Behold, the Bridge to Terabithia! Just kidding. It’s just the bridge linking Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to the Magic Kingdom, which after much permitting and red tape is finally under construction. On a ride around Seven Seas Lagoon on the monorail Resort line, we spotted some progress on the construction of the new walkway, which now sports a fancy pre-fabricated bridge.
Since this is where the Electrical Water Pageant enters and exits the lagoon, it will probably be some sort of drawbridge to accommodate for the marine traffic, hence the metal framework at the bottom.
One of our readers let us know that the according to the Reedy Creek Address Finder, the bridge will specifically be a swing bridge, which is fixed on one end and can swing out into the canal to make way for any oncoming traffic.
Earlier this week, we saw the bridge with some railings staged nearby for installation.
Today, a set of railings was installed on the bridge. The bridge was also moved up towards the shoreline to be more in line with where it will ultimately reside.
Additional metal sheets are staged out by the shoreline, with what seems like a makeshift dock over to the right.
On the opposite side of the shore, things seem less developed, with metal foundation work, or a potential retaining wall in place.
A look from the dock at the Grand Floridian gives us an idea of the proximity of the walkway and the expanse of the proposed bridge.
Once completed, this long-awaited walkway will allow Guests to cross the canal and reach the Magic Kingdom by foot from the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts, as well at the Transportation and Ticket Center. This will give guests another transportation option for getting to and from the Magic Kingdom, in addition to the ferry, boat, buses, and monorail, all of which can get lengthy lines.
Finally FITNESS ! :-) (walking)
And it will also be nice for the people in wheelchairs and scooters to use, because the little boats that run from the GF to MK and back do not accommodate them (tried in December; had to monorail it instead).
How long do you think the walk would be from GF? Pretty exciting they’re moving along with this!
I measured on Google maps and it’s roughly 3,800 feet from the center of GF to MK security tents. So just under 3/4th of a mile. So maybe around a 15 minute walk?
It’s .8 of a mile.
Bout time!
Excited that my morning walks at Bay Lake Tower don’t have to circle around the Contemporary five times. Can walk all the way to the TTC and back to Bay Lake Tower!
If you don’t mind going through the security check points before reaching the magic kingdom each direction.
I bet GF and Poly guests are gonna love 5,000 people tramping through to their cars after fireworks to avoid lines for boats and monorail.
Can’t wait!! My GF DVC will be skyrocketing in value :)
I’m wondering if there will be an additional bridge that would span the water inlet just north of the GF convention building, or will guests have to walk out to the road (Florida Way) and then swing back into the resort. Still quite a walk after a long day at MK, especially back to the Poly considering you’d have to serpentine through the GF walkways to get over there.