Hotels Within Walking Distance of Magic Kingdom

1. Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the only four-star hotel on this list. However, that doesn’t make staying here much cheaper than its five-star alternatives.

Designed in the 1970s, this hotel is the closest to Magic Kingdom (0.6 miles, roughly a 10-minute walk), with selected rooms offering views over the Seven Seas Lagoon and the crown jewel of Magic Kingdom, Cinderellas Castle.

What makes this hotel unique is that the famed Disney Resort Monorail runs straight through it, and while guests can catch the monorail running on the resort line here to Magic Kingdom, it’s often quicker to walk to the park.

This is because the monorail line goes in an anti-clockwise direction from Magic Kingdom, making Disney’s Contemporary Resort the first stop (ideal when leaving the park and returning to your hotel).

From there, the monorail needs to stop at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort before arriving back in Magic Kingdom.

While this hotel is the closest to Magic Kingdom, it’s not one we’d personally look to stay in, given the relatively dated and lacklustre interior decor and overall design compared to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Polynesian Village.

Amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Resort concierge services
• Complimentary Disney Bus Transport throughout Magic Kingdom.
• Merch pick up and delivery
• Bay Lake swimming pool
• Multiple hot tubs
• Access to the Bay Lake basketball court
• Complimentary access to the monorail system
• Views Electrical Water Pageant at the 7 Seas Lagoon in the evenings.
• The award-winning California Grill restaurant

2. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The vast majority of celebrities visiting Walt Disney World stay at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa with past guests, including;  Johnny Depp, Oprah, and Princess Diana, which is a testimony to how incredible this hotel really is.

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa rooms start at around $700 per night, with more luxurious rooms going for upwards of $5,000.

Situated on the opposite side of The Seven Seas Lagoon to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the hotel is just 0.8 miles (roughly 15 minutes walk) from the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

This walking route is incredibly popular with guests, and it’s therefore well signposted, with the pathway itself having been refinished in 2021, making it suitable for both pushchairs and wheelchairs.

However, walking isn’t the only method of transport offered between Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Grand Floridian as you can also take the monorail or a luxurious water taxi across the lake.

Given that Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is on the opposite side of the lake to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, it is the shortest ride from the hotel to the entrance of Magic Kingdom.

However, this also means that the monorail ride is the longest when leaving the park and returning to the hotel, with it having to pass through two hotels and the Ticket and Transportation Center before arriving at the resort.

Given the range of on-site amenities, picturesque views and close proximity to Magic Kingdom, it’s not surprising that Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is an incredibly popular location for weddings & honeymooners celebrating at Walt Disney World.

Amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Resort Concierge services
• Complimentary Disney Bus Transport throughout Magic Kingdom.
• Merch pick up and delivery
• 13 on-site restaurants
• Complimentary access to the monorail system
• Large swimming pool with waterslide
• Health club
• Award-winning spa

3. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Situated just next to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you’ll find Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

This tropical resort transports you to the South Pacific with luscious vegetation, tropical palm trees and retro tiki decor.

However, it’s also the furthest hotel from Magic Kingdom that’s still within walking distance – around 1.4 miles taking roughly 30 minutes.

Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are often slightly cheaper than the Grand Floridian and slightly more expensive than Disney’s Contemporary, with prices starting at $550 and increasing upwards of $4,000 depending on the room requirements and time of year.

Like the other hotels on this list, walking isn’t the only way to travel to Magic Kingdom, as the monorail and water taxis also serve this resort.

Given that Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the furthest hotel within walking distance from Magic Kingdom, it’s situated in the middle of the monorail track.

There is one-stop before arriving at Magic Kingdom (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa) and two stops when returning to the hotel from Magic Kingdom (Disney’s Contemporary Resort & The Ticket and Transportation Center).

If you’re looking for the luxury of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with a slightly more laid back feel or a 10% discount then the Polynesian Village Resort is often the perfect choice.

Amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Resort Concierge services
• Complimentary Disney Bus Transport throughout Magic Kingdom.
• Merch pick up and delivery
• Victorian themed full-service spa
• 10 on-site restaurants
• Complimentary access to the monorail system
• Large oasis swimming pool
• Jogging trails
• Volleyball court
• Health club
• Award-winning spa