient pathway to enjoy the scenery of the Seven Seas Lagoon as you walk from the Victorian-style hotel to the Magic Kingdom and the beloved Cinderella Castle. The Walt Disney World Resort Hotel has a great location close to the Magic Kingdom Park, with Disney’s Contemporary Resort also offering a pathway from the other side.

Disney reporter Scott Gustin shared the exciting news on Twitter on May 26:

Good news! The walkway between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Magic Kingdom Park reopened today. 

The walkway had been closed since February due to construction at the resort. @ResortsGal

The walkway closed back in February of 2023, with many Guests of the hotel angered that this convenient route and benefit was inaccessible. Many Guests pay premium prices to stay at the Grand Floridian because of this easy access.

The Resorts that make up the Magic Kingdom Area Hotels include Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (all connected to the Park via the Monorail loop, Resort launches, and walking paths), and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, which come with watercraft and bus transportation.

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of Disney’s most beloved hotels. The elegance of the grand lobby, the beautiful sounds of the grand piano, the indulging spa services, and the Victorian architecture all add up to make this hotel truly special.

The Deluxe Disney Resort opened on June 28, 1988, as the Grand Floridian Beach Resort and has 867 rooms over 6 buildings. The name changed to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in 1997, and houses Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas.

grand-floridian

Credit: Disney

The Monoiral Resort was inspired by the Victorian-era beach resorts built along Florida’s east coast during the late 19th and early 20th century. Interestingly, the opulent hotel’s exterior is modeled after the Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, and Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California.

Here’s a fun fact too: The Beach Boys performed at the Grand Floridian in 1988 to film the music video for their song Kokomo!

We’re so excited to see this pathway open back up again between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom and can’t wait to stroll down under the Central Florida sunshine. Remember, you don’t just have to be a Disney Hotel Guest to use the walkway – you can walk it as a theme park break, or to get to your Victoria & Albert’s dining reservation!

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book