June 7, 2011 Alaska

[chernabogfamily]

Does anyone know or think that there will be a "Tea with Wendy" or some other kind of family afternoon tea event? My daughter really wants to do a tea and I thought some of Disney's other 7-night cruises offered them? Can you tell this is our first foray into a 7-night cruise??

Also, do they do a character breakfast on board? I thought I had read that somewhere as well. My son (11 going on 17 ) isn't interested, but my daughter is. She will be turning 8, so the characters are still fun to see (she's past wanting their autographs- yippee).

 

[Evette]

Hi everyone. I have been away from here for a few weeks (life got in the way of my vacation and Disney planning ). As soon as I started booking my excursions last night, our GTY room assignment showed up.
We are in room #2510. Not all that excited about being that far forward on the ship and down on lower deck, but who knows---I may love the room and location!

May I ask what GTY catagory you were in? We are still a 9B GTY. On our first Disney Cruise on the Magic we were in 2580 which is midship on deck 2. We liked deck 2 quite well which is why we chose a 9B GTY, but an upgrade would definitely be welcome!

 

[chernabogfamily]

May I ask what GTY catagory you were in? We are still a 9B GTY. On our first Disney Cruise on the Magic we were in 2580 which is midship on deck 2. We liked deck 2 quite well which is why we chose a 9B GTY, but an upgrade would definitely be welcome!

No upgrade. We booked a 9C GTY and got a 9C GTY room. We have done 3 GTY rooms on Disney, and have gotten the exact category we booked every time. Never an upgrade.

 

[ldconley]

I was finally able to get the reservations to work. Looks like most of the excursions are still available except the few mentioned earlier, Exclusive Musher for a Day and Juneau by Jeep.

The main thing I was wanting to book today was Palo for High Tea. I was able to get reservations for two. I really wanted four, but it was not available. We just had friends book to sail with us, so I was wanting to go with them. I decided that the girls would just go and leave the husbands on their own for a little while. The only day available was the Tracy Arm day, but that was fine. That just happens to be my birthday so my friend and I will just go celebrate and enjoy some girl time.

We have not really decided which excursions we are going to do, so I will have to go back later to add those. I have asked DH and DD and the only response I have gotten so far is horseback ridding and dog sledding from DD. Guess I need to pin them down on that this weekend.

 

[Evette]

I was online last night at 12:01am EST and booked everything we wanted. Palo Brunch at 11:30am on Thursday, June 9, White Pass Scenic Railway 12:30-4:30pm in Skagway on Friday, Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest 8:45am-2:45pm in Juneau on Saturday and Saxman Native Village & Exclusive Lumberjack Show 1:45-6:15pm in Ketchikan on Sunday. Hope everyone is sucessful in booking everything you want!

 

[pixie3]

Hello, everyone! We are on the June 7 cruise, too...we're SOO excited! It will be me, DH (Larry) and DD (Hannah, age 11).

Hello Pam! Welcome aboard! I added you to the front page.

Sorry I left out my important people. There is me Khristy, DH Mike, DD AllyKay (Celebrating her 12th Birthday), my Awesome Parents (AP) Larry and Sharon and my terrific brother and his girlfriend John and Debbie. My DH and I are the cruise directors for my little band of misfits, but we love researching travel information. I think my stateroom is 6131 and I a bit intemidated by the FE, so let me think on that.
Im so excited about this cruise!
Khristy

I gotcha all!

For everyone staying at the Pan Pacific, it is a very nice hotel and very convenient, super close to transit and right downtown, if you have any questions about Vancouver I would be happy to answer them I do LOVE my city!

Thank you Tink!

Hi everyone. I have been away from here for a few weeks (life got in the way of my vacation and Disney planning ). As soon as I started booking my excursions last night, our GTY room assignment showed up.
We are in room #2510.

HI! I put your room number on the first page!

Okay! If any information on the first page is incorrect, please let me know. Also, if anyone is interested in the Fish Extender game, please let me know. It sure is fun. It is really nice to come back to your room and have little surprises waiting for you. (The kids especially love it!)

 

[*tinker*bell*]

woo~! just had to post to say I've started creating my things for the FE and I'm excited~! can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

 

[pixie3]

woo~! just had to post to say I've started creating my things for the FE and I'm excited~! can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Wow! Good for you. I'm such a procrastinator. I'll be up late putting stuff together a few days before the cruise.

 

[chernabogfamily]

For everyone staying at the Pan Pacific, it is a very nice hotel and very convenient, super close to transit and right downtown, if you have any questions about Vancouver I would be happy to answer them I do LOVE my city!

You offered to give us advice since you are a Vancouverite. I'll take you up on that.

We are coming in on Sunday evening, so we will have all day Monday to explore the city of Vancouver. If you only had 1 day to show visitors around, what would you pick as the must sees?

We are a family of 4. My daughter absolutely LOVES whales, and belugas are her favorite. Is the aquarium worth it (she loves Sea World if that helps)?

I'm sure you have probably been to Grouse Mtn or the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Are all the events at Grouse Mtn worth seeing? The raptor exhibit and show, lumberjack show, wind turbines? My kids and husband have never riden a tram or ski lift either and I thought they might enjoy that experience (I have- I spent a number of years in Montana).

My husband loves all things Olympics related. Is there anything still in the city from the Olympics? The torch pillar or anything?

What would you suggest? Also- is there a particular food that Vancouver is known for and we must try?

Thank you so much. I hope I didn't ask too many questions. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[Tahitian Traveler]

Hi everyone. I have been away from here for a few weeks (life got in the way of my vacation and Disney planning ). As soon as I started booking my excursions last night, our GTY room assignment showed up.
We are in room #2510. Not all that excited about being that far forward on the ship and down on lower deck, but who knows---I may love the room and location!

We booked our excursions and reservations last night. I overdid it, and since the hubby is away he didn't get to make any choices. So as soon as he is home, we will go thru all of them and could possibly cancel at least 1 thing (the Palo Brunch). We liked it last time, but we LOVE the chocolate souffle they have at dinner more. Tough decisions!

Anyone else doing the same excursions as us? Here's a rundown:

Juneau- Exclusive Whale Encounter and Glacier (my kids are cuckoo over whales); I also thru the Mt Roberts Tramway on there. Let's hope we have time.
Ketchikan- the Disney Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack show only had the 4:30-6:30 pm slot left, whiich would end up being right in the middle of our dining seating and also right before the ship leaves port. Too much stress for me. So, we just booked the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show for earlier in the afternoon.
Skagway- Liarsville Gold Rush/Salmon Bake Disney Exclusive. **** someone else was interested in this excursion- there were a couple of times available still for it, so you should be able to book it no problem.

Only a couple of excursions were unavailable (glacier trek, glacier dog mushing, jeep tour). So everything is still pretty open.

Palo was also open for High Tea/Brunch/and Dinner everyday it was offered still. I'm excited to do High Tea on our 1st sea day. I have never done that one, but my husband and I do enjoy high tea.

Enough talking about myself and our family cruise plans. What's everyone else doing??

We booked the exact same excursions as you Too funny ! I cannot tell you how many times I read and re-read the descriptions. I would still like to the White Pass train ride though.....

 

[chernabogfamily]

We booked the exact same excursions as you Too funny ! I cannot tell you how many times I read and re-read the descriptions. I would still like to the White Pass train ride though.....

That is too funny. I wonder if we booked the same excursion times for everything as well. Are you going whale watching at 7:45 am? Going on the Liarsville Gold Rush/Salmon Bake at 8:45? And the Lumberjacks at 2pm? That would be too fun!

I would have liked tp do the White Pass train ride as well. Not enough hours in the day to fit it in though.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

You offered to give us advice since you are a Vancouverite. I'll take you up on that.

We are coming in on Sunday evening, so we will have all day Monday to explore the city of Vancouver. If you only had 1 day to show visitors around, what would you pick as the must sees?

We are a family of 4. My daughter absolutely LOVES whales, and belugas are her favorite. Is the aquarium worth it (she loves Sea World if that helps)?

I'm sure you have probably been to Grouse Mtn or the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Are all the events at Grouse Mtn worth seeing? The raptor exhibit and show, lumberjack show, wind turbines? My kids and husband have never riden a tram or ski lift either and I thought they might enjoy that experience (I have- I spent a number of years in Montana).

My husband loves all things Olympics related. Is there anything still in the city from the Olympics? The torch pillar or anything?

What would you suggest? Also- is there a particular food that Vancouver is known for and we must try?

Thank you so much. I hope I didn't ask too many questions. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Hey! I just saw this I shall spiel a bit now and again later, I'm gunna ask a couple of people their opinions too!

If your daughter loves belugas then the Aquarium is an awesome place! It can get pricey, especially for a family of four, and it isn't massive like Sea World but there are belugas, dolphins, otters, and lots more. I LOVE Stanley Park (where the Aquarium is) its beautiful, there are the totem poles a pool and beaches, a great place for a picnic!

I have been to both the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain. Personally I HATED the Bridge mostly because I am terrified of heights and I was with a bunch of rowdy Kiwi's shaking the darn bridge... not fun! It is very pretty up there but it is a bit out of the way. Grouse is awesome The gondola up is a highlight, I have seen the lumberjack show, its entertaining however pretty much the same as every other one, you see one you've seen 'em all I haven't seen the wind turbines or the raptor exhibit, it's been awhile since I've been up there!

There are some things kicking around from the Olympics I believe, I think the torch is still up... I asked one of my friends she will know better than me whats still down there, I fled to Seattle for most of that! Edited to add that the Torch/Cauldron thingy is infact up, it is a permanent feature between Canada Place (where the Pan Pacific Hotel is located, also where we get on the ship) and the new Convention Center, it's hard to miss, wont be lit but it's there! edited again to correct myself it is on the far side of the Convention Center not between the two buildings, it's very close to the hotel, just a short walk to the other side of the new building

and food... ahhh lol There is soooo many places downtown to eat... Vera's is always amazing if you like burgers. Really there is every kind of food you can think of and it's all good! There is a little cupcake store (Cupcakes) just off Robson Street that has the BEST cupcakes EVER, Katie and Suri Cruise have been spotted there a couple of times

I would definitely try to spend at least a bit of time strolling around Gas Town, it's touristy but very quaint, it wouldn't take a whole lot of time, most of the shops sell the same stuff, but see the old Steam Clock and the cobble stone streets.

These places are all pretty far apart so you have to pick and choose what is right for your family... I would suggest looking at this site http://bigbus.ca/home/ they do tours and would make doing more easier I believe Grouse and Stanley Park are two of the BEST things Vancouver has to offer, there is so much more but those would be my picks. I shall ask a few people and keep thinking on restaurants and such hope that helps and I don't mind clarifying or answering anymore questions!!!

 

[jarudinski]

I think I may be stressing over this too much. I am at a loss as to what to do about the hotels before the stay.

I looked on hotwire and was tempted to go that route, but am scared I may not get the right room configurations for our party, we have 8 adults and 4 kids. I want to at least get 3 rooms with 2 beds and am afraid they may only give us single beds which would be a little awkward =).

No one in our party really wants to pay for the disney transfers so I am looking for hotels that are close to transportation. (plus some people are driving). I found the best western downtown that offered airport/cruise transportation, but I knowvery little about the hotel.

The Pan Pacific is real close and we can take the train (skytrain?). It is the more expensive option but the deal my travel agent got us is only $50 more than the best western, so maybe the better option in the end.

At this point I am begining to think I am over analyzing this and stressing way too much for vacation .. lol.

 

[chernabogfamily]

I think I may be stressing over this too much. I am at a loss as to what to do about the hotels before the stay.

I looked on hotwire and was tempted to go that route, but am scared I may not get the right room configurations for our party, we have 8 adults and 4 kids. I want to at least get 3 rooms with 2 beds and am afraid they may only give us single beds which would be a little awkward =).

No one in our party really wants to pay for the disney transfers so I am looking for hotels that are close to transportation. (plus some people are driving). I found the best western downtown that offered airport/cruise transportation, but I knowvery little about the hotel.

The Pan Pacific is real close and we can take the train (skytrain?). It is the more expensive option but the deal my travel agent got us is only $50 more than the best western, so maybe the better option in the end.

At this point I am begining to think I am over analyzing this and stressing way too much for vacation .. lol.

We opted to go the easiest and most stress free route by doing 2 nights at the Pan Pacific. I had the same issues about DCL transfers and transportation from YVR to hotel and to the cruise terminal. I figure that with us being right beside the cruise terminal, I can start to relax and actually feel like I am on vacation. I thought I had read that you take the Canada Line from the airport to downtown, not the Skytrain. I better look into that and find out for sure which it is.

Who all si staying at the Pan Pacific the night before??

 

[jarudinski]

We opted to go the easiest and most stress free route by doing 2 nights at the Pan Pacific. I had the same issues about DCL transfers and transportation from YVR to hotel and to the cruise terminal. I figure that with us being right beside the cruise terminal, I can start to relax and actually feel like I am on vacation. I thought I had read that you take the Canada Line from the airport to downtown, not the Skytrain. I better look into that and find out for sure which it is.

Who all si staying at the Pan Pacific the night before??

Well I just decided to do it, we booked for the Pan Pacific. There will be 12 of us all together (we have added another family just last week .. lol). I think if I understand correctly, the skytrain is the name of the whole system and the Canada Line is the specific train you want to take from the airport to the pier. http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999

I am excited no that this part is done ... now I can get back to the fun stuff =) Almost done with my FE gifts .

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Well I just decided to do it, we booked for the Pan Pacific. There will be 12 of us all together (we have added another family just last week .. lol). I think if I understand correctly, the skytrain is the name of the whole system and the Canada Line is the specific train you want to take from the airport to the pier. http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999

I am excited no that this part is done ... now I can get back to the fun stuff =) Almost done with my FE gifts .

Yup the Skytrain is the whole system and the Canada Line, the newest part, is what you will be riding. The Canada Line is quite nice as far as public transit goes it was created for the Olympics

 

[chernabogfamily]

I think if I understand correctly, the skytrain is the name of the whole system and the Canada Line is the specific train you want to take from the airport to the pier. http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999

Yup the Skytrain is the whole system and the Canada Line, the newest part, is what you will be riding. The Canada Line is quite nice as far as public transit goes it was created for the Olympics

Thanks for clearing that up guys. Thanks for the link also. Now I'll be able to find my way at the airport.

 

[Tahitian Traveler]

That is too funny. I wonder if we booked the same excursion times for everything as well. Are you going whale watching at 7:45 am? Going on the Liarsville Gold Rush/Salmon Bake at 8:45? And the Lumberjacks at 2pm? That would be too fun!

I would have liked tp do the White Pass train ride as well. Not enough hours in the day to fit it in though.

I apologize for the long delay in responding. I will see you for Liarsville but the others are later times. We are doing the 950am whale watching and the Exclusive Lumberjack at 430pm. I may change the whale watching to 745 so that I can enjoy the remainder of the day without feeling rushed. My husband however, would not like to be up at 6am to eat and "chase whales". But hey, time is of the essence....you snooze, you lose ! I probably will change it because I want to enjoy a nice king crab lunch without rushing and/or possibly take the kids dog sledding ( if bargains are offered at the port).

 

[fliplover101]

Hello again everyone! Been off of the boards for a while, getting back into the swing of college academics We ARE still going on the cruise, and SO excited to see how many people are going on this cruise!!! Also, I realized I never properly introduced our cast of characters: I'm Kristin (will be 21 by the time we're cruising!), DB, Stephen (18), DM, Gretchen, and DD, Alan.

Having never been on a disney cruise before, we can't book until the 24th, but we're hoping to do Best of Skagway tour, either the dog sled summer camp or Mendenhall Glacier Adventure Hike in Juneau, and one of the ziplines in Ketchikan. We're also hoping to book Palo, we're thinking dinner, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what's still available. Is there a rotation dinner we absolutely shouldn't miss? Wouldn't want to book Palo for that evening!

Question about hotels - we are flying in a few days early to explore the Vancouver area before the cruise, and are trying to decide on a hotel right now. My dad's a Starwood rewards member, so we are going to do either a Sheraton or Westin for most of the nights, but we were wondering whether or not to switch to one of Disney's 'affiliated' hotels the night before the cruise. Are there any benefits to staying at one of those hotels? Also, I know everyone's been saying it's a lot cheaper to do your own transfers rather than Disney's, but where can I find information on Disney's transfers????? I can't seem to find anything about it on the website. Thanks!

 

[ksware]

The Wares are going on the cruise

We are Kendra, Jay and Velveth (11). We are all looking forward to celebrating Velveth's adoption and birthday