Grand Floridain Walkway

[_19disnA]

So would runners be able to make a grand tour around the lake? I'm a little challenged to understand whether there's truly a pedestrian area between the contemporary and TTC to make a loop.

There is no pathway between Contemporary and Ticket/Trans Center. They discourage people from walking along the side of busy roadways due to the obvious hazard of so much car traffic. There is currently a pathway you can walk from the Polynesian to the Ticket/Trans Center.

 

[CraigInPA]

I saw this when we stayed at BLT. We were able to board the monorail at the Contemporary with no issues, next stop was TTC and we were flooded with guests boarding the monorail. Next stop Poly, no guests getting on and very few getting off, same thing at GF. I felt really bad for those guests who were paying a premium staying at those two resorts who had no chance of getting on the monorail. Seemed really unfair to me....

Way back in the 1970's, the "resort monorail" required you to show a card to board it and it didn't stop at TTC. Then, they opened Epcot and it had to stop at TTC for people to transfer. I guess the card system became too much of an issue. As a result, we now have monorail resort folks effectively not able to use the monorail at certain times of the day.

 

[CraigInPA]

So would runners be able to make a grand tour around the lake? I'm a little challenged to understand whether there's truly a pedestrian area between the contemporary and TTC to make a loop.

There is no connection from the end of the TTS lot to the sidewalk that goes under the water bridge near the Contemporary. That's about 3/4 of a mile in distance where you would be running on Topiary Drive and World Drive without sidewalks and with a lot of buses flying by at 50mph. If you could run under the monorail (which is dangerous because it's just mowed vegetation and not at all flat), you'd be down to 1/2 mile.

In 1974, my brothers and I walked under the monorail at 10pm after the monorail shut down for the night. It was the only lighted way to get from the Contemporary to the Poly, where we were staying. We were sure that alligators were lurking in the shrubs to get us, and it was not a pleasant walk. We didn't tell our parents we did it for about a year. They were not pleased.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There is no connection from the end of the TTS lot to the sidewalk that goes under the water bridge near the Contemporary. That's about 3/4 of a mile in distance where you would be running on Topiary Drive and World Drive without sidewalks and with a lot of buses flying by at 50mph. If you could run under the monorail (which is dangerous because it's just mowed vegetation and not at all flat), you'd be down to 1/2 mile.

In 1974, my brothers and I walked under the monorail at 10pm after the monorail shut down for the night. It was the only lighted way to get from the Contemporary to the Poly, where we were staying. We were sure that alligators were lurking in the shrubs to get us, and it was not a pleasant walk. We didn't tell our parents we did it for about a year. They were not pleased.

That reminds me of rundisney events that start in the MK parking lot. Well, it's not uncommon to see people peeling off the road and heading into the woods. All I think is no way, not ever in the dark!

 

[Donna M]

I am looking forward to just strolling along the path with an interesting destination when staying at VGF. Now we can walk to Poly and MK for something to do.

 

[mrsap]

I’d also be fine with walking (if monorail or boat had a long line.) Nice to have another option!

 

[LoveMugsNPins]

I am so excited for this walkway! I would so much rather walk to GF after fireworks than wait in that boat or monorail line.

Its a nice time to decompress after the chaos of the park. Plus, I figure I already walked a zillion miles that day what is 1 more mile?

 

[Judique]

Next stop Poly, no guests getting on and very few getting off, same thing at GF. I felt really bad for those guests who were paying a premium staying at those two resorts who had no chance of getting on the monorail. Seemed really unfair to me....

As far as the walk way goes, I guess it's good to have options but with all the walking we do as is I for one wouldn't want to add another mile+ to my daily walk. We don't usually wait until the very end of day so we can avoid the crowds getting on buses and monorail. Maybe with the walkway I would reconsider that long walk back to GF. JMHO

The Poly guests were probably already on. When I stayed at the Poly (at least 20 visits) it was not unusual to walk to TTC to board as it was a very easy walk from the buildings on the same side as TTC. You beat the crowd and didn't have to wait in the corral on the 2nd floor of Poly. I think now the walk is longer due to security. But it only changed in the last year - before that when you left Poly you had a very quick walk to the monorails or the Ferry.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

The Poly guests were probably already on. When I stayed at the Poly (at least 20 visits) it was not unusual to walk to TTC to board as it was a very easy walk from the buildings on the same side as TTC. You beat the crowd and didn't have to wait in the corral on the 2nd floor of Poly. I think now the walk is longer due to security. But it only changed in the last year - before that when you left Poly you had a very quick walk to the monorails or the Ferry.

Maybe but it doesn't seem like you should have to do that. Having to walk to TTC from Poly removes the convenience factor of staying at a monorail resort. One would expect to be able to use all modes of transportation offered at the resort without having to walk to a different location to access one of them.

The time I saw this happen even if you had walked to TTC from the Poly you probably would have had a LONG wait, the crowds were out of control. I do believe it was MLK weekend which would have been a major contributor to the number of people at WDW.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Maybe but it doesn't seem like you should have to do that. Having to walk to TTC from Poly removes the convenience factor of staying at a monorail resort. One would expect to be able to use all modes of transportation offered at the resort without having to walk to a different location to access one of them.

The time I saw this happen even if you had walked to TTC from the Poly you probably would have had a LONG wait, the crowds were out of control. I do believe it was MLK weekend which would have been a major contributor to the number of people at WDW.

For several of the buildings, now actually the DVC, it's about as close to the TTC station as the one in the Great Ceremonial House. For certain rooms I'd guess it used to be closer and it's a benefit to have the option. The new security has added on a bit to the walk where it used to be a nice short shot to the Monorail loading platform. When you go to the TTC you have the choice of the resort monorail or the express if MK is your destination.

 

[EM Lawrence]

Poly is our favorite resort and we’ve never had a problem getting on the monorail. But I do always feel like its crowded by the time we get to the GF. I’ve never seen it so crowded that people could not get on though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Poly is our favorite resort and we’ve never had a problem getting on the monorail. But I do always feel like its crowded by the time we get to the GF. I’ve never seen it so crowded that people could not get on though.

We've actually been unable to get on the monorail more times at the CR vs Poly or GF.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So happy about the walkway!! They are putting up the street signs as we speak

 

[mrsap]

So happy about the walkway!! They are putting up the street signs as we speak

It’s so exciting!

https://blogmickey.com/2020/08/grand-floridian-walkway-signage-installed-at-magic-kingdom/

 

[Matty B13]

So happy about the walkway!! They are putting up the street signs as we speak

Thanks for the update!!!

 

[iheartglaciers]

Way back in the 1970's, the "resort monorail" required you to show a card to board it and it didn't stop at TTC. Then, they opened Epcot and it had to stop at TTC for people to transfer. I guess the card system became too much of an issue. As a result, we now have monorail resort folks effectively not able to use the monorail at certain times of the day.

They could easily make the resort monorail accessible by Magicband now, but I assume Disney wants to make it easy for non-resort guests to get to their dining reservations at Poly, GF, and Contemporary. I don't know what a good solution is... it is frustrating if you're paying a premium to stay at one of those resorts though.

 

[RoseGold]

I'm so pumped about this walkway. It's been my obsession during lockdown. As an expectant GF owner, I am PUMPED.

 

[Novatrix]

So would runners be able to make a grand tour around the lake? I'm a little challenged to understand whether there's truly a pedestrian area between the contemporary and TTC to make a loop.

My questions are a) will they allow runners to run along that pathway, it might be like Disney Springs where running isn't allowed and b) would runners have to go through the Contemporary/Grand Floridian MK security checkpoints everytime they make a loop?

The monorail resorts have always had such short jogging paths, it would be nice to have a path from Poly to BLT. Have to burn off those Dole Whips somehow!

 

[SherylLC]

Are walkways ever a bad idea? It's great to have the option!

 

[DVCsloth]

My questions are a) will they allow runners to run along that pathway, it might be like Disney Springs where running isn't allowed and b) would runners have to go through the Contemporary/Grand Floridian MK security checkpoints everytime they make a loop?

The monorail resorts have always had such short jogging paths, it would be nice to have a path from Poly to BLT. Have to burn off those Dole Whips somehow!

Not 100% sure but I think you can go around the security if you are not going into the park.