Hi Lindsey, Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
Boats and monorails and buses, oh my! There are almost too many ways to get around Walt Disney World Resort, but you've come to the right place to figure it all out. Generally speaking, transportation of all kinds begins an hour before each parks opening. As far as closing times the
monorail will run until an hour after the latest parks closing. Boat launches to and from Magic Kingdom Park, as well as the Ferryboat to and from the Ticket and Transportation Center, will run anywhere between an hour to two after the closing of Magic Kingdom Park. And for times of boat transportation from and to a Resort Hotel it's best to ask your resort hotel the morning of or night before as the times can vary a bit due to external weather conditions.
Specifically for getting back to your Resort Hotel after a late dinner, you can take a private taxi directly home, but personally I would take a complimentary
Walt Disney World Resort Bus. Resort buses do not run directly between Resort Hotels, requiring riders to make a stop at either a park or Disney Springs. Luckily buses take passengers to Disney Springs until 1 a.m., with the last bus leaving Disney Springs back to all Disney Resort Hotels at 2 a.m. So you can always stop for some late night shopping or a nightcap, or you can use it as a connecting stop on your way home. Either way you don't need to rush through dinner, so get that dessert and enjoy your night out.
I hope this helped with your plans a bit, Lindsey, and we'll see you real soon!
~Kristen