Magic Kingdom is no stranger to construction, but right now, multiple walkways and shortcuts around the park are either closed or partially blocked, forcing guests to take longer routes and navigate increased foot traffic. The biggest change? The Emporium’s popular indoor pathway—used by many to cut from Main Street, U.S.A. to Adventureland—is completely blocked off due to ongoing refurbishments.
Another key route, the bridge connecting Main Street to Fantasyland near Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, is also under construction. While still open, the bridge now has construction walls that limit space, making it a slower and more crowded passage. These closures are causing noticeable shifts in guest flow throughout the park.
The Emporium Shortcut is Gone—for Now
One of the most convenient ways to avoid the thick crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. has always been cutting through the Emporium. This indoor pathway let guests move between sections of the park without having to navigate outdoor congestion, especially during parades or fireworks. But with the store’s ongoing refurbishment, a large section is now closed off, blocking the shortcut entirely per WDW Magic.
The Disney Clothiers portion of the Emporium is currently inaccessible from inside the store. To reach it, guests must exit onto Main Street and enter through a separate door, making the entire shopping experience feel more disjointed. Meanwhile, the extra foot traffic that would normally cut through the store is now spilling onto Main Street, which is already one of the busiest walkways in the park.
To manage guest movement, a small roped-off section of the sidewalk has been set aside, but with no estimated completion date for the project, this situation could continue for weeks or even months.
Fantasyland Bridge Construction Narrows Guest Flow
The Fantasyland bridge near Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is also under refurbishment, creating another pinch point for guest movement. While the walkway remains open, a significant portion is now blocked by construction walls, forcing guests into a much smaller space to cross between Main Street and Fantasyland per WDW Magic.
This area is a major access point for guests heading to attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run, so the reduction in available walking space is already leading to slow-moving crowds. While it’s not as disruptive as the Emporium closure, it does make the Fantasyland entryway more congested than usual.
How This Impacts the Park Experience
With these two key walkways altered, getting around Magic Kingdom has become trickier. Main Street, U.S.A. is bearing the brunt of the impact, with more guests forced to walk its full length instead of taking shortcuts. That means:
- Longer walking routes, as guests must navigate around blocked areas
- Increased crowding on Main Street, especially during peak times
- Slower access to Fantasyland due to the bridge bottleneck
- More outdoor congestion, particularly when stores and pathways can’t absorb foot traffic
While Disney has not provided a timeline for when these projects will be completed, the ongoing floor refurbishments inside the Emporium and the visible work on the Fantasyland bridge suggest these disruptions could last a while. For now, guests should plan for busier pathways and be prepared for a little extra walking to reach their favorite attractions.
