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

[nzdisneymom]

I would agree with this advice. We used ATMs and were hit with international fees from our bank. We would have had NONE if we had gone to the branch and picked up CAD before our trip. In the future, I plan to put "visit the bank" on my pre-travel list of errands!

And we found our ATM cards would not work even when processed as a credit card. I had called the bank before we left to confirm use and put a travel notification and specifically said we were going to Canada. Thankfully I had taken enough US cash which was accepted readily and when I did need Canadian money, we had accumulated enough in change. I called the bank from Canada and they told me oh Canada is on a restricted list for the debit card. Gggrrrrrr.

 

[joycsk]

Celebration of Light is amazing to watch. The challenge is that there will literally be hundreds of thousands of locals also trying to watch the fireworks from the beaches, plus hundreds (or thousands) watching from small boats. It is very crowded. Locals stake out spots hours in advance. Many roads are closed, both in the vicinity of English Bay and Kitsilano Point. Parking is severely restricted. Bus and taxi service in these areas will be slow.

When I was living 'out east' and I travelled to Vancouver on business, I thought about trying to catch one of these shows, but I was too exhausted to venture out of my hotel.

Years later, when I lived in Vancouver, we would watch the show from Kitsilano Point, which was much less crowded than English Bay. See this map. The arrow in the water marks the approximate location of the fireworks barge.

If you do want to spend a few hours at a beach and watch the fireworks in the evening, pay attention to the tides. Some foolish people claim what appear to be choice spots during the day, only to realize that the tide is coming in and they will be under a several feet of water by the time the fireworks start. Some of my friends think watching these people is more entertaining than the fireworks.

We are planning to play it by ear, though it does sound like a very special opportunity that won't come around too often. I had read about the tides, but also thank you for the warning. We are staying near Canada Place, and if we can move, I was considering trying the Burrard Street Bridge, so we can mostly see, but still get "home."

You are a wonderful wealth of information!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I was considering trying the Burrard Street Bridge, so we can mostly see, but still get "home."

The Burrard Street might be a decent location to watch Celebration of Light for adults, but I wouldn't suggest it for children under 10. The bridge deck is several stories high. You would not be able to see any of the lower fireworks unless you were in the first one or two rows against the railing. But bridge is very crowded and everyone is looking for the best view. While I've never been up there for fireworks myself, I expect it is like a mosh pit -- not a place I would bring little kids.

 

[joycsk]

I feel like a dummy just now learning this. TD Bank is a Canadian Bank. They were perfectly happy to order CA dollars for me. I'm not sure how widespread they are in the USA, but I know they have a large mid-Atlantic presence. I thought this might be useful to someone besides me.

 

[wdhinn89]

I just ordered some Canadian money today from my bank. (Chase) There was no fee and it is another thing I can check off my list of things needed to be done.

 

[mgibson301]

We probably need to order some funds too here fairly soon. Not sure how much I will get though as it's probably easier to pay with my credit card at most places and really don't want any left over. That was how we traveled in Europe. Can't wait...it's getting close!

 

[DenverVal]

I finished my Canadian $$ in the airport buying sandwiches and sodas for lunch. I handed over the Canadian money and they recalculated the balance for US $$ and I paid with exact change. Most places there will calculate the charges for either currency on the cash register.

 

[Pooh667]

I finished my Canadian $$ in the airport buying sandwiches and sodas for lunch. I handed over the Canadian money and they recalculated the balance for US $$ and I paid with exact change. Most places there will calculate the charges for either currency on the cash register.

I did not know this, thanks for posting.

 

[geoffrey]

(The Skytrain stations on airport may charge a $5 surcharge, like they do for basic 1-zone and 2-zone tickets, but you won't pay this at any other station.) The skytrain ticket vending machines are super-efficient and they take virtually every type of payment. (I personally prefer using Skytrain vending machines to buying from the people who work in convenience stores.).

Just got back from our Alaska cruise.

We parked in the airport long-term parking lot. We had hoped to be able to board the sky train at the nearest station, but there was no way to do that. the station is inside of a fenced off area. So we had to take the free shuttle back to the airport and board the sky train at the terminal.

bought 2-zone tickets at the kiosk. seems there was a $5/ticket surcharge added. for 2 adults/1 child it came out to $25. this was a surprise! It was only $10 to return.

 

[cinderellanprince]

other than dcl transfers, i wanted to see if anyone had recommendations for transportation to and from the airport with 2 kids in car seats, still. i don't want to rent a car so i am looking for suggestions! thanks in advance.

 

[1DisneyQueen]

We are travelling from Seattle to Vancouver via Amtrak on Sunday 8/21/11. There are 18 of us (Adults and Children) We are staying at the Marriott Limited on W Pender St. What is the best way to get from the Amtrak station to the hotel. I have searched this thread, but did not see any groups doing this. The Taxi's are limited to 4 people and the vans are 4 and a wheelchair. We have a 2, 5,11,11,11,15 year old children.

I found that bus 19 goes near the hotel, but was not sure how that works with luggage.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[mom_rules]

other than dcl transfers, i wanted to see if anyone had recommendations for transportation to and from the airport with 2 kids in car seats, still. i don't want to rent a car so i am looking for suggestions! thanks in advance.

A cab should cost you about $30 (plus tip)

or
http://www.limos.com/limo-price-guide

 

[ibouncetoo]

other than dcl transfers, i wanted to see if anyone had recommendations for transportation to and from the airport with 2 kids in car seats, still. i don't want to rent a car so i am looking for suggestions! thanks in advance.

I think our cab from the Pan Pacific (right at the port) to the airport was about $35 plus tip.

,

 

[mgibson301]

Just got back from our Alaska cruise.

We parked in the airport long-term parking lot. We had hoped to be able to board the sky train at the nearest station, but there was no way to do that. the station is inside of a fenced off area. So we had to take the free shuttle back to the airport and board the sky train at the terminal.

bought 2-zone tickets at the kiosk. seems there was a $5/ticket surcharge added. for 2 adults/1 child it came out to $25. this was a surprise! It was only $10 to return.

Someone mentioned buying it instead from the Airport 7 eleven. Wonder if that would save the $5 surcharge? Honestly it defeats the purpose of not taking a cab if the skytram charge ends up being too awfully much. We aren't staying near the port either (Metrotown Hilton), so we have a couple of transfers on the skytrain as it is. Does anyone know what the downtown traffic is like in the morning? We are flying in super early 7:15 so we should be in commuter traffic? Where I live our traffic is HORRIBLE that time of the day!

 

[Pooh667]

Someone mentioned buying it instead from the Airport 7 eleven. Wonder if that would save the $5 surcharge? Honestly it defeats the purpose of not taking a cab if the skytram charge ends up being too awfully much. We aren't staying near the port either (Metrotown Hilton), so we have a couple of transfers on the skytrain as it is. Does anyone know what the downtown traffic is like in the morning? We are flying in super early 7:15 so we should be in commuter traffic? Where I live our traffic is HORRIBLE that time of the day!

Hi,

From what I have been told you can get the train tickets at the 7-11 or pharmasave at the airport and if you buy a day pass or a book of tickets there you do save the surcharge.

 

[DenverVal]

A single book of tickets can be shared by all members of the family, and if you buy it at the pharmasave or 7-11 you avoid the surcharge.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Someone mentioned buying it instead from the Airport 7 eleven. Wonder if that would save the $5 surcharge? Honestly it defeats the purpose of not taking a cab if the skytram charge ends up being too awfully much. We aren't staying near the port either (Metrotown Hilton), so we have a couple of transfers on the skytrain as it is. Does anyone know what the downtown traffic is like in the morning? We are flying in super early 7:15 so we should be in commuter traffic? Where I live our traffic is HORRIBLE that time of the day!

So you're going to need to take the Canada Line from the airport into Vancouver, then transfer in downtown to the Skytrain (Expo Line) to get to Metrotown, right? The Canada Line does get quite busy in the mornings, but there are so many trains that you shouldn't feel like it's too insane. The traffic driving into downtown is a little nuts though.

If you buy a Faresaver book of adult 2-zone tickets from 7-11 then you won't have to pay a surcharge - you just take your ticket to the machine at the station and get it validated (ie stamped with expiration time.) Kids don't have to pay as much as adults, but I'm guessing you won't need one full book of adult tickets and one full book of kid ones! Faresavers are cheaper than the tickets you buy at the station anyway, since you're buying 10 at a time. I believe the 2-zone faresaver book is about $31.50, whereas if you bought 10 2-zone tickets at a non-airport station it would cost you $37.50.

Someone asked earlier about regular fares ending at 6:30. What that means is that after 6:30pm, the zones don't apply any more and you can pay for a one zone ticket (or use a one zone Faresaver ticket) from, say, Metrotown to downtown, whereas before 6:30 PM, that would be two zones of travel.

 

[tinker1bell]

Someone mentioned buying it instead from the Airport 7 eleven. Wonder if that would save the $5 surcharge? Honestly it defeats the purpose of not taking a cab if the skytram charge ends up being too awfully much. We aren't staying near the port either (Metrotown Hilton), so we have a couple of transfers on the skytrain as it is. Does anyone know what the downtown traffic is like in the morning? We are flying in super early 7:15 so we should be in commuter traffic? Where I live our traffic is HORRIBLE that time of the day!

Okay, I am really gonna date myself. Hubby and I lived in Hawaii from 1971 to 1973 and even then I remember how bad the traffic was. We lived in Navy housing just outside of Pearl Harbor and would go to visit our dog since he was in quarantine and if we hit that one traffic light wrong, it would take forever just to cross over. But also it would take half an hour to get anywhere on the island!!!! I loved living there.

 

[Doingitagain]

We used our Capital One card in Vancouver because there are no foreign currency fees.

Capital One called today with a fraud alert, someone was using our number on the Internet for small charges. It had to be from somewhere in Vancouver or Alaska, those are the only places we used the card since we only use it while traveling. We only used it at hotels and stores, not outside vendors. Several places made a point of not taking our card, making us stay with it, etc.

The fraudulent charges didn't start until about five days after we returned and Capital One called the same day.

Capital One will take those charges off the card and cancel the account and send new cards. Great customer service, getting on top of it this quickly!

I am glad we use a different card for travel so that any recurring charges aren't impacted and it isn't a big hassle.

Thank you, Capital One!

 

[denise]

We used our Capital One card in Vancouver because there are no foreign currency fees.

Capital One called today with a fraud alert, someone was using our number on the Internet for small charges. It had to be from somewhere in Vancouver or Alaska, those are the only places we used the card since we only use it while traveling. We only used it at hotels and stores, not outside vendors. Several places made a point of not taking our card, making us stay with it, etc.

The fraudulent charges didn't start until about five days after we returned and Capital One called the same day.

Capital One will take those charges off the card and cancel the account and send new cards. Great customer service, getting on top of it this quickly!

I am glad we use a different card for travel so that any recurring charges aren't impacted and it isn't a big hassle.

Thank you, Capital One!

Same thing happened to us from the Repo Cruise. But it was a CITI bank card. They called a couple of days after we were back. We had used the card two times. Once at a very reputable jewelry store and the other at the parking at the pier at Canada Place. Citi Bank wouldn't tell us where they thought it was compromised but just issued a new card...
Citi Bank has always been on top of this...not the first time this has happened but always caught by them....