Can we get there from here?

[Jessmela]

My current plan for one day of our trip is to spend a day at AK and then go for dinner at the CA Grill. We're staying off site so we'll have a car and I wasn't sure the best way to handle the logistics. If we park at AK and take the bus at the end of the day to the CR, will there be a bus back (since the park will have closed)?

Or can we drive from AK to CR and park at the resort? I'm thinking we can't park there since we're not staying there.

Or can we drive from AK to MK and park there? And then take the monorail to CR? Will have to have MK ticket to do that (we don't have park hopper passes)?

Or is this just too complicated and we should make different dinner plans?

TIA,
Jessica

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Drive to AK, when it is time for dinner, drive to CR, they will let you park for up to 3 hours if you are there for dinner.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

They do run busses after the park closes, however they may become infrequent compared to the other parks.

I would just drive over there. They will let you park at the Contemporary if you are eating there. We do this quite often and just get a parking pass. Late in the day, they will also be a little more forgiving since you obviously aren't there to just park and go to the MK.

 

[Robo]

My current plan for one day of our trip is to spend a day at AK and then go for dinner at the CA Grill. We're staying off site so we'll have a car and I wasn't sure the best way to handle the logistics. If we park at AK and take the bus at the end of the day to the CR, will there be a bus back (since the park will have closed)?

Or can we drive from AK to CR and park at the resort? I'm thinking we can't park there since we're not staying there.

Or can we drive from AK to MK and park there? And then take the monorail to CR? Will have to have MK ticket to do that (we don't have park hopper passes)?

Or is this just too complicated and we should make different dinner plans?

TIA,
Jessica

If you have ressies at the Contemporary, you CAN park there (even have Valet, if you want to splurge).

Yes, you do want to DRIVE as bus would not be running back to AK that late after closing.

If you are driving to CR, just read the signs as you approach the MK parking area. The gates to the right will be marked as entry lane(s) to the resorts.
Stop and tell the gate CM that you have ressies to eat at CR. Its normally a "wave-thru".

OTOH...
YES, you CAN park at MK lot, too.
You would just need show your receipt from AK parking that day for "no additional charge" parking at MK lot.

Whether you park at CR or MK, you can still take the resort monorail on a tour of the MK resorts... and I highly recommend that you DO this, its fun!
You'll encounter no problems boarding any resort monorail (as long as the MK is not "at closing" with folks crowding everywhere!) Consider your timing in relation to that MK closing time.

If you can get over to the Grand Floridian after dinner at CR, you can RELAX in the ATRIUM LOBBY while the great "dance-band" and/or the piano soloist seranade your tired ears.
Its a wonderful experience (and you don't have to be a GF guest).

 

[ducklite]

Keep in mind that the CG requests a dress code.

A friend and I spent the day at Epcot back in October, and brought a change of clothes with us and changed in the ladies room at the CR before going to dinner.

Anne