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

[lbgraves]

Also, to let those of you still going know that DCL messed up big time on the merchandising this time. On the 7/26 cruise they only had a few of the Alaska Plutos left. None of the other characters are available. The only pins they have left are the basic Alaska ones, and those are already marked down to $4.99 and $5.99 from $11.99. They have NONE of the ones for the ports. The navigators say that each person can purchase 2 of each pin per day, so that is 14 of the same pin per person each 7 night cruise. Sure they are on Ebay. I did find smaller lapal pins in Juneau and Ketchikan. I didn't see them in Skagway but a friend is going to look for them there. The kids were happy with those and I got one for my own collection. The special fleece blankets are nice. They are $30 with a $40 purchase. The tops are priced outrageously IMO. We were on the 2008 PC repo and it was one of only 2 cruises that did that repo that year. They also had a shirt for each of those cruises that was only sold for the crossing day. I bought each of us a repo T and a crossing T so I KNOW that they were not $25 for kid Ts and $35 for adult Ts. The zippered hoodies with the inaugural Alaska season were $55 for adults!!!! Someone asked me if they had the Disney totems and they did have the brighter and bigger ones, along with a smaller more muted colored one with a clip for a photo on top. The smaller one was $13 or so. They were selling the red LA to Vancouver repo Ts for $7 & $9 on sale.

 

[PBader]

Lisa, I kept meaning to ask you if they stocked back up the gifts after I talked with you, but I am guessing by your post they didn't I

 

[HiMagicFan]

Also, to let those of you still going know that DCL messed up big time on the merchandising this time.

The only pins they have left are the basic Alaska ones, and those are already marked down to $4.99 and $5.99 from $11.99. They have NONE of the ones for the ports.

The special fleece blankets are nice. They are $30 with a $40 purchase.

Someone asked me if they had the Disney totems and they did have the brighter and bigger ones, along with a smaller more muted colored one with a clip for a photo on top. The smaller one was $13 or so. They were selling the red LA to Vancouver repo Ts for $7 & $9 on sale.

Thanks for the info!

I will be very disappointed if they don't get a new shipment of the pins in!

Are the fleece blanket DCL or AK or a mix of both? I am thinking of getting one and was just curious.

Do you happen to remember what the bigger totems ones cost?

PS thanks for the info on the Wall - we will be staying there as well for our pre and post cruise.

 

[discruiser]

Also, to let those of you still going know that DCL messed up big time on the merchandising this time. On the 7/26 cruise they only had a few of the Alaska Plutos left. None of the other characters are available. The only pins they have left are the basic Alaska ones, and those are already marked down to $4.99 and $5.99 from $11.99. They have NONE of the ones for the ports. The navigators say that each person can purchase 2 of each pin per day, so that is 14 of the same pin per person each 7 night cruise. Sure they are on Ebay. I did find smaller lapal pins in Juneau and Ketchikan. I didn't see them in Skagway but a friend is going to look for them there. The kids were happy with those and I got one for my own collection. The special fleece blankets are nice. They are $30 with a $40 purchase. The tops are priced outrageously IMO. We were on the 2008 PC repo and it was one of only 2 cruises that did that repo that year. They also had a shirt for each of those cruises that was only sold for the crossing day. I bought each of us a repo T and a crossing T so I KNOW that they were not $25 for kid Ts and $35 for adult Ts. The zippered hoodies with the inaugural Alaska season were $55 for adults!!!! Someone asked me if they had the Disney totems and they did have the brighter and bigger ones, along with a smaller more muted colored one with a clip for a photo on top. The smaller one was $13 or so. They were selling the red LA to Vancouver repo Ts for $7 & $9 on sale.

Lisa, the last couple cruises we've been on, the merchandise selection has been poor. (I was actually going to write a letter after our Alaska cruise but forgot!) They had an Alaska shirt/hat combo on the mannequin right by the display table as you enter Treasure Ketch. I think the price for both was $20 or $25. Naturally, since it's it the first thing you see as you enter the store and because the price wasn't too bad, the item garnered a lot of interest. But they had no size Large on board and this was the first night of the cruise. If I remember correctly, most of the sizes were M. Apparently, they never received any Large shirts while in Vancouver. I complained to a couple people and they did eventually remove the shirt from the display and replace it with something else. But, there were several other Alaska shirts which were also never available in Large, and we noticed the same thing while on our Christmas cruise....very few Large t-shirts! Seems to me that they are missing out on a lot of sales by not having merchandise available.

 

[HiMagicFan]

Lisa, the last couple cruises we've been on, the merchandise selection has been poor. (I was actually going to write a letter after our Alaska cruise but forgot!) They had an Alaska shirt/hat combo on the mannequin right by the display table as you enter Treasure Ketch. I think the price for both was $20 or $25. Naturally, since it's it the first thing you see as you enter the store and because the price wasn't too bad, the item garnered a lot of interest. But they had no size Large on board and this was the first night of the cruise. If I remember correctly, most of the sizes were M. Apparently, they never received any Large shirts while in Vancouver. I complained to a couple people and they did eventually remove the shirt from the display and replace it with something else. But, there were several other Alaska shirts which were also never available in Large, and we noticed the same thing while on our Christmas cruise....very few Large t-shirts! Seems to me that they are missing out on a lot of sales by not having merchandise available.

Well darn, let's hope someone from Disney gets the message cuz that means it is money I am gonna spend elsewhere...especially if they don't have the right sizes, pins and such....this is not good

 

[princess81499]

We were on the 7/12 sailing and could only get the Vancouver, Juneau, and Tracy arm pins on the first night. As soon as I had Internet service on my phone in the first port I had to buy the other 2 off of eBay for double the price. At least I now have a complete set that I framed along with the 8 X 10 photo they had in the store.

 

[lbgraves]

Lisa, I kept meaning to ask you if they stocked back up the gifts after I talked with you, but I am guessing by your post they didn't I

No, I asked two different CMs the first night and they said everything that was still available was out.

Thanks for the info!

I will be very disappointed if they don't get a new shipment of the pins in!

Are the fleece blanket DCL or AK or a mix of both? I am thinking of getting one and was just curious.

Do you happen to remember what the bigger totems ones cost?

PS thanks for the info on the Wall - we will be staying there as well for our pre and post cruise.

The pins were a limited edition of 1000 each.

The fleece is the image that is on the back of the shirts with the inagural cruise season. It is a dark green background.

I didn't look at the price of the bigger totems since we have the one from the House Party a couple years ago. Sorry.

Well darn, let's hope someone from Disney gets the message cuz that means it is money I am gonna spend elsewhere...especially if they don't have the right sizes, pins and such....this is not good

I had planned on getting at least the hoodies for DH and myself and shirts for all of us. The only shirt we got for Alaska on the ship was the combo pack that Kim mentioned for $25 with the hat that has the ports embroidered on the back. That was the only thing that was a deal besides those LA to Vancouver shirts that were being clearanced. On past cruises I had to narrow my choices down but this time I was really disappointed.

Oh, the matted picture of the ports was $17 or $18. I had the Captain sign it and he marked the route on the fold out map in the book they sold about cruising Alaska. He also signed DS's hat.

 

[HiMagicFan]

Thank you Lisa for all your information!

 

[rsjj]

In Vancouver!! Thank u all for answering all my questions and proving info, etc. We did the pub transit. Went to stanley park. Very easy! Will have car today. Weather is nice! Shorts & t-shirts! can answer some questions if u have any!

 

[poohj80]

In Vancouver!! Thank u all for answering all my questions and proving info, etc. We did the pub transit. Went to stanley park. Very easy! Will have car today. Weather is nice! Shorts & t-shirts! can answer some questions if u have any!

So excited for you! Where are you staying?

 

[rsjj]

So excited for you! Where are you staying?

We're in Richmond. Around 20 minutes to get to Vancouver on pub transit. If u take it from the waterfront station to wherever...c if u can sit right in the front. The boys absolutely LOVED it!! Get a great view! Mostly the dark tunnel...but it was a thrill for them! Like riding on a roller coaster, minus the speed!

 

[HiMagicFan]

In Vancouver!! Thank u all for answering all my questions and proving info, etc. We did the pub transit. Went to stanley park. Very easy! Will have car today. Weather is nice! Shorts & t-shirts! can answer some questions if u have any!

How wonderful for you that the weather is nice!

Is the aquarium close to the public bus stop and the hop on off hop stanley park trolley? Worried that it will be too far for my parents to walk.

When you say public transport did you do the train and bus or just bus or combo?

I am so exited and happy for you to finally be there!

 

[rsjj]

How wonderful for you that the weather is nice!

Is the aquarium close to the public bus stop and the hop on off hop stanley park trolley? Worried that it will be too far for my parents to walk.

When you say public transport did you do the train and bus or just bus or combo?

I am so exited and happy for you to finally be there!

We didn't do the Stanley park hop on/off trolley. Just walked. Pub transit...I meant the train (Canada line) and bus (#19 to Stanley park). The aquarium is near the middle of the park. Where the bus (#19) drops u off (I think it's like a loop where all the buses go to?), the aquarium is maybe 5 minutes or less!! Very close! And there r lots of shade all around! And benches too! So I'm sure ur parents can do it. I think. Oh...u had to walk up a little hill from the train (waterfront station) to bus #19. 2 short blocks to bender(pender?) st. Very short, but a little uphill...

Hope this helps! Btw...we were in shorts and t-shirts again. Did grouse mt!

 

[85SLE]

Is the aquarium close to the public bus stop and the hop on off hop stanley park trolley? Worried that it will be too far for my parents to walk.

When you say public transport did you do the train and bus or just bus or combo?

I am so exited and happy for you to finally be there!

We did the hop on/off trolley. It is about a 5 min walk from the Stanley Park stop but the path to the Aquarium is not marked well at all. Just ask the driver and you should be good to go.

For a small aquarium it is really worth going to. Lots to see that you will not see elsewhere.

 

[poohj80]

I'm looking for info on driving from Vancouver to SEATAC after the cruise. I remember reading something about two possible border crossing spots, but now can't find that information. Can anyone who has done this PM me any tips you may have or direction suggestions?

Thanks so much!

 

[richmo]

I'm looking for info on driving from Vancouver to SEATAC after the cruise. I remember reading something about two possible border crossing spots, but now can't find that information. Can anyone who has done this PM me any tips you may have or direction suggestions?

Thanks so much!

We wound up using the Peace Arch crossing, which is the direct route to I-5. A few minutes before you get to the Canada US border, there will be an electronic sign indicating the wait times at the two crossings, so you can pick then. Ours said 70 minutes and I don't think it was quite that long.

 

[poohj80]

We wound up using the Peace Arch crossing, which is the direct route to I-5. A few minutes before you get to the Canada US border, there will be an electronic sign indicating the wait times at the two crossings, so you can pick then. Ours said 70 minutes and I don't think it was quite that long.

Thanks so much! What is the other crossing called? What time did you get there? How long did the other crossing show?

 

[richmo]

Thanks so much! What is the other crossing called? What time did you get there? How long did the other crossing show?

I think the other crossing showed 60 minutes and we wanted to see the Peace Arch, so we went for it.

I don't recall what the other crossing was called, but it is listed on the sign and the exit for it is marked.

It was a Tuesday, since thats when the cruise ended. We left the ship around 9:00, took the SkyTrain to pick up our car in the YVR parking lot probably around 10 and we picked up enough gas to get back to the US, so I'd guess we got there somewhere between 10:30 and 11:30 AM.

Oh, and by the way, the going rate for gas in Canada seemed to be around CA$1.30 a liter. That translates to close to CA$5 per gallon, so if you're going up and back from Washington, I'd recommend getting enough gas in the US so you don't have to buy it in BC.

 

[poohj80]

I think the other crossing showed 60 minutes and we wanted to see the Peace Arch, so we went for it.

I don't recall what the other crossing was called, but it is listed on the sign and the exit for it is marked.

It was a Tuesday, since thats when the cruise ended. We left the ship around 9:00, took the SkyTrain to pick up our car in the YVR parking lot probably around 10 and we picked up enough gas to get back to the US, so I'd guess we got there somewhere between 10:30 and 11:30 AM.

Thanks again! We are flying out of SEATAC the same day so hope the wait time at the border will be less if we arrive earlier. We're picking our car up at CAnada Place so hope to be on the road by 9.

Where is the sign which tells you the wait time? Is it on HWY 99? How far ahead of the border?

 

[HiMagicFan]

We didn't do the Stanley park hop on/off trolley. Just walked. Pub transit...I meant the train (Canada line) and bus (#19 to Stanley park). The aquarium is near the middle of the park. Where the bus (#19) drops u off (I think it's like a loop where all the buses go to?), the aquarium is maybe 5 minutes or less!! Very close! And there r lots of shade all around! And benches too! So I'm sure ur parents can do it. I think. Oh...u had to walk up a little hill from the train (waterfront station) to bus #19. 2 short blocks to bender(pender?) st. Very short, but a little uphill...

Hope this helps! Btw...we were in shorts and t-shirts again. Did grouse mt!

We are doing grouse mt also - so will wait to hear about your post for that! Glad the weather is good for you ~ bet you can see forever and the views gorgeous!

We did the hop on/off trolley. It is about a 5 min walk from the Stanley Park stop but the path to the Aquarium is not marked well at all. Just ask the driver and you should be good to go.

For a small aquarium it is really worth going to. Lots to see that you will not see elsewhere.

Thank you both very much! This helps me plenty! I appreciate the information and suggestions.

I would so love to have shorts weather - then no jacket! but for me 60s and 70s is starting to already get a little cold.