Alaska Excursions--post your reviews here!

[DenverVal]

I am wondering if anyone has done the kayaking in Juneau?

[brentm3]

Originally Posted by discruiser

Just wondering what you thought of it. Did you enjoy it? Did your kids enjoy it? Was it worth the money?

Anyone know how this special "Disney" show differs from the regular show? For my family of 6, we could save about $50 by attending the non-Disney show (and buying tickets directly from the company). Just wondering what makes the Disney show special.

Thanks!

Kids loved it. I was told the Disney version ran an extra half hour with the audience/kid participation bits.

In early May, the roof of the main building was reflecting the sun. If you sat in the seats on your right as you entered the show area you were fine...if you walked to the seats on the left, you were warmer but had to contend with the death-ray reflection in your eyes.

[disneypoor]

I'm still wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip was canceled again? I had read in someone's post that on a previous cruise, it was canceled due to low water levels and ice in the river. We have this booked for Juneau, and I'm just trying to decide if maybe we should switch excursions so we don't get there and end up with no excursion for Juneau. Any input would be greatly appreciated. We leave in a little over a week. TIA!

[jilljill]

Originally Posted by disneypoor

I'm still wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip was canceled again? I had read in someone's post that on a previous cruise, it was canceled due to low water levels and ice in the river. We have this booked for Juneau, and I'm just trying to decide if maybe we should switch excursions so we don't get there and end up with no excursion for Juneau. Any input would be greatly appreciated. We leave in a little over a week. TIA!

Are you asking about the excursion for the cruise that left on 5/17 or for the cruise that left on 5/24?
It's my understanding that any of the air excursions in AK could be cancelled at the last minute due to flight conditions. So it's possible that an air excursion can happen on one cruise and then the next cruise be cancelled.

I know this isn't much help to you on whether you should cancel and rebook. But would you be more upset to have it cancelled because of flight conditions or for you to cancel it before sailing and then when you're on the ship you find out the excursion is still scheduled? If it's something I'd really like to do I'd keep it and look over the excursions for a back up plan and then once on the ship check if it's still on or not and then go from there. I have a feeling this is going to be happening over the course of the season as flight conditions change from week to week.

[fliplover101]

Originally Posted by jlwhitney

We booked all of excursions independently and are so glad that we did!!!

Here is what we did:

Skagway: Chillkoot Charters, Yukon Rail and Bus. It was fantastic, we took a van up the white pass and into Carcross yukon. We stoped at the welcome to alsaka and welcome to yukon signs, as well as the carcross desert and emerald lake. We had lunch at caribou crossings which was yummy but the place was kind of cheesy to us (defiantly touristy). After that we drove back to the Fraser station and took the train down.

Juneau: Coastal Helicopter, we did the dog sledding on a glacier. It saved us a hundred bucks a person to book through them versus through Disney. It was amazing, I can't say enough great things about the company and the experience. Truly once in a lifetime!!!

Ketchikan: Bearing Sea Crab tour. Do not book through Disney, book it on your own, it will save you 20 bucks a person and its a five minute walk to the ship (even on the same pier) it is so easy.

We also did in Whistler ziplining at Ziptrek (5 stars) and Monkido Course through Wildplay (5 stars again)/

In vancouver we did stanley park/aquarium and the capilano suspension. I would recommend all of them.

Feel free to ask me questions on what we did and the companies we used.

I was just wondering about the Ziptrek ziplining in Whistler. Which course did you choose to take, and do you think it would be worth paying the extra to combine the two courses? Also, did you book ahead of time or when you got up to Whistler...we would book ahead of time, but are worried about inclement weather the day we go up to Whistler. Thanks! Looks like your trip was amazing!

[amyg1]

Originally Posted by fliplover101

I was just wondering about the Ziptrek ziplining in Whistler. Which course did you choose to take, and do you think it would be worth paying the extra to combine the two courses? Also, did you book ahead of time or when you got up to Whistler...we would book ahead of time, but are worried about inclement weather the day we go up to Whistler. Thanks! Looks like your trip was amazing!

We did the Bear tour a while back. It was 5 zip lines - the first one was a line before you get on the van. The others go over a canyon, so you have a lot of walking up to get to the next line. It took us over 2 hours. We did that one because our son was 7, so we didn't do the longer one. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but after 2 hours, I was done. I couldn't see wanting to do the other 5 lines in the same group. Our son was obsessed over what the other lines were like, and kept pestering the guides about it. He would love to go again, but the excursions onboard are all 10+. There were a couple lines he did that he had to do a cannonball because of weight. The second time, he asked to go tandem with the guide.

The combined tour is literally that - just the Bear and Eagle put together.

As for the weather - they run it rain or shine. It was drizzling when we were there - really no big deal, because you are in the canopy.

It was a blast, and I would do it again.

[jlwhitney]

Originally Posted by fliplover101

I was just wondering about the Ziptrek ziplining in Whistler. Which course did you choose to take, and do you think it would be worth paying the extra to combine the two courses? Also, did you book ahead of time or when you got up to Whistler...we would book ahead of time, but are worried about inclement weather the day we go up to Whistler. Thanks! Looks like your trip was amazing!

We did the eagle tour, because you get 5 full lines and no training line, plus it has the longest line in all of canada (2200 feet long). It was a blast. I would defiantly book ahead of time, they do fill up. I would recommend the Eagle over the Bear if everyone is old enough for it. Plus on the eagle, you dont have to take a van back to the lodge, since your last zipline ends you at the base of the mountain which was cool.

I personally see no real point in doing all 10 lines. We didn't have time for it since we were only in Whistler for a day (drove up from vancouver in the am and drove back at night) and we wanted to do the Monkido course at Wild Play (look it up www.wildplay.com) it is a complete blast (almost better than ziplining).

I wouldn't worry about weather, they go rain or shine they only thing that grounds them is lightening and forest fires.

[Disney Dreams]

Originally Posted by disneypoor

I'm still wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not the Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip was canceled again? I had read in someone's post that on a previous cruise, it was canceled due to low water levels and ice in the river. We have this booked for Juneau, and I'm just trying to decide if maybe we should switch excursions so we don't get there and end up with no excursion for Juneau. Any input would be greatly appreciated. We leave in a little over a week. TIA!

We were not booked on that excursion, but our tablemates told us that they were booked on the "Mendenhall Float that got cancelled because the water was frozen." So, I am guessing, the answer to your question is, "Yes, it was cancelled."

We did:

Skagway - Steam train excursion: LOVED it! We had some issues with the steam and some on our train got upset and let it ruin their day. We rolled with it, knew we would be okay getting back to the ship, enjoyed the beauty and the adventure. Sometimes, it really is perspective that can make the difference.

Juneau - Dog Sledding Camp: Fun. A little cheesy, but cool at the same time. It was fun. And, lucky timing, we got to hold a 6 day old puppy!

Ketchikan - We booked the Misty Fjords boat trip (not the flightseeing). Found out it was cancelled an hour before departure. This was my birthday and suddenly we were left with no plan. With some quick action, a little luck, and some MAJOR pixie dust we got to do Totems, Lighthouses, and Eagles. LOVED IT!

- Dreams

P.S. If I goofed the titles of the tours a bit, sorry. Sleep-deprived still.

[mmmears]

Originally Posted by Disney Dreams

Skagway - Steam train excursion: LOVED it! We had some issues with the steam and some on our train got upset and let it ruin their day. We rolled with it, knew we would be okay getting back to the ship, enjoyed the beauty and the adventure. Sometimes, it really is perspective that can make the difference.

Could you please tell me what went wrong on the steam train? Part of my family has this one booked and I would love to hear the good and the bad.

[geffric]

Originally Posted by mmmears

Anyone tried one of these yet?


Mountain Point Snorkeling (Ketchikan)

I'd love to hear more about one or both!

just booked it ...love to hear about it too..

[nanaguide]

Ok - I'm trying to decide on which tour to do on Ziptrek at Whistler. We are all set on accomodations and now need to decide on excursions. Grandson will be 8 1/2 when we are there in August. He loves all the rides at Disney except Tower of Terror. I can't keep him off Rockin Roller Coaster so I'm wondering if we should do the Bear or the Eagle zipline tour. We have never ziplined. I'm a little scared of heights but if I'm fastened in I'm fine with enjoying it all - don't mind the walking or hiking as we are both active. Would appreciate your input (Whitney). You sound sold on Wildplay so think we should do the Monkido course there - are you hooked in there also? Thanks in advance for any reassurances you can give me. Grandpa is sitting all this FUN out as he is 70 with health issues. I run, bike, swim so I'm physically OK - just want to be sure it is totally SAFE - read on tripadvisor about walking close to deep ravines (yikes!). I promise his Mom I'll take good care of him so I'm extra, extra careful.

[jlwhitney]

Originally Posted by nanaguide

Ok - I'm trying to decide on which tour to do on Ziptrek at Whistler. We are all set on accomodations and now need to decide on excursions. Grandson will be 8 1/2 when we are there in August. He loves all the rides at Disney except Tower of Terror. I can't keep him off Rockin Roller Coaster so I'm wondering if we should do the Bear or the Eagle zipline tour. We have never ziplined. I'm a little scared of heights but if I'm fastened in I'm fine with enjoying it all - don't mind the walking or hiking as we are both active. Would appreciate your input (Whitney). You sound sold on Wildplay so think we should do the Monkido course there - are you hooked in there also? Thanks in advance for any reassurances you can give me. Grandpa is sitting all this FUN out as he is 70 with health issues. I run, bike, swim so I'm physically OK - just want to be sure it is totally SAFE - read on tripadvisor about walking close to deep ravines (yikes!). I promise his Mom I'll take good care of him so I'm extra, extra careful.

For ziptrek, go with the Eagle Tour. I am a little afraid of heights as well, but with being in harnesses makes it no problem for me. The check your harness before you zip at each line, and the platforms you wait on for your turn, are large and have railings all around them.

For WildPlay, the Monkido course is so much fun. Its like a big playground in the sky, there are rope bridges, barrels, tight ropes and so much more. You are also harnessed in, but you do have to clip your self to the cables. You have two safety lines and you clip one at a time so you are always attached to the cable or the tree. Look up videos on Youtube about it, thats what i did. You do get up kinda high (about 50 feet) but you end up so focused on what you are doing that you don't end up knowing it half of the time. It is a workout for your arms and mine were sore the next day, but it was worth it. They have many spots were you can easily exit the course if you need to. I felt completely safe the whole time, and never fell or slipped either.

[smb6]

Originally Posted by sabrecmc

We did the same Chilkoot Charters tour on the first Alaskan cruise. It was fantastic! They picked us up at the pier at 7:30am and drove us a couple minutes to the train. They then met us at the Frasier, Canada end point of the RR (looked like one of their tours also got on there, since there is an option to do the RR going back to Skagway instead of first thing). Our tour had about 12 people, but 1 was an employee of the charter service along for the ride. The excursion lasted until around 3:30-4 or so, I think. That left us plenty of time for shopping! We also added the dog sledding, which was fun.

We booked the same excursion with Chilkoot. We also added the dog sledding. And like you are taking the train up firs at 7:30am... Did you have any trouble boarding quickly enough to meet them?

[amyg1]

You might want to check with Ziptrek about his weight. As I recall, there was a weight restriction (because if they are too small they get stuck on the line) Since the Eagle line is longer, you have to weigh more. I also don't think they can do the tandem for the longest line. At 7 (and my son is tall and about the 75% for weight, so above average) they put him on the scale before going. I just wouldn't want him signed up for the Eagle and then not be able to do it. I don't remember the requirements, but check their website.

Heights are not my thing, but this isn't scary - well except the first step. It really wasn't a big deal.

[Disney Dreams]

Originally Posted by mmmears

Could you please tell me what went wrong on the steam train? Part of my family has this one booked and I would love to hear the good and the bad.

Sure. The steam train has two scheduled refill stations where the train is given water (to create to the steam). We stopped five times. This added approximately an hour to our ride. So, our excursion ended at 5:00pm instead of 4:00pm.

After the numerous additional stops getting up to the top of the mountain, the conductor had arranged for another train (diesel engine) to hook on to ours and more or less pull us down the mountain. For this to happen, we had to wait a bit at the top of the mountain for the other train.

To DH and I, all this meant was extra time to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and champagne. We had booked the excursion through DCL so we were not concerned about the ship leaving without us if we got back after all-aboard (which turned out not to be an issue), but some others were very scared the ship would leave.

We had a great time! I would absolutely recommend this tour.

For those who may not be aware: If you book an excursion through DCL and your excursion is later than all-aboard time, the ship will not leave without you because it is Disney's vendor/partner who is responsible. If you book a tour independently that gets back too late, you are responsible.

- Dreams