Wonder to Alaska July 14-21 2014

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Well it’s about time that I got around to writing a trip report. We did the July 14 through July 21 Alaska cruise on the Disney Wonder. We extended our trip by spending 3 days in Seattle as well as 3 days in Vancouver prior to boarding the ship. It was I, DW, DD 19, and DD 13. This was our 5th Disney cruise and traveling with a total of 42 of our good friends that we met on a previous Disney cruises.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

We started off by flying from Burbank to Seattle. I really do not like LAX so I try to find flights out of Burbank whenever I can. For once we didn’t have to go through a time change on this trip and it was only a 2 hour Flight. Once we landed in Seattle we did the short 10 minute walk to the light rail station and took the short 35 minute ride into town. We chose this over taking a cab because there were 4 of us with a total of 7 bags. Most of the cabs in Seattle are Prius’ and it would’ve taken 2 cabs to get us to our location. The total cost of a train was a little over $10.

We stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel centrally located in downtown Seattle. It was a short one block walk from the train station to the hotel. The hotel is of the older variety but very nice. We got a queen double room that was quite spacious.

Since it was only about 3 o’clock we decided to take a short walk down the Pikes Place which was less than a 10 minute walk. While I have visited Seattle in the past I have never made it to Pikes Place before. It was a very interesting experience walking around the market with so many varieties of merchandise.

Rachel the pig.

Fish throwers at the Pikes Place Fish Market

We grab some snacks and headed back to the hotel since we had a dinner reservation at 7 PM. We went to Assaggio Ristorante which was only about a block from the hotel. We had a wonderful dinner with very authentic Italian food.
Antipasta

Seafood pasta

Tiramisu

Cannoli

After dinner we decided to take the monorail over to see the Space Needle at night. The monorail station was less than half a block from the hotel. We walked around the Pacific Science Center and took a few pictures. We had friends coming in the next day and knew that we would and probably go to the top of the Space Needle in the next day or 2.

 

[jofo]

I'm looking forward to reading this whole trip report! Your Anan Creek photos in the other thread were AMAZING!!

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I'm looking forward to reading this whole trip report! Your Anan Creek photos in the other thread were AMAZING!!

Thank you, there will be a lot of pictures.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

The next morning we got up and walked down towards Pikes Place and had breakfast at Biscuit *****. It’s a great little place for breakfast and has a lot of character. My daughters and I love biscuits and gravy but they have other options as well. Also gluten free items are available.

This is biscuits and gravy with two eggs over easy.

They also served extremely good coffee.

And this is one of the breakfast sandwiches.

We then went down an alley to meet up with our tour. Just happens to be next to the famous gum wall.

We had a 10 o’clock tour of Pikes Place with Savor Tours. This had to be one of our highlights while we were in Seattle. They do a great job of going through the market and showing you the highlights. They are connected to many of the vendors and have samples set up as you walk up. It’s a great way to see Pikes Place.

We got a sample of fresh hot doughnuts at Daily Dozen.

Tea and salt at Market Spice.

Three different kinds of smoked salmon at the Pikes Fish Market

Two kinds of chowder at Pikes Chowder

Chocolate covered cherries at Chukar Cherries and Cheese and Mac and Cheese at Beecher's Cheese.

This was a two hour tour and we were stuffed afterwards so we skipped lunch.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

We had 2 families that were flying in that day, one from Texas and one from Virginia. They were both staying at the same hotel as us so we went back and pick them up and then did about a 20 minute walk over to do the Seattle Underground Tour. This is quite fascinating to walk through the old Seattle on which the current city was built. Again we had a great tour guide and everybody enjoyed it.

The tour starts at Pioneer Square where they have a totem pole.

The tour starts in an original bar from the period.

They then lead you downstairs to the town below ground.

We also learned about the toilet invented by one of the locals named John Crapper. No kidding.

Seattle Underground

Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Seattle as well as being a comedian.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

The next day we had planned and other Savor Tour but this time it was the Chocolate Indulgence Tour. Seattle is known for its chocolate is much as it is for its coffee. We were taken to 8 to 10 different chocolate stores and had numerous samplings. This took about 2 hours. I would highly recommend taking any of the Savor Tours.

We started out with a yummy chocolate cupcake.

This was complimented with the most chocolate ice cream any of us had ever had.

Our tour guide gave us a lecture of how chocolate was actually made.

We then had some dark chocolate and some real white chocolate with pepper.

One of our other stops was to taste some Aztec drinking chocolate with cayenne powder if you wanted it.

Our final stop was at Frans Chocolate. It was like a Beverly Hills jewelry store for chocolate.

After a quick lunch the 12 of us headed off to the Pacific Science Center and the EMP Museum. The EMP museum was quite interesting. We spent a couple of hours here and then decided that the group would go up to the top of the Space Needle. We waited until after 6 o’clock to win the prices dropped. It was extremely clear in the views were beautiful.

The EMP museum had a whole section dedicated to Sci-Fi movies as well as fantasy movies. This is the original costume from the Wizard of Oz.

A beautiful three story collection of guitars

A room with all of the famous tall buildings in the world built completely out of Lego's.

View on a beautiful day from the top of the Space Needle.

We had dinner at the Icon Grill and the food was marvelous. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a good meal.

Firecracker Chicken

Texas Funeral Cake

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

The next morning we had to get up early as we were taking the Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver. We chose to travel and business class which gave us a little bit more room as well is going through customs 1st when we arrived in Vancouver. It was well worth the extra money. The trip took about 4 hours but the scenery was beautiful.

This was our car on the train.

Scenery along the Washington coast.

People out clamming at low tide.

Our first Bald Eagle

With 3 families, 12 of us total it took 5 taxis for the 10 minute ride from the train station to the Pan Pacific Hotel. Once we checked into the hotel we ran into another 5 members of our group. We all headed over to the Lions Pub for lunch with all 17 of us. For a wide selection of food and everybody was happy. Since we got up early this morning we made early dinner reservations and did a quick walk around the convention center area.

Pub sampler plate

French Dip Sandwich

Vancouver is a wonderful city to walk around. We finally got to get in our room at the Pan Pacific.

The Olympic Torch from the 2012 Winter Games

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

The next day we had a lot planned as we wanted to visit Granville Island and Stanley Park. At 1st I thought we could take the buses but then realize that for $5 more we could take cabs and save a lot of time in transit. While Granville Island is somewhat similar to Pikes Place they are really quite different. It was unbelievable the selection of fresh produce available in the public market. We also had a wonderful lunch while we were here.

Beautiful produce from local growers

Baked goods as well

There was actually a shop that made nothing but brooms.

We found an awesome Pot Pie shop for lunch

We then took a cab from Granville Island to Stanley Park. We then bought tickets on the Stanley Park trolley. This was kind of a hop on hop off bus and for $10 it’s a great way to get around the park. We 1st got off at the totem poles then walked around the seawall to the lighthouse. We got back on the bus and rode up to Prospect Point. The views from up here wonderful and we also grabbed a quick snack. When traveling with a group of 17 sometimes transportation is a problem. The one hop off hop on bus they came by was full and we had to wait for about a half an hour to catch another one.

The Dining Pavilion in the center of the park.

Statue of Robert Burns

You also take a horse drawn carriage around the park as well

Our first stop was the collection of Totem Poles

We started around the seawall with beautiful views of downtown and the floating gas station.

We finally made it around the point to the light house

We got a great view of Lion's Gate bridge

We then hopped back on the bus to head up to Prospect Point on the way we caught a glimpse of the Girl in Wetsuit statue.

A look over Lion's Gate

The view from Prospect Point

Some of the gardens driving back through the park

We finally made it back to where we could catch a cab back to the hotel. We all ate at Steamworks Brewery. They offered a wide variety of choices for dinner. We enjoyed it so much that we came back the next day for lunch.

The one thing I love in Vancouver is that almost all restaurants have butter chicken on the menu.

We walked from Gastown for a couple of blocks to check out a gelato place that we suppose to be the best.

 

[poohfriend77]

Great report so far. Your photos are gorgeous! I can't wait to read about the cruise.

 

[DWGal210]

Great report, your pictures are wonderful!

The more TRs I read about Alaska, the more I think it needs to move to the top of my cruise "to-do" list!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Wow! Great report so far...you have me wanting to hop a plane and head to Seattle and Vancouver with those pics!

Looking forward to reading more and seeing your pics of The Wonder and the beautiful scenery....

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Loving your photos. Can't wait to see Alaska again!

 

[linetbo]

Hi, I have a question, maybe a dumb one. How is the Glacier in late July, my daughter is worry because she thinks because of the weather it could be melting.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Thank you all! There is a lot of vacation to go.

Hi, I have a question, maybe a dumb one. How is the Glacier in late July, my daughter is worry because she thinks because of the weather it could be melting.

I will get to the Sawyer Glacier later but we have been there twice in July and it does not melt. I was comparing pictures from 2006 and this year and to be honest I don't see much difference. I hear that it is receding but that is what glaciers do over many hundred of years. There will be plenty of glacier and icebergs to see in July.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

One thing before we go on that I don't think that I mentioned before was about the weather. We were expecting to head to the Northwest and enjoy some nice cool temperatures and maybe a little rain. Instead we got mid to high 80's the time we were in Seattle and Vancouver. It was lucky that we all brought shorts. We also had exceptional weather while in Alaska as well.

The next day we met up with some more people and went to Capilano Bridge. They offered free bus service from the Pan Pacific and we caught the 1st bus of the day. We had a few people that were very hesitant about going over the suspension bridge but with a little help they made it. We did the Treetop walk, walked around some of the nature trails and watched the birds of prey demonstration. We then went back across the bridge and did the cliff walk. It was a nice morning and we were able to catch the bus back to the Pan Pacific.

The bridge

Looking down at the Capilano river from the middle of the bridge.

Looking up at the Tree Top Walk. Kind of like zip-lining but walking between trees.

There is a lot of walking and climbing stairs here just to warn you.

Next we went to the Birds of Prey talk. They had a Harris hawk, Redtail hawk and a barn owl. Interesting talk.

They had some small ponds with trout swimming.

After going back over the suspension bridge we did the cliff walk.

The walk way was sturdy and did not move like the bridge.

Looking back at the suspension bridge.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

After lunch we had planned a Vancouver Mysteries Adventure. We had to break up into teams of 4 and they gave us a small backpack filled with clues and tools to solve the mystery. It took us all over downtown Vancouver was a great way to see the area.

Our leaders of the Mystery Tour

You learn a little history of Vancouver while you are looking for clues.

From the oldest church in Vancouver dating back to 1889.

Got a bit creative while walking around downtown.

After this we had a dinner planned for all 42 of us at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown. While they said they were large party specialist, we wound up being 2 tables short been trying to see all of us. It took a while but they finally manage to get the rest of us seated in the general area of the large table. The food was good and it was good to see everybody.

This was our large table but we still needed 3 more tables.

The Steam Clock in Gastown.

Everyone wanted to go home and pack because tomorrow we were getting on the Wonder.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

The next morning I woke up early so I could try to catch the wonder sailing in the Vancouver. The Pan Pacific has its pool deck on the 5th floor so it gave a great vantage point for taking some pictures. We grabbed a quick breakfast at Starbucks next-door and had the bellhop service take our bags to the ship. We all met up and headed down to Canada Place cruise terminal about 10 AM. We had to wait for about 15 minutes for security to open up and then proceeded through immigration. That was on the check-in for the cruise. Most of our group got boarding number 3 so we got on the ship fairly early.

It was a little hazy in the morning but got the Wonder just as it crossed under Lion's Gate Bridge.

Wonder as it backed into Canada Place

Capt Guus looking nervous as his ship is being docked.

Finally docked.

Me and my DW waiting to board.

The big push as we started to board.

My DD's heading up the gangway.

We had a nice lunch at Parrot Cay and then went to check out our room. Our group had reserved Diversions for a get together. After this we went to the safety drill and then back to the cabin to start unpacking.

Starters from the buffet at Parrot Cay.

The dessert sampler

Pacific Place from the ship

I went up to take pictures of the sail away party. Then came the announcement that we were waiting for about 20 people that their flight had been delayed and would not be leaving until about 7 PM.

Sailaway Party begins

Then the real stars appeared

Somewhere around 7 PM we did finally get away and had out of Vancouver. There are some beautiful views of Vancouver and Stanley Park is sailed under the Lions Gate Bridge.

Pulling away from Canada Place

Sailing under Lion's Gate bridge

Our 1st night dinner was at Parrot Cay. Met up with her waitstaff were very nice but somewhat confused. Since we all were sitting in the same area we switched seats so that all the kids could sit at one table. It kind of confused her waitstaff because we weren’t the names that were on their list. The food seemed to be better than the last time we were on a Disney ship. And they kept reiterating that they wanted to give us excellent service. It almost seemed that they had complaints in the past.

Baked Crab Dip Martinique
Jumbo Lump Crab Baked in Creamy Cheese Sauce served with colorful Tortilla and Plantain Chips

Caribbean Roasted Chicken
Half a Chicken served with Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Corn Kernel and Marinated Shallots with a Spice Glace

Pan – Seared Grouper
With Baby Shrimp Lemon Butter
Served with a Saffron- Herb Basmati Rice and Snow Peas

Desserts

 

[linetbo]

Thank you all! There is a lot of vacation to go.



I will get to the Sawyer Glacier later but we have been there twice in July and it does not melt. I was comparing pictures from 2006 and this year and to be honest I don't see much difference. I hear that it is receding but that is what glaciers do over many hundred of years. There will be plenty of glacier and icebergs to see in July.

Thanks!

 

[Kels Sem]

Im really enjoying your report so far and looking forward to the rest. We are sailing on the Wonder next July!