Polynesian, monorail, and luau question

[freediverdude]

I have a question, and not sure if this is the right place for it, but I knew a lot of people would see it here, and maybe somebody knows the answer? I have a friend who is staying at the Contemporary Dec. 19th-23rd, and she has a reservation for the late seating for the Polynesian luau on Dec. 19th. The question I'm trying to answer for her is, what will be the best way for her to get to and from the Polynesian before and after the luau? I just checked the Disney website, and surprisingly the Magic Kingdom closes at 6pm that night, so I'm kind of assuming that by 7:30 all the monorails will be shut down? Do they ever keep the resort monorails running later for the people traveling between the monorail resorts for dinner, when the Magic Kingdom closes really early like that? Right now the best I could tell her was to try to take taxis between the two, unless she wanted to go all the way to Downtown Disney and back on the buses. Her mother is with her, and for long distance walking her mother needs to use a wheelchair, although she can walk around inside a resort building, for instance, without it. Anyone have any better suggestions, or know anything more about how the monorails work during an early closing night like that?

 

[KathyTX]

Freediverdude-

You might try posting your question on the Transportation board.

Those folks have a frightening amount of knowledge regarding bus and monorail schedules (among other things!)

 

[Kimberle]

I'm pretty sure the resort monorails run till 10pm.

Flag down Tyler, chip & dale on the transportation brd. He'll know for sure.

 

[Harambe]

I'm pretty sure the monorail runs to about 10pm also since Epcot is serviced by the monorail and it always stays open to at least 9pm.

As a matter of fact - I am remembering now, that we took the monorail from our room at the Poly to Chef Mickey's at the Comtemporary for a 7pm dinner - and MK was closing at 6pm! After dinner we took the monorail to Epcot to see Illuminations, then took the monorail back to the Poly!

 

[kirby428]

Although the Magic Kingdom may close early (6PM), check the hours at Epcot and MGM. As I understand it, the resort monorail continues to run one hour after the last park closes. I stayed at the Polynesian Resort over the Labor Day weekend and during the off-season week after the holiday. Our room had a view of the monorail track. Trains were running much later than the 7PM Magic Kingdom closing time.

You might want to visit the TIKIMAN web site for anything and everything about the Polynesian Resort.
tikiman2001.homestead.com

It might be helpful to also try the DisneyEcho forum as well.
disneyecho.emuch.com

 

[BCV23]

The resort monorail runs until at least 11:00 every night.

On nights that the MK is open really late, it runs until one hour past the time the MK closes.

 

[chamonix]

Yes, the MK "closes" at 6pm on December 19th, but only because it is a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party night. MVMCP starts after the MK "closes," so the monorails, ferry, boats, etc. will be running until very late that night...much later than the luau.
Your friends should take whatever transportation they are most "attracted" to--for me, that is usually a boat, or a monorail. (no taxis or buses, for me please--ugh, LOL) The resort launch from the MK to Poly is wonderful and romantic, it would be a great way to go to or from the luau. If they happen to be in the boat when the fireworks or the Electric Water Parade happen, even better, LOL.

 

[WhispyPixie]

Monorails and water taxis are the best alternative and always fun!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Indeed, as someone stated, the Resort Monorail will run until 11:00pm every night. If the MK is open past 9:00, it will run 2 hours after the MK closes.

 

[BCV23]

Whoops, two hours past closing...not one. What would we do without Tyler??

 

[freediverdude]

Thanks for all of your responses! I had forgotten about the facts that there would be a MVMCP and they would still be keeping the monorails going for the Epcot guests. That idea about maybe taking a boat ride after the luau might be a good idea for her too, I'll tell her about that. Good luck, Tyler! Your day at the resort seems to be coming soon! If we knew what your last run on the buses would be, it would be fun to get together a "last bus ride party for Tyler" of DISers wouldn't it, hehe.