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

[HermanTriplets+1]

Is there anyone who might be able to start a "Halifax FAQ" or a "Saint John FAQ" thread????? Just like this great one for Vancouver? PULEESE!!

 

[DenverVal]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2694937 is one that is started.

 

[Gilland18]

Was their price for Canadian $$? I believe the exchange rate is in their favor now. They probably do a flat rate as they may get burned by US $$ that do not exchange in their favor.

I don't remember them specifying but the tip I offered and was refused was in Canadian $. Because of the colors of the bills, I'm sure he knew I was carrying Canadian.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Just got off the Wonder 6/28. We were unpleasantly surprised to find that the porters at YVR with the big baggage carts don't work for tips. They have a fee that they charge and it was at least a couple dollars a bag. I was planning to tip but not as much as they insisted on. Carried our own on the trip home.

Porter services are different in every city/airport. Here's the deal at YVR (Vancouver).

Rates (As of June 1, 2008):
$10.00 flat fee for up to three items
$2.00 for each additional item (Tipping optional)
Additional $5.00 for:
Moving baggage from International arrivals to Domestic departures
Moving baggage from International arrivals to car parkade
Moving baggage from Domestic arrivals to International Departures
Moving baggage from International arrivals to Rental Car pick-up offices
All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Inquiries: Jagdish Chand
tel. (604) 834-5916
fax. (604) 303-3787
email vancouverskycap@hotmail.com

 

[Doingitagain]

For those of you staying at Fairmont hotels, I encourage you to sign up for the Fairmont President's Club. It is free, and gave us the following benefits:
1. Special line at registration desk
2. Free Internet (saved 13.95 CAD per day)
3. Free daily newspaper
4. Access to hotel's BMW bikes (see below)
5. Access to hotel's BMW car drop off; they will give you a ride on a "first come" basis to downtown Vancouver if the car is available; we didn't use this service.

You can register on-line and write down your member number in case your card doesn't arrive before you leave. Just give the number to them when you check in. We had one night on our own and three nights with DCL, and had the benefits all four nights because we added the reservation number to both reservations (which they linked so we could stay in the same rooms).

We stayed at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. The DCL rate was better than the on-line rate, but DCL couldn't do more than three nights. DCL's rate looked even better after they added over 15% in taxes to our one night booking. I know, this is different for those of you who used Hotwire or other services to book your room.

We contacted the hotel prior to our stay using the "contact us" on the website for Fairmont Pacific Rim. The concierge desk responded and we used that email address for future correspondence.

We booked four BMW bikes for Saturday morning and rode around Stanley Park. Great bikes, great route! We enjoyed it so much we did it again on Monday when my sister could join us. All for free, only cost was the tip we left for bell services. Note that we booked the Saturday ride weeks in advance, and the Monday ride only two days before.

 

[joycsk]

Please forgive what will seem like a silly question. I've noted the presence of the state owned liquor store in Harbour Centre. I have two questions, related to the fact that I live in Pennsylvania which has some of the dumbest liquor laws on earth.

1) Can wine be purchased only in liquor stores, or can it be bought in other places - groceries, etc.

2) Are Wine "boxes" available in Canada? Although I'm likely to 'waste' some, the ease and non-breakability of a box seems extremely useful.

Thanks!

 

[mom_rules]

Please forgive what will seem like a silly question. I've noted the presence of the state owned liquor store in Harbour Centre. I have two questions, related to the fact that I live in Pennsylvania which has some of the dumbest liquor laws on earth.

1) Can wine be purchased only in liquor stores, or can it be bought in other places - groceries, etc.

2) Are Wine "boxes" available in Canada? Although I'm likely to 'waste' some, the ease and non-breakability of a box seems extremely useful.

Thanks!

Dumbest liquor laws?-wait until you get up here.

In British Columbia, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is one of two branches of government responsible for the beverage alcohol industry. The Liquor Distribution Act gives the LDB the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol both within BC and from outside the province, in accordance with the federal Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.

Reporting to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the LDB:

Handles importation and distribution of beverage alcohol in BC
Operates government liquor stores and distribution centres
Has a General Manager who is responsible for administering the Liquor Distribution Act, which includes the oversight of government liquor stores, subject to direction from the minister.
Now having said that:
VANCOUVER — Everything is fine at Everything Wine, the newest and largest wine store in Canada.

The North Vancouver store located at 899 Marine Drive is an amazing, 12,000-square-foot private wine shop and it contains a staggering inventory of just under 3,000 different wines.
everythingwine.ca

 

[richmo]

Question on SkyTrain FareSaver tickets:

You can buy a book of 10 SkyTrain/Translink tickets (2-zone) for $31.50. Are these really 10 individual paper tickets, that could be given to more than one person, or, is it some kind of card that gives one rider 10 trips?

 

[joycsk]

Dumbest liquor laws?-wait until you get up here.

In British Columbia, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is one of two branches of government responsible for the beverage alcohol industry. The Liquor Distribution Act gives the LDB the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol both within BC and from outside the province, in accordance with the federal Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.

Reporting to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the LDB:

Handles importation and distribution of beverage alcohol in BC
Operates government liquor stores and distribution centres
Has a General Manager who is responsible for administering the Liquor Distribution Act, which includes the oversight of government liquor stores, subject to direction from the minister.
Now having said that:
VANCOUVER — Everything is fine at Everything Wine, the newest and largest wine store in Canada.

The North Vancouver store located at 899 Marine Drive is an amazing, 12,000-square-foot private wine shop and it contains a staggering inventory of just under 3,000 different wines.
everythingwine.ca

However, I don't think I'll make it to this store. We are staying near Canada Place and hoping to use public transit. We do plan to go to Grouse Mt., but I don't imagine us making it to North Vancouver. I _do_ thank you for your time and information in posting.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Please forgive what will seem like a silly question. I've noted the presence of the state owned liquor store in Harbour Centre. I have two questions, related to the fact that I live in Pennsylvania which has some of the dumbest liquor laws on earth.

1) Can wine be purchased only in liquor stores, or can it be bought in other places - groceries, etc.

2) Are Wine "boxes" available in Canada? Although I'm likely to 'waste' some, the ease and non-breakability of a box seems extremely useful.

Thanks!

1) Wine can be purchased at government owned and operated liquor stores, private liquor stores, specialty wine stores, and vineyards. No alcohol is sold in convenience stores, grocery stores or Costco. (Beer and liquor can only be purchased at government liquor stores and private liquor stores.)

2) Wine "boxes" are available, but downtown shops tend to stock primarily bottles and higher margin wines. For most comprehensive selection, I suggest shopping at a government "Signature BC Liquor Store". There's one about six blocks from the cruise ship terminal at Alberni street and Bute street. There's an even bigger store at Cambie and 39th Avenue (41st Avenue Station on Canada Line Skytrain).

Note: Liquor taxes (included into the sale price) make BC one of the most expensive places to purchase alcohol. In neighbouring Washington state, you can buy beer at gas stations or convenience stores for $10-15 per case. The same case of beer costs about $20 in a BC liquor store, plus 12% sales tax.
If you are travelling from the US, you're allowed to import two bottle of wine (2 x 750 ml / 26 oz. = 1.5l), a case of beer (12 x 355 ml / 12 oz. = 8.5 l), or one bottle of liquor (1 x 1.14 l / 40 oz.) per adult (age 19) without paying duty. Exceeding these limits requires paying duty, which typically works out to 90-100% of the original product cost.

 

[mom_rules]

However, I don't think I'll make it to this store. We are staying near Canada Place and hoping to use public transit. We do plan to go to Grouse Mt., but I don't imagine us making it to North Vancouver. I _do_ thank you for your time and information in posting.

You could try this one-maybe call and ask them?
Harbour Centre
555 W Hastings
Vancouver, BC V6B 4N5
(604)660-4574

which is only a block away from Canada Place.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Question on SkyTrain FareSaver tickets:

You can buy a book of 10 SkyTrain/Translink tickets (2-zone) for $31.50. Are these really 10 individual paper tickets, that could be given to more than one person, or, is it some kind of card that gives one rider 10 trips?

They are a booklet of 10 individual tickets that you can share with the rest of your group. You rip out the ticket and stick it in validation machines which stamps it with zone information plus an expiry time (90 minutes).

Note: If you're travelling on weekends or after 6:30 pm, you will only need 1-zone tickets. I would suggest buying only 1-zone tickets, and purchasing 1-to-2 zone upgrades at vending machines when required.

 

[richmo]

Just to update an earlier post, you can park for $40 a week at YVR's long term lot (then take SkyTrain, Disney transfer, or whatever to Canada Place). For those interested, here's a link:

http://www.yvr.ca/Libraries/PGT_documents/LTL_Super_Summer_Special2011.sflb.ashx

(But read the fine print, there are 21% in taxes added on. Still, a pretty good deal)

 

[buddywesley]

Thanks!! We enjoyed the convenience of the Hyatt. Excited to hear your report when you return.

ENJOY!!!

Just Returned and are staying a few days in Vancouver at club intrawest in sheraton wall centre. The transfers were great. We left our luggage in our room before 10am and went to area off the lobby (just above escalators to fairmont airport) to check in with Disney desk they had set up that am. At 10:45 we went down and waited outside doors to wait for bus. It arrived at 11am and we were in first bus (I think a second bus came right after we left). We arrived at port about 11:30 (after the Disney DVD they show on the way and a "mini tour" of Vancouver by bus driver on the way) and got right into customs line, then check in line (castaway club line was too long so we checked in the regular line). We got number 16 (and they were in order. I heard someone say they were random but they weren't ) and that was just enough time to stand in line to take pic with Mickey and sit for 5 minutes before they called our number. Another picture, swipe of our key to world cards and we were on board before 12:15. Dare I say I thought it was smooth and quicker than canaveral? Although it doesn't have all Disney touches

I'm glad we took transfer. It started trip out right(and my kids love to watch the bus movie they show)

Have a great trip!

 

[teriyaki]

For those of you staying at Fairmont hotels, I encourage you to sign up for the Fairmont President's Club. It is free, and gave us the following benefits:
1. Special line at registration desk
2. Free Internet (saved 13.95 CAD per day)
3. Free daily newspaper
4. Access to hotel's BMW bikes (see below)
5. Access to hotel's BMW car drop off; they will give you a ride on a "first come" basis to downtown Vancouver if the car is available; we didn't use this service.

You can register on-line and write down your member number in case your card doesn't arrive before you leave. Just give the number to them when you check in. We had one night on our own and three nights with DCL, and had the benefits all four nights because we added the reservation number to both reservations (which they linked so we could stay in the same rooms).

We stayed at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. The DCL rate was better than the on-line rate, but DCL couldn't do more than three nights. DCL's rate looked even better after they added over 15% in taxes to our one night booking. I know, this is different for those of you who used Hotwire or other services to book your room.

We contacted the hotel prior to our stay using the "contact us" on the website for Fairmont Pacific Rim. The concierge desk responded and we used that email address for future correspondence.

We booked four BMW bikes for Saturday morning and rode around Stanley Park. Great bikes, great route! We enjoyed it so much we did it again on Monday when my sister could join us. All for free, only cost was the tip we left for bell services. Note that we booked the Saturday ride weeks in advance, and the Monday ride only two days before.

Thanks! We just joined
Laurie

 

[joycsk]

Just Returned and are staying a few days in Vancouver at club intrawest in sheraton wall centre. The transfers were great. We left our luggage in our room before 10am and went to area off the lobby (just above escalators to fairmont airport) to check in with Disney desk they had set up that am. At 10:45 we went down and waited outside doors to wait for bus. It arrived at 11am and we were in first bus (I think a second bus came right after we left). We arrived at port about 11:30 (after the Disney DVD they show on the way and a "mini tour" of Vancouver by bus driver on the way) and got right into customs line, then check in line (castaway club line was too long so we checked in the regular line). We got number 16 (and they were in order. I heard someone say they were random but they weren't ) and that was just enough time to stand in line to take pic with Mickey and sit for 5 minutes before they called our number. Another picture, swipe of our key to world cards and we were on board before 12:15. Dare I say I thought it was smooth and quicker than canaveral? Although it doesn't have all Disney touches

I'm glad we took transfer. It started trip out right(and my kids love to watch the bus movie they show)

Have a great trip!

In Vancouver, do they still photograph you for facial recognition the way they do in Canaveral? I'm not sure if I've seen that posted or not?

Thanks!

 

[RoE_Earth_Globe]

In Vancouver, do they still photograph you for facial recognition the way they do in Canaveral? I'm not sure if I've seen that posted or not?

Thanks!

For our cruise on June 21st they did. At check-in, each person in the party was asked to step to the counter and the CM used a web cam attached to their laptop to take a photo. I noticed when we swiped on and off the ship that I could see just my face on the security computer.

 

[nzdisneymom]

For our cruise on June 21st they did. At check-in, each person in the party was asked to step to the counter and the CM used a web cam attached to their laptop to take a photo. I noticed when we swiped on and off the ship that I could see just my face on the security computer.

We had sailed with Disney last summer in the Baltic - they still had our pictures from then so they didn't retake them even though our children have grown and changed - they said it wasn't enough to warrant a retake.

 

[wdhinn89]

Just Returned and are staying a few days in Vancouver at club intrawest in sheraton wall centre. The transfers were great. We left our luggage in our room before 10am and went to area off the lobby (just above escalators to fairmont airport) to check in with Disney desk they had set up that am. At 10:45 we went down and waited outside doors to wait for bus. It arrived at 11am and we were in first bus (I think a second bus came right after we left). We arrived at port about 11:30 (after the Disney DVD they show on the way and a "mini tour" of Vancouver by bus driver on the way) and got right into customs line, then check in line (castaway club line was too long so we checked in the regular line). We got number 16 (and they were in order. I heard someone say they were random but they weren't ) and that was just enough time to stand in line to take pic with Mickey and sit for 5 minutes before they called our number. Another picture, swipe of our key to world cards and we were on board before 12:15. Dare I say I thought it was smooth and quicker than canaveral? Although it doesn't have all Disney touches

I'm glad we took transfer. It started trip out right(and my kids love to watch the bus movie they show)

Have a great trip!

OOOO I am so excited now!!!!

Thank you for the information!!! It is good to know how smooth everything went and you like the hotel. I love smooth!!

Trip report!!!!

 

[LAWalz23]

We had sailed with Disney last summer in the Baltic - they still had our pictures from then so they didn't retake them even though our children have grown and changed - they said it wasn't enough to warrant a retake.

It would be great if our photos from our Nov 2010 cruise on the Wonder could be used.