**** Vancouver FAQ Thread **** A few updates in main post!

[seamour]

Well, my teen loves the aquarium, and she also enjoyed the International Buddhist Temple Gardens in Richmond

oh that would be interesting (the Buddhist Gardens). As we only have one day, would it be worth it to do a couple of hours at the aquarium or no? We are not commando tourists so prefer to take things slow, quality over quantity if you know what I mean. My concern is it wouldn't be enough time at the aquarium, so might be better to skip it all together.

 

[rosiep]

First I'd like to say Thank you to everyone contributing their knowledge to this thread...especially Lollipop's Mom for having started the whole thing!

Next, can someone please confirm or deny that the yellow taxis take credit cards?

 

[vatchr]

Thanks for all the info about Vancouver...we will be sailing in August and spending 3 nights precruise in Vancouver. Can't wait!! My question.....We will be arriving in Vancouver on Aug. 6 at 9 pm - right during the last night of Celebration of Light. We will be staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim - how crazy will it be to get our rental car and drive to the Pacific Rim around 10 pm on Aug. 6?

 

[mellers]

oh that would be interesting (the Buddhist Gardens). As we only have one day, would it be worth it to do a couple of hours at the aquarium or no? We are not commando tourists so prefer to take things slow, quality over quantity if you know what I mean. My concern is it wouldn't be enough time at the aquarium, so might be better to skip it all together.

A couple of hours is a good amount of time to at least see the otters (who are so cute)

 

[seamour]

A couple of hours is a good amount of time to at least see the otters (who are so cute)

Thanks it's back on the menu then!

 

[seamour]

I am not finding much information on the waterpark, as it's free not expecting too much but wondering if I should throw DD's swimsuit in our day bag when we visit (she will be 13).

Also DH and I want to sample the beer here, but I was also considering the restaurant at the brewery. Does anyone have any feedback if the food is good? Or any favorites in that area we should try instead?

 

[DisneyBasket]

First I'd like to say Thank you to everyone contributing their knowledge to this thread...especially Lollipop's Mom for having started the whole thing!

Next, can someone please confirm or deny that the yellow taxis take credit cards?

All the cabs we used accepted credit cards. I believe they are required to as a condition of doing business.

 

[seamour]

Well, in traditional Disney fashion it looks like they are giving out conflicting information. I have heard that CP is much nicer than Ballantyne... sure hope they are using CP.

isn't that the truth, LOL! Yet we all still love Disney.

 

[seamour]

IMO, the best way to determine the quality of a Vancouver Chinese restaurant is to look at the clientèle. Caucasians typically avoid places that are dirty and/or waiters don't speak English, Asians avoid places that lack authenticity and/or value. If you see a good mix of Asian and Caucasian locals in the restaurant, it likely has good food, services and value.

I like this tip, thanks!

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

Thanks for all the info about Vancouver...we will be sailing in August and spending 3 nights precruise in Vancouver. Can't wait!! My question.....We will be arriving in Vancouver on Aug. 6 at 9 pm - right during the last night of Celebration of Light. We will be staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim - how crazy will it be to get our rental car and drive to the Pacific Rim around 10 pm on Aug. 6?

Hi Laura!

We will also be at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Aug 6-9 and cruising on the 9th!!!

 

[disneymath]

Through ABD we received a free breakfast at the hotel in Barcelona. Is this also the case at the Waterfront hotel for the Alaska cruise?

Good question, we booked the Fairmont Pacific Rim through DCL for a prestay and were wondering if breakfast was included.

Oooh, I hope so. I haven't heard anything about a free breakfast at the Fairmont Waterfront. In fact, I'm having a difficult time getting any information about the ABD from DCL.

Count me in as another who wishes we had a bit more detail about the precruise, embarkation and debarkation logistics of the Alaska ABD. (For some reason though, I'm not concerned about the logistics while we are cruising and in port.)

 

[jilljill]

Count me in as another who wishes we had a bit more detail about the precruise, embarkation and debarkation logistics of the Alaska ABD. (For some reason though, I'm not concerned about the logistics while we are cruising and in port.)

Did you only book the AK ABD add on or did you also book the Vancouver ABD add on? I'm getting confused with the questions on here regarding ABD.

 

[Christy May]

All the cabs we used accepted credit cards. I believe they are required to as a condition of doing business.

All cabs take credit cards. You need to tell them up front that you are
using a credit card. You will still be charged the difference between
US money and Canadian money and you might be charged a fee from your
bank since its coming from Canada. The whole deal with currency difference
was quite confusing. good luck

 

[HiMagicFan]

Count me in as another who wishes we had a bit more detail about the precruise, embarkation and debarkation logistics of the Alaska ABD. (For some reason though, I'm not concerned about the logistics while we are cruising and in port.)

Wouldn't that information be on the ABD Website and not on DCL since it is their program?

I hadn't seen anything on the DCL pre hotel that mentions breakfast but on the ABD website they have more information there. Interesting question re ABD.

 

[disneymath]

Did you only book the AK ABD add on or did you also book the Vancouver ABD add on? I'm getting confused with the questions on here regarding ABD.

We have just booked the AK ABD add-on. We will arrive in Vancouver a few days before our cruise but we are not staying at a Disney pre-cruise hotel. Our plan was (still is?) to just do our own thing and make our way to the ship on embarkation morning.

The mention by a PP about ABD things before the cruise actually starts (e.g. the breakfast at the hotel, plus some additonal info provided on a thread on the ABD board) got me to wondering about the whole boarding and leaving the ship process for those of us participating in the ABD.

In other words, I'm confused too!

Wouldn't that information be on the ABD Website and not on DCL since it is their program?

I hadn't seen anything on the DCL pre hotel that mentions breakfast but on the ABD website they have more information there. Interesting question re ABD.

You're right, and I have checked the ABD website. Part of the problem, for me anyway, is that the "general info" on the ABD website indicates that tranfers to/from the airport are included as part of every ABD package ... however, this is not mentioned in the DCL Alaska Add-On information, so it's a bit confusing. Also, the number that is listed on the to call for the add-on is a DCL number. So it's a bit of a case of hoping that the left hand knows what the right is doing.

The first ABD cruise to AK leaves this Tuesday ... hopefully people will report back about the process. If not, or if I still have questions, then I will call DCL and/or ABD.

 

[HiMagicFan]

It seems like they are still working out kinks in all this.

I am curious because when i called everyone in the cabin must do the ABD and my parents don't want to. So, I am already thinking I will do Alaska in 2013 and may do the ABD then.

I hope you get your answers.

Have a wonderful time too!

 

[jilljill]

We have just booked the AK ABD add-on. We will arrive in Vancouver a few days before our cruise but we are not staying at a Disney pre-cruise hotel. Our plan was (still is?) to just do our own thing and make our way to the ship on embarkation morning.

The mention by a PP about ABD things before the cruise actually starts (e.g. the breakfast at the hotel, plus some additonal info provided on a thread on the ABD board) got me to wondering about the whole boarding and leaving the ship process for those of us participating in the ABD.

In other words, I'm confused too!



You're right, and I have checked the ABD website. Part of the problem, for me anyway, is that the "general info" on the ABD website indicates that tranfers to/from the airport are included as part of every ABD package ... however, this is not mentioned in the DCL Alaska Add-On information, so it's a bit confusing. Also, the number that is listed on the to call for the add-on is a DCL number. So it's a bit of a case of hoping that the left hand knows what the right is doing.

The first ABD cruise to AK leaves this Tuesday ... hopefully people will report back about the process. If not, or if I still have questions, then I will call DCL and/or ABD.

When you look at the included meals for the ABD AK add-on for Day 1 it only says Lunch and Dinner, b'fast is not mentioned anywhere for that day. I also don't see transfers included either. I'll go over to the ABD board to see what info has been posted there. I just wish someone on the 6/7 sailing was posting on the DCL boards so we could know what they rec'd in their ABD packet.

It seems like they are still working out kinks in all this.

I am curious because when i called everyone in the cabin must do the ABD and my parents don't want to. So, I am already thinking I will do Alaska in 2013 and may do the ABD then.

I hope you get your answers.

Have a wonderful time too!

When my TA added the ABD add-on to our ressie when it first came out she was told not everyone in the cabin had to book it. Did you call DCL or ABD?

 

[disneymath]

When you look at the included meals for the ABD AK add-on for Day 1 it only says Lunch and Dinner, b'fast is not mentioned anywhere for that day. I also don't see transfers included either. I'll go over to the ABD board to see what info has been posted there. I just wish someone on the 6/7 sailing was posting on the DCL boards so we could know what they rec'd in their ABD packet.



When my TA added the ABD add-on to our ressie when it first came out she was told not everyone in the cabin had to book it. Did you call DCL or ABD?

I'm with you on the wish for posts from June 7th ABDers .... hopefully they will post after their cruise.

I booked direct with DCL/ABD (the phone number on the printable itineray that is answered as a DCL line) and was asked how many in our cabin wanted the add-on. I was surprised since I thought everyone had to add it, but the CM said that wasn't the case.

 

[LAWalz23]

Can someone please tell me the approximate distance between the Pan Pacific Hotel and Stanely Park and the easiest way to get there? Also Gas Town is a few blocks (6-10) from this hotel right?

Are there any grocery type stores within walking distance (about a mile) of the Pan Pacific where I could buy Hershey/Nestle type chocolates? I like to bring some to give to cast members but would rather not pack it from home because of the extra weight in the suitcase.

Finally what is ABD?

Thanks very much for ay info!

 

[jilljill]

Can someone please tell me the approximate distance between the Pan Pacific Hotel and Stanely Park and the easiest way to get there? Also Gas Town is a few blocks (6-10) from this hotel right?

Are there any grocery type stores within walking distance (about a mile) of the Pan Pacific where I could buy Hershey/Nestle type chocolates? I like to bring some to give to cast members but would rather not pack it from home because of the extra weight in the suitcase.

Finally what is ABD?

Thanks very much for ay info!

ABD is Adventures By Disney. There's an ABD add-on package for the AK cruise that covers all excursions in each port and several other activities onboard.