Monorail Station after MK Fireworks Christmas/New Year's Week

[SATX78209]

I surprised my family three year ago with a vacation to WDW as a Christmas gift. We left Dec 27 and stayed through New Year's and it was one of the best times of our lives. A lot of advanced planning helped everything go extremely smoothly. This year we're doing it again and I wanted to see if any of you could help us with planning some of the details.

We would like to take our two kids (DS6 DD4) to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom on the first night but we're a little concerned with how long it will take to get back to the Grand Floridian from Magic Kingdom.

Does anyone have any information about how long the lines for the monorail tend to be right after Wishes Nighttime Spectacular fireworks? Is the line for the boat back to GF any shorter? Any advice relating to being the first ones out of the gate after the show or alternatively hanging out and getting on a ride while we wait for the crowd to die down?

Also, can anyone confirm the transit times from MK to GF. I see ourlaughingplace.com shows 17 minutes via monorail and 13 minutes by boat. Does this sound accurate to you guys? (I read their calculator is not always accurate.)

I sincerely appreciate any input you all care to offer and I really appreciate the help!

 

[Robo]

I surprised my family three year ago with a vacation to WDW as a Christmas gift. We left Dec 27 and stayed through New Year's and it was one of the best times of our lives. A lot of advanced planning helped everything go extremely smoothly. This year we're doing it again and I wanted to see if any of you could help us with planning some of the details.

We would like to take our two kids (DS6 DD4) to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom on the first night but we're a little concerned with how long it will take to get back to the Grand Floridian from Magic Kingdom.

1. Does anyone have any information about how long the lines for the monorail tend to be right after Wishes Nighttime Spectacular fireworks?

2. Is the line for the boat back to GF any shorter?

3. Any advice relating to being the first ones out of the gate after the show or alternatively hanging out and getting on a ride while we wait for the crowd to die down?

Also,

4. can anyone confirm the transit times from MK to GF. I see ourlaughingplace.com shows 17 minutes via monorail and 13 minutes by boat. Does this sound accurate to you guys? (I read their calculator is not always accurate.)

1. Long.

2. Nope. (And the boats hold FAR fewer guests.

3. I (myself) would not bother to see the fireworks if "exiting first" was a priority.
The fireworks are not best-viewed from (or near) the Railroad Station.
The lights remain ON in that area during the fireworks.
And, you want to be able to see the new "show" that is actually projected on the front of the Castle,
"Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.

Also, MANY guests actually exit DURING the fireworks, so the lines
for transportation will already be backed-up after the show.

4. That's as good a guess as any.
If you factor in the "waiting to board" time, it can double, triple, or more the time.

In general, my advice is to find a great spot to view the fireworks (and the castle pre-show just before them) and then...
find a nice spot to sit and relax inside the park for a half-hour or so as the
crowds crush/rush out.

Then, make your way to your exit transportation.

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Below is a rough estimate of the Fireworks viewing spots
based on other posters' info on the boards and personal experience.