Train up to whistler or drive

["Got Disney"]

WE are planning on heading up to whistler in July, 2011 when we are on our Cruise for Alaska with DCL. DH and I cant decide whether to take the train up or drive. WE live in SanDiego so we have lots of mountains and we drive up to the snow so we are use to great views.

Id the train was cheaper it would be a no brainer(sp). But their are 5 of us.. It is $199 round trip...Canadian I think...it does not say otherwise so an figuring it would be around $180 a person US. That would be almost $1,000. WE can afford it but do we want to????

So is the train worth the $$$$ or should we just rent a car? The time would not be much more than if we were driving to Disneyland for us.

If the train ROCKS and a must do, and worth the money than I dont want to pass on it. Mostly since it would be the first train the kids have ever been on. We also may end up doing a train ride when in Alaska as an excursion....not sure of that however yet either.

So have you taken the train and is it worth it. I am going to look into seeing if we can maybe take the train up and rent a car for the ride back down. Seeing a different view other than the train. O wise versa...drive up, train back.

I appreciate any input! We will also be staying in Vancouver for a few days. 2 days in Whistler and 5 in Vancouver.

 

[bookbabe626]

There's also a shuttle bus that my DH uses in the winter for snowboarding trips. Don't know if they offer summer service too, but it might be worth checking out...
http://www.pacificcoach.com/Whistler/Winter-Fares

 

["Got Disney"]

There's also a shuttle bus that my DH uses in the winter for snowboarding trips. Don't know if they offer summer service too, but it might be worth checking out...
http://www.pacificcoach.com/Whistler/Winter-Fares

Yes they do and am familure with the Bus. This was am option we thought of also as far as taking the train one way and the Bus back if no rent a car. Have you ever been on the Mountainer Train? And thanks for the link!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

My boss did the train last year with out of town guests and really enjoyed the trip but found that they were too limited time wise.
It's a beautiful drive and I would definitely rent a car.

What else do you plan on doing while in Vancouver? We live about an hour away and go in quite often.

 

[Sue M]

I'd rent a car and drive. With the olympics the road is sig. better, you can stop along the way at view points, Shannon water falls, etc. Also you'd have a car up there. It's a 2 hr or less drive from town.
In the summer Whistler is more then just The Village. There are lakes, beaches, trails, etc.

 

[c&m]

I think driving is the best option. It gives you an opportunity to stop at some scenic points along the way, i.e. Alice Lake. When in Whistler, you can drive your group to Cheakamus Lake, where you can hike on some really nice trails. You may also want to drive over to the lake (? forgot the name all of a sudden???) where you can rent a canoe or kayak and go down the River of Golden Dreams - loads of fun. You may want to drive to where the ziplining is. Lots to do. More efficient with the car.

Also want to add that with your limited time in Whistler, you would want to maximize your fun time and not spend it in transit or waiting for transit.

Hope that helps!

 

[Sue M]

I think driving is the best option. It gives you an opportunity to stop at some scenic points along the way, i.e. Alice Lake. When in Whistler, you can drive your group to Cheakamus Lake, where you can hike on some really nice trails. You may also want to drive over to the lake (? forgot the name all of a sudden???) where you can rent a canoe or kayak and go down the River of Golden Dreams - loads of fun. You may want to drive to where the ziplining is. Lots to do. More efficient with the car.

Also want to add that with your limited time in Whistler, you would want to maximize your fun time and not spend it in transit or waiting for transit.

Hope that helps!

I think that's Alta Lake.

 

[canadakath]

A cheaper alternative to the shuttle bus when you have multiple people is getting a "limo" from the airport (or wherever). Same price as two people on the bus and you stop wherever you want to stop!

We go out every year in the summer and rent a car - much easier with family, car seats, etc. It's a VERY easy drive with lots of interesting places to stop. Hardest part is getting through Vancouver itself most days!

Not sure how old your kids are, but they might be interested in the mining museum that is along the way, and Shannon Falls is beautiful and a nice spot to stretch the legs. In Vancouver, be sure to hit the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park - always a fave for my two. Granville Island in Vancouver is great as well - but don't bother driving to it - parking is no fun.

We are booked on the Alaska cruise for August 23 and will be in Whistler the week before too - can't wait!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";34309310]Yes they do and am familure with the Bus. This was am option we thought of also as far as taking the train one way and the Bus back if no rent a car. Have you ever been on the Mountainer Train? And thanks for the link![/QUOTE]

We took the bus up to Whistler & took the train back. Smooth & fast bus ride & the train ride back was fantastic!!

Seconding the PP about Stanley Park, especially Vancouver Aquarium. If you buy a CityPass you have lots of attractions for a good price & it's a fun way to see the highlights.

We stayed very close to Stanley Park (on the edge, we could walk into the park by going to the end of our street) and it was an excellent area. Close to the beach & taking the little water taxi to Granville was one of the best things! Also even the transportation is amazing - not just buses but also ferries & the Sky Train.

The mountains are more similar to the Rocky mtn range than the mtns around San Diego (i.e., driving to Julian, or around Temecula, etc.)

PM if you'd like specific hotel info. Have FUN!!!

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/

 

["Got Disney"]

My boss did the train last year with out of town guests and really enjoyed the trip but found that they were too limited time wise.
It's a beautiful drive and I would definitely rent a car.

What else do you plan on doing while in Vancouver? We live about an hour away and go in quite often.

We are not sure yet, but an looking into all different things.

We took the bus up to Whistler & took the train back. Smooth & fast bus ride & the train ride back was fantastic!!

Seconding the PP about Stanley Park, especially Vancouver Aquarium. If you buy a CityPass you have lots of attractions for a good price & it's a fun way to see the highlights.

We stayed very close to Stanley Park (on the edge, we could walk into the park by going to the end of our street) and it was an excellent area. Close to the beach & taking the little water taxi to Granville was one of the best things! Also even the transportation is amazing - not just buses but also ferries & the Sky Train.

The mountains are more similar to the Rocky mtn range than the mtns around San Diego (i.e., driving to Julian, or around Temecula, etc.)

PM if you'd like specific hotel info. Have FUN!!!

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/

Thanks for the input of the mountains....that helps. I was also thinking of the mountains heading east when we go up to the snow. I am worried the boys will think if ya seen one mountain ya seen them all...lol...

We thought about doing that also. All the boys will be 14, 17, and 18 at the time of the trip. DH is like, NO WAY do I want to drive 2 hrs with the 3 in the car. But I have reminded him that it is not any different than driving up to DL from our house. And of course we can stop along the way. If we drive than we will stay at least 3 day and 4 days in Vancouver.

so for those of you that have been there.....would you say spend more days in whistler and less in Vancouver, or the other way around. We can have as many as 7 days....we want to make it a 111-14 day trip.

Bringing one of my boys friends who will be 18, well he is like a 3rd son to us and a brother to the boys, but with that one extra person, we will need to get 2 rooms instead of just one room with 2 beds. So that makes for more $$$$.

Does anyone know if ya can rent a car going up, use it than leave it there so to take the train back?????

 

["Got Disney"]

We took the bus up to Whistler & took the train back. Smooth & fast bus ride & the train ride back was fantastic!!

Seconding the PP about Stanley Park, especially Vancouver Aquarium. If you buy a CityPass you have lots of attractions for a good price & it's a fun way to see the highlights.

We stayed very close to Stanley Park (on the edge, we could walk into the park by going to the end of our street) and it was an excellent area. Close to the beach & taking the little water taxi to Granville was one of the best things! Also even the transportation is amazing - not just buses but also ferries & the Sky Train.

The mountains are more similar to the Rocky mtn range than the mtns around San Diego (i.e., driving to Julian, or around Temecula, etc.)

PM if you'd like specific hotel info. Have FUN!!!

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/

Did the Bus make stops anywhere? and also where did you stay/sleep when up there? How many in your family? thanks

 

[Sue M]

I'd spend the longer block of time in Vancouver.

 

[squirrel]

I also would spend more time in Vancouver.

Lots of things to do in Vancouver-Aquarium, Science World, Planetarium, Gas Town, Granville Island, Sea-Bus over to Lonsdale Quay, etc.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Hi,
The bus only stopped once before Whistler, I can't remember the name of the town but it was a super quick stop just minutes before we arrived.

Definitely there's more to see in Vancouver, but there's lots to do in Whistler. If your boys want to mountain bike or do the tree top course, that's the place for it.

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/summer/index.htm

We stayed at Coast Suites in Whistler, they were friendly & it felt really welcoming, they're redoing it & it looks amazing. http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/whistler/coast_blackcomb_suites/overview

And in Vancouver, this all suites (used to be apartments) place in the West End is right on the edge of Stanley Park, and a couple blocks to the beach. I would definitely stay there again. The park is amazingly huge - kinda like Balboa Park where the San Diego Zoo is, with all of the amazing museums - except this is all nature. Very cool.
http://www.rosellensuites.com/

 

[squirrel]

Squamish? Was that the name of the place the bus stopped?

 

[canadakath]

Squamish? Was that the name of the place the bus stopped?

Could have been - Squamish is about 40 minutes from Whistler - the last stop before really climbing the mountain.

As for things to do, based on the ages of your boys I would suggest more time in Whistler if they are outdoorsy types. We have been going every summer for 10 years and Whistler in general for more than 15, and the amount of summer activities continues to grow. The mountain biking is FANTASTIC, as well as the ATV trips (some include a salmon bake). Other members of my family have done the ZipTrek course and loved it. I can't remember when the glacier skiing closes for the summer, but I think it might still be going in July. The village has a great night life in the summer. We are a golfing family, and there are SO many good courses around Whistler with varying degrees of difficulty and price. We run out of time long before we run out of things to do

Vancouver has everything a big city can offer and I love it - I just happen to be a mountain girl so my vote will always be for Whistler!

 

["Got Disney"]

I love both the city and the mountains.....Some tell me do more whistler, others say do more Vancouver....lol.....Whats a girl to do. I am not sure being the boys will be 14, 17 and 18 if they would find much that the city has to offer ???? is it more like a New york city???

I have heard such great things about Vancouver but is it more liking to an Adult? I am worried that we will get up to Whistler and head down to Vancouver and we all wish we stayed more in whistler..or get to Vancouver and wish we stayed more in the city....UGH!

There seems to be so much out doors stuff to do in whistler....we have on our agenda to go white water rafting, Biking, ATV, swimming at lost lake and canoeing(hmm that sp does not look right)...Going on the gondola up to BBQ....and so on...Also just walking around the town and going to the Farmers market.

We still have not made our minds up however on this. Shoot I'm still trying to decide on how to get up there and back. We take the Car up and leave it and take the train back. But that stupid train is so much $$$$$. We are thinking if we drive up and the drive is not that bad in time than we can rent the car again and drive it back down. But the train sound like a lot of fun....not to mention relaxing. My kids also have never been on a train before. However when in Alaska if they have a train excursion we will be doing that.

Good thing I have time on my side to decide...and help from people like you all...otherwise I may go battier than i all ready am

 

[c&m]

Since your kids are older teenagers, I think you should spend more time in Whistler than in Vancouver. Comparatively, there are more interesting and exciting things to do in Whistler than in Vancouver.

Vancouver's Science World, Planetarium, and Aquarium are more for the elementary school set, and probably would not appeal to your older teen boys as much. I also have to say that our Vancouver Aquarium is quite small compared to the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Scripps Aquarium...so you may not be wowed by it at all.

My Vancouver suggestions are:
1. Stanley Park is a really nice excursion for a day, maybe rent some bikes to go around the sea wall.
2. Capilano Suspension Bridge...they may get a bit of a thrill there.
3. Grouse Mountain. Take the gondola up our local mountain and explore. There are summer programs/activities that are detailed on their website.

Whistler has so much for your teenagers:
1. Mountain biking
2. Canoeing, kayaking
3. Fabulous trails to hike
4. Ziptrekking
5. Golfing
6. New Peak-to-Peak gondola with the glass floor takes you to hiking trails and an interpretive walking tour
7. ATV riding (a bit treacherous/dangerous IMO)
8. Fishing

On the drive up to Whistler:
1. Britannia Mines in Britannia
2. Squamish for lunch and a look at the Squamish Chief
3. Alice Lake
4. Brandywine Falls

Where to stay in Whistler that will accommodate everyone in your family? LOADS of family-friendly places to recommend during the summer without breaking the bank. Here're a few suggestions..
1. Whistler Legends at Creekside (2 bedroom/2 bath units)
2. First Tracks at Creekside
3. Delta Whistler Suites

Hope that helps with your planning!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";34307887]WE are planning on heading up to whistler in July, 2011 when we are on our Cruise for Alaska with DCL. DH and I cant decide whether to take the train up or drive. WE live in SanDiego so we have lots of mountains and we drive up to the snow so we are use to great views.[/QUOTE]

The train is not as convenient as you might expect. The North Vancouver train station is several miles from the cruise ship terminal, and the Whistler 'platform' is several miles from the center of Whistler Village. You will have to take shuttle buses to and from each station.

Vancouver area map showing cruise ship terminal and North Vancouver train platform. http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sour...99 718,-123.107986&spn=0.083732,0.222988&z=13

Whistler area map showing Whistler platform and Whistler Village. http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sour...107919,-122.966452&spn=0.041175,0.111494&z=14

For those considering driving, the highway is very good. There's lots of parking at Whistler. It can be expensive close to the village, but it's very easy to find a spot. I would suggest driving for anyone who wants to stop and admire the views, and anyone who would like to travel point-to-point, avoiding bus transfers between stations.

 

[drakes]

I vote for car... done it many times and it's a beautiful drive, and you have the freedom to stop and take it all in. Enjoy!