Hi Joyce Marie!
Welcome back to planDisney. I can tell you are eager to get all your i's dotted and t's crossed in advance of your visit next year, and trust me I can completely relate! Whether it's your first or fiftieth visit to Walt Disney World Resort, it's always exciting to get plans underway and review things that may have changed from your last visit. I'm happy to help get your walking plans sorted so let's jump right in!
I stayed at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel last fall with a group of girlfriends, and we took advantage of the walking path to EPCOT during our visit. The Dolphin is the sister property to the
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, so you'll be starting in the same general area near the dock for the Friendship Boats. While I don't have the ability to attach a map in my answer here, you'll be able to get step-by-step directions from any start and end point in Walt Disney World Resort using the
My Disney Experience App. Simply search for your starting location using the map icon (second from left) or search for your starting point using the magnifying glass icon (second from right).
Once you've pulled up Walt Disney World Swan Hotel you'll click "Get Directions" to input your end point. I searched for "International Gateway Bridge" since you'll be entering EPCOT from the International Gateway into World Showcase if you choose to walk. You'll see a few different transportation options depending on what's available from your specific start and end points, but in this example, the walking route to International Gateway Bridge shows an approximate travel time of 17 min. The Friendship Boats are another great transportation option, but will likely take a bit longer because of stops at other resorts along the way.
The walking route will bring you along
Disney's BoardWalk and over the bridge that separates Crescent Lake from World Showcase Lagoon. It's a peaceful and scenic stroll that puts you in the perfect location to enjoy a treat from
BoardWalk Deli along the way. Hot tip- place a
Mobile Food Order before heading out, and pick up coffee or a breakfast sandwich to enjoy seated with a waterfront view, or while walking the last part of your journey.
You'll follow the same steps to set
Disney's Hollywood Studios as your endpoint. This route will take approximately 18 min and bring you along the water past Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas to the main park entrance. I ran a similar path when I participated in the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon last year, but I'd recommend taking a more leisurely walk as you begin your park day.
When you're ready to begin your walking routes you can view the list of turn-by-turn directions, or let this
GPS-enabled app feature help you navigate in real-time. You'll see your location change as you move along the course, so don't worry about making a wrong turn on your journey.
I hope this was helpful! If we can be of further assistance please walk right on back here and let us know. We're always glad to help.
Wishing you a magical vacation!
Amy