Walkway to nowhere from Magic Kingdom Towards Grand Floridian - Why?

[Goofyernmost]

View attachment 155704 View attachment 155705


I hope I am way more positive and happy when I get to become your age. Good Lord.

And for the record, the distance from MK Security to the GF Via the walkway is less than 3/4 of a mile or roughly the same distance from DHS to Boardwalk.

I'm positive. Hell, I'm positive that I would not, at my age or any other, want to walk that area at night, especially after a long day of walking and standing on hard surfaces or in the mid-day heat. Who knows that maybe why I got to this age. It doesn't change the fact that it would not be a good walk after dark because it is a desolate area and, as we have recently, learned Florida has a lot of life other then people around. The comparison between the walkway from Boardwalk to DHS is not even close, people, bright lights and human activity. Also, having a differing opinion then yourself does not make me negative. I may just make me engulfed in reality.

BTW, I am quite happy thank you. I just do not feel the need to have the world revolve around my individual desires and can see that not everything is a good idea. That may also come with my advanced age. Perhaps, it is because you are younger then I that you are unable to process the uselessness of a walkway in that location. I can because I'm blessed with the ability to see things as they are, not as I would like them to be. If someday they decide to develop that area into a high traffic venue, then I will change my mind. As it is now, however, the risk is much higher then the reward.

 

[MaryJaneP]

There might be a reason if, and only if, this was the only missing section of a true walkway/bikeway to circle 7 seas. However, as the underpass leading to the Contemporary does not really accommodate walkers/bikers safely, there is almost an inherent bias against completing the GF to MK walkway. There are other factors that have been previously mentioned including heat and wildlife. Given the recent events, these are elevated in concern. Be careful what is being requested, a reason for the walkway, as the MK might end up with Leave a Legacy tombstones along this non-functional "walkway".

 

[EpcotEric01]

Take a freaking boat or monorail and quit constantly whining about some insignificant minor thing that will be used by very few people anyway. Get over it! It isn't there, it isn't going to be there, it never has been there, it has no need to be there no matter what they may have thought they might do 50 years ago. QUOTE]

I reread your post, clearly I was wrong and didn't read any sort of negativity from your original post. My apologies (Hopefully being older you are able to process sarcasm)

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm positive. Hell, I'm positive that I would not, at my age or any other, want to walk that area at night, especially after a long day of walking and standing on hard surfaces or in the mid-day heat. Who knows that maybe why I got to this age. It doesn't change the fact that it would not be a good walk after dark because it is a desolate area and, as we have recently, learned Florida has a lot of life other then people around. The comparison between the walkway from Boardwalk to DHS is not even close, people, bright lights and human activity. Also, having a differing opinion then yourself does not make me negative. I may just make me engulfed in reality.

Are you going to tell us that in the real world lighting cannot be installed? That people are forced to make the desolate walk along a Florida waterway in order to fill it with activity? It's sounding more and more like you have never actually done this walk you keep claiming is so different.

 

[jaklgreen]

I think that if they finished it and put in lighting that plenty of people would use it. Not only if they are staying at the GF but just to jog around or walk it instead of taking the boat or monorail. And I work on my feet all day so my feet never hurt after a full day at Disney. In fact, it is like a break since I am only walking slowly and can sit whenever I want.

 

[marni1971]

I think the idea of them needing somewhere to put the bricks they sold is probably correct. As for the riverboat, I don't think it ever goes through that canal. It is guided by a rail system, and probably does not even have a rudder. I think the first building you see on the canal after the railroad swing bridge is the maintenance building for the Liberty Bell. It would be a tight fit getting it down the canal past the road bridge and through the two water level gates, and then where would it go once it got in Bay Lake?

Ta da

 

[DisAl]

As a former watercraft cm I can confirm that the Liberty Bell does indeed use the canal and is towed over the water bridge and to the boat maintenance facilty in the back of Bay lake where all the ferry boats and MK resort boats park. Now this is only done every few years but I did witness it whe I worked there. The storage facility you are speaking of near MK should be the parade float building behind Splash and Pirates.

Thanks! You can learn something new every day on these forums. It is really nice when CMs (current or former) can give us accurate answers on parts of WDW that most of us will never get to see first hand. Of the hundreds of times I have looked at Google Earth photos of Disney World I never noticed those docks. You can see one of the ferries parked there on the current March 5, 2016 photo.

 

[Andrew_Ryan]

This thread about a walkway is two pages long and people are already on edge.

Breathe in...breathe out...

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

There are numerous threads on this. Search and you'll find your answers.

But to summarize, that water is the channel where the Electrical Water Pageant enters the lagoon nightly. It is also used to bring the steamer out when it needs to go for repairs, and it is used to bring supplies and work vessels to backstage at MK.

A swing bridge is not possible because the passageway would then not be wide enough. A lift bridge is impractical because of the expanse (several times wider than the one at Epcot). The ROI just isn't there, it would be very expensive. So not done for several practical reasons and won't be done. Don't need to debate this yet again.

I've always thought they could solve the problem with a tunnel but yes it's because of the waterways used in the electrical shows.

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

Are you going to tell us that in the real world lighting cannot be installed? That people are forced to make the desolate walk along a Florida waterway in order to fill it with activity? It's sounding more and more like you have never actually done this walk you keep claiming is so different.

Honestly I think that dude is just one of those people that rides around in a stupid scooter and expects the world to stop for him. He's probably also not a DVC member but I can tell you that the members of VGF would love to have a walkway as an OPTION. That's what he seems to be missing. It's an OPTION. If it exists and HE doesn't want to take it then I'm pretty sure no one will make him. The boat from VGF is also an option and I never take it unless I have to. The boat from the TTC is also an option and I never take it unless I have to either. We are members at BLT and always use the walkway from there whether it be coming or going. I would love to have the OPTION of a walkway but clearly it would destroy the whole MK resort area and would probably lead to a historic collapse in Disney stock so I can totally understand why he wouldn't want it. Also it would probably give people cancer too.

 

[JohnD]

If completed, it might be nice for an early morning or early evening leisurely walk. Otherwise, not much other use for it. If you're staying at GF, you're one monorail stop away from MK. Leaving MK, you're one boat stop from GF.

 

[zengoth]

And while it's true most folks don't want to walk, sometimes it is preferable to standing in line for transportation. We often take the hike to the contempory when crowds are at peak.

 

[Rob562]

Thanks! You can learn something new every day on these forums. It is really nice when CMs (current or former) can give us accurate answers on parts of WDW that most of us will never get to see first hand. Of the hundreds of times I have looked at Google Earth photos of Disney World I never noticed those docks. You can see one of the ferries parked there on the current March 5, 2016 photo.

Of course that's not to say they *don't* dock it in the canal behind Big Thunder for some lighter work when it doesn't need to be dry docked (or the dry dock is in use on another boat). It was parked back there during one of my trips about 8-10 years ago. You could juuuust see it from the railroad, and also while driving along Floridian Way north if the GF.

-Rob

 

[BackOTheLine]

I'd love a morning run from the Poly to the Contemporary and back....and yes before all the days walking in the parks...and yes in the 90% humidity. Thank you very much. I'd be more inclined to buy bricks or I-beams or whatever for a bridge than I ever was for a walkway.

Maybe I can just run in place on the monorail.

 

[Tom]

So what was the point in building the walkway in the first place if it was impossible to build a bridge?

It's not at all impossible. It's VERY possible to build a drawbridge over the canal there. It's just pricey, and not enough people staying at the GF have whined, or canceled a vacation, to encourage Disney to do it.

When weighing GF vs Contemporary/BLT, Contemporary gets a slight edge because of the walking path to the MK. Anything that eliminates the need to take Disney transportation is a huge plus to me, and many others.

I agree with you, but there are docks and dry dock facilities I believe in bay lake, NW corner

Yes, NW corner. Mainly for the ferries and resort launches, but is used for other watercraft too, like the river boat.

I have never understood why Disney has not put a bridge across this waterway. I am a construction and maintenance engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering and this would not be hard to do. I think it would add a lot to the Grand Floridian.

Agreed 100%

 

[jrogue]

I would throw fits of joy if this walkway/bridge were ever built. I love having the option to walk to and from the MK from the Contemporary instead of using Disney transportation. I don't like taking the boats, so if the monorails are down I'd definitely choose to walk instead. I usually stay at the Polynesian, so I'd even take the trek to and from there to the MK if the monorails were down.

I think if a walkway were built somehow then many people would utilize it (as they utilize all the other current walkways), despite what others on here have been saying. That's like saying the walkway between the Poly and the TTA is useless, or that the one between the MK and the Contemporary is useless -- both are VERY useful, and often used! If some people are tired after a long day at the parks and would rather wait for Disney transportation then good for them. I know I would use the walkway!

 

[Brad Bishop]

I've always thought they could solve the problem with a tunnel but yes it's because of the waterways used in the electrical shows.

It seems like a problem either way:
- pedestrian bridge which make look out of place (people would eventually get used to it - you don't really "see" the monorail beams - meaning they don't bother you)
- tunnel, which seems like it could be problematic with people or possibly creatures hanging out underneath (really would depend on the foot traffic).

I think a lot more people would use it than what people think. Think of the parking lot. Sure, the trams are used but there are a bunch of folks that just walk right in. They either don't want to wait for the tram or don't mind a little extra walking.

 

[JohnD]

It seems like a problem either way:
- pedestrian bridge which make look out of place (people would eventually get used to it - you don't really "see" the monorail beams - meaning they don't bother you)
- tunnel, which seems like it could be problematic with people or possibly creatures hanging out underneath (really would depend on the foot traffic).

I think a lot more people would use it than what people think. Think of the parking lot. Sure, the trams are used but there are a bunch of folks that just walk right in. They either don't want to wait for the tram or don't mind a little extra walking.

I'm guessing a tunnel would not be possible. The only reason there is a "tunnel" at MK for the utilidors is that the dug-out Seven Seas Lagoon dirt was placed there. MK is actually the 2nd floor.

 

[Brad Bishop]

If completed, it might be nice for an early morning or early evening leisurely walk. Otherwise, not much other use for it. If you're staying at GF, you're one monorail stop away from MK. Leaving MK, you're one boat stop from GF.

Florida isn't hot all the time. Fall to Spring is pretty nice. You may have some warm days in there but not insurmountable heat.

 

[JohnD]

Florida isn't hot all the time. Fall to Spring is pretty nice. You may have some warm days in there but not insurmountable heat.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't mind seeing it. Maybe the only solution is a pedestrian draw bridge? It stays down most of the time except when CMs in watercraft need to get through. They activate a signal which brings down a gate at either end of the pedestrian walk then it either swings out or up. But maybe they considered that already and declined to do it for safety reasons. You know a pedestrian is on it as it swings out or up. Then you have a problem.