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

[amandaroseziegler]

Random note for anyone not familiar w/Canadian law re alcohol---my family members were not aware that they could not buy alcohol unless they were at a Government store or wine shop.

They kept searching and searching in drugstores/supermarkets, to be told that they needed to go specific stores that sold alcohol. They were specifically looking for wine.

I didn't go on this trip so I don't have details, but just something to keep in mind.

You have to buy at the liquor store, you buy at groceries stores in the states?

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I guess we are getting close to Vancouver season again! I will keep better watch on this thread. I will also update the first post in the next week or so.

I've been thinking about you and your daughter and hope you are back home now and your daughter is feeling much better!!

Thanks to you and all the other wonderful posters full of helpful info

Take care,
Heather

 

[lilpooh108]

You have to buy at the liquor store, you buy at groceries stores in the states?

Yes. In the US you can buy alcohol in grocery stores, supermarkets, drugstores, even farmer market type stores as long as the vendor has a liquor license.

There are entire aisles in grocery stores/Whole Foods/Trader Joe's dedicated to wines, beers, etc.

 

[stepknees]

Yes. In the US you can buy alcohol in grocery stores, supermarkets, drugstores, even farmer market type stores as long as the vendor has a liquor license.

There are entire aisles in grocery stores/Whole Foods/Trader Joe's dedicated to wines, beers, etc.

This is only partially true. Where you can buy what type of alcohol depends on the state. For instance, you can't buy beer/wine/liquor in Pennsylvania at any of the places listed above.

 

[lilpooh108]

This is only partially true. Where you can buy what type of alcohol depends on the state. For instance, you can't buy beer/wine/liquor in Pennsylvania at any of the places listed above.

Ok this is true. Pardon me for generalizing. I lived in Arlington, TX and that was a dry town so after 10pm we couldn't buy anything. I'd imagine it depends on where you live but for the most part, you can.

Does what you're saying apply to the entire state of Pennsylvania or a certain City? I've visited UPenn before and I don't remember specifically . . .

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Anyone know if there is a florist/gift basket place we can use like The Perfect Gift in Port Canaveral? I would like to order some flowers for my cabin, and maybe a gift basket for my kids' cabin. The ones on DCL's website aren't that appealing.

Also, can we ship packages to the port?

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

This is only partially true. Where you can buy what type of alcohol depends on the state. For instance, you can't buy beer/wine/liquor in Pennsylvania at any of the places listed above.

I do think in the majority of states you can buy in stores, although when you can buy depends on the locality.

In California you can buy every day, and in any retailer with a liquor license. Even Walmart and Target!

 

[jilljill]

Anyone know if there is a florist/gift basket place we can use like The Perfect Gift in Port Canaveral? I would like to order some flowers for my cabin, and maybe a gift basket for my kids' cabin. The ones on DCL's website aren't that appealing.

Also, can we ship packages to the port?

You would have to order from DCL if you want those types of items in your cabin to be there when you arrive. DCL does not allow any vendors to deliver to the ship in any port, The Perfect Gift is the only exception to this rule.

Not sure about shipping a package to the Vancouver port, but the shipping charges would be high if shipping from the US.

 

[OrcaPotter]

We haven't taken our trip yet - sorry if my post sounded misleading! We will likely take a cab to the port, and will take a cab from the airport to our hotel. (Our flight gets in after the trains stop running...so really late at night )

This website should help with approximate cab fare calculations, though! http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Vancouver

Right now, it's estimating about $40 for fare from the airport to our hotel, and less than $10 to the port, since the Westin Grand is only about a mile away. (Again...just not walking distance while lugging all our baggage!)

Thanks so much!

We're still waiting to book the hotel, as we really want to stay at the Pan Pacific but the price tag makes me dizzy. I might take a gamble with the name your own price on Priceline.

And now for something completely different, but I was printing the reservation confirmations for one of our excursions in Skagway and with the 7:30 departure time, realized ... what do we do for breakfast? Kind of a silly question, but how early is breakfast served on the ship? I never paid attention before because we always get room service for coffee and pastries first before going to breakfast later in the morning.

 

[kgsmith]

Thanks so much!

We're still waiting to book the hotel, as we really want to stay at the Pan Pacific but the price tag makes me dizzy. I might take a gamble with the name your own price on Priceline.

And now for something completely different, but I was printing the reservation confirmations for one of our excursions in Skagway and with the 7:30 departure time, realized ... what do we do for breakfast? Kind of a silly question, but how early is breakfast served on the ship? I never paid attention before because we always get room service for coffee and pastries first before going to breakfast later in the morning.

We ordered room service for breakfast in Skagway. I think we had it delivered between 6:00 and 6:30 (can't remember exactly -- it was two years ago!), so we could eat as we got ready. It worked out great for us.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Mackie Mouse]

Thanks so much!

We're still waiting to book the hotel, as we really want to stay at the Pan Pacific but the price tag makes me dizzy. I might take a gamble with the name your own price on Priceline.

And now for something completely different, but I was printing the reservation confirmations for one of our excursions in Skagway and with the 7:30 departure time, realized ... what do we do for breakfast? Kind of a silly question, but how early is breakfast served on the ship? I never paid attention before because we always get room service for coffee and pastries first before going to breakfast later in the morning.

Priceline wound up working well for us - I got $145/night at the Westin Grand downtown (near Granville/Yaletown/Robson St.) for the 4th of July/Canada Day weekend. Since it's an all-suite hotel, I think it's a pretty good deal. I don't think we're going to be seeing the rates people got in 2011 at the Pan Pacific...at least maybe not until very close to sailing time.

As far as breakfast...I agree with room service

 

[OrcaPotter]

Priceline wound up working well for us - I got $145/night at the Westin Grand downtown (near Granville/Yaletown/Robson St.) for the 4th of July/Canada Day weekend. Since it's an all-suite hotel, I think it's a pretty good deal. I don't think we're going to be seeing the rates people got in 2011 at the Pan Pacific...at least maybe not until very close to sailing time.

As far as breakfast...I agree with room service

After doing some research, some folks lucked out last summer getting the Pan for $135/night using Hotwire. It's so hard this year since they sailed out of Seattle last year, so asking DIS folks what happened last year doesn't really help those of us going out of Vancouver. I'm a little nervous about waiting long enough for last minute deals.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

After doing some research, some folks lucked out last summer getting the Pan for $135/night using Hotwire. It's so hard this year since they sailed out of Seattle last year, so asking DIS folks what happened last year doesn't really help those of us going out of Vancouver. I'm a little nervous about waiting long enough for last minute deals.

I agree - I didn't want to wait that long. I'm a little confused about your comments re: last year, as we are going this year and staying in Vancouver from June 28-July 1. I hoped that posting what i had found so far for this ear would be helpful.

 

[OrcaPotter]

I agree - I didn't want to wait that long. I'm a little confused about your comments re: last year, as we are going this year and staying in Vancouver from June 28-July 1. I hoped that posting what i had found so far for this ear would be helpful.

I mean in regards to hotel deals in Vancouver that DCL cruisers got last year. Since the cruises were out of Seattle, there's no feedback on deals last year for the Pan Pacific from those who cruised Disney. I found a site that apparently tries to figure out what hotels go with what criteria when trying to make a bid or do the blind deals through Hotwire and someone managed to snag the Pan last July for $130/night. But I don't know when they booked. The deal you got is great, though. I'll keep it in mind!

 

[Mackie Mouse]

I mean in regards to hotel deals in Vancouver that DCL cruisers got last year. Since the cruises were out of Seattle, there's no feedback on deals last year for the Pan Pacific from those who cruised Disney. I found a site that apparently tries to figure out what hotels go with what criteria when trying to make a bid or do the blind deals through Hotwire and someone managed to snag the Pan last July for $130/night. But I don't know when they booked. The deal you got is great, though. I'll keep it in mind!

That's good info, as well! Best of luck finding your hotel.

 

[RedSox68]

Amtrack Question

How easy is it to get from the ship to the train station, would we need a taxi?

Also, is it worth paying extra for the business class seats

Thanks for the help

We did Amtrak round trip from Seattle and Vancouver, but only bought business seats for the trip to Vancouver (mostly because it was such an early train and we wanted less hassle by getting the special car with fewer people). If we could have afforded it, we would have gotten it both ways. The seats are more comfortable with wider seats and more leg room and a leg rest. The cars don't hold as many people so it is much quieter and our car was only half full. Plus it was only one car away from the cafe car.

 

[RedSox68]

Duplicate

 

[RedSox68]

Hi
I havent read thru the entire thread so if this has been discussed I apologize.

I'm thinking of flying to Seattle then taking the train over to Vancouver.
is it thru Amtrak?
How long will this take?
Is it scenic?

Thanks, Lori

We did this last year and it was one of our best decisions. The flights into Seattle saved us hundreds, and the train ride was spectacular. It goes alone the water (be sure to sit on the left side going up) and we saw seals and eagles along the way. It was very comfortable and we were very relaxed. As an example of how much we liked it -- because of that experience and loving the train so much, we are taking a 10-1/2 train trip from NYC to Montreal rather than fly! More great scenery and 1/3 the price of flying.

RE: PAN PACIFIC We got a great deal last year by going on their website and looking for deals. We did the one that you pay up front. We waited until the month before we left to book it and got a great deal, plus AAA. We got a fantastic room for 3 on a higher floor with the bay & mountain view with two queen beds and a sitting area.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

You will find the Pan Pacific puts their stuff on hotwire fairly late - 2 weeks out, sometimes only a week to 10 days
The Sutton Place (the other 5*) puts thiers out on there further in advance, especially lately because they rely on the film industry to fill their rooms, and our film industry here is in trouble right now.

 

[amandaroseziegler]

You will find the Pan Pacific puts their stuff on hotwire fairly late - 2 weeks out, sometimes only a week to 10 days
The Sutton Place (the other 5*) puts thiers out on there further in advance, especially lately because they rely on the film industry to fill their rooms, and our film industry here is in trouble right now.

Thanks, that helps alot!