Flying to Orlando via Toronto

[patche]

I have a stupid question....We are flying to Orlando from Vancouver via Toronto in Feb 2006 for a Land/Sea vacation...I've never been at the airport in Toronto (only been in Canada for four years - mostly on this side of the country ) We are taking the red-eye from here, and then have a four+ hour layover in Toronto. Are there someplace to go and take a nice shower and just sort of feel better before the next leg of the trip? We arrive at WDW around 2 pm and would like to not waste any time before going to the parks...

 

[pxlbarrel]

Well, there are a number of hotels nearby including one attached to Terminal 3.

You could check into one of those for a few hours but I guess it depends if you want to spend the money or not and whether it's worth it for the few hours.

Personally, I think 4 hours may sound like a lot of time but once you leave security you'll have to go through the whole thing again. And depending on which airline you're going on, you may clear U.S. Immigration and Customs at Toronto which means an extra line you'll have to go through. I don't think you'll actually have an awful lot of time at a hotel.

 

[patche]

Thanks, somehow forgot about all the looong lines for security...What would the chances be for washrooms with shower facilities at the airport itself?

 

[pxlbarrel]

I haven't seen a washroom with shower facilities at Toronto (or any other airport I've been to...)

You can ask them...

http://www.gtaa.com/index.aspx?Sid=Node23&tpl=12

I think you might have to freshen up with a washcloth.

 

[patche]

Thanks, I will. We have used shower facilities at London Heathrow a couple of times, and it's soooo nice to take a shower between flights, but I suppose the washcloth will have to do the thing!
Doesn't matter too much anyway - it's our first trip to WDW AND our first cruise, so we'll just enjoy it anyway....

 

[DisneyChris]

I am not sure but there might be showers at the Air Canada lounge in Toronto. I've used them in the arrival lounge of Heathrow Terminal 3.

 

[MECH8T7]

I am not sure but there might be showers at the Air Canada lounge in Toronto. I've used them in the arrival lounge of Heathrow Terminal 3.

If you can get access, there are showers in the AC lounges in Toronto.

 

[damo]

We've used the showers in the Air Canada Aeroplan "Maple Leaf" lounge. We had to catch a flight to Orlando after my son's hockey practice and didn't have time to go back home after practice to de-stinkafy him.

If you go to Aeroplan.com you can sign up to be an aeroplan member. Or perhaps you are a frequent flier on another airlines? They may be affiliated with Aeroplan and would grant you access to the lounge.

The lounge offers a nice place to rest between or before flights. There are computers, tvs, refreshments and comfy seats.

 

[pxlbarrel]

What do you need in terms of qualifications to use the lounge?

 

[MECH8T7]

What do you need in terms of qualifications to use the lounge?

There are a few ways to get there, but it is not as simple as just signing up for an aeroplan account.

The easiest way is to buy or upgrade to executive class or latitude plus AC fare for your flight. Each passenger would have to have a qualifying ticket.

The second easiest way is to either buy a membership to the Maple Leaf Club from Air Canada. It is about $350 per year and it allows you to bring guests with you for a fee (around $20) and gives you access to United's Red Carpet lounges and I think Lufthansa lounges as well. You also are entitled to use business class check-in, which can be a real advantage when you have luggage to check-in and you are travelling during a busy time. This is the link to the application form on the AC website. http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/maplelounges/documents/application-form.pdf

Also, you can either get the Amex Platinum Aeroplan Plus or CIBC Aeroplan Gold Visa (with the lounge access added on). The annual fee for these credit cards is around $400 per year and gives you privileges similar to Maple Leaf Club but you do not get access to the United or Lufthansa lounges.

I have also heard of some people getting coupons sent along by AC with their tickets for complimentary lounge access, but I think this is pretty rare.

The most difficult way to get access is to join Aeroplan and travel on enough flight segment or accumulate enough mileage within a year to be eligible for one of the upper tier categories: Elite or Super Elite.

 

[damo]

If you know someone who is a Super Elite member, they get free guest certificates.

 

[SuAnne]

I was looking on the website for the Sheraton Gateway which is attached to Terminal 3 and they have a day rate for their rooms...I think it was $69.00

 

[SuAnne]

Hi,
I was looking on the website for the Sheraton Gateway today which is attached to Terminal 3 and they have a day rate for their rooms...I think it was $69.00.

 

[seema]

There are a few ways to get there, but it is not as simple as just signing up for an aeroplan account.

The easiest way is to buy or upgrade to executive class or latitude plus AC fare for your flight. Each passenger would have to have a qualifying ticket.

The second easiest way is to either buy a membership to the Maple Leaf Club from Air Canada. It is about $350 per year and it allows you to bring guests with you for a fee (around $20) and gives you access to United's Red Carpet lounges and I think Lufthansa lounges as well. You also are entitled to use business class check-in, which can be a real advantage when you have luggage to check-in and you are travelling during a busy time. This is the link to the application form on the AC website. http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/maplelounges/documents/application-form.pdf

Also, you can either get the Amex Platinum Aeroplan Plus or CIBC Aeroplan Gold Visa (with the lounge access added on). The annual fee for these credit cards is around $400 per year and gives you privileges similar to Maple Leaf Club but you do not get access to the United or Lufthansa lounges.

I have also heard of some people getting coupons sent along by AC with their tickets for complimentary lounge access, but I think this is pretty rare.

The most difficult way to get access is to join Aeroplan and travel on enough flight segment or accumulate enough mileage within a year to be eligible for one of the upper tier categories: Elite or Super Elite.

Air Canada does give its upper tier members free guest passes to the Maple Leaf Lounge, for their friends and relatives (Elite and SuperElite members have automatic loung priviliges - so these lounge passes are not useful to them). If you do not know of anyone who can give you such passes, you may try to go on the Air Canada forum of FlyerTalk, and ask for such passes (in exchange for some other items).

In terms of the 4 hrs in Toronto - remember that one has to go between T1 and T2 (assuming one is staying with Air Canada on both flights); with the time to transfer between the 2 terminal buildings, and the potential lineups for US customs and immigration (preclearance), not very much time will be left - definitely not enough to use the Sheraton Hotel facilities.

 

[damo]

The passes also come up on Ebay occasionally. There are some on there right now. http://search.ebay.ca/maple-leaf-lounge_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8