Is This Crazy?

[THE DENTIST]

We're from the Uk visiting Vancouver in April end/ May. If the rockies is not suitable at this time of year we thought about flying over from Vancouver to Florida for 5-6 nights and then back to Ottawa to family.

What do ya guys think? Is it going to be expensive to fly this route and how long is the flight?

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

but I think you would be closer to Disneyland than Disney World.

I am pretty sure it would be expensive since flying from anywhere in Canada is outrageous. Most of us now drive to the States and fly from there.

If you were to go to Disney World it would be a long flight from Vancouver, but it is only about 3.5 hours from Disney World to Ottawa.

That is quite the trip you are taking. Have a great time!!!

 

[SandraC]

Hi ~ Price it before "committing" yourself.

 

[encinc]

I'm not sure what you mean by the Rockies being "unsuitable" at that time of year. When I was in Calgary, I visited the Rockies year round. It was a different experience each time. You'd want to be prepared for cold weather in the mountains at that time of year, but I still think it would be worth a visit.

As for Vancouver to Florida, it would be a long flight, and I have no idea how much it would cost. Disneyland in California would definitely be closer, and probably less expensive.

 

[lisalonglash]

You "could" do this, but it's gonna cost you big bucks, unfortunately. We live in Vancouver, but fly out of Seattle to Orlando because it's a LOT cheaper to do it that way and it only takes a couple of hours to drive from Vancouver to Seattle. BTW, there are NO direct flights from Vancouver to Orlando, but there are some direct flights from Seattle to Orlando.

You'd be doing a lot of flying during your trip though:

~ London to Vancouver takes about 9.5 hours
~ Seattle to Orlando takes about 5.5 hours - not a long flight
~ Orlando to Ottawa takes about 3 hours (I think)
~ Ottawa to London would take a while too.

That's a lot of your vacation sitting on a plane

If you'd like any more information about Vancouver or flying to Orlando from Vancouver/Seattle, there are a lot of West Coasters on this board that can help, including me

 

[THE DENTIST]

Thats interesting. Seattle to Orlando.

So it may be feasible.

Thanks, i'll check the prices n get back with more questions.

Like who flies seattle to orlando.

Also the Rockies comment was about access to the lakes, frozen or not. We're going for photography.

 

[lisalonglash]

Thats interesting. Seattle to Orlando.

So it may be feasible.

Thanks, i'll check the prices n get back with more questions.

Like who flies seattle to orlando.

Also the Rockies comment was about access to the lakes, frozen or not. We're going for photography.

All major airlines fly out of Seattle. Last time, we flew with Alaska Airlines, direct both ways. I'm hoping for those direct flights again this time, I'm just waiting for the prices to drop some. I like that Alaska doesn't charge for your first checked bag - with four people in our family on this trip, that'll save us US$60 each way!

 

[bbangel]

Alaska and United tend to have the most convenient flights from Seattle to Orlando. It makes for a long day with the flight time and the time in airports.
I would look into the cost of going to Disneyland instead. Shorter flight, cheaper etc.

 

[LuvBaloo]

We've gone from BC to WDW twice.
In 2006, it was cheaper for our family of 4 to fly from Seattle.
In 2008, flying out of Vancouver was within $200 (for family of 4) so we went straight from Vancouver.
I recommend looking at both options, and make sure to include the cost of getting from Seattle to Vancouver.
Either way, there's redeye's that take you over night, but since you end up with 1 or 2 layovers on the way, we didn't think it was a good option. Both times we left the WestCoast in early morning, and got to WDW in evening. (3hour time change eats up part of the day).

I've been to Jasper in May and it was beautiful. We did the tram, and there was snow at the top. Maligne canyon was beautiful and the spring run-off made the waterfalls larger than in August.

 

[lisalonglash]

We've gone from BC to WDW twice.
In 2006, it was cheaper for our family of 4 to fly from Seattle.
In 2008, flying out of Vancouver was within $200 (for family of 4) so we went straight from Vancouver.
I recommend looking at both options, and make sure to include the cost of getting from Seattle to Vancouver.
Either way, there's redeye's that take you over night, but since you end up with 1 or 2 layovers on the way, we didn't think it was a good option. Both times we left the WestCoast in early morning, and got to WDW in evening. (3hour time change eats up part of the day).

We had a non-stop redeye flight from SEA to MCO last October (with a 6pm direct flight from MCO to SEA home) and the total was $335 each. It would depend on whether the OP is planning to drive down to Seattle, stay at a local hotel, then fly out in the am or do what we did (which was simply drive down, park at MasterPark at the airport then fly out in the evening). We arrived at MCO at 7:30am, took ME to the resort, then went to DTD. That schedule is perfect for us

I've been waiting for a direct redeye flight again (that is our preferred time to travel - we figure we're going to need sleep anyway, it might as well happen while we're getting to WDW lol) - so far, the Delta and Alaska direct flights are only first thing in the am and in the afternoon Oh well, hopefully when the airlines release their next quarter fares, one of the airlines will have added a direct redeye again - fingers crossed!

Oh, one more thing - Vancouver does NOT have any direct flights to/from MCO. I don't know why - it seems to be the only major Canadian centre without the direct flights to Orlando. Factor in those crazy flight taxes we pay here and Seattle is consistently cheaper, even adding the cost of gas to drive to/from SeaTac Airport and parking there.

Have fun researching and planning - I LOVE doing that (and have been for months now LOL!)

 

[deanie]

The photography of the Rockies at that time of year would be beautiful. No flowers yet, though. If you are driving, taking the Sea to Sky Highway - #99 - that goes from Vancouver through to Whistler Ski resort and then onto Jasper is a beautiful drive.

 

[THE DENTIST]

The photography of the Rockies at that time of year would be beautiful. No flowers yet, though. If you are driving, taking the Sea to Sky Highway - #99 - that goes from Vancouver through to Whistler Ski resort and then onto Jasper is a beautiful drive.

That sounds exactly what my wife wanted us to do so i'm glad to hear that we could do whistler to jasper.

It seems that the west coast to MCO trip may be a little too much to do so i guess that feeling to go to disney will have to wait until sept/ oct direct from Manchester Uk.

K

 

[deanie]

Oh yes, and you MUST do the icefields trip that would take you from Jasper to Banff, Alberta. It is absolutely breathtaking. There are lots of hikes you can do and you can also go up onto a glacier. You could backtrack about 1/2 to 1 hour to Lake Louise also which is very photogenic. I am lucky to live in such a beautiful area of Canada. Enjoy your trip.

 

[THE DENTIST]

Well guys,

Having read the above, i realise there may be lots to do in the rockies so my question isn't a disney one but hope i'm not hijacking the forum.

My questions are these;

who do i hire a car fronm to go from vancouver to calgary via the rockies? This will be one way.

How long would you spend at Jasper, lake louise and banff?

Who do i fly with from calgary to ottawa where my DW's sis lives?

Do i have a chance for whale watching at van island?

 

[LuvBaloo]

Most of the major companies should do a one-way rental from Vancouver to Calgary. National is the company I've used in the past (not for that route though). I just looked and a standard (2door) car for 10 days would be $1400by the time all the taxes and fees are added in. That was with unlimited km.

You could easily spend a week in Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise. It all depends on how fast you like to do things.

I'd recommend WestJet to fly from Calgary to Ottawa as it is usually cheaper than Air Canada, but not always, so I recommend checking out both of their websites.

Yes, whale watching is an option on Vancouver Island. Its also possible from the mainland. Prince of Whales is one company that offers year-round whale watching from Vancouver and Victoria. I haven't done it yet because I'm waiting for my kids to be old enough; but my friend has used them and enjoyed it.

 

[deanie]

We went with Prince of Whales whale watching. It was good but we saw grey whales and really just saw the fins and backs. If you have any luck, you may see orcas on the ferry trip to Vancouver Island. I love the 2 hr ferry trip.

There are a lot of hikes and lakes and waterfalls around the Jasper area. I have not been that way for several years but the lure is the surroundings and not the town itself. As far as Banff is concerned, I would stay in Canmore which is about 10 miles from Banff. Banff has become quite touristy. There are some natural hot springs at Banff also. Maligne Lake is close to Banff, perhaps 1/2 or so away and is very beautiful. Lake Louise is about a 45 minute drive from Banff and the lake is a beautiful glacier lake. It is heavily forested and has some great trails. As for staying at Lake Louise, there is the expensive Chateau Lake Louise and a few other places I am not familiar with. Make sure you have reservations.

My son just suggested if you need a spot to stop for a picnic, or whatever, just past Kamloops on the Yellowhead highway towards Jasper, is Wells Grey Park. Just off the turnoff is Helmeken ( not sure how to spell it) Falls.

You can send me a personal email if you need any other info. Enjoy.

 

[THE DENTIST]

Deanie and all,

Thanks soo much for the great advice to date. I'm really appreciative as i have not planned anything for this trip. I will take up your offer Deanie and PM you as i could do with more advice.

For all the readers here, i would like to add a little of my plans/thoughts to date.

We arrive in Vancouver and have booked the Fairmont Waterside for 3 days. Is this hotel OK? Are 3 days enough for Vancover as we have about 8-9 days in total to do any or all of the following;

Van, Van Island, Whistler, L.Louise , Banff, Maligne, Yoho, Kootenay, Jasper ending in Calgary for flight to Ottawa.

I am a very keen amateur photographer so expect to be taking cityscapes at dawn or sunset and same with the mountains and lakes given access is possible!

Should i hire the car at Van airport when we arrive or only when i'm planning to leave the city and head out. I need a one-way hire to Calgary and don't know if i need to stipulate the exact duration of the hire or can i just pay for extra use when i hand it back in?

K

 

[fundy_dreamer]

My only advice is to have a big memory card if you use a digital SLR. My wife and I were in Banff last fall for the first time and our experience was that we said "Oh wow" everytime we turned a corner. 10 days will only allow you to scratch the surface of your intended stops but you won't have any trouble finding lots of wonderful photo ops.

Lake Louise will take your breath away...but so will the rest of western Canada. Ottawa will be getting into the Tulip Festival time so that should be impressive as well.

 

[THE DENTIST]

Hi guys,

Do i stay in one base and travel out say from LL or do i split the Rockies to Jasper and LL/ Banff?

My wife insists on 2 nights at the Chateau so that is a must?
Any other places you'd recommend?

K

 

[fundy_dreamer]

It's about 1-2 hours up to Jasper from LL. I think it would make a pretty good central base for Banff / Jasper plus you're only 20-30 min from the BC border and Yoho National Park.