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

[Pooh667]

There is an Urban Fare (like Earth Fare) grocery store / market that is about three blocks from the Pan Pacific - and also up a block from there is a drug store that is like a CVS that has a variety of items you might find suitable. That's actually where I picked up the "Canadian" candy I brought back for my office mates (rule was it had to be made in Canada). For directions, ask concierge - or google maps - you'll see that if you are coming out of the hotel onto the street in front of Canada Place, you would go to the right (towards the Olympic torch thing)... from there it's probably more like four blocks as we were staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim and it was maybe 10 minutes to walk there.

Thank you so much for the answer to this question and for answering the other questions too.

 

[DenverVal]

We are just back from our 6/21 cruise, and wanted to pass on some things we learned from our experience:
1. We bought day passes when we arrived at the airport. The easiest way to find the pharmasave and 7-11 was to go to the train platform, leave someone with the luggage, and as you face the train, turn right and head back into the airport. It's right there. We used them to ride the busses and seabus the rest of the day.
2. Taking the Sky Train from the Airport to the Pan Pacific (and from the port back to the airport) was easy and quick. It was less than a half hour each way. There is about a quarter-mile or so walk from the skytrain to the lobby, but with wheeled luggage (one per person), not a big deal. As you come from the port to the skytrain, there is a signed entrance with a staircase to the train, but there is no elevator or escalator - you have to carry your bags down the stairs. We elected to continue to the street, hang a left, go under the bridge there and go into the building to get to the elevator. Not a big deal, just a short walk.
3. The food court near the Pan Pacific is BORING. Head out on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay - there is much more variety there. Food seemed expensive wherever we went.
4. Pan Pacific charges for wi-fi, but the wi-fi at Starbucks next door (street level), and McDonalds (underneath in the food court) is free.

Thanks to Lollipop's Mom for starting this thread and to everyone else for their great tips. Vancouver is a beautiful city. We had a great stay.

 

[smeecanada]

Pooh667 & a few others

Most of the Transit buses are kneeling buses. Meaning that wheelchairs/scooters/strollers just wheel right on - no need to collapse the wheelchair. Vancouver is a very wheelchair friendly city. Mainly due to Rick Hansen and his advocacy efforts.

There is a mall not far from Pan Pacific - Pacific Centre Mall - it's underground. Ask at the front desk for best directions to the closest entrance for you.

Hershey's chocolate is hard to come by in Canada. It's American. Purdy's is a local company - factory is not too far outside of downtown. It is wonderful chocolate however, it is pricey and you buy in bulk. There are some packages premade up though.

Ask at the front desk for directions to the closest London Drugs. It is a really good drug store and comparable to your CVS one I think. You'll be able to get a good candy selection there, if you are still looking for some.

Science World is really neat place to visit with kids. Lots to do. The Aquarium is another neat place as well.

White Spot. They have a special pirate pack meal for the kids. Comes in a cardboard pirate ship. Fish & Chips/ Burger/ etc. For us adults. They are known for their Legendary Burger and their chocolate milkshakes are awesome.

 

[LAWalz23]

Veras Burgers and White Spot were not longer than one mile each way. Ask the Concierge the best route to take- they were very helpful for us. We like to walk and it is all in the downtown area with lots of other walkers and well timed streetlights/crosswalks.I believe the SkyTrain is wheelchair friendly. We had to use the elevator at the airport to get from the airport to the train platform (due to all our luggage) and I remember an elevator to get you up to the platform the day we took it out to Science World.

Thanks for the info! One mile will be a nice walk.

 

[Pooh667]

We are just back from our 6/21 cruise, and wanted to pass on some things we learned from our experience:
1. We bought day passes when we arrived at the airport. The easiest way to find the pharmasave and 7-11 was to go to the train platform, leave someone with the luggage, and as you face the train, turn right and head back into the airport. It's right there. We used them to ride the busses and seabus the rest of the day.
2. Taking the Sky Train from the Airport to the Pan Pacific (and from the port back to the airport) was easy and quick. It was less than a half hour each way. There is about a quarter-mile or so walk from the skytrain to the lobby, but with wheeled luggage (one per person), not a big deal. As you come from the port to the skytrain, there is a signed entrance with a staircase to the train, but there is no elevator or escalator - you have to carry your bags down the stairs. We elected to continue to the street, hang a left, go under the bridge there and go into the building to get to the elevator. Not a big deal, just a short walk.
3. The food court near the Pan Pacific is BORING. Head out on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay - there is much more variety there. Food seemed expensive wherever we went.
4. Pan Pacific charges for wi-fi, but the wi-fi at Starbucks next door (street level), and McDonalds (underneath in the food court) is free.

Thanks to Lollipop's Mom for starting this thread and to everyone else for their great tips. Vancouver is a beautiful city. We had a great stay.

Thank you for your tips. I hope you had a great trip!!

 

[Pooh667]

Pooh667 & a few others

Most of the Transit buses are kneeling buses. Meaning that wheelchairs/scooters/strollers just wheel right on - no need to collapse the wheelchair. Vancouver is a very wheelchair friendly city. Mainly due to Rick Hansen and his advocacy efforts.

The is a mall not far from Pan Pacific - Pacific Centre Mall - it's underground. Ask at the front desk for best directions to the closest entrance for you.

Hershey's chocolate is hard to come by in Canada. It's American. Purdy's is a local company - factory is not too far outside of downtown. It is wonderful chocolate however, it is pricey and you by in bulk. There are some packages premade up though.

Ask at the front desk for directions to the closest London Drugs. It is a really good drug store and comparable to your CVS one I think. You'll be able to get a good candy selection there, if you are still looking for some.

Science World is really neat place to visit with kids. Lots to do. The Aquarium is another neat place as well.

White Spot. They have a special pirate pack meal for the kids. Comes in a cardboard pirate ship. Fish & Chips/ Burger/ etc. For us adults. They are known for their Legendary Burger and their chocolate milkshakes are awesome.

Thank you Wendy for the information!!!

 

[mellers]

Pooh667 & a few others
Most of the Transit buses are kneeling buses. Meaning that wheelchairs/scooters/strollers just wheel right on - no need to collapse the wheelchair. Vancouver is a very wheelchair friendly city. Mainly due to Rick Hansen and his advocacy efforts.

As a wheelie, I second this. It is a very wheelchair friendly city. I am in a mobility scooter and I have had no trouble getting around there.

Getting into the Seattle Amtrak station, however, is another story It can be done, but it isn't much fun (take it from somebody who just took Amtrak from Seattle to Klamath Falls). It is easier for wheelies to go North from Seattle on the QuickShuttle than Amtrak, in my opinion, although I must say they have greatly improved their ability to get wheelies on the train since the last time I rode with them. Getting into the station, however, is a nightmare.

 

[DenverVal]

Thank you for your tips. I hope you had a great trip!!

Thanks, we did! One more thing - we went ziplining at Grouse Mountain and I was surprised that the cost was less than I expected. It turns out that the two lines higher up on the mountain were damaged by snow over the winter and need to be repaired, and won't be back in operation for another week or two. The reduced cost is for three lines.

 

[richmo]

I think I'm going to park in the YVR long term lot while on the cruise (they have some pretty impressive discounts, by the way) and plan on taking the SkyTrain Canada line to Canada Place.

My question is this: from the long term lot, do I need to take the shuttle bus to YVR, then pick up the Canada Line, or can I take what looks like a short walk to the Sea Island Centre station and pick up the Canada Line there?

 

[mellers]

I think I'm going to park in the YVR long term lot while on the cruise (they have some pretty impressive discounts, by the way) and plan on taking the SkyTrain Canada line to Canada Place.

My question is this: from the long term lot, do I need to take the shuttle bus to YVR, then pick up the Canada Line, or can I take what looks like a short walk to the Sea Island Centre station and pick up the Canada Line there?

If you're planning to do that, you might want to consider spending the night before at one of the YVR-area hotels that have park-n-fly deals. I know that the Four Points Sheraton has one, and somebody else posted about another hotel. From those hotels, you can take a shuttle to the airport, or, in the case of the Four Points Sheraton, it's a short walk to the Lansdowne Canada Line station. It might save you some money in the long haul.

 

[Gilland18]

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.

 

[smeecanada]

I think I'm going to park in the YVR long term lot while on the cruise (they have some pretty impressive discounts, by the way) and plan on taking the SkyTrain Canada line to Canada Place.

My question is this: from the long term lot, do I need to take the shuttle bus to YVR, then pick up the Canada Line, or can I take what looks like a short walk to the Sea Island Centre station and pick up the Canada Line there?

I emailed my sister who lives in Richmond and they use YVR alot. From the sounds of things the Sea Island (Templeton) station is quite possibly accessible to employees of the Airport only. It's only a short ride back to YVR via the shuttle bus.

 

[LAWalz23]

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.

Out of curiosity, can you please tell me how much the porters charged per bag? Thanks!

 

[richmo]

I emailed my sister who lives in Richmond and they use YVR alot. From the sounds of things the Sea Island (Templeton) station is quite possibly accessible to employees of the Airport only. It's only a short ride back to YVR via the shuttle bus.

Thats what I thought, which is too bad because the station appears to be right at the end of the parking lot. Thanks for the info!

 

[smeecanada]

Thats what I thought, which is too bad because the station appears to be right at the end of the parking lot. Thanks for the info!

That terminal is for the employee parking area. Just not sure if it is accessble from the long term parking area.

 

[Gilland18]

Out of curiosity, can you please tell me how much the porters charged per bag? Thanks!

I think they had about 10 suitcases, all stacked on one cart and pretty much demanded $30. When we returned, we had 3 suitcases and they wanted $10 to take them in the terminal and a very short distance to the airline desk. We carried our own that time.

 

[BLTOH]

Ok i need a quick answer as to carry - on luggage for air canada. their web site gives specific demensions l x w x h for carry- ons. does that mean i have to be in that realm or am i ok with the linear measurements of what they list? i need to know asap as i may have to change our carry=on before we leave tomorrow. thank you

 

[LAWalz23]

I think they had about 10 suitcases, all stacked on one cart and pretty much demanded $30. When we returned, we had 3 suitcases and they wanted $10 to take them in the terminal and a very short distance to the airline desk. We carried our own that time.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like they charge NY prices.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I think they had about 10 suitcases, all stacked on one cart and pretty much demanded $30. When we returned, we had 3 suitcases and they wanted $10 to take them in the terminal and a very short distance to the airline desk. We carried our own that time.

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.

 

[disneymath]

Ok i need a quick answer as to carry - on luggage for air canada. their web site gives specific demensions l x w x h for carry- ons. does that mean i have to be in that realm or am i ok with the linear measurements of what they list? i need to know asap as i may have to change our carry=on before we leave tomorrow. thank you

Not sure how much help this will be, but I would think that with this being a very busy travel weekend (July 1st for us Canadians and the 4th for the folks south of the border) you would want to be in the realm of their lwh specifications. (I imagine that they are based on overhead bin space and/or under seat space, which will be at a premium.)

That said, I fly Air Canada Jazz pretty regularly (regional routes branch of Air Canada - much smaller planes) and they are not super strict about carry on luggage .... I've never seen them take out a ruler and measure or anything like that. I've never experienced this on our regular AC flights either. (My trips always include Pearson in Toronto in some way shape or form, so if they aren't too strict about it, I wouldn't imagine other airports would be either.)

Have a great trip!