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

[Lollipop's Mom]

Is there a place in the Vancouver airport where we can ship things home if we buy too many souvenirs? I hope so, since this is a once in a lifetime trip for us, we will be buying a lot of things.

http://www.yvr.ca/en/shopping-dining-services/postal.aspx

http://www.yvr.ca/en/shopping-dining-services/Personal-Services/Priority-baggage.aspx

 

[jilljill]

Just left Vancouver today. Taxi from Pan Pacific (which would be the same as leaving from the pier) to the airport was $34 Canadian...three people, lots of luggage.

Also took a cab from the hotel over to The Old Spaghetti Factory (53 Water street...and a great place for a group meal as they can easily accomodate large parties and the price is reasonable) $6.40 on the way over and $5 something on the way back (due to one way streets).

Also for those staying at the Pan Pacific who don't want to spend resort prices on food scared1 there is a very large (and busy) food court that you can access without going outside.

These things may have been mentioned in the thread but I just wanted to post in case this info is burried.

Was the taxi priced a set rate or a metered rate? At that price it would be more convenient for us to take a taxi rather than book DCL transfers.
Now another option to think about.

 

[buddywesley]

I just wanted to add that since we are DVC members and needed to use our points anyway, we decided to book 3 nights post cruise at Club Intrawest (on the top of Sheraton Wall Centre) in Vancouver thru an exchange with Buena Vista Trading Company. In case anyone has points to use, that is always an option.
Pre cruise they didn't have any availability (we tried for that too) so we're staying at Fairmont Airport thru DCL for 2 days. Speaking of which...does anyone else have Disney transfers from there? I'm wondering how long it'll take and when we'll get to port to board?

 

[mellers]

I just wanted to add that since we are DVC members and needed to use our points anyway, we decided to book 3 nights post cruise at Club Intrawest (on the top of Sheraton Wall Centre) in Vancouver thru an exchange with Buena Vista Trading Company. In case anyone has points to use, that is always an option.
Pre cruise they didn't have any availability (we tried for that too) so we're staying at Fairmont Airport thru DCL for 2 days. Speaking of which...does anyone else have Disney transfers from there? I'm wondering how long it'll take and when we'll get to port to board?

If there is more than one person going to the port, and fewer than 5, I would take a taxi, and forget about DCL transfers. If there are 5-10, I would get a 10-passenger bus through http://www.ridebooker.com/, perhaps adding a luggage trailer if there are a whole bunch of you. This will almost certainly be cheaper, per person, than DCL transfers.

 

[buddywesley]

If there is more than one person going to the port, and fewer than 5, I would take a taxi, and forget about DCL transfers. If there are 5-10, I would get a 10-passenger bus through http://www.ridebooker.com/, perhaps adding a luggage trailer if there are a whole bunch of you. This will almost certainly be cheaper, per person, than DCL transfers.

thanks for the info. I'll check out the site. There are 4 of us (7 total in our party but we wont meet them until the port) We just did Disney for the ease of it. I know it's more pricey ($100 for the 4 of us)

 

[ibouncetoo]

Was the taxi priced a set rate or a metered rate? At that price it would be more convenient for us to take a taxi rather than book DCL transfers.
Now another option to think about.

Taxi is metered (just like the U.S.)

.

 

[plutojudy]

http://www.yvr.ca/en/shopping-dining-services/postal.aspx

http://www.yvr.ca/en/shopping-dining-services/Personal-Services/Priority-baggage.aspx

Thank you!

 

[jilljill]

Taxi is metered (just like the U.S.)

Thanks. Since our flight doesn't leave until 2:30 I think we'll be safe with taking a taxi to save a little bit of money over DCL transfers - there's 3 of us.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Thanks. Since our flight doesn't leave until 2:30 I think we'll be safe with taking a taxi to save a little bit of money over DCL transfers - there's 3 of us.

Our flight was also 2:30 and it was great to be able to stay in the hotel till noon....just called bell services about 11:45PM and jumped in the cab. Made it in plenty of time (airport was NOT busy at that time on a Wednesday, which is good, because you have to check in about three different places!). Our gate was in the "E" section and there were cute shops, a Starbucks and a place that made fresh sandwiches to order near buy. (Think we were like E89) They also have money exchange booths that opened at 1:30PM if you need to change (or change back) and money.

.

 

[poohj80]

In another thread I read a post about exchanging money. We will only be in Vancouver the night before the cruise so wondering if we really need to exchange at all. Can anyone tell me if the food places in the Canada Place food court I have read about accept US dollars or credit cards at least?

Thanks!

 

[thej]

We are planning on taking the Amtrak cascades down to Seattle the day after the cruise so we can visit family in Everett. The train gets in to Seattle late, around 10 pm. We were hoping to get a rental car, but is there going to be anyplace open by the station to get one at that hour?

 

[cruisenow01]

*** UPDATED INFO 4/11*** DISNEY TRANSFERS
DCL offers transfers from hotels -they are even offering this from the Fairmont Waterfront - DO NOT BUY TRANSFERS FROM THERE! It is literally ACROSS the street from the port - whoever set this up had no idea how close it is! Also, in most cases, a cab is going to be MUCH cheaper than these transfers.

We are staying at the Fairmont Waterfront and DCL refunded most of our money for this transfer. They will still pick up our luggage, but only for a nominal fee not the full transfer fee. We had no idea when we originally booked this over a year ago, but I am glad that Disney knew and was fair with this nearby transfer.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

*** UPDATED INFO 4/11*** DISNEY TRANSFERS
DCL offers transfers from hotels -they are even offering this from the Fairmont Waterfront - DO NOT BUY TRANSFERS FROM THERE! It is literally ACROSS the street from the port - whoever set this up had no idea how close it is! Also, in most cases, a cab is going to be MUCH cheaper than these transfers.

We are staying at the Fairmont Waterfront and DCL refunded most of our money for this transfer. They will still pick up our luggage, but only for a nominal fee not the full transfer fee. We had no idea when we originally booked this over a year ago, but I am glad that Disney knew and was fair with this nearby transfer.

The fairmont waterfront will take your bags for free! They have always had this service because they are so close to the ships. That sucks that DCL is charging people!

 

[Swalkerwoman]

Has anyone recently stayed at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver? I have seen many posts about Fairmont Waterfront , Pan Pacific, etc, but not this hotel. Can anyone please give me some info about their stay there, please?

We booked transfers through Disney for our May 24th cruise and Disney notified us over a month ago that we will be reimbursed for the transfer fee between the hotel and the port, since it is in walking distance. I'm not sure how we will be reimbursed because I have not seen the credit yet.

We were also told that there will be a Disney Cruise Line courtesy desk at the hotel . It is my understanding that all pre-paperwork for the cruise can be done at that point. Anyone have comments regarding this?

 

[mellers]

We are planning on taking the Amtrak cascades down to Seattle the day after the cruise so we can visit family in Everett. The train gets in to Seattle late, around 10 pm. We were hoping to get a rental car, but is there going to be anyplace open by the station to get one at that hour?

If you have kids with you, I would take the QuickShuttle instead. The train station area that late at night can be questionable, and you will definitely be able to get a rental car from the airport.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Has anyone recently stayed at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver? I have seen many posts about Fairmont Waterfront , Pan Pacific, etc, but not this hotel. Can anyone please give me some info about their stay there, please?

We booked transfers through Disney for our May 24th cruise and Disney notified us over a month ago that we will be reimbursed for the transfer fee between the hotel and the port, since it is in walking distance. I'm not sure how we will be reimbursed because I have not seen the credit yet.

We were also told that there will be a Disney Cruise Line courtesy desk at the hotel . It is my understanding that all pre-paperwork for the cruise can be done at that point. Anyone have comments regarding this?

It is a brand new and gorgeous 5 star hotel! I would love to stay there sometime - its very pricey though, so wont be in the near future. lol
You will love it.
I will be staying at the Pan pacific on monday night and will report in about the check in at the dcl desk in the hotel - I am hoping we can even get our key cards at that desk and just go down and walk through customs and onto the ship.

 

[NWmom]

We are planning on taking the Amtrak cascades down to Seattle the day after the cruise so we can visit family in Everett. The train gets in to Seattle late, around 10 pm. We were hoping to get a rental car, but is there going to be anyplace open by the station to get one at that hour?

Everett is north of Seattle. The same train stops there around 9pm. Saves you an hour each way back and forth.

Enterprise comes out to get you, but not sure of their hours of operation.
If family could pick you up at the train station you could get the rental the next day.

If car rental is a necessity to also get to the airport when you fly out, try the quick shuttle to get to the airport car rental agencies.

 

[mmmears]

I will be staying at the Pan pacific on monday night and will report in about the check in at the dcl desk in the hotel - I am hoping we can even get our key cards at that desk and just go down and walk through customs and onto the ship.

Really? We're staying there in June, and I had no idea that there was a DCL desk there. If it works, please let us know. My DM has mobility issues and anything to make the wait time less at the pier (even if we're in our hotel longer) would be helpful.

 

[Swalkerwoman]

It is a brand new and gorgeous 5 star hotel! I would love to stay there sometime - its very pricey though, so wont be in the near future. lol
You will love it.
I will be staying at the Pan pacific on monday night and will report in about the check in at the dcl desk in the hotel - I am hoping we can even get our key cards at that desk and just go down and walk through customs and onto the ship.

Thanks so much for the info! I'm hoping, too that we can just walk through customs and by pass all the other stuff at the port. Enjoy your vacation !

 

[GrumpyBelle]

I booked the Pan Pacific for the night before our cruise . I dont seem to see a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. Am I correct in thinking I will have to book other transportation options.