Credit: Inside the Magic If you’re planning a visit to Magic Kingdom, get ready for some unexpected detours. Construction projects are shutting down or narrowing key guest pathways, forcing more visitors onto already crowded walkways. The most significant change? The Emporium’s popular shortcut to Adventureland is completely blocked, meaning foot traffic will now be redirected through Main Street, U.S.A.
That’s not the only area affected—one of the key walkways between Main Street and Fantasyland is also under construction, limiting space for guests. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest park changes and how they might impact your day.
Emporium Shortcut CLOSED – Expect More Crowds on Main Street
For years, guests have relied on the Emporium’s interior pathway as a convenient cut-through from Main Street, U.S.A. to Adventureland, per WDW Magic. Especially during parades or fireworks, this shortcut allowed visitors to bypass heavy crowds outside. But now, thanks to an ongoing construction project, that shortcut is completely blocked off.
A new phase of floor refurbishments inside the Emporium has placed construction walls around the Disney Clothiers section, separating it from the rest of the store. If you need to visit this area, you must exit the Emporium and use the exterior entrance along Main Street—there is no way to walk through inside.
This is a big deal because it means more guests will be funneling through Main Street instead, which already gets congested, especially during park opening, nighttime spectaculars, and parades. To help with guest flow, Cast Members have roped off a small section of sidewalk to guide visitors, but expect longer walking routes and more foot traffic in this area until the refurbishment is finished.
Unfortunately, Disney has not provided a timeline for when this phase of construction will be completed, meaning this issue could persist for weeks or even months.
Fantasyland Bridge Construction – A Narrower, Slower Walkway
The Fantasyland bridge near Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is also undergoing refurbishment, making another major guest pathway harder to navigate. While the bridge is not closed, a large portion of it is blocked off by construction walls, limiting how many guests can pass through at once, per WDW Magic.
This pathway connects Main Street, U.S.A. to Fantasyland, making it a crucial route for those heading to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and the Mad Tea Party. The good news? Unlike the Emporium shortcut, this bridge is still open—but expect a much tighter squeeze and slower-moving crowds due to the reduced space.
If you’re planning to use this bridge, be patient and allow for extra time to get through Fantasyland—especially during busy park hours.
How Will This Impact Your Park Day?
With these construction projects in place, guest flow through Magic Kingdom is changing. The biggest impact will be felt on Main Street, U.S.A., which will now absorb even more pedestrian traffic due to the Emporium closure. Here’s what that means for your visit:
- Longer walk times: You’ll need to navigate around more construction areas, making it harder to get from one land to another quickly.
- Increased congestion: Expect Main Street to be more crowded than usual, especially in the evenings and during parades.
- Fewer shortcut options: The Emporium’s cut-through was a major convenience—without it, guests have to take longer outdoor routes to reach Adventureland.
- Slower Fantasyland access: While still open, the Fantasyland bridge is much narrower, meaning it may take extra time to cross into Fantasyland from Main Street.
When Will This Be Fixed?
Disney has not announced when either of these projects will be completed, but given the extensive floor replacement work inside the Emporium and the concrete refurbishments on the Fantasyland bridge, these closures could last for weeks or even months.
If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom soon, be prepared for altered routes, longer walks, and more congestion—especially on Main Street. Until these refurbishments wrap up, plan ahead and pack your patience!
We’ll keep an eye on the situation and update you when these walkways reopen! Stay tuned!