Disney Wonder - ALASKA Questions

[R.Adams]

We are taking our first Disney cruise to Alaska, and I'm hoping someone who's been could help with a few questions:

1) Shoes. We are NOT helicoptering to any glaciers... closest we'll get is to a viewing of Mendenhall. In light of that, do we need any waterproof boots, or are sturdy shoes or leather boots just fine? (How rainy is it? Should we just go with the rainboots for that?)

2) Temperatures. Thinking long sleeve shirts with a light coat to layer. But should we also pack some short sleeves or shorts for warmer days?

3) Transportation. We'll be staying at the Pinnacle in downtown Vancouver and have not booked airport-hotel transportation through Disney. Are there regular shuttles that go downtown? Or reasonable taxis?

Any other advice or tips appreciated!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are taking our first Disney cruise to Alaska, and I'm hoping someone who's been could help with a few questions:

1) Shoes. We are NOT helicoptering to any glaciers... closest we'll get is to a viewing of Mendenhall. In light of that, do we need any waterproof boots, or are sturdy shoes or leather boots just fine? (How rainy is it? Should we just go with the rainboots for that?)

2) Temperatures. Thinking long sleeve shirts with a light coat to layer. But should we also pack some short sleeves or shorts for warmer days?

3) Transportation. We'll be staying at the Pinnacle in downtown Vancouver and have not booked airport-hotel transportation through Disney. Are there regular shuttles that go downtown? Or reasonable taxis?

Any other advice or tips appreciated!

Shoes - if you're not planning on any rough hiking, then general walking shoes are fine. I'd suggest you use some waterproof spray on them before you go. It can be rainy, or not. Weather in Alaska is quite variable.

I'd suggest sticking in one or two short sleeved shirts (always good for an underlayer, also). Maybe a pair of shorts, if you are shorts-wearing types.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've cruised Alaska five times and have never needed waterproof boots or rain boots either.

Yes, pack some short sleeves and shorts. If you don't like Alaska's weather, wait 15 minutes and it will change.

We used taxis in Vancouver. There are a lot of buses but we didn't want to take our luggage on the bus.

 

[Drusilla99]

Just got back from dcl Alaska cruise a couple weeks ago. I wore my Nike sneakers most of the trip & they worked great. I packed too many cold weather clothes because we had very nice weather. Many days we'd head back to the ship and hit the pool. Definitely pack short sleeves, they were a must! Especially when we were walking for long periods, I really heated up! Have fun!

 

[xlxo]

Depends on what glacier and how close.... for most it's Mendenhall. The nugget falls trail can be done with regular shoes.... however sometimes it's flooded. Waterproof boots allow you to comfortably further.

Which month or you going? Statistically August starts to get wet with September best for storm chasers. Having waterproof shoes means you can explore the port longer.

Vancouver airport to the Pinnacle? $31 or USD$25 for the taxi carload. Lots of cabs at the airport.

 

[jubjubrsx]

We are taking our first Disney cruise to Alaska, and I'm hoping someone who's been could help with a few questions:

1) Shoes. We are NOT helicoptering to any glaciers... closest we'll get is to a viewing of Mendenhall. In light of that, do we need any waterproof boots, or are sturdy shoes or leather boots just fine? (How rainy is it? Should we just go with the rainboots for that?)

2) Temperatures. Thinking long sleeve shirts with a light coat to layer. But should we also pack some short sleeves or shorts for warmer days?

3) Transportation. We'll be staying at the Pinnacle in downtown Vancouver and have not booked airport-hotel transportation through Disney. Are there regular shuttles that go downtown? Or reasonable taxis?

Any other advice or tips appreciated!

Just got back from the alaska cruise on 7/18/16 so here goes

1. shoes I wore tennis shoes the entire time. we did a little bit of hiking in jeanue from the tram. although I did bring/wear water proof socks, oddly enough it never rained
2. I run cold constantly, (californian here) temps were in the low-mid 60's and I wore my run disney long sleeve's and blue jeans out and about, never needed a hoodie except on the glacier it was VERY COLD (beanie+scarf+hoodie+gloves). In the ports not so much. our cruise director kept spewing out dress like an onion, you can peel layers off if you need to. In the ports (and on board) there are a ton of shops all over the place that have hoodies/cold weather gear for sale and the prices werent bad tbh, so if you need more just pick up a alaska hoodie as a double bonus you get a souvenier.
3. cant help sorry took a disney bus from the airport to the port

 

[saxmangeoff]

First caveat: Take any and all descriptions of "on my trip to Alaska it was.... and I didn't need....." with a grain of salt. You really do need to be ready for anything from rainy and 50s or 60sF to sunny and 70s to low 80sF.

That said, here are my anecdotal answers. You will need to supply your own salt.

1) Shoes. We are NOT helicoptering to any glaciers... closest we'll get is to a viewing of Mendenhall. In light of that, do we need any waterproof boots, or are sturdy shoes or leather boots just fine? (How rainy is it? Should we just go with the rainboots for that?)

You're probably fine with sturdy shoes. On our visit to Mendenhall it was raining pretty heavily. We had full rain suits, and were among very few people outside the visitor's center. An umbrella wouldn't have been enough, IMHO. This was poncho or other rain gear weather. We were just in regular sneakers, but were fine.

2) Temperatures. Thinking long sleeve shirts with a light coat to layer. But should we also pack some short sleeves or shorts for warmer days?

Be prepared for a wide range. I wore short sleeves most of the time, but I'm from a northern climate, and think 70F is just fine.

Any other advice or tips appreciated!

Be ready and flexible for a variety of weather conditions, and don't get bothered if you don't actually use something during your trip.

Even in heavy rain with very low visibility (we could barely see Mendenhall Glacier), SE Alaska is a spectacular place and worth the trip. Enjoy!