Walking...

[Princess Steph]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but if there is anyone who knows the WDW roads they may be able to answer:
Are the roads walk-able from the AK bus stops to Hertz at 7471 W. Irlo Bronson Highway? I think the distance is under 3 miles, so that's an easy distance for me, but I know that roads are not always safe to walk for pedestrians around WDW. Are there walkways/sidewalks and cross walks? Is it a safe neighborhood?
I tried calling, but was placed on hold twice. They have a shuttle pickup but I am uncertain on timing, plus I like to walk. Any info will help my planning, thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

Walking on the roadways at WDW is strongly discouraged. No, there are no sidewalks! Can you make the walk? Maybe. But I strongly recommend using their shuttle service.

 

[Alesia]

As @goofy4tink said, no, it is definitely not walkable.

 

[Princess Steph]

I know it is discouraged, but I've walked from All Star to Blizzard Beach and it was lovely with sidewalks, crosswalks and walkways that were very safe. I've run the marathon and there were busy roads without sidewalks. I'll see what Hertz says, thanks!

 

[adisneyaunt]

Would not suggest walking.. too unsafe for you and the motorists Not expecting walkers!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

it was lovely with sidewalks, crosswalks and walkways that were very safe.

You said it yourself: there were sidewalks, crosswalks and walkways for that walk. There's not any similar infrastructure for the walk you are proposing. You'd be walking on or near roads that were not designed for pedestrians, along side tourist drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads thy are driving on. And on roads where pedestrians are extremely rare.

And for what greater purpose? Do you not get enough walking in at Disney? Then do a few laps around a theme park, your resort, or the Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Cub loop. A 3 mile cab ride will cost you maybe $20, if that? Or even less in an Uber? If it's to save money, that $20 saved is what % of your Disney vacation? Maybe 0.05%? With a substantial risk of you getting killed or injured on vacation?

 

[joelkfla]

I know it is discouraged, but I've walked from All Star to Blizzard Beach and it was lovely with sidewalks, crosswalks and walkways that were very safe. I've run the marathon and there were busy roads without sidewalks. I'll see what Hertz says, thanks!

There are a few places where walkers are accommodated at WDW; between AK & 192 is definitely not one of them.

Good walking paths: (not in any particular order)

1. All Star Resorts to CSR, passing BB; just a sidewalk along the road, but nice and wide with signalized pedestrian crossings.
2. DS West Side & SSR to OKW; a nice walkway between a canal and a golf course. Starts at the DS Strawberry parking lot, with a bridge to SSR at the northwest corner of the lot. (Although it's lighted, it officially closes at dusk.)
3. TTC to Poly to GF.
4. CR to MK (a short one).
5. DHS to the Epcot Resorts to Epcot International Gateway entrance, with a loop around Crescent Lake
6. DS down Hotel Plaza Blvd. to the Crossroads shopping center, an off property location with several low-to-medium priced chain restaurants.
7. WL to Ft. Wilderness; a shady bike & hiking trail where it's not unusual to spot deer and occasional small wildlife.

Most of the larger resorts also have exercise trails, often looping around a central lake: CSR, Pop/AoA; CBR; SSR; POFQ/RS.

OKW & SSR are good walking resorts, and Ft. Wilderness has a network of trails, including at least two that go end-to-end the full mile length of the campground.

But walking along WDW roadways not designed for walkers is scary and risky.

 

[goofy4tink]

I know it is discouraged, but I've walked from All Star to Blizzard Beach and it was lovely with sidewalks, crosswalks and walkways that were very safe. I've run the marathon and there were busy roads without sidewalks. I'll see what Hertz says, thanks!

As you've now seen, you can easily walk to BB from the AllStars....Disney makes it possible. But, the route you're talking about has no sidewalks, or crosswalks. But, it does have some pretty forested areas, and that's not something I want to deal with. There are nasty things living along those unpopulated roadways in WDW!!! Running marathons on busy roads is one thing.....the roadways are closed to traffic! At least they are in Boston!! I can walk very long distances. I could probably make the walk back to MCO from WDW...doesn't mean I'm supposed to.
I'm sorry you didn't get the answer you were hoping for. Checking to see what Hertz says? Not sure what that is going to accomplish. Hopefully they would tell you to use their shuttle service.

 

[jdisnut]

This thread brings up a separate point about how terrible Disney is for pedestrians. Living in the New York area, I'm used to walking long distances regularly, much like the previous poster described. I'd walk from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot if I could. I'd walk from Animal Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And don't even get me started about the lack of pedestrian access to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian.

The point is, Disney should be more walkable, but it isn't because of a lack of instrastructure, and that's disappointing.

 

[Princess Steph]

You said it yourself: there were sidewalks, crosswalks and walkways for that walk. There's not any similar infrastructure for the walk you are proposing. You'd be walking on or near roads that were not designed for pedestrians, along side tourist drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads thy are driving on. And on roads where pedestrians are extremely rare.

And for what greater purpose? Do you not get enough walking in at Disney? Then do a few laps around a theme park, your resort, or the Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Cub loop. A 3 mile cab ride will cost you maybe $20, if that? Or even less in an Uber? If it's to save money, that $20 saved is what % of your Disney vacation? Maybe 0.05%? With a substantial risk of you getting killed or injured on vacation?

I am staying at Disney for a conference that is off site and need the car rental. The purpose of the car is to avoid cabs and uber. As a single female traveling alone, I don't feel safe in a vehicle with a stranger. As an AP holder I'll "stop into" a park but I'm not on vacation. I tried to pick a car rental place close. They have a shuttle but I'll be at the mercy of their schedule and possibly alone with the driver which is what I'm trying to avoid. Oh well. I'll figure out something. As a side note, I take about 25,000 steps in a work day so I'm used to walking a lot

 

[Princess Steph]

This thread brings up a separate point about how terrible Disney is for pedestrians. Living in the New York area, I'm used to walking long distances regularly, much like the previous poster described. I'd walk from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot if I could. I'd walk from Animal Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And don't even get me started about the lack of pedestrian access to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian.

The point is, Disney should be more walkable, but it isn't because of a lack of instrastructure, and that's disappointing.

I agree. I actually work into the itinerary the walk from front of Epcot to HS. The hotels, grounds and waterways are so pretty. I know walking around the parks is too much for most, but not for me. Give me Disney and Florida sunshine and I'll walk all day.
I called and talked to Hertz. He said not safe and suggested I change to the hertz at Hilton bonnet creek. I'm not sure how that will help. I'll figure out something else.

 

[piccolopat]

You can get a car rental at the Swan/Dolphin. If you will be in Epcot or HS that might be an option to look into.

 

[Princess Steph]

You can get a car rental at the Swan/Dolphin. If you will be in Epcot or HS that might be an option to look into.

Great idea. And someone else posted that Hotel plaza blvd is walkable and I'll check those hotels too. Thanks

 

[joelkfla]

Great idea. And someone else posted that Hotel plaza blvd is walkable and I'll check those hotels too. Thanks

Just keep in mind that bus service to DS starts later than to the parks. Not sure of the start time; I think it's either 8:30 or 9:30.

And if you go with the Dolphin, you'll need to walk from DHS if it's earlier than Epcot opening time.

 

[North of Mouse]

This thread brings up a separate point about how terrible Disney is for pedestrians. Living in the New York area, I'm used to walking long distances regularly, much like the previous poster described. I'd walk from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot if I could. I'd walk from Animal Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And don't even get me started about the lack of pedestrian access to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian.

The point is, Disney should be more walkable, but it isn't because of a lack of instrastructure, and that's disappointing.

Disney does not want you walking from place to place except for the very few 'planned' routes. They have a purpose in planning and keeping it that way - not an accident!

You can get plenty of walking inside the parks and around the resorts. It's supposed to be all inclusive!

 

[goofy4tink]

This thread brings up a separate point about how terrible Disney is for pedestrians. Living in the New York area, I'm used to walking long distances regularly, much like the previous poster described. I'd walk from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot if I could. I'd walk from Animal Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And don't even get me started about the lack of pedestrian access to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian.

The point is, Disney should be more walkable, but it isn't because of a lack of instrastructure, and that's disappointing.

If Disney were to make the outer areas of WDW more 'walkable' then costs are going to go up. And we all know who is going to pay for that!!!! Personally, I don't want to pay higher resort costs because a few people want to do more walking!
Why would costs go up? First there is the basic construction costs. Then, there will have to be some kind of 'policing' happening on those outer areas. And with so many of the roadways running beside swampy areas? Yeah, we all know what's living in there!!! So, something would have to be done about that. And the walking from GF to MK? Sure, there are some who would like it. But in all reality? How many? Because I stay at BW a lot.....and the number of people I see walking to DHS isn't nearly as many as one would think. They take the boat!! To build a walkway from GF to MK, there is going to have to be either a drawbridge or a fairly high walkway to cross that waterway. I doubt Disney wants to undertake that or go to the expense.

 

[Princess Steph]

I booked a rental at the Dolphin. I can easily and safely get there. thanks for the help!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I booked a rental at the Dolphin. I can easily and safely get there. thanks for the help!!!

Perfect!!! That's my all time favorite place to rent a car. The people there have been incredibly helpful to me in the past!!! Always so cheerful and helpful.

 

[jdisnut]

If Disney were to make the outer areas of WDW more 'walkable' then costs are going to go up. And we all know who is going to pay for that!!!! Personally, I don't want to pay higher resort costs because a few people want to do more walking!
Why would costs go up? First there is the basic construction costs. Then, there will have to be some kind of 'policing' happening on those outer areas. And with so many of the roadways running beside swampy areas? Yeah, we all know what's living in there!!! So, something would have to be done about that. And the walking from GF to MK? Sure, there are some who would like it. But in all reality? How many? Because I stay at BW a lot.....and the number of people I see walking to DHS isn't nearly as many as one would think. They take the boat!! To build a walkway from GF to MK, there is going to have to be either a drawbridge or a fairly high walkway to cross that waterway. I doubt Disney wants to undertake that or go to the expense.

Oh, I completely agree. It's too late to fix this problem. I wish the property was designed with pedestrians in mind 50 years ago. Honestly, this is a problem throughout Florida. I often walk in Tampa, and even on the sidewalks, drivers are baffled by the idea of a person using his own legs to reach a destination instead of a car.

 

[MillauFr]

Oh, I completely agree. It's too late to fix this problem. I wish the property was designed with pedestrians in mind 50 years ago. Honestly, this is a problem throughout Florida. I often walk in Tampa, and even on the sidewalks, drivers are baffled by the idea of a person using his own legs to reach a destination instead of a car.

Disney realized their error of their ways and fixed it when they developed Celebration. Walkable neighborhoods that allowed you to get around on foot rather than drive everywhere.

I still think it would be an improvement if they constructed walking paths from the Wilderness Lodge to Magic Kingdom and the Transportation Center. Would make the resort much more convenient.