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

[ClaireinTN]

Having considered and reconsidered the extra costs and hassles of flying into Seattle, flying into Vancouver is seeming like not such a bad idea. Two questions:

1. If we were to fly into Vancouver a few days before the cruise, and stayed at a hotel near the port, what would be the best way to get six people + luggage to the hotel?

2. How bad is the LAX airport for a connecting flight? One of the good things about Seattle is that there is a direct flight from here, but not so for Vancouver. The best price/time flights to Vancouver all seem to connect through LAX. I have never been to LAX but I am guessing that it is a big enough airport that connecting flights there could be unpleasant.

 

[sabrecmc]

We are staying at the Fairmont Waterfront post-cruise. We have an 8:45am flight the next morning. Would it be better to take a cab or use the train for 4 people?

 

[mellers]

Having considered and reconsidered the extra costs and hassles of flying into Seattle, flying into Vancouver is seeming like not such a bad idea. Two questions:

1. If we were to fly into Vancouver a few days before the cruise, and stayed at a hotel near the port, what would be the best way to get six people + luggage to the hotel?

2. How bad is the LAX airport for a connecting flight? One of the good things about Seattle is that there is a direct flight from here, but not so for Vancouver. The best price/time flights to Vancouver all seem to connect through LAX. I have never been to LAX but I am guessing that it is a big enough airport that connecting flights there could be unpleasant.

1. If you're going to the Vancouver airport, your best bet would probably either be two taxis, or a Ridebooker 10-passenger van http://www.ridebooker.com/ . You could also take the SkyTrain to the waterfront station for some of the hotels, but it depends upon how much luggage you have and how difficult it is to carry. Also, remember, it will be an extra $30 total ($5/per person) for an airport SkyTrain departure. That may make it less atrractive.

2. I've transfered through LA a couple of times (although not recently), and I didn't find it better or worse than any other large airport for transfers. It does have one advantage, however--it is rarely seriously affected by weather.

 

[mellers]

We are staying at the Fairmont Waterfront post-cruise. We have an 8:45am flight the next morning. Would it be better to take a cab or use the train for 4 people?

I would check this website: http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/ and make sure that the SkyTrain is running when you plan to take it, and what the schedule looks like.

 

[cryssi]

If your connecting flight at lax is on the same airline you wil be fine. It is no worse than any other airport. The only nightmare of lax is if you are coming to the airport or leaving during rush hour because of the freeway traffic. Just connecting you won't have that problem.

 

[poohj80]

$25/per person each way

Really? Less than Port Canaveral for a longer drive.

 

[plutojudy]

Our Disney transfers, Vancouver airport to port and back to airport are $70.00 per person. $140 for two of us.

 

[poohj80]

Our Disney transfers, Vancouver airport to port and back to airport are $70.00 per person. $140 for two of us.

That sounds more like what I was expecting.

 

[gduvall]

All I know is I added one-way transfers to my reservation from port to Vancouver airport and was charged $25/person.

 

[Aby]

I booked transfers from the airport to the hotel the day before the cruise, and transfers from the cruise terminal back to the airport on our last day, and for the 2 of us, it was only 100$. I thought it was a pretty good deal!

Aby

 

[mmmears]

Aquarium

Can someone tell me how far the aquarium is from Canada Place? Is it walkable?

TIA

 

[mellers]

Aquarium

Can someone tell me how far the aquarium is from Canada Place? Is it walkable?

TIA

It's 2 miles away from Canada Place, according to Bing Maps

 

[brack]

I personally would go to Vancouver on Monday. The border crossing is notorious for delays.

The reports are that the Amtrak does a "prescreen" that keeps this delay from being bad. That's how we plan to travel there.

 

[mellers]

The reports are that the Amtrak does a "prescreen" that keeps this delay from being bad. That's how we plan to travel there.

Prescreen or no prescreen, in the United States, commercial rail traffic always has right of way over passenger rail traffic. Out of the 50 or so rail trips I have taken in the United States, fewer than 10 were on time, and, according to another poster, this particular trip is late 55% of the time. I love passenger rail, but not if I absolutely have to be somewhere by a certain time.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

All I know is I added one-way transfers to my reservation from port to Vancouver airport and was charged $25/person.

This is what my TA (Dreams Unlimited) quoted me as well. For transfers from the port to the airport (one way) through DCL.

 

[cryssi]

Do you think DCL will do US Direct?

 

[mellers]

Do you think DCL will do US Direct?

I don't think so; they aren't on the list: http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/en/about/cruiseandtourism/usdirectprocess.aspx

 

[princess81499]

I posted this last summer after booking flights, but now that it is getting closer I thought my DISfriends might be able to help me out.

We are flying out around 11 PM after getting off the cruise. Since we will be in Vancouver for 5 days before the cruise and staying at the Pan Pacific, we won't need to do any sightseeing that day.

I think I am just looking for a hotel that would let us check in around noon and out around 8 PM. Enough to relax, maybe swim, and take a shower before heading to the airport. Should I look into airports at/near the hotel or in Vancouver itself? Any suggestions? TIA

 

[mellers]

I posted this last summer after booking flights, but now that it is getting closer I thought my DISfriends might be able to help me out.

We are flying out around 11 PM after getting off the cruise. Since we will be in Vancouver for 5 days before the cruise and staying at the Pan Pacific, we won't need to do any sightseeing that day.

I think I am just looking for a hotel that would let us check in around noon and out around 8 PM. Enough to relax, maybe swim, and take a shower before heading to the airport. Should I look into airports at/near the hotel or in Vancouver itself? Any suggestions? TIA

It's unlikely they will let you get a day pass, but the La Quinta Vancouver Airport usually has decent rates, and a small (but DEEP) indoor pool, and they will take you to the airport. It isn't usually very expensive.

Alternatively, this place has a great waterslide: http://www.sandmansignature.com/richmondlocation.html , but again, I think you'll have to pay the full nightly rate.

 

[mellers]

For those who are flying into Seattle--you'd have to rent a car to get there, but today's Groupon for Seattle is a 44% discount on a whale watching tour:

http://www.groupon.com/deals/mystic...h_updates_and_email_subject_titles_2011-01-07