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

[DCLInauguralXmas]

Thank you, Mellers and Tanyaewa! I can now check arranging for the campsite off my list!

 

[mellers]

Can anyone tell me if the La Qunita at Vancouver airport is a good option for a pre cruise stay? Is it in a safe area?

A few notes about the area:

You will be right next door to a large mall with a Zellers (it's just like a Target), and a Toys R Us. They also often have neat performances from the community--the local Chinese School did a performance when we were there one time. There is a nice, large food court that is a great place for inexpensive meals.

Next door to the mall is a SkyTrain station, Lansdowne Station. You can take it into Vancouver proper. Also, if you have a membership to your local science museum, you may be able to take your kids to Telus Science World (http://www.scienceworld.ca/) for free. If you want to know how to get somewhere on Vancouver public transit, go here: (http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/)

The La Quinta has a nice little pool, but it's DEEP! Make sure you stay with any children at the pool. It has a nice breakfast, too.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Does anyone have any suggestions of where to stay in Seattle that might offer airport Shuttle service or be closed to Amtrak for catching the train to Vancouver?

Thanks!

We are taking the Amtrak Cascades, and We have booked the Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel (77 Yesler Way) for the night before .... I believe it is very close to the Amtrak station and has decent reviews.... I wonder if the Silver Cloud would be better/closer....

 

[mellers]

We are taking the Amtrak Cascades, and We have booked the Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel (77 Yesler Way) for the night before .... I believe it is very close to the Amtrak station and has decent reviews.... I wonder if the Silver Cloud would be better/closer....

Pioneer Square is okay in the daytime, but I wouldn't be out with the kiddos after dark (of course, it won't get dark until past 9, so that's probably not too hard to do).

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Where in Vancouver would be a good place to pick up a couple bottles of wine and maybe a bottle of Vodka before the cruise? We are staying at the Pan Pacific and will not have a car. Thanks!

 

[mellers]

Where in Vancouver would be a good place to pick up a couple bottles of wine and maybe a bottle of Vodka before the cruise? We are staying at the Pan Pacific and will not have a car. Thanks!

There may be someplace closer, but this is less than half a mile away from the Pan Pacific, according to Bing:

http://www.mattersoftaste.com/store/53

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

There may be someplace closer, but this is less than half a mile away from the Pan Pacific, according to Bing:

http://www.mattersoftaste.com/store/53

Thanks!

 

[smeecanada]

Where in Vancouver would be a good place to pick up a couple bottles of wine and maybe a bottle of Vodka before the cruise? We are staying at the Pan Pacific and will not have a car. Thanks!

There is a BC Liquor Store located in Harbour Centre (it's a Mall underground) near the Pan Pacific.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/store/locator#map_store_7_23118_53

If the link doesn't take you directly to the map - you want Lower Mainland/Vancouver/Harbour Centre.

 

[Gilland18]

We need to get 9 people from the airport to the Pan Pacific. The group includes two senior citizens (healthy but not as spry as they used to be), a 2 y/o and a 10 m/o, plus a carseat and all our luggage. Is the Sky Train a feasable means of getting to the hotel?

 

[pouncingpluto]

We need to get 9 people from the airport to the Pan Pacific. The group includes two senior citizens (healthy but not as spry as they used to be), a 2 y/o and a 10 m/o, plus a carseat and all our luggage. Is the Sky Train a feasable means of getting to the hotel?

This sounds unpleasant to me. When we were just two adults plus luggage, we would have taken the Sky Train. But now, as two adults plus an infant plus luggage, a cab is much more appealing. I can't imagine taking the Sky Train in your situation, considering the children and the luggage you guys will need to handle for those who can't handle all of their own.

 

[smeecanada]

We need to get 9 people from the airport to the Pan Pacific. The group includes two senior citizens (healthy but not as spry as they used to be), a 2 y/o and a 10 m/o, plus a carseat and all our luggage. Is the Sky Train a feasable means of getting to the hotel?

It is most likely more cost effective and easier to take a shuttle or 2 taxis for that amount of people. There is a surcharge for taking the Sky Train from the Airport of $5.00 per person (not sure about children's ages) on top of the Sky Train fare.

 

[Gilland18]

Thanks for the input. Didn't know about the airport surcharge so that does make the cost less appealing. So many decisions to make.

 

[mellers]

We need to get 9 people from the airport to the Pan Pacific. The group includes two senior citizens (healthy but not as spry as they used to be), a 2 y/o and a 10 m/o, plus a carseat and all our luggage. Is the Sky Train a feasable means of getting to the hotel?

With that many people and that much luggage, I would go to ridebooker and get a 10-passenger van with a luggage trailer. Realistically, that seems the best way to go:

http://www.ridebooker.com/

 

[Gilland18]

Thanks for the link.
Kim

 

[cryssi]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but does anyone think that a 1:15 flight out vancouver a good idea?

 

[mellers]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but does anyone think that a 1:15 flight out vancouver a good idea?

I would have to say no--remember, you have to clear customs before you fly out.

 

[DenverVal]

I would have to say no--remember, you have to clear customs before you fly out.

Disembarking by 8 am seems reasonable, and an hour to the airport by taxi still gets you there more than 3 hours ahead of the flight. Is customs that slow?

 

[mellers]

Disembarking by 8 am seems reasonable, and an hour to the airport by taxi still gets you there more than 3 hours ahead of the flight. Is customs that slow?

It is pretty darn slow. They would probably make it, if nothing went wrong. If nothing delays you off the ship, traffic is light, they get through the airport line, and there's no "orange alert". However, I would give it more time.

 

[cryssi]

It is pretty darn slow. They would probably make it, if nothing went wrong. If nothing delays you off the ship, traffic is light, they get through the airport line, and there's no "orange alert". However, I would give it more time.

Yeah, I prefer to take the 3:45 flight, by everyone else seems to think we will make the earlier flight. Thankfully, it is a straight shot home so if we were to miss the flight a later one would be fine.

 

[DenverVal]

Ok, well, we have a 1:30 flight, so we'll just plan to have breakfast at Topsiders and plan to leave as early as we can.