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

[MinnieDiva]

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

It's just before Bellingham on I-5. The alternate route is marked and labeled a few miles before the main crossing. Haven''t taken it, but it always seems to be a shorter wait. Might want to break out a map and look at highway access. At the end of June there was road construction between Burlington and Bellingham as well as in Canada. Not sure how long it was supposed to last.

 

[rsjj]

We had a great time! Our boys r 12 & 9. They really enjoyed it. Lots to do up there. The gondola ride itself was a wonderful fun thing for them! We got there around 10:30. Took us maybe 30 minutes to get there w/a car ( from Richmond). Enjoyed the lumber jack show and the bird show. 1st lumber jack show was @ 12 noon. Then, had lunch (@ the BBQ place right next to the lumber jack show area), and went to the bird show (@1:30). Timing wise, it all worked for us. We went to eat right after the lumber jack show. Good thing, b/c as we were leisurely eating, people started coming, and the line was getting quite long. We were originally going to pack lunches/sandwiches for a picnic, but ended up not doing it. Worked out, b/c I got to try poutine! Got the pulled pork poutine was really good, we thought.

The chair lift was another fun thing for the boys!! Although I was really scared!! Am afraid of heights!! So I was gripping onto the bar so tight! And was worried about our 9 yo slipping out! the view up there was magnificent!! Saw Canada place! Had our binoculars w/us! Oh, and we saw the hangliders taking off from up there!! Was spectacular!! Especially when they first open up the rectangular parachute!!

All of us enjoyed grouse Mtn! Even w/me being afraid of heights!! The things I do for my family's enjoyment! Lol!

Might want to bring a light jacket. A bit cold up there! We had our hoodies/zippered sweatshirts on. Not hubby! Again, shorts and t-shirts. I get cold easy! And I was fine w/just my jacket.

Did capilano suspension bridge today! Hotter today! Shorts and t-shirts again.

 

[rsjj]

Does Canada place has a service where they will store our luggage for couple hrs? Thought I read that they do for a fee...but now I can't remember where. Does anyone know? Our flight home is not till the evening, and we want to just explore the vicinity for a bit, grab lunch and then head to the airport. Tia!

 

[HiMagicFan]

Does Canada place has a service where they will store our luggage for couple hrs? Thought I read that they do for a fee...but now I can't remember where. Does anyone know? Our flight home is not till the evening, and we want to just explore the vicinity for a bit, grab lunch and then head to the airport. Tia!

I am not sure how accurate this is price wise but i do know there is a storage area at Canada place.

"At the cruise ship terminal there is a luggage storage area that provides short term luggage storage service for travelers.
For security reasons, on-site same-day baggage storage is available at Canada Place and Ballantyne cruise terminals, for cruise passengers only. You can leave your luggage there after you get off your cruise or before you get on. Baggage storage services are provided at Canada Place by CDS Baggage. Carry-ons are $4.5, suitcase $5.5 and oversize items $7 a day. Luggage storage is available from 5am to 1am. Their phone number is 604-303-4500."

I had found this for our trip but have yet to contact them or anything. These guys do YVR airport luggage storage.

 

[HiMagicFan]

We had a great time! Our boys r 12 & 9. They really enjoyed it. Lots to do up there. The gondola ride itself was a wonderful fun thing for them! We got there around 10:30. Took us maybe 30 minutes to get there w/a car ( from Richmond). Enjoyed the lumber jack show and the bird show. 1st lumber jack show was @ 12 noon. Then, had lunch (@ the BBQ place right next to the lumber jack show area), and went to the bird show (@1:30). Timing wise, it all worked for us. We went to eat right after the lumber jack show. Good thing, b/c as we were leisurely eating, people started coming, and the line was getting quite long. We were originally going to pack lunches/sandwiches for a picnic, but ended up not doing it. Worked out, b/c I got to try poutine! Got the pulled pork poutine was really good, we thought.

The chair lift was another fun thing for the boys!! Although I was really scared!! Am afraid of heights!! So I was gripping onto the bar so tight! And was worried about our 9 yo slipping out! the view up there was magnificent!! Saw Canada place! Had our binoculars w/us! Oh, and we saw the hangliders taking off from up there!! Was spectacular!! Especially when they first open up the rectangular parachute!!

All of us enjoyed grouse Mtn! Even w/me being afraid of heights!! The things I do for my family's enjoyment! Lol!

Might want to bring a light jacket. A bit cold up there! We had our hoodies/zippered sweatshirts on. Not hubby! Again, shorts and t-shirts. I get cold easy! And I was fine w/just my jacket.

Did capilano suspension bridge today! Hotter today! Shorts and t-shirts again.

Thanks for the update! I am really looking forward to this.

 

[lbgraves]

We spent quite a while watching the bears at the top of the mountain. They nap between 12 and 2 usually so plan your time to watch them either before or after. We lucked out and got to do both. They really like eating apple and watermelon the trainers gave them.

 

[E&Cmom]

Thanks so much! What is the other crossing called?

Hope I am not late to answer. Funny enough we just came back from Seattle today. The other crossing is called Pacific Hwy Crossing. It is also the Truck crossing. Generally but not always the wait is shorter than Peace Arch. I like Peace Arch better since you have a nicer view while you wait going down to the US but the majority of the time it is busier.

If going to Pacific Hwy crossing from 99, get off at 8th ave and go east to hwy 15 (pacific hwy), turn right ( south) to the border. Lots signs so you can't miss it.

 

[poohj80]

Hope I am not late to answer. Funny enough we just came back from Seattle today. The other crossing is called Pacific Hwy Crossing. It is also the Truck crossing. Generally but not always the wait is shorter than Peace Arch. I like Peace Arch better since you have a nicer view while you wait going down to the US but the majority of the time it is busier.

If going to Pacific Hwy crossing from 99, get off at 8th ave and go east to hwy 15 (pacific hwy), turn right ( south) to the border. Lots signs so you can't miss it.

Thanks so much! Is the sign shows similar wait times, we'll probably stick with Peace Arch. If there is a significant difference, we'll try the truck crossing as we don't want to miss our flight.

 

[LDM]

This may be a silly question, but is there internet access on the cruise? Should I bother bringing my laptop?

Only 6 more sleeps!!

 

[poohj80]

This may be a silly question, but is there internet access on the cruise? Should I bother bringing my laptop?

Only 6 more sleeps!!

Yes there is but it's pretty expensive. I say leave your laptop home and enjoy unplugging for awhile!

 

[HiMagicFan]

This may be a silly question, but is there internet access on the cruise? Should I bother bringing my laptop?

Only 6 more sleeps!!

or

there are internet places at port that you can head to if you need to get on the internet.

I bring my netbook so I can download my pics.

 

[stsomewhere]

Which is better Big Bus or Vancouver trolley ?

Thanks

 

[HiMagicFan]

Which is better Big Bus or Vancouver trolley ?

Thanks

They are both about the same but I read on another board that one has a "live" commentary versus a "recorded" one. I think the trolley was the live (probably meaning the driver was also the guide or they had another person on the mike) versus the big bus (which I think means the driver is just gonna flip a switch).

We will be taking the big bus only because groupon had coupon deals. I usually prefer the "live" commentary as it is easier to as questions.

 

[richmo]

or

there are internet places at port that you can head to if you need to get on the internet.

I bring my netbook so I can download my pics.

I can't remember where, but I do recall seeing internet access signs at one of the ports and its close to the ship, because I remember seeing it from the deck. I'm thinking Ketchikan, but I'm not sure. And I think I also remember seeing a bar/restaurant fairly close to the port in Ketchikan where people were sitting outside on a porch with laptops, so I assume they had access. I would guess there's access nearby at all the ports, but in most cases, I doubt its free.

 

[staffieri]

We had a great time! Our boys r 12 & 9. They really enjoyed it. Lots to do up there. The gondola ride itself was a wonderful fun thing for them! We got there around 10:30. Took us maybe 30 minutes to get there w/a car ( from Richmond). Enjoyed the lumber jack show and the bird show. 1st lumber jack show was @ 12 noon. Then, had lunch (@ the BBQ place right next to the lumber jack show area), and went to the bird show (@1:30). Timing wise, it all worked for us. We went to eat right after the lumber jack show. Good thing, b/c as we were leisurely eating, people started coming, and the line was getting quite long. We were originally going to pack lunches/sandwiches for a picnic, but ended up not doing it. Worked out, b/c I got to try poutine! Got the pulled pork poutine was really good, we thought.

The chair lift was another fun thing for the boys!! Although I was really scared!! Am afraid of heights!! So I was gripping onto the bar so tight! And was worried about our 9 yo slipping out! the view up there was magnificent!! Saw Canada place! Had our binoculars w/us! Oh, and we saw the hangliders taking off from up there!! Was spectacular!! Especially when they first open up the rectangular parachute!!

All of us enjoyed grouse Mtn! Even w/me being afraid of heights!! The things I do for my family's enjoyment! Lol!

Might want to bring a light jacket. A bit cold up there! We had our hoodies/zippered sweatshirts on. Not hubby! Again, shorts and t-shirts. I get cold easy! And I was fine w/just my jacket.

Did capilano suspension bridge today! Hotter today! Shorts and t-shirts again.

We spent quite a while watching the bears at the top of the mountain. They nap between 12 and 2 usually so plan your time to watch them either before or after. We lucked out and got to do both. They really like eating apple and watermelon the trainers gave them.

THANK FOR THE INFO. We only have the day of the cruise to go to Grouse. I am very excited to go. We are going to take a taxi over at 8:30 in the morning and play there until 1:45. Thinking this is worth our time since it looks like the cruise is sold out. No port upgrades. Love the info about the bears nap. LOL We are hoping to paraglide in morning. Any more info or advice would be great. What time did the BBQ place open for lunch?

 

[mgibson301]

Did anyone rent bikes at Stanley Park? I was thinking we may do that OR do the trolley. We only have one day in Vancouver and we really just want to take it easy.

 

[HiMagicFan]

THANK FOR THE INFO. We only have the day of the cruise to go to Grouse. I am very excited to go. We are going to take a taxi over at 8:30 in the morning and play there until 1:45. Thinking this is worth our time since it looks like the cruise is sold out. No port upgrades. Love the info about the bears nap. LOL We are hoping to paraglide in morning. Any more info or advice would be great. What time did the BBQ place open for lunch?

Kimberly ~ you are planning to leave there at 1:45p? What is the latest time we can get on the ship? I thought we all had to be on at about 2pm.

 

[HiMagicFan]

Did anyone rent bikes at Stanley Park? I was thinking we may do that OR do the trolley. We only have one day in Vancouver and we really just want to take it easy.

Melissa, are you doing this pre cruise? We will be doing the trolley in Stanley park on 8/28 after we do the aquarium in the morning.

 

[smeecanada]

THANK FOR THE INFO. We only have the day of the cruise to go to Grouse. I am very excited to go. We are going to take a taxi over at 8:30 in the morning and play there until 1:45. Thinking this is worth our time since it looks like the cruise is sold out. No port upgrades. Love the info about the bears nap. LOL We are hoping to paraglide in morning. Any more info or advice would be great. What time did the BBQ place open for lunch?

Staying at Grouse until 1:45 on the day of the cruise is cutting it pretty close. I would do the sightseeing stuff on Grouse, then leave and have lunch on the Ship.

 

[richmo]

Did anyone rent bikes at Stanley Park? I was thinking we may do that OR do the trolley. We only have one day in Vancouver and we really just want to take it easy.

Yes!! We rented bikes. On a nice day, its a great thing to do. There are several rental places near the entrance to the park. One of the biggest seems to be Spokes. If you google spokes vancouver, I'm sure you'll pull up their website.