Walking from OKW

[bunkkinsmom]

Here's a question for all of you pros! Is it possible to walk from OKW to DTD? If so, is there a path?

What about Epcot? How far of a walk do you think that is? I am totally OK with walking, and on quite a few levels would prefer it to waiting for a bus. Any suggestions?

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, it's 0.93 miles from Building 55 to Cirque at DD. There is a paved walkway along the Trumbo Canal. Along the way you will pass by the Treehouse Villas and the bridge over to SSR. Just continue along the walkway past the practice green and around the West Side parking lot and you'll be at DD.

There are no sidewalks for a walk to Epcot. Even though OKW is just "across the street" from the park, there is no way to gain entrance there. If you walked along the roadway (NOT advisable and likely to attract a visit from Disney security) the distance would probably be a couple of miles with lots of traffic to deal with.

I'd stick with walking thru the resort and over to DD/SSR. Enjoy!

 

[disneybass]

The walk from OKW to DTD is full of beautiful scenery. Walking down the canal past the tree house construction and SSR and then skirting the golf course to DTD. I really enjoy going early in the morning and walking around DTD while it is empty. The boat from the HH to DTD is also enjoyable and very relaxing.

 

[culli]

Yes, it's 0.93 miles from Building 55 to Cirque at DD. There is a paved walkway along the Trumbo Canal. Along the way you will pass by the Treehouse Villas and the bridge over to SSR. Just continue along the walkway past the practice green and around the West Side parking lot and you'll be at DD.

There are no sidewalks for a walk to Epcot. Even though OKW is just "across the street" from the park, there is no way to gain entrance there. If you walked along the roadway (NOT advisable and likely to attract a visit from Disney security) the distance would probably be a couple of miles with lots of traffic to deal with.

I'd stick with walking thru the resort and over to DD/SSR. Enjoy!

Hey Doc thanks for the reply as I also had this question. However does anyone know why they don't make walkways to be able to walk from the resorts to the parks. OKW to EPCOT is an example and what about AKV to AK? his just sounds silly to me especially with the "green" movement. I would think this would be a huge benefit to people. Even with young kids we don't mind walking and prefer that to siting and waiting for buses.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Thanks for the prompt replies! And excellent question Culli! Can't wait for the answer! I think you are right, it would save on bus wait times, gas, all kinds of stuff. Also, this canal path, ECVs ok? The inlaws are coming with!

 

[Chuck S]

They would need to build crossover walkway bridges to EPCOT from the OKW area, across 6 lanes of traffic. Not an inexpensive undertaking for something that will get limited use, especially when you hear complaints about simply walking from some parts of OKW to the Hospitality House.

You'd also have to make them almost enclosed to keep people from throwing things down onto the traffic, or even jumping.

 

[culli]

They would need to build crossover walkway bridges to EPCOT from the OKW area, across 6 lanes of traffic. Not an inexpensive undertaking for something that will get limited use, especially when you hear complaints about simply walking from some parts of OKW to the Hospitality House.

Inexpensive when discussing Disney is a relative term. I would also think there are other more less expensive options. I have not been to AKV but find it odd that while staying at Animal Kingdom you have to take a bus to get to Animial Kingdom park.......sounds like poor planning to me.

Yes people complain about walking but there are many others that enjoy it....I find lazy people tend to complain more?

 

[Chuck S]

But again, what benefit would it be to Disney? The walkway to DtD wasn't built "just" as a walkway for OKW guests, it is also a maintenance/housekeeping cart path connecting SSR, the old treehouses (now under renovation) and OKW. And it can be used as an emergency access path, if a boat sinks in the canal.

 

[RobDoc]

Hey Doc thanks for the reply as I also had this question. However does anyone know why they don't make walkways to be able to walk from the resorts to the parks. OKW to EPCOT is an example and what about AKV to AK? his just sounds silly to me especially with the "green" movement. I would think this would be a huge benefit to people. Even with young kids we don't mind walking and prefer that to siting and waiting for buses.

Here is an aerial view. You can see the pathway from OKW to DD - most of that walkway has been there for 30+ years since it served as a cartpath used by Treehouse guests to get between their villa and the pool at Disney Village and later DI. It was also used as an exercise activity and had numerous exercise stations built along the way. Those stations were ultimately removed about 10 years ago. When OKW opened in 1991 the section from the Treehouse Bridge along the canal was added.

When Epcot was designed and built there was no consideration for a resort within walking distance on that side of the park so the entrances are nowhere near the OKW area. As Chuck pointed out, it would require building access over high density roadways, over wooded areas and around backstage areas not open to guests. While a few might be interested in walking (it would be much farther than the walk from BWV and BCV to Epcot or DHS), the cost to design and build such a system would be considerable and DVC is not likely to foot the bill. The walk would not be much fun in the rain or in the heat of summer. Whether it would be well used is another discussion, but for Disney in general, safety is a big concern.

Aerial view - OKW/Epcot/SSR/DD area. (Try the Bird'sEye View)

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much Doc-I could never quite figure out where that path was before. How far is it from Cirque over to the Marketplace, specifically Ghiardelli's? Sounds like by walking we could burn off a few calories to justify those sundaes! Also, is that path exclusively for walking or is it also the cart path for LBV golf course?

 

[Chuck S]

I don't thik it is a golf cart path for LBV, just Disney staff service carts and walking guests, possibly also bikes.

 

[Uncleromulus]

How is this path at night--safe? Well lighted?

 

[Chuck S]

I do not think it is well lighted, I wouldn't use it after dark.

 

[gobofraggle]

We were told about that path by OKW front desk - and we used it...

Then the Disney employee working with the golfers on the golf course came over and looked at us like we were idiots, talked to us like we were idiots, told us to stay off the 'golf path' or we'd get hit by golf balls...

His tone really ruined that morning for me...

You know someone is condescending and it gets under your skin for a while?

 

[mvc1997]

Thanks Doc, for the bird's eye view!!

WHEEEE that was fun!!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

Yes people complain about walking but there are many others that enjoy it....I find lazy people tend to complain more?

What a nasty thing to say.

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks so much Doc-I could never quite figure out where that path was before. How far is it from Cirque over to the Marketplace, specifically Ghiardelli's? Sounds like by walking we could burn off a few calories to justify those sundaes! Also, is that path exclusively for walking or is it also the cart path for LBV golf course?

No, it is not the golf cart path (no foot traffic is allowed on the golf cart paths). The golf paths do crosee the walkway in a couple of places. I'd guess it's about 3/4 mile from Cirque over to Ghirardelli's - well worth the hike for a sundae!

How is this path at night--safe? Well lighted?

It is not lighted at all from OKW to the Treehouse Bridge and is not level in many spots due to uneven pavement , so I would not suggest any nighttime travels. There is signage indicating that it is closed after dark. The portion from the Treehouse bridge back to SSR used to be lighted, but I'm not certain the lights are in working order any longer. Regardless, it is closed at night for good reason IMO.

The path is used by maintenance vehicles travelling back and forth between OKW and SSR. They are pretty good about talking a wide berth around those walking on the path. There are a couple of golf greens along the walkway and the driving range is also along the walkway, but the walkway itself is not shared with the golfers. If you do stray out onto one of the fairways or onto the cart path, the golf course staff is usually pretty quick to "direct" you back to the walkway. (Ask me how I know! )

 

[rbuzzotta]

WE walk the path several times on our trips to OKW. Early in the morning, there is some traffic due to the housekeeping carts going back and forth and maintenance workers. It is nice and quiet.

DH got yelled at by a golfer this past trip as he got a little lost and ended up on the golf cart road!! He then noticed the pavement was different colors.........pinkish for walkers, ashphalt for golf carts!! The pathway to DTD is asphalt.