Back and forth from parks to hotel?

[slkant]

I will be staying at AKL in January and am trying to determine how much time we should allow for getting back and forth to the parks. I figure we'll need to allow for some extra time to load the power wheelchair on the bus lifts so that we'll need to account for a bit more time than the average family. How much time would be need to get to...
Magic Kingdom? Epcot? MGM? Animal Kingdom?

We also have reservations at California Grill for 5:30 pm on the same night as we are scheduled to do the Magical Fireworks Voyage (grand gathering). Originally I thought the cruise would be at 7:45, but due to late fireworks (10:00) that night, the cruise may not be until 8:15. Would we have time to use the Monorail to visit GF in between dinner and the cruise so that we can view the Christmas decorations that I understand should still be up? How much time should it take us to get from the CR to GF?

 

[Coastie]

Although I do not know the distance from AKL to MK, EPCOT and MGM, you should at least allow yourself an additonal 20 minutes each trip. The CR is a massive structure with extremely slow elevators (and some obnoxious guests!).

Keep in mind there is no transportation between resorts other than taxis. So from AKL, take the bus to MK and walk to the monorail stop... about a 5-10 minute walk. CR is the first stop. The monorail attendants will assist with loading and will call ahead to the next stop for debarking. At CR, there is an elevator from the monorail deck to the 4th level for access to all the other floors... you can't miss this floor... has all the shops and Chef Mickey's. You will need to find out what floor the restaurant check-in is located as the CA Grill is on the top floor.

GF is the 3rd stop after leaving CR and depending on "traffic" on the rail, should only take 15 minutes at the most. Again, make sure you tell the attendant the next stop. Based on your schedule, I do not think you have time for GF.

EPCOT and MGM have direct bus lines from AKL and as stated earlier, I would add about 20 minutes.

One other note... board the bus with your family member at the wheel chair lift... insist!!! Most of all, be VERY patient as some of the buses are slow for pick-up. For my family, as a general rule, we allowed 1 hour from point A to point B, no matter where we were headed for priority seating. There is ALWAYS something to do if you are early.