Monorail cocktail hour?

[karenrc]

Someone mentioned doing cocktails at various monorail resorts before dinner at CG. At the end of March by husband are having an adult dinner at CG (sending our DS14 and DS17 off sonmewhere, probably Disneyquest and RFC but that's a different question) and I thought this might be a fun start to the evening. We've never been to any of the monorail resorts before although we're eating at Ohana's earlier in our visit.

Can anyone tell me more? Nice lounges at Polynesian and Grand Floridian? What order makes sense? How long to allow? Or maybe just 1 nice place on the monorail so I can remember my great dinner and view of the fireworks.

I assume parking our rental car at the Contemporary and riding to our first stop would be best?

 

[kda]

Sounds like fun! We love to explore the various resorts. You can start wherever you choose. Perhaps you'd like to do one resort for cocktails, eat dinner, and then do a 3rd resort for after dinner drinks (and you might park your car there). The GF would be a nice place to finish --- it's very, very relaxing to sit in the beautiful lobby and listen to whatever musicians they have performing. If you happened to park at the Poly, you could even walk back there from the GF, along the beach, past the wedding pavillion (would recommend some very comfortable shoes/sandels if you're doing sand, or be prepared for bare feet).

Or take the monorail to the Poly and walk off dinner with the same beach stroll in reverse to get to the GF.

Have a great evening! (and your kids will probably love being on their own, too).

 

[*Flower*]

Parking at the Contemporary would be the best idea, just tell them you've got a PS at the Ca Grill.
I know that the GF has a nice lounge, and I assume that the Poly does too (though I've never seen it). I'd plan on 45 minutes to an hour once you get there, and about another 20 minutes for travel time.
Of course you'll have to let us all know when you come home how it all went!!!

Have fun!!

 

[jacncaitsmom]

We have done this before and it is so much fun. Park at the Contemporary and you can even walk down to the pool if its nice and grab a drink before heading to the Poly. We have also parked at WL and taken the boat over to the Cont. Either way is nice. It all depends on how much time you have. I would give yourself 2 hours before dinner to relax and enjoy all the resorts. The lounge at the Poly is great. Make sure you get a tropical drink with fruit and umbrella. The one at GF is upstairs and always has a band playing out in front. And of course, California Grill is the best! Enjoy your evening. This is one of our most favorite things to do at disney.

 

[ducklite]

Just an FYI--the Poly is now issuing a parking pass that you need to leave in your windshield--it's got the time you arrived on it, and it's for three hours, and they guard told us that they reserve the right to tow cars who have overextended their stay. I heard that the CR was doing the same thing, and that during some peak periods last year they DID tow cars.

We got to the CR last night at about 6:45 and were dressed for dinner, so we were waved right through when we told them we were headed for CG. The hotels are less than half full as well, so that probably makes a difference as well.

Anne

 

[Princesstimes2]

Thanks for the idea. I would never have thought of doing that.

 

[luvpooh]

Can you just have drinks in the lounge inside CA Grill? I think from the last time I was there, I remember low tables being in an area, and I believe they were 1st come, 1st served. I just don't know if they were all people waiting for a table, or if they were just there for drinks.

 

[jacncaitsmom]

Yes, you can have drinks and appetizers in the lounge at CG. It is right there in the middle of the rest. with seats by the window. You don't have to be waiting for a seating.

 

[wdwpluto]

There's also the Outer Rim Loung on the 4th floor of the Contemporary (near Chef Mickey's) where you can have drinks.

 

[Jen D]

This is a neat thing to do. We dropped our kid at the Neverland Club, but our CG ps wasn't for another hour, so we hopped on the monorail and had a couple drinks at Mizner's at the Grand Floridian. Mizner's is a great, elegant little lounge, and a nice contrast to the bustle of California Grill. Highly recommended!

 

[mom_rules]

Last time we went to Contemporary we had to prove we were on the PS list and they also issued a 3 hour parking pass.

 

[KathleenFL]

The last time we were at the CA Grill, we were there for 4 hours---( a "leisurely" dinner ) Do you mean I'd have to worry about them towing my car if I'm not back within 3 hrs.??

 

[bennie]

Last week we parked at both the Poly and GF without any parking passes issued. Self parked on both occassions. No one asked about PSs either. Had them for 1900 and Ohana but it was never an issue.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by KathleenFL
The last time we were at the CA Grill, we were there for 4 hours---( a "leisurely" dinner ) Do you mean I'd have to worry about them towing my car if I'm not back within 3 hrs.??

Kathleen, I don't think they'll tow that quickly...unless it was a REALLY busy time. When we were issued the parking pass for the Polynesian, they were very specific about it being only good for three hours...

I know they did some towing out of the CR and Poly lots last summer, my guess was a lot of it was during the afternoon and earlier evening.

Anne

 

[MLAinVA]

My perfect evening on the monorail...Kir Royales at the California Grill; Dinner at O'hana; Bailey's and coffee in the GF lobby.

 

[Hollymom1229]

The Tambu Lounge at the Poly is really nice and relaxing. And if you want to try a really fun drink, I recommend the Lapu Lapu.

 

[mom_rules]

Sounds interesting-what's in it?

 

[Eeyore2U]

DATW and now MHH. I can't wait for the next trip!!!

 

[TY31088]

WDWPLUTO,

Is that you in the wedding gown? You are a pretty bride. When were you married? I noticed the history on your visits and it seemed you started visiting WDW at an early age.

Kimberly

 

[Eljay]

The resort monorail runs clock-wise. The first resort is the CR, then the TTC, next is the Poly, then GF, the MK then back to the CR.
Be sure to find out what time the monorail stops running, I've been stranded & had to take a cab! Have fun