California Coast Cruise

[sturner324]

Hi everyone, I recently booked a cruise for the Disney Wonder traveling from Vancouver to Los Angeles in September. This is mine and DH's first ever cruise, and we're really excited about it!

I noticed there aren't many topics here about the California Coast cruises, and I wondered if they are simply less popular? We are from Alabama and have visited WDW a few times, but we've never been west... at all. I'm sure one day we'll want to try the tropical cruise scene, but checking out cities like Vancouver and San Francisco really appealed to us this time. Has anyone here taken this cruise?

We are also checking out DL for a few days after the cruise - not knowing if we'll ever get back to California we couldn't pass it up!

If anyone has any tips specific to San Francisco or this particular cruise, please let me know! Some questions I have include...

Are Disney shore excursions worth it? Or can you do just as much going out on your own? San Fran is our only stop for one day, so I want to make the most of our time there.

I've heard lots about booking dinner at Palo. Do we get a dining itinerary before the trip for the rotational dining? Basically I would like to choose which restaurant to forgo to eat at Palo and not pick a night at random. Is that possible?

Has anyone ever traveled from LA port to Disneyland? Any suggestions here?

Thanks in advance. I feel like a pro when planning for WDW, but this is new territory!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

DCL has not done many California coast cruises. Your particular cruise is a repositioning cruise after the Wonder finishes it's Alaskan cruises this summer.

You won't know your dining rotation until you board the ship. Palo reservations are held back and may be available when you board.

We did one DCL excursion in SF to Muir Woods. However, we felt comfortable doing our own thing in SF.

It is very easy to get to Disneyland from San Pedro.

 

[clten]

We did the northbound CA coast cruise a couple of years ago and are doing it again this May. It's not that it is unpopular, it is just that there haven't been very many of them. As far as DCL excursions in San Fran, it depends on what you want to see. You are docked close to everything in the Fisherman's Wharf area (including the ferries to Alcatraz) and transportation to most other things in the city itself is fairly easy (they also have a hop on/hop off that has a stop at Fisherman's Wharf so that's an easy option too).

Hopefully you are taking a couple of days to see Vancouver before your cruise as it is a beautiful city.

As far as getting to DL, we've done that on other cruises and have just used DCL transfers for the convenience (there were only two of us so most options were about the same price or higher for us). It is not a bad trip from the Port to DL so you'll still have most of your day to explore.

 

[msbiscuit]

I did the Vancouver to LA repositioning cruise last year and loved it! I think the one this year is shorter by a day; giving you only one day in San Francisco. We had two and I used one of the days to meet a friend and drive out to the Cliff House and visit a few favorite sites in the city, the next day I joined the Disney organized excursion to Sausalito and Muir Woods.
San Francisco is an easy city to navigate and has great public transportation. There's plenty to do within easy walking distance from where the Wonder will dock and you'll also have easy access to ferries to Alcatraz, etc. Just don't over plan if you're doing things on your own, because you want to make it back to the ship on time. If you book your excursion through DCL, they won't leave without you.
Vancouver is a beautiful city and I wish I'd planned on more days there. Be aware that going through customs at the airport can take a loooooong time. There is a Vancouver fact thread here on the DIS and it's full of helpful information.
Enjoy your cruise!

 

[sturner324]

We are going to Vancouver a couple days early. We'll be staying there just two nights (will get in late first night) with only one full day to explore, but I suppose that's better than none! It looks beautiful, so I'm sure I'll want more time there. Maybe next time!

Thanks for the info!

 

[calpacagal]

We haven't actually booked yet but we will be on Wednesday. I'm so excited! It will be me, dh, dd (16), dd (14), ds (12) and dd (8). We are planning on getting to Vancouver a few days before we sail but reading some of the posts about seedy neighborhoods in Vancouver is making me nervous.

Already excited to rebook!

 

[ludari]

I've done three Pacific Coast cruises and two where with Disney. I really enjoy this cruise and it appears that most disboarders have answered your questions. Anyway, I've done several Disney port adventures since the last Disney cruise I was on stopped in San Francisco for two days. If you have any particular questions about port adventures or about the San Pedro area just asks. BTW, I am considering this cruise but not sure yet as I am waiting for the release of the remaining 2014 itinerary.

 

[tina4_98]

No need to be worried about Vancouver, i live here and it's a great place to be! Lots to see and do

 

[cruiseletters]

Last Oct. my DH and I went on a Disney Pixar cruise. We have done quite a few cruises with Disney, this was one of the most enjoyable we have had. I wish that Disney hadn't moved the Wonder and were offering pacific coast cruises we would book them as often as we could, the cities are wonderful. They are very easy to navigate on your own.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

We did the Vancouver to LA repo cruise is September. It was a lot of fun, we also spent a few days in DL after the cruise. We are from Vancouver so it was nice to leave from home. We had two days in San Fransico, did a Disney excursion the first day that did the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and Alcatraz. The second day we went out on our own checked out Fisherman's Wharf and rented a "go-car" to drive around the city in. I've been to San Fran before; never have been all that impressed by the city, and while I'm glad we went, we probably wont go back.

 

[huskydogg]

We were on the last one in October which was one of the Pixar Cruises, and we are also booked for the September Van-LA cruise. We really enjoyed it. The Wonder is a great ship and as for San Francisco, we had bought a Citypass but barely made use of the tickets inside due to all the other things to see and do nearby. The best part of the Citypass was the Bus and Street Car pass. We were able to enjoy all the street car routes and see a lot of really cool stuff at our own pace.
Friends of ours bought a pass for the hop on and off bus and they saw A LOT, but did say they weren't able to stop and enjoy any one thing for long.
Alcatraz boat pier is right next to where the Wonder docks.
The only DCL excursion we did was Muir Woods. It was nice to do but very rushed, for the $$$.
I think I preferred doing our own thing. The ship is docked all day till late evening so you don't have to stress too much about getting back.
I've been to Vancouver a lot as well, and it's like any other big city. It has its goods and bads. Just get to know in advance what you want to see and you'll be fine.
I say do it

 

[nunzia]

Last Oct. my DH and I went on a Disney Pixar cruise. We have done quite a few cruises with Disney, this was one of the most enjoyable we have had. I wish that Disney hadn't moved the Wonder and were offering pacific coast cruises we would book them as often as we could, the cities are wonderful. They are very easy to navigate on your own.

I was also on a Pixar cruise and it was wonderful! We had 2 days in SF and felt that was needed, but with you only having 1 day I'd say be sure to do Alcatraz. You don't have to do a Disney excursion to go, but just be sure you get your tickets online early as the ferries to the island sell out. When we were waiting to board, there were many groups of disappointed people who thought they could just show up and all the ferries were sold out. The boat docks in a great place to walk around and see many highlights. We also did the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio which was well worth it if you are a Walt fan and have time. The Pixar cruises offered Lasseter Winery tours and that was a very special time but pricey..I don't know if they are offering those for the repo cruises. It was a great cruise! I'd do it again and I think that you should certainly add a few days at Disneyland if possible.

 

[calpacagal]

No need to be worried about Vancouver, i live here and it's a great place to be! Lots to see and do

I'm only concerned about finding an affordable hotel in a decent neighborhood. There are so many times when we're driving around (we live in Burbank, a suburb of L.A.) and we see the ugliest, scariest motels with such glamorous names that tourists would assume are wonderful. This is where trip advisor and yelp comes in!

I've bookmarked the Vancouver thread and will be taking many, many notes (on the sly since the kids don't know we're going yet!).

Thanks!

 

[Susiesark]

I'm only concerned about finding an affordable hotel in a decent neighborhood. There are so many times when we're driving around (we live in Burbank, a suburb of L.A.) and we see the ugliest, scariest motels with such glamorous names that tourists would assume are wonderful. This is where trip advisor and yelp comes in!

I've bookmarked the Vancouver thread and will be taking many, many notes (on the sly since the kids don't know we're going yet!).

Thanks!

Let me know what you find out from your research. I may be moving my res to this cruise, and we would be coming from Long Beach CA, and I'd like to see Vancouver and Victoria before the cruise.

 

[valee]

Check out the subforum on Disney Cruise Meets, find the thread that has 2013 Wonder Cruises, and then find your September cruise. That's where you'll find all your fellow cruisers swapping tips. (You can try to get directly there from this link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3006707 )
I'm taking the Coastal cruise up in May, and have bookmarked that thread. You may also want to follow the May 20 cruise thread, since we're swapping info on VAncouver, San Francisco, and LA that may help you with your planning for your trip.

 

[lorimay]

I was looking at this cruise also.
We are planning on doing the final Alaska cruise Sept. 2nd and I saw this follows that cruise.
So my new mission is to bug my husband into adding the cruise to our trip.

What are the chances of GTY prices for it?
WHen would they come out?

Thanks so much,
Lori