Has anyone ever noticed...

[brdlyleon]

the park benches on the outskirts of MK? Between the park and the GF? I always look down on it when I pass by on the monorail because its just so interesting to me. I mean, it's a pretty long walk from the MK entrance and it's just so secluded and nice. Seems like a nice place to watch the fireworks...or propose. Who knows?? I wanna walk out that way one night just to see if you can even see Wishes from this spot...seems highly unlikely though. Anyone got any experiences with this tiny piece of seating?

 

[parkhopping]

I have noticed that too and always wondered why it's there! It seems so odd to have that looong walkway and then not connect it to the GF via bridge One day I did see someone having a picnic out there. But that's the only time I've ever noticed anyone.

I doubt you'd be able to see anything except the biggest bursts during Wishes. Even then your view might be blocked by trees and the monorail track. But it could be worth experimenting with!

 

[mesaboy2]

the park benches on the outskirts of MK? Between the park and the GF? I always look down on it when I pass by on the monorail because its just so interesting to me. I mean, it's a pretty long walk from the MK entrance and it's just so secluded and nice. Seems like a nice place to watch the fireworks...or propose. Who knows?? I wanna walk out that way one night just to see if you can even see Wishes from this spot...seems highly unlikely though. Anyone got any experiences with this tiny piece of seating?

The walkway to nowhere. You wouldn't see diddly-squat of the fireworks from there.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I have noticed that too and always wondered why it's there!

A failed attempt to create the Walkway Around the World. It was meant to provide a pathway all the way around the lake, paved with personalized bricks.

They sold lots of bricks, all just like the ones you walk on when you enter the Magic Kingdom from the bus stops or approach from the Contemporary... but the walkway was never completed.

That oddball section to the west of MK heading toward GF was as far as they got in that direction before abandoning the project.

 

[wdwrich]

Yes, it does seem a bit odd that the walkway just ends at the canal where they store the EWP floats. I've used the walkway as part of my early morning run when staying at CR.

 

[rock_doctor]

they were supposed to make a walkway around the lake from the MK to the Poly. They changed their minds for a couple (speculated) reasons. They would have to build two bridges, one of which would have to be a draw bridge and two at some point they had proposed another resort between the GF and the MK. So the walkway stopped at the service lagoon, which is where they keep the barges for the electric water parade. In reality, i want to say it is a horrible location and no body should go there so i can keep it to myself but in reality it is a terrific spot. You can see the fireworks quite well over the monorail beam, you can also see the water parade plus it is quiet. I tend to walk there each night from BLT and read or watch a movie on my pad. Just as a word of warning, pay attention to your park closing times. Stay there too long and you will get challenged by Disney Security when you walk back though the MK gate area. This is one of those areas you like to keep a secret.

 

[mm1971]

they were supposed to make a walkway around the lake from the MK to the Poly. They changed their minds for a couple (speculated) reasons. They would have to build two bridges, one of which would have to be a draw bridge and two at some point they had proposed another resort between the GF and the MK. So the walkway stopped at the service lagoon, which is where they keep the barges for the electric water parade. In reality, i want to say it is a horrible location and no body should go there so i can keep it to myself but in reality it is a terrific spot. You can see the fireworks quite well over the monorail beam, you can also see the water parade plus it is quiet. I tend to walk there each night from BLT and read or watch a movie on my pad. Just as a word of warning, pay attention to your park closing times. Stay there too long and you will get challenged by Disney Security when you walk back though the MK gate area. This is one of those areas you like to keep a secret.

I still think a walkway would have been nice. The drawbridge similar to EPCOT for the illuminations floats was the plan from my understanding, but the cost was too significant.

We have walked down there out of curiosity, but didn't stay very long. Maybe someday they'll find a purpose for it.

 

[CTH3]

We think it would be in Disney's long-term interest to complete this walkway. Many people book the Contemporary and BLT because of the ability to walk to the MK. It sure seems like the same logic would increase the desirability of booking the GF and the Poly; it sure would for us! We love the GF, but chose the CR for our next trip primarily for this reason.

We have a secret hope that they will consider doing this when they look at having to fill all those new GF-DVC villas that are a-comin'. But they probably won't, alas. *sigh*

 

[DizBelle]

Where are Robo's maps showing the unfinished walkway?

 

[bauer1168]

We think it would be in Disney's long-term interest to complete this walkway. Many people book the Contemporary and BLT because of the ability to walk to the MK. It sure seems like the same logic would increase the desirability of booking the GF and the Poly; it sure would for us! We love the GF, but chose the CR for our next trip primarily for this reason.

We have a secret hope that they will consider doing this when they look at having to fill all those new GF-DVC villas that are a-comin'. But they probably won't, alas. *sigh*

It would be nice for a walkway, not just for convenience, but it would be a great walk taking in everything around it. Even without the addition of the GF DVC Villas, a walkway could help take some pressure of the monorails possibly.
I think there was a post some time ago about the possibility of building a bridge from GF to MK, but I don't know if it would be practical/cost effective.
Maybe one day

 

[bauer1168]

Where are Robo's maps showing the unfinished walkway?

We need you Robo!

 

[DebbieB]

I think the walk from MK to GF is longer than it looks, plus there are woods along the way, they would have to protect from wildlife. A fence would not look too nice. Could be protected wetlands too.

 

[brdlyleon]

I think the walk from MK to GF is longer than it looks, plus there are woods along the way, they would have to protect from wildlife. A fence would not look too nice. Could be protected wetlands too.

I was thinking the same thing...for the longest time I actually thought you could walk from the GF to MK but then I noticed the walkway. That walk seems like an EASY 20 minutes from GF, maybe even more if you're taking your time. Quite the trek.

I just feel bad for anyone who bought bricks and had theres placed over in no man's land!

 

[brdlyleon]

they were supposed to make a walkway around the lake from the MK to the Poly. They changed their minds for a couple (speculated) reasons. They would have to build two bridges, one of which would have to be a draw bridge and two at some point they had proposed another resort between the GF and the MK. So the walkway stopped at the service lagoon, which is where they keep the barges for the electric water parade. In reality, i want to say it is a horrible location and no body should go there so i can keep it to myself but in reality it is a terrific spot. You can see the fireworks quite well over the monorail beam, you can also see the water parade plus it is quiet. I tend to walk there each night from BLT and read or watch a movie on my pad. Just as a word of warning, pay attention to your park closing times. Stay there too long and you will get challenged by Disney Security when you walk back though the MK gate area. This is one of those areas you like to keep a secret.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS! I live in the area so I almost rarely stay on site, especially now with the resort rates going up, and even then I stay no where near MK just because they're all deluxe but the next time I'm staying over on site I will DEFINITELY check this area out! It just looks so nice and with the monorail whizzing by and the ability to hear or even catch a glimpse of wishes seems to make a place worth checking out

 

[Disney/Universal Fan]

The walkway to nowhere. You wouldn't see diddly-squat of the fireworks from there.

This is what I love about these boards. Everyone an expert. mesaboy2 says that you wouldn't see diddly-squat of the fireworks from this spot, and rockstar 2 says it is a great place to watch the fireworks. Who do I listen to?

 

[CTH3]

I think the walk from MK to GF is longer than it looks, plus there are woods along the way, they would have to protect from wildlife. A fence would not look too nice. Could be protected wetlands too.

Out of curiosity I just checked the distance using Google Maps. From the GF front door to the MK gates is just over 3500 feet. By comparison, the walk from the CR front door to the MK front gates is 2800 feet. So the GF-MK walk would be about 700 feet further than the existing CR-MK walk; not a big deal considering how much walking we already do at WDW. (For example, walking from the Boardwalk Inn to the American Adventure Pavillion is the same distance, about 3500 feet.)

And on Google Maps you can see that the whole walkway already exists, pretty much in its entirety. All that's missing is a few feet right near the GF and, of course, a bridge over that pesky canal.

I'm also not sure why the wildlife would need any more protecting here than they get on similar walkways along the water, like the walk from BWV to HS.

*sigh*

 

[mesaboy2]

This is what I love about these boards. Everyone an expert. mesaboy2 says that you wouldn't see diddly-squat of the fireworks from this spot, and rockstar 2 says it is a great place to watch the fireworks. Who do I listen to?

Then I would listen to rock_doctor. They say they've been there, I admittedly have not. But I still cannot imagine it is a good view at all. Would love pics!

 

[DebbieB]

Out of curiosity I just checked the distance using Google Maps. From the GF front door to the MK gates is just over 3500 feet. By comparison, the walk from the CR front door to the MK front gates is 2800 feet. So the GF-MK walk would be about 700 feet further than the existing CR-MK walk; not a big deal considering how much walking we already do at WDW. (For example, walking from the Boardwalk Inn to the American Adventure Pavillion is the same distance, about 3500 feet.)

And on Google Maps you can see that the whole walkway already exists, pretty much in its entirety. All that's missing is a few feet right near the GF and, of course, a bridge over that pesky canal.

I'm also not sure why the wildlife would need any more protecting here than they get on similar walkways along the water, like the walk from BWV to HS.
*sigh*

It's a wooded area under the monorail, the walkway to DHS is not wooded where wildlife could be hiding, people walking would need protected. They would have to clear the trees like it is closer to MK. It looks like the walkway past the canal is just dirt, it would need to be cemented (sell more bricks) and lighted.

 

[mickeyonasticky]

Speaking of wooded area near paths, I was on a boat from Old Key West to Downtown Disney, and I noticed one lone jogger on the sidewalk between a seemingly wooded area and the waterway. Would you guys want that area cleared out too?

 

[jw50]

It's a wooded area under the monorail, the walkway to DHS is not wooded where wildlife could be hiding, people walking would need protected. They would have to clear the trees like it is closer to MK.

Then I guess they have a lot of work they need to do over at Ft Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.