Directions from Shades of Green to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with Pictures!
UPDATE: 5 April 2023 – Shades of Green has announced that this walking path will close permanently on 1 May 2023!
Shades of Green is located within walking distance of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s about a half mile or a ten or fifteen minute walk.
From the Polynesian you can take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center (to transfer to the Epcot monorail) or Walt Disney World buses to other destinations, or to visit other Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts.
You can also dine at the many fine restaurants at the Polynesian.
The Map
Below is a map overview of the walking route from Shades of Green to the Polynesian’s Great Ceremonial House. As mentioned the entire route is roughly a half mile (0.54) and takes 10-20 minutes to walk depending on your speed..
Note Shades of Green’s Shady Shuttle will take you to the property’s edge if it is available, to save you some walking. The drop-off point is at picture #5. The walk is only .18 miles from where the Shady Shuttle drops you. On your return you can call the Shades of Green Bellhops to pick you up there if they are availablr. Call when ready to leave the Poly to coordinate a pickup time. Tips are suggested!
Shades of Green to Polynesian Walking Map. Numbers denote picture locations of the pics below. Click for larger version
Directions
After exiting Shades of Green’s lobby, turn left and follow the sidewalk down the hill between the road and parking lot.
Cross the entrance to the parking lot and you’ll see the view in the Location #1 picture.
Location #1
Proceed along the sidewalk towards the guard shack, until you come to the gate at Location #2 picture.
Push the button to exit the gate. There will be an ID check on your return.
See: Shades of Green New Security Gate
Location #2
Past the gate you will see the Polynesian’s Great Ceremonial House in the distance as seen from Location #3. That’s your destination.
Location #3. The Polynesian Great Ceremonial House can be seen in the distance
Location #4 is nearing the edge of Shades of Green’s property. The cement area to the right is where the Shady Shuttle will drop you if you catch a ride.
Location #4
Leaving Shades of Green Property
Cross the street here at Location #5. Be careful! This is a busy roadway.
Location #5
Follow the sidewalk to the left after crossing the road. Location #6.
Location #6
 The path will turn to the right and you’ll see the view from Location #7
Location #7
Up the slight hill you’ll come to an intersection. Take the left path. Location #8
Location #8
As you turn to the left at #8 you’ll see the view from #9.
Location #9
Go to the end of the building to your right and turn right. Location #10
Location #10
As you turn you’ll see the view from #11.
Location #11
Walk straight ahead with the marina on your left and enter the Great Ceremonial House, Location #12
Location #12
There is an alternate path to the door without stairs. From Location #12 there is a sidewalk to the right up the slight hill. This goes to the end of the building you see to the right in pic 11. It also doubles back to the door pictured in 12.
When you enter the building follow the hall to the lobby.
You’ll need to head to the second floor of the lobby to get to the monorail station. There are 2 stairways and an elevator. The elevator is across the lobby from where you entered, right by the stairs.
This is a great way to get over to the Polynesian to have access to the shops and dining options there or the monorail to access other monorail resorts or the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Over to you
Have you taken this walk? What are your thoughts?
Let us know in the comments section below!
See All My Posts About Walking at Disney World:- Walking at Walt Disney World Overview
- Transportation Overview Page
- Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) Overview Page
- Walk between Shades of Green and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort This route closes permanently 1 May 2023
- Walk Between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Walk between Disney's Contemporary Resort / Bay Lake Tower and the Magic Kingdom
- Walk between Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom
- Walk Between Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Information on Shades of Green the Military Hotel on Disney World property
See all the current Shades of Green Discounts and Packages
A Special Note on Shades of Green Discounts: Something to be aware of is that Shades constantly changes the dates and discounts offered of their specials and packages. Shades of Green Links
- Shades of Green
- Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green
- Why Stay at Shades of Green?
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Shades of Green Resort Activities and Amenities
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
- Shades of Green Fact Sheet and FAQ
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused?
See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation GuideÂ
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing ChecklistÂ
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent
Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
Comments
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Thank you, Steve, for all you do! Over the years, the info you provide has been invaluable to me and many other military members and families! Honestly, yours is the only site I rely on for accurate, helpful Disney info!
Thanks so much Karen, that mean a lot to me!
We stayed at Shades of Green for the first time on our most recent trip, and will not stay anywhere else now…main reason being due to ease of getting from Shades to Polynesian/Magic Kingdom! This post has great info and it is a great experience!
Thanks Katie,
So glad to liked the pose AND Shades of Green!
We will be staying at SOG next month. With the Polynesian Monorail station being closed for renovation, what is the best option to get to Magic Kingdom right now? I would like to avoid the TTC if possible.
Hi Jim,
Several options.
Uber/Lyft or walk to the Poly. and take their boat to the MK.
Uber/Lyft to the Contemporary and walk (shortest walk).
Uber/Lyft or walk to the Grand Floridian take their boat to the MK, or walk.
Walk all the way. To the Poly, GF and then MK.
Fantastic photos and directions!! It looks very doable until photo 12 where there is a flight of steps to get into the Great Ceremonial House. Two of us will be using scooters to get to the monorail from SOG. Is there access next to the steps or is there a different way that we need to get into the Great Ceremonial House?
Thank you so much for your time.
Hi Constance,
Thanks! That’s a great question and point!
There is an alternate path without stairs. Right from where pic 12 is taken there is a sidewalk to the right up the slight hill. this goes to the end of the building you see to the right in pic 11. It also doubles back to the door pictured in 12.
So you’ll have no issues with the route.
I will add this in the post. Thanks
Thank you for the great directions and pictures/map!!
-Jennifer
My pleasure Jennifer!
We have stayed at SoG several times and we love walking to the monorail. Have found this path to be a very easy for those using strollers and scooters.
We just got back. Your directions are great and consistent with what we found. I didn’t find Location #5 as busy as in past trips and they have some increased signage telling motorists to slow down, which they actually did. There’s a lot of construction on that stretch of road, so they’re already watching more closely. Pleasant walk to the Poly, and we went from there to Magic Kingdom by Monorail, or walked to TTS for EPCOT. Of course, the bus is the only rational way to get from SOG to Animal Kingdom, still.
HI Gerry,
Thanks!
Ans I always appreciate intel.
Was greatly looking forward to the convenience of this walk for our trip coming up in late May, but received an email yesterday from SOG stating they are doing away with the walkway to the Poly! One of the main reasons we stay there! The resort said they will close it on May 1st which is so disappointing. Maybe they will change their mind before it happens!
Hi Jackie,
I would not think there will be a change… Sadly. I love the walk too.
I just posted: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/big-change-at-shades-of-green-transportation/
Well, this is truly a major disappointment. We have stayed at Shades many times, and have often used the path to Poly for a multitude of reasons. We usually dine at one of the Poly restaurants our first night in. We’ve taken a Friendship boat from the Magic Kiingdom and walked back to Shades. We’ve walked over a few times, to continue to the Grand Floridian, and often viewed the night parade on the water from the Poly dock near friendship boat landing. A real diappointment
Hi Steve. I wrote Disney, stated I’m not happy about it, and mentioned a pedestrian bridge. Here’s their response:
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your e-mail to the Walt Disney World® Resort.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us and are sorry for the disappointments you mentioned in your e-mail regarding the announced closure of the walkway between Shades of Green and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Due to a number of safety reasons, mainly road construction where the path currently crosses and the new Disney Vacation Club expansion being built at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, this walkway has been closed. This decision was not made lightly, and many of the impacts our Guests have shared were carefully considered.
Our number one focus is the safety of our Cast Members and Guests, and we want to ensure that everyone has a safe and magical visit with us. We appreciate your concerns, as they are shared by many, and thank you for understanding the need to close the walkway at this time.
In order to assist Guests staying at Shades of Green, more busses will be added to take Guests to the Transportation and Ticket Center so that they may board the Monorails to Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Please be assured that we have shared your comments with our leadership team, along with the appropriate management, as feedback such as yours is taken very seriously.
Once again, thank you for contacting us. We sincerely hope that we will have an opportunity to entertain you soon.
Sincerely,
Wendy
Thanks Jennifer,
This is typical of what I’ve seen from them. Several times they have mentioned the “extra” buses. They fail to acknowledge that the issue is that we want to avoid the TTC.