This guest post was contributed by Heather of Running with Sass.
Over the years, I have stayed at the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian many times. Of course, just because I am on vacation doesn’t mean I don’t run. I actually tend to run more on vacation because I love experiencing new places and new scenery. So, it makes sense to run at my favorite resorts in Disney (my favorite place on earth!)
Me at the Grand Floridian about to go run!
Luckily, these two resorts have a connecting sidewalk, as well as many individual paths winding through the resorts themselves, which helps to accommodate running many different distances.
When staying at the Grand Floridian, I warm up by walking out to the boat dock behind Narcoossee’s. Then I stretch, and start making my way to the path connecting the Grand Floridian to the Polynesian. I love going early in the morning and watching the sun rise over Seven Seas Lagoon!
After you pass the beach pool, you run along the monorail until you hit the spa and fitness center shared by the Grand Floridian and Polynesian guests.
Sometimes it’s tempting to stop in and beg for a massage, but I keep on going past the wedding pavilion. (I have actually been by before as a bride and groom were coming out! The path is not very conveniently located to stay out of their way, but what can you do?)
You then find yourself on the grounds of the Polynesian, passing Luau Cove and heading towards the longhouses. It’s nice running over here because the lush tropical landscape shades the pathway in a lot of places.
From here, depending on my mileage, I wind around past the marina and around the outsides of the buildings and the volcano pool. I go all the way to the furthest building (Tahiti) and then run the sidewalk along the beach for a great castle view!
I wind my way back through the paths to the lagoon and along the path back to the Grand Floridian, where I wind around the pools and the buildings there as well.
People ask me all the time how far it is there and back, but I never know because I take a different route through weaving through the buildings each time! I try to run around enough towards the Polynesian to make it at least two miles and then two miles back. Sometimes I just do 1.5 miles to make it an even 3 back.
If you want to make your run longer, you can go out into the parking lot towards the transportation and ticket center which I have only done one time, but it’s another nice option!
Unfortunately, there is no path from the Grand Floridian or Polynesian Resorts to the Magic Kingdom. However, if you are staying at the Contemporary, you can easily run on the path between the park and resort!
Remember, vacation is for fun and relaxing, but there is no reason you can’t stick to your healthy active lifestyle just because you are far from home!
Heather works for Travel with the Magic as an authorized Disney vacation planner. She has participated in many RunDisney races, and also has her own running blog, Running with Sass. Contact Heather for a FREE, no obligation Disney vacation quote at heather@travelwiththemagic.com.
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There are tons of great places to run at Walt Disney World Resorts – this is a great example and a great place to run! Thanks for sharing.
We have more trail reviews on the way! They're such a great way to explore the resorts, don't you think?
I too love working out while on vacation. It's so refreshing to sweat in different scenery (especially in Disney World)! I'll be writing here soon about exploring the trail connecting Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, which is what I did last week while on vacation.
I always knew there was a path connecting the Contemporary to the MK, but I SWORE there was also one connecting the GF to the MK too. My husband and I had a huge dinner at the Poly last week, and I suggested walking from the GF to the MK, to ease our bellies a bit. The cast members at the GF looked at me like I was crazy–there is no walkway! There is a nice path extending from MK to the canal, but it stops there. If only they could build a bridge!
Yes, a bridge is necessary!
I love going for runs and walks on vacation too, especially when you get to do a lot of exploring. Looking forward to reading your post.
What a great post! I love the Grand Floridian….my favorite! The pictures are wonderful and it's hard to believe Lisa's Disney Marathon run is almost here!
I love the Grand Floridian too! It's such a beautiful resort.
And I can't believe the race is coming up so quickly!
thanks for giving me the opportunity to write Lisa!
I am heading back next week and you bet I will be running these paths again!
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