If you thought getting around Magic Kingdom was already a challenge, think again—because right now, some of the park’s most popular pathways are either gone or barely functional. And that means one thing: Main Street, U.S.A. is about to get even more packed.
Disney has officially closed off the well-known Emporium shortcut, a go-to move for guests trying to avoid the madness outside. And if that wasn’t enough, the Fantasyland bridge near Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is also under construction, meaning crowd flow is basically a disaster.
Emporium Cut-Through CLOSED—Good Luck Avoiding Main Street Crowds
Anyone who’s spent time at Magic Kingdom knows the Emporium isn’t just for shopping—it’s a secret weapon for dodging insane crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. during parades, fireworks, or general madness. Well, not anymore, per WDW Magic.
Disney just sealed off a huge section of the store for refurbishment, which means that super-convenient path from Main Street to Adventureland? Gone. Now, if you want to get to Disney Clothiers (a section of the Emporium), you have to step outside and re-enter through a different door. No more breezing through the air-conditioned shortcut—you’re now stuck navigating Main Street with everyone else.
To make matters worse, the only crowd control measure Disney put in place is a tiny roped-off section on the sidewalk. Spoiler alert: it’s not helping much.
Fantasyland Bridge Bottleneck—Get Ready for Slow-Moving Crowds
As if one major path disappearing wasn’t bad enough, the bridge from Main Street to Fantasyland near Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is also under construction. While it’s still technically open, a big chunk of it is walled off, forcing everyone into a much tighter space per WDW Magic.
This means people heading to Fantasyland attractions—like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or TRON Lightcycle / Run—are stuck in a slow-moving sea of people. And let’s be real, with stroller parking, confused first-time guests, and parade hold-ups, this area was already a traffic nightmare. Now? It’s even worse.
What This Means for Your Day at Magic Kingdom
If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom soon, brace yourself for:
- Longer walks – No more easy shortcuts, so get ready for extra steps.
- Main Street gridlock – Without the Emporium pass-through, everyone is outside.
- Fantasyland backups – The bridge construction means guests are getting funneled into smaller spaces.
- More frustration – If you’re trying to get anywhere fast… well, good luck.
So far, Disney hasn’t said how long these closures will last, which means this could be the new normal for a while. If you’ve got a trip planned, get ready for some serious patience-testing moments—and maybe consider mapping out your own detours before heading in.
