Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village Walk

Starting at the parking for Magic Kingdom, you can take a lovely walk around the grounds of two of Disney's deluxe resorts, the Polynesian Village and the Grand Floridian. 

From the parking for Magic Kingdom, walk toward the Transportation and Ticket Center (where you take the ferry to Magic Kingdom), but once you get to Aladdin lot, take the lot on the left of it, and cross a bridge over a water retention canal. You are now at the Polynesian Village guard gate. It's about a half mile walk depending on which parking lane you end up at. Check out the entrance to the lobby with its waterfall and pools, then go inside the lobby and check out the tiki sculptures, multi-colored orchids, and decorations. There is a large pool with splash pad and a small waterfall falling from a cave. On the grounds, enjoy the gorgeous landscaping with hibiscus of pink, orange, and red, palm trunks with pointy bits, hanging purple flowers, and Hawaiian music playing. Walk along the waterfront of the seven seas lagoon. At night, this is lit up and beautiful, and you can watch the fireworks.
Continue on the waterfront path to the Grand Floridian. It's even more beautiful with its 1920s architecture, reminding me of Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. Its pool is more pretty, with a cave and waterfall, and a small splash pad. Walk past the wedding pavilion on its own island with a romantic bridge. Ducks bob by the shore which is made of jagged rocks. Check out all the tables and chairs overlooking the water. The lobby is impressive, with high ceilings and rotundas of stained glass. Your eye drifts past more and more balconies until it reaches the top. At Christmastime the tall tree adds to the effect. There is also a gingerbread house made of pounds of sugar and flour, though something wasn't as magical about it. At Christmas, take the staircases upstairs to see the pretty decorations on the railing and peek down at the lobby from above. The Christmas tree decorations have a cute birdcage theme.
On your walk back you can stop for a bite to eat at Captain Cook's, a counter service cafe with big windows looking out on the Polynesian garden. 
At 3pm, live music starts in the lobby of the Grand Floridian, piano alternating with society orchestra! It lasts until 9pm!
At night, check out the Electrical Water Pageant on the lake at 10:35pm.
In all, this walk is about 3 miles. It is only two miles if you catch the tram from your parking to the Ticketing and Transportation Center. 
For another hotels walk, check out Boardwalk and Epcot Hotels Walk. If you stay at a Disney hotel you get to enjoy extra magic hours in the parks, plus you can book your fastpass rides 60 days ahead rather than just 30 days ahead.
For a 1.4 mile walking path around a lake, check out the Caribbean Beach Resort's path. You can take the Skyliner gondolas from Epcot Intl Gateway (back entrance of Epcot) or Hollywood Studios to the resort. 

Directions

This walk is about three miles. If you get tired you can catch the monorail back but it's usually crowded, with lines, and walking is generally easier and faster. 
You can try parking at the Polynesian Village Resort, but you will most likely need restaurant reservations to do that. It depends how full their parking lot is, how generous they are about letting you in. Make reservations in advance to get a slot.
Instead, if you have a Disney annual pass, park for free at the Magic Kingdom parking lot and walk.
If you don't have an annual pass, you can take a bus from Disney Springs, which has free parking, but it's a ride of about thirty minutes, plus waiting in possible lines.

Click on map for interactive view