Vancouver port WARNING

[trimix]

I am miserably back home from the reposition cruise of the Wonder, and want to give those of you going to Alaska a heads-up before you go.


One thing I really enjoy about Disney is that you don't debark in any specific order - you get off when you feel like it. This DOES NOT happen in Vancouver. They said the luggage area was too small for all the luggage, and it was pretty small. If you have an early flight (before 12:30) or another need to rush off, carry your luggage off instead of putting it out the night before. Disney has seven different luggage tags and they will ask that only one group at a time gets off the ship, calling luggage tag characters.

We had Donald Duck tags, and didn't get off the ship until about 10:00 AM in the second to last group. I am normally a person who likes to wait before getting off so I was fine, but a lot of families were bothered and wished they had not set out their luggage.

And for anybody who wants to take the Skytrain to or from the airport instead of a Disney bus or shuttle, the waterfront station was about a three block walk from the port.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to curl up and cry because I can't go to Alaska right now.

 

[dkmjgal]

Thanks for the info. Can I ask...where was everyone waiting? Was everyone just standing in line or did they provide you with a place to sit? I'm asking because for health reasons, depending on the day, I may or may not be able to stand for long periods of time in line so I want to plan ahead if I need to grab a seat somewhere.

 

[Lizzy'sMom]

This was the same way we disembarked in LA, by tag name - we had a leisurely breakfast as instructed, and then we were told what area to go hang out in until we were called.. they had crew there from the kids club playing games with the kids and singing songs... it wasnt that bad...

Andrea in Vegas

 

[smb6]

Thanks for the info! Do they assign the groups based on flight times I wonder? That would make since.... Otherwise, I may just need to hang on to our luggage as we have an 11:30am flight and need to get off the ship quickly...

 

[trimix]

Thanks for the info. Can I ask...where was everyone waiting? Was everyone just standing in line or did they provide you with a place to sit? I'm asking because for health reasons, depending on the day, I may or may not be able to stand for long periods of time in line so I want to plan ahead if I need to grab a seat somewhere.

They advised waiting in a lounge. When I walked past, the Promenade Lounge was almost full. A lot of people were in the Cadillac Lounge, and Wave Bands was almost empty. We sat in Diversions until it started filling with back to back cruisers - it was too depressing not being one of them! And I found quite a few people on deck.
Of course, people who had second seating dinner were relaxing at their tables in the restaurants while the rest of us were sitting wherever we wanted.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am miserably back home from the reposition cruise of the Wonder, and want to give those of you going to Alaska a heads-up before you go.


One thing I really enjoy about Disney is that you don't debark in any specific order - you get off when you feel like it. This DOES NOT happen in Vancouver. They said the luggage area was too small for all the luggage, and it was pretty small. If you have an early flight (before 12:30) or another need to rush off, carry your luggage off instead of putting it out the night before. Disney has seven different luggage tags and they will ask that only one group at a time gets off the ship, calling luggage tag characters.

We had Donald Duck tags, and didn't get off the ship until about 10:00 AM in the second to last group. I am normally a person who likes to wait before getting off so I was fine, but a lot of families were bothered and wished they had not set out their luggage.

And for anybody who wants to take the Skytrain to or from the airport instead of a Disney bus or shuttle, the waterfront station was about a three block walk from the port.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to curl up and cry because I can't go to Alaska right now.

When we did Alaska on HAL, we did it this way. I thought it was a lot nicer than having to join the looooooong line getting off when everyone rushed the doors trying to be the first off.

We had breakfast, went back to our room and waited for our departure time. Went directly off the ship onto our bus to the airport. I understand that HAL has changed it now that you can't go back and wait in your room, but you still wait for your departure time. There are plenty of places to sit.

 

[MrsMa]

THen, what time did you get off? Were you part of the last group? Vancouver is my hometown, so next year, when we do the same repo cruise, I want to be the last to debark..........

I feel for you for your post Disney blues.......Maybe you've booked onboard?

 

[DisFor20]

So does anyone know how this works if you have Disney transfers?

We are in a large group. One family leaves at 1:00 and is using the transfers.

One leaves at 11:30 and is planning on catching a taxi. Should they book the transfers to get off quicker?

 

[famviramontes]

The only thing I haven't planned is transportation from the ship to the airport. Would you suggest doing the Skytrain or do you think it is worth spending the extra money for Disney transportation? Or did you see other options? Thanks for any info.

 

[DisFor20]

Oh wait I just reread. So if you don't have to get luggage you can get off whenever you like?

 

[Pooh667]

Hi,

Thank you so much for the information!! This is something good to know as my Mom is in a wheelchair and we will need to find someplace so as not to be in the way. I am sorry you are having blues. I understand the post vacation blues.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

There is an entrance to the skytrain right off of Howe - right beside the port, and then you can walk underground to the train (in case it is raining). Many people don't see this and go up around the corner to Harbour Center area. I will dig up a photo.
If you go to that big Vancouver info thread, there is a map of how far the skytrain to port is.
I did this walk with people who are not in the best shape, and everyone was fine walking the 10 mins with luggage.

 

[tvguy]

When we did Alaska on HAL, we did it this way. I thought it was a lot nicer than having to join the looooooong line getting off when everyone rushed the doors trying to be the first off.

We had breakfast, went back to our room and waited for our departure time. Went directly off the ship onto our bus to the airport. I understand that HAL has changed it now that you can't go back and wait in your room, but you still wait for your departure time. There are plenty of places to sit.

Disney is the only line of 5 I have cruised on that did not have some sort of disembarkation system, and the only one where disembarkation was chaotic.
But at Port Canaveral they have the luxury of space for all the luggage. Glad Disney did their homework on this terminal and took action.

 

[mmmears]

Oh wait I just reread. So if you don't have to get luggage you can get off whenever you like?

I'm wondering the same thing... we have an early flight out of Vancouver and can't take any chances. If we can just walk off if we keep our luggage, I guess we'll just do that...

 

[rav4lcrv]

How far is the airport from the ship

 

[jilljill]

Thanks for the info. We have a 2:30 flight so we'll be good to go on getting off whenever and then taking DCL transfers to the airport.

 

[megsablue]

One thing I really enjoy about Disney is that you don't debark in any specific order - you get off when you feel like it. This DOES NOT happen in Vancouver. They said the luggage area was too small for all the luggage, and it was pretty small. If you have an early flight (before 12:30) or another need to rush off, carry your luggage off instead of putting it out the night before. Disney has seven different luggage tags and they will ask that only one group at a time gets off the ship, calling luggage tag characters.

We had Donald Duck tags, and didn't get off the ship until about 10:00 AM in the second to last group. I am normally a person who likes to wait before getting off so I was fine, but a lot of families were bothered and wished they had not set out their luggage.

And for anybody who wants to take the Skytrain to or from the airport instead of a Disney bus or shuttle, the waterfront station was about a three block walk from the port.

If you have an early flight, you just have to let Guest Services know and they'll move you to an earlier time to disembark - it was in the Personal Navigators a couple of times.

For the rest of us (who don't have early flights), you just have the luck of the draw I guess. We had the red Mickey - I think we were right before you? I wasn't too impressed with everyone having to wait in the lounges though - they were SO packed!

 

[Fellowship9798]

I'm wondering the same thing... we have an early flight out of Vancouver and can't take any chances. If we can just walk off if we keep our luggage, I guess we'll just do that...

I just got off the Wonder in Vancouver this morning as well.

Yes, if you are walking off and carrying all your luggage, as soon as customs is cleared, you can leave the ship. No need to wait for any tags to be called.

I was in the last group to be called (Orange Goofy tags). We camped out in the Promenade Lounge after breakfast and were off the ship by around 10:00.

It was a great cruise and I'm silently jealous of all those who were carrying on for the next 7 days to Alaska.

 

[kakuenc]

There is an entrance to the skytrain right off of Howe - right beside the port, and then you can walk underground to the train (in case it is raining). Many people don't see this and go up around the corner to Harbour Center area. I will dig up a photo.
If you go to that big Vancouver info thread, there is a map of how far the skytrain to port is.
I did this walk with people who are not in the best shape, and everyone was fine walking the 10 mins with luggage.

The skytrain entrance at Howe street will not get you to the Canada line therefore will not get you to the airport.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I didn't mind how they got people off the ship. I was in the last group called and I can say it was better being on the ship, then sitting at the airport for hours