A break from disney

[mickeyuk]

We are taking a break from WDW early next year and have decided to fly into Calgary on the 1st May for 3 weeks, We will stay here for a couple of days then drive to Banff 1 night..Revelstoke 4 nights...Kamloops 2 nights...then we have to spend a couple of nights between Kamloops and Jasper, maybe Blue River....Jasper 4 nights and then Banff 5 nights any suggestions for our trip would be most helpfull, by the way I never new car hire would be so expensive in Canada, the cost is around $1250 minimum for a 6/7 seat people carrier.
Thanks for you help
Derek

 

[hockey mom]

Sounds like a great trip. I love Banff. I can't really help you because it is not my neck of the woods.

On the flip side we were going to take a break from Disney also to go to England and realized there was no way we could afford it for a family of 5

 

[chasbos]

Hockey Mom - just wondering what you checked out when you were planning your trip to England? My family of 6 - then 5 went to the Netherlands for 11 days and it was very comparable to a trip to Disney. Now maybe these countries are very different in their pricing, not sure. But be stayed in our own cottage for the 11 days we were there for about $1200. And our flights then were $3500.

So maybe keep looking and could be possible after all.

 

[hockey mom]

Hockey Mom - just wondering what you checked out when you were planning your trip to England? My family of 6 - then 5 went to the Netherlands for 11 days and it was very comparable to a trip to Disney. Now maybe these countries are very different in their pricing, not sure. But be stayed in our own cottage for the 11 days we were there for about $1200. And our flights then were $3500.

So maybe keep looking and could be possible after all.

I got as far as airfare- which was $6-7000, then looked into accomodations. After this I went no further. With food, car rental, plane, hotel, spending, and huge dollar difference I was looking at close to $12000-$13000(OUCH). What airline did you use and when?. I priced it out for summer when the kids are not in school. DH and DS are dying to go.

 

[Timon]

Derek,
Is there a reason you are staying in Revelstoke for 4 days? Just wondering because there's not much there to see really. I would drive from Banff to Invermere area, make sure you go to Radium Hot Springs and/or Fairmont Hot Springs! They are beautiful!!! Also don't forget to visit Lake Louise, it's one of the most beautiful lakes in the world! Also, when you are in Banff, be sure to visit Johnstone Canyon!
Also, in B.C., Lake Okanagan is also quite beautiful!

As for car rentals, check Expedia.ca and keep rechecking as the rates usually come down closer to the rental date. I found a Ford Windstar for 3 weeks picking up on May 1st at YYC for you on Expedia from Avis for $811 CDN incl taxes. For 3 weeks, that sounds like a good deal.

I've included some helpful links for you to look at. Good luck with your planning!


http://www.radiumhotsprings.com/
http://www.lakelouise.com/
http://www.lakeokanagan.com/
http://www.discovercalgary.com/
http://www.banff.com/

 

[chasbos]

We flew KLM. Not in the summer though. That is there high time!

 

[c&m]

I was thinking in the same way as Timon. Why 4 days in Revelstoke? We do the trek from Richmond, BC, to Drumheller, AB, almost yearly. Revelstoke is our 1-night stopover to sleep before we resume our driving.

Timon also mentioned some of our fave places: Lake Louise, Radium Hot Springs, and Johnstone Canyon. Really worth seeing.

 

[mickeyuk]

Thanks Timon the links are great....I thought Revelstoke for 4 days as a base it also has a number of places to visit within a short drive and some good gentle walks....(I might get a game of golf if the weather is good at that time of year ) but if you think it would be better to stay a day or 2 less then I will always listen to someone who knows....
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year and I will let you know how I am doing after the holidays
Derek

 

[mickeyuk]

Can you tell me is Revelstoke anything like Baff

 

[damo]

I would stay for 3 days in the Banff area instead of 1. Minimum of 2 nights. Nothing is like Banff. Jasper is lovely also but not as nice as Banff.