I don't know if this cuts off much of any time, but I always take this short-cut (or non-short cut): Walking along the Boardwalk from the ESPN club, when you see the Village Green, turn in there. Go past Wyland Gallery, then take a right through a "tunnel" pass through. You'll come out by the clown pool. Stay on the left of the pool and look for the walkway next to the canal. Turn left onto that walkway and you'll be headed towards MGM.