Returning to resort after later luau show

[Moxiepup]

Hi. We plan on attending the 8:15 Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian during our trip in late April. Our plan was to hop on the monorail to Epcot afterwards, and catch a shuttle from there, back to CBR.

I know the buses continue for about an hour after the parks close, but I'm concerned that the luau will conclude too late to use Disney transportation. Assuming the show lasts 1 1/2 - 2 hours, we're looking at leaving the Poly 9:45 - 10:15. Would we have time to monorail it to Epcot and catch the bus from there? I know we could catch a shuttle to Disney Springs and then transfer to CBR from there, but that seems like it would take quite awhile.

Does it look like we'd have time for our first plan? Has anyone else done this or had other strategies for returning to their resort after the late luau show?

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[Alesia]

Take a cab.

 

[joelkfla]

The Epcot monorail usually closes at 10. If you did make to the station before closing, I don't know whether they would let you board toward Epcot after the park has closed.

If MK is still open, you can take the Resort Monorail or the boat there and get a bus to your resort. If all the parks are closed, your only no-cost option is DS.

 

[OKW Lover]

Not sure why you would want to take the monorail to Epcot to catch a bus. In April I would expect the MK to be open late enough that the buses will still be running. Hop on the monorail at the Poly to the MK and catch the bus there.

Or, as @Alesia suggests, take a cab which will be much faster. Uber is also a good alternative.

 

[Moxiepup]

I was thinking of Epcot, as it is closer to CBR, and therefore a shorter bus ride. Right now, the Disney park calendars show both MK and EP as closing at 9pm. Will those hours be likely to be extended at either park as the dates get closer? We would probably use Lyft as a backup, but would like to use Disney transportation if at all possible.

 

[NJ Goofy]

30 - 45 days out the REAL hours will be posted by Disney. Check the hours then and make your decision, I would bet Lyft or Uber would only be about $10 as your alternative.

 

[loves to dive]

The last time we did it (about 4 years ago) they had buses to take you back to your resorts. We thought it very odd and it was very unorganized but eventually they got their act together and put people in groups and people who were in resorts in the same area all piled on the same bus and went through a lot stops.

 

[Moxiepup]

The last time we did it (about 4 years ago) they had buses to take you back to your resorts. We thought it very odd and it was very unorganized but eventually they got their act together and put people in groups and people who were in resorts in the same area all piled on the same bus and went through a lot stops.

That would be lovely if they still do this! Can anyone confirm if this still happens? Fingers crossed!

 

[dvc cruiser]

If all else fails you can always go to Disney springs and get a bus from there a little longer trip but open much later. if you are an adult only group you should hit up trader sams grooto for a drink after the luau. Its right on the way back to the busses or monorail.

 

[Moxiepup]

If all else fails you can always go to Disney springs and get a bus from there a little longer trip but open much later. if you are an adult only group you should hit up trader sams grooto for a drink after the luau. Its right on the way back to the busses or monorail.

We are just two adults. We actually were thinking of going to the Polynesian a little early to tour around the resort and have a drink at Trader Sam's before the show. If we can get a table anyway! We'd probably opt for Lyft before bussing to Disney Springs and transferring to CBR, as that would take quite a bit of time. I'd love to hear if anyone can confirm if they still offer busses from the show to the resorts. That would be ideal.

Also, does anyone know if the luau has an intermission? It would be cool if they did around the time of either Wishes, or the Electric Boat Parade, as I hear the Poly offers good views of both.

 

[Brian K.]

This is really bumping an old thread but I figured I'd chime in since I just did the luau last week. After the 8:15 show finishes at around 10:15 you can proceed to the bus loading area for the Polynesian resort. Disney Transport has a staff member waiting there who is in communication with the TTC to dispatch buses to up to four different zones throughout the property. The buses depart right around 10:45. I had initially gone to the monorail station but after the screening guard there asked where I was headed, he re-directed me to the bus queue saying the trip would wind up being shorter for me. 15 minutes later I was already at my stop at Port Orleans Riverside.