The Entire List of Disney World Running Trails (Where to Jog During Your Vacation)
If you’re hoping to get a few runs in during your Walt Disney World vacation, you’re in luck. Several running trails are available among the Walt Disney World Resorts. Most of these routes are scenic and make for a pleasant change of pace if you’re accustomed to running a regular trail back home.
Below, we’ll review the running trails at Disney World. Over the years, I’ve jogged all the trails at Disney World. While I have a few favorites, I still enjoy each trail’s uniqueness. So, in most cases, you’ll likely want to jog the trail nearest your location. With so many options, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Jogging Trails at Disney World
Below is a list of the Disney Resort Hotels with jogging trails grouped by their location. Some of these resort areas share trails, while others have independent ones.
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotels
Skyliner Resorts
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach
- Disney’s Art of Animation
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Disney’s Springs Resorts
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West
- Disneys Port Orleans French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Animal Kingdom Resorts
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge*
*Guests of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Trail can jog the walking path between the resorts. However, it doesn’t have much length and crosses a semi-busy parking lot.
Jogging the Epcot Resorts Trail
Guests staying in the Epcot Resorts area can enjoy the combined trail around Crescent Lake. This trail loops the lake in front of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. Guests of the Swan Reserve might also take advantage of this running trail.
If you circle the entire lake, this trail is 0.80 miles. However, you can add distance by taking the one-way walking path to Hollywood Studios and doubling back to this trail whenever you’re ready to turn around. You can also take the bridge to the Swan and Dolphin and jog around the hotel grounds.
A second jogging trail loops the parameters of the Epcot Resorts. This trail is 2.4 miles long and runs along Epcot Resorts Boulevard. Several years ago, I ran this outer path a couple of times. It is a challenging run with ups and downs. So, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. The jogging path is not nearly as scenic, and you have to deal with cars and theme park buses constantly passing.
Here is an older map that shows a few options. The Boardwalk Canal Run is the path that leads to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can jog to the overpass and come back down on the other side to return. But most people treat this as a one-way and turn around near the overpass.
Jogging at Disney’s Riviera and Caribbean Beach
Disney’s Riviera Resort and Caribbean Beach guests can enjoy the jogging trail that circles Barefoot Bay. This running trail is approximately 1.25 miles long if you run the entire distance around the lake. You can add to this trail by crossing the road between Barbados and Trinidad.
From there, you can continue down the one-way path to the end of Trinidad and then return and rejoin the path. I haven’t measured the extra length, but I would estimate it would add another half-mile to your run.
This trail is beautiful, especially in the morning and again at sunset.
Jogging at Art of Animation and Pop Century
Guests of Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resorts can enjoy the running trail around Hourglass Lake. It’s a pleasant trail, and seeing the resorts and Skyliner from each side of the lake is always fun. The entire running trail is 1.3 miles.
On the Art of Animation Resort side, you’ll run beside the resort’s Little Mermaid, Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars section. On the Pop Century side, you’ll pass the various decade sections of the resort.
Every so often, you’ll pass signs that share fun facts. For example, on the Art of Animation side of the lake, the signs provide details about the animated films showcased at the resort. While on the Pop Century side of the lake, the signage shares events and pop references from years past.
Combining the Epcot and Skyliner Resort Running Trails
Before moving to the next resort area, I wanted to mention that the resorts we discussed have excellent running paths. If you’re staying at any of the Epcot or Skyliner Resorts, you can easily access any of the trails as long as you’re running during the Skyliner’s operating hours.
For instance, you might stay at Pop Century and run the trail one morning. Then, on another day, you might take the Skyliner to Caribbean Beach and run that trail. Or you could take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and run the entire trail to the Boardwalk and continue around Crescent Lake. You could take the Skyliner at Epcot’s International Gateway back to your resort when you’re finished.
My favorite trail is the one around Crescent Lake. Jogging along the water and seeing Disney’s Boardwalk is extraordinary. But I also love jogging at Pop Century and Caribbean Beach around sunset.
Jogging Trails at the Magic Kingdom Resorts
Those staying within the Magic Kingdom Resorts area will have several jogging trails. But these resorts have separate trails. Usually, you can connect the trails between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Going into 2024, that option is on hold, given the construction of the new DVC Tower between the resorts.
Jogging at Disney’s Polynesian
Those staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can take advantage of the path along the resort’s shoreline. It makes a circle around the far side of the resort and then returns to the shoreline of Seven Seas Lagoon for a total of 0.80 miles. On the opposite end of the shore, the trail turns, passing the Lava Pool and Great Ceremonial House. It then continues to the boat dock, where the trail abruptly ends.
Jogging at Disney’s Grand Floridian
I’ve deleted the jogging map we had for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Most guests will want to use the walking path between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom as their jogging trail.
This trail begins near Gasparilla Island Grill and goes past Sago Cay on the convention center side of the resort. This trail is a 0.70-mile path one way. So, it’s 1.4 miles when you double back to return. It’s a beautiful walkway that’s relatively private. However, the monorail will pass above the trail. You might see some deer along the treeline if you look for them.
*If you want a long run, you can take this path to Magic Kingdom security. Continue through security, past Magic Kingdom, and take the walkway to Disney’s Contemporary. From there, you can join the jogging trail at the Contemporary. When you’re finished, you can take the monorail back to your resort or return the same way.
Jogging at Disney’s Contemporary
Disney’s Contemporary has a fairly short trail that loops around the resort and Bay Lake Tower. You can easily start and stop at any point around the path. When jogging regularly, I would make four loops around the resort at sunset. This trail is approximately 0.89 miles long. You’ll see a few directionals with Mickey Mouse indicating the path along the way.
Jogging at the Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a small 0.5-mile trail. Unfortunately, the former trail between the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness has been closed for several years. It was an incredible trail. If you are staying at Wilderness Lodge and want to enjoy a long trail, I recommend taking the bus to Fort Wilderness and jogging the paths around the resort.
Jogging at Fort Wilderness
If you want to run a long distance, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is the place to do it. You can run up to 3.2 miles at Fort Wilderness when you loop the entire resort.
You can start pretty much anywhere you like and stay on the paths. You will have to cross the roads a few times throughout the property. But you won’t likely run into too much traffic. When I jog in this area, I always enjoy visiting the horse stables at the end of my run. The stables are usually open until 5:00 p.m.
Since the campground is massive, you’ll want to take a picture of the map when you arrive. That way, you can reference it on your phone if you get turned around. But don’t worry too much, if you get lost, you can stop at one of the bus stops or ask someone for directions. Just don’t forget to bring some form of payment to purchase water at the end of your run.
Jogging at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resorts
The Animal Kingdom Resorts comprise the hotels closest to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, the Animal Kingdom Lodge does not have a good trail. But you can use the pathway between Kidani Village and Jambo House. They used to have a jogging trail posted, but I haven’t seen it in a long time.
Running Trail at Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has an excellent running trail. The trail loops around Lago Dorado, the resort’s lake. This trail can be extended if you like. The map below shows a 0.75-mile and a 1-mile option.
For instance, you can run through the villages or loop out near the parking lot. I have done both and prefer to run through the villages and see the unique landscapes. However, I don’t care for the option to run along the parking lot. Usually, I’ll run to the lot and then return to the loop around the lake.
Jogging at All-Star Resorts
Guests staying at Disney’s All-Star Resorts can jog the long path in front of the three resorts. This is a one-way trail, so the distance will vary depending on where you stop and finish. However, it’s a shaded area and a pleasant place to jog. But you will have to cross a few intersections between the resorts.
Jogging at the Disney Springs Resorts
Other than Fort Wilderness, the Disney Springs area resorts will have the longest trails, especially for those staying at the two Disney Vacation Club Resorts.
Running Trail at Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter guests can take the combined running trail between the resorts. This trail is another pleasant option, offering some shade and scenic views. It’s a relatively long trail that runs along the Sassagoula River. On the map below, the purple portion is the French Quarter, and the green portion is Riverside.
You can start at the French Quarter and run through Riverside to the Alligator Bayou. Then you’ll cross a bridge and run up the other side of the waterway. This trail is up to 1.7 miles long.
Running Trail for Old Key West
Guests of Disney’s Old Key West can jog the 1.4-mile trail within the resort’s grounds. (I have a few tips for extending this run further below.)
This run will have a good bit of direct sunshine. But you’ll have gorgeous views of the resort and neighboring Disney’s Lake Buena Vista golf course. However, you’ll want to remain off the golf course and the cart path when running at Disney World.
Running Trail at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa has plenty of room to roam or run. Below, you can see a 0.8-mile trail and a 1.4-mile trail.
You can jog the entire edge of the lake that faces Disney Springs. But you’ll want to watch out for Surrey Bike traffic along this path.
Those looking for a long distance can run between Saratoga Springs and Old Key West. A long trail starts directly behind the golf course at The Springs section of Disney Springs. On the Saratoga side, it’s called the Saratoga Springs Wildlife Trail. On the Old Key West side of the resort, it’s called the Conch Flats Trail.
This is a long trail in a fairly remote area. We’ve taken the trail with bike rentals but have never walked it in its entirety.
Hopefully, this article gave you an idea of where you might jog during your Disney World vacation! For more information about the Disney World Resorts, you might enjoy a few of these other planning articles:
- The Ultimate Guide to Resort-Hopping at Disney World
- Disney World Hotels Best Pools
- The Best Deluxe Resorts at Disney World
- Benefits of Staying at a Disney World Hotel
- Best Table Service Restaurants at Disney World
Have you had the opportunity to run any of these jogging trails at Disney? What are your thoughts about running while on vacation? Do you have any questions about these running trails? Leave your thoughts below in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
What about running from Shades of Green?
Hi, I’m not familiar with that path. But I do know the walkway between Shades of Green and the Polynesian closed earlier this year.