Drive time from AK parking to Poly is about 15-20 minutes drive time. This does not include the amount of time it could take to go through the MK toll gates. So, unless you are near the exit at 8 pm, it could be cutting it very close. I was able to drive from the parking at AK to the entrance at FW in about 20 minutes and that was going through the MK toll gates.
Taxi could be quicker just because you do not know if the bus will be waiting there and ready to go as soon as you get to the bus and if it would leave immediately. You also will not know if the bus will be stopping at other resorts along the way. If you do not know where the taxis are when leaving AK, then as you exit the park you would follow along to the left and they are in front of the handicap parking lot.
If anything, you could walk straight up the middle when leaving and look over to see if there are enough taxis when you are leaving before committing to a side as the bus stop is on the opposite side of the tram pickup.
I think you are cutting it way close. You are told to check in 15 minutes before your ADR. In all the times we have dined at O'hana we have never been seated on time. Usually 20 to 30 minutes late. But......I don't know how things go for you...as for me, the minute I am not there on time will be the first time they are on schedule. I would take the cab.
They ask you to be at the podium at the restaurant about 15 min early, so you really only have 15min. I think you're cutting it close and will be frazzled when you arrive at OHana.
I get that you want to stay at DAK until it closes, but it's not like there's some special closing ceremony. Nothing magical happens at 8pm. I think you'd be so much better off if you decided to leave DAK just a little earlier. Remember that you have to get OUT of DAK (which will be crowded and slow-moving because the park is closing and everyone leaves at once); you'll be looking for a taxi (and so will a lot of other people) or taking the bus (as will a lot of other people); driving to the Poly (DAK is about the farthest away from the Poly you can be and still be in a Disney park); and then getting off that taxi or bus at the Poly, making that quick bathroom stop, and then upstairs to the podium ... all in 15min.
Unless there's some special thing you're planning on doing at the stroke of 8 that makes it imperative for you to be at DAK until the very closing moment, I'd consider leaving at 7 or 7:30pm and doing a less hurried transfer to the Poly.
The normal precautionary time budget is for about 60-90 minutes to get from place to place within WDW (except for places literally next to each other). I don't see why the OP's scenario would be any different. If OP gets to AK by 10 or 11 AM, there's little chance OP wouldn't be able to see just about everything AK has to offer by 7 PM. Leaving AK at 7 PM gives you plenty of time to wait for a bus and then ride it to the Poly.
Even with a taxi, chances are you'd miss your ADR time if you didn't leave AK until 8.
Now, getting back to your resort after the Ohana dinner may be the bigger problem if MK has been closed for a while. But taxis are definitely available at the Poly.
that's always how it works, isn't it?!? yes, i think we'll end up taking a cab, too.
we were planning on a late arrival to AK, therefore using the end of the evening to maximize our ride time.
we weren't planning to arrive until 1 or 2 pm that day.
and the poly IS our resort.
If it were me? I would take the bus to the Polynesian at 7:30. You are going to have a fair amount of company when leaving the park at closing, at 8. So, I would leave 30 mins earlier and get a little jump on the crowds.
Even if you want to get a cab, you are still going to be leaving in a huge crowd, and that will slow you down. And depending on where you are within the park it could be a long walk to the parking lot and a cab.
cricket00 said:all good points. thank you!
we'd originally intended for this to be our late arrival day, but after weighing all the options, i think we'll just head there for RD instead. that way we can still see everything @AK, head back at a leisurely pace to the poly, and then swim & rest up for our dinner @ohana.