Yukon Expedition in Skagway

[jaimeadk]

Can anyone who has done the Yukon Expedition in Skagway (tour bus up and train down) say how many times the bus stopped for photos?

 

[xlxo]

I was there last August....
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...e-excursions/skagway-alaska/yukon-expedition/

Stops I can remember....

• Klondike highway
• Fraser for immigration (officers will not pose for pictures)
• Caribou Crossing for lunch (the less photo stops.... the earlier you eat, 5 min North of Carcross)
  https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...GfUaqueCjTvg;FYB9lgMdG4v49w&t=h&mra=prev&z=14
• Carcross
• Fraser to board the train

Our August morning had heavy rains, but there might be a stop at the William Moore Creek cantilever bridge, but we all voted to opt for an early lunch instead. A previous trip (Best of Skagway) did stop there.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fras...=km8U2okPxO3jVoYfNuMF5w&cbp=11,163.55,,0,1.55

Porcupine Creek may have been a photo stop... don't remember. Live my Nikon 18-300mm lens, I can get great pictures from the window without stopping.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fras...=CF8e0c2p3QDyk4V-L7mu1g&cbp=11,123.52,,0,1.32

No, we did not stop at the Yukon sign.... nor the US/Canada sign.

Founds some vids...

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yzz1O5ytEE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moNz-VKYYek
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb3Au3oKWWc

 

[wdwwishes]

We did AK in 2011 and did this excursion in Skagway but did it with Chilkoot Tours & Charters because I thought there were more photo op stops along the way than with DCL and we were on a small tour coach with 12 people, not a tour bus. We did the bus up, same stop at Caribou Crossing, same lunch etc. after lunch we proceeded just mort to see an amazing lake called Emerald Lake then were taken to the train for the ride back. It was amazing. Our Chilkoot guide was so knowledgable and helpful, even got us all on the better side of the train for the views not he ride back. The cost wasn't that much cheaper than DCL but I think he experience was awesome. Chilkoot picked us up at the ship, transported us to the departure point without any issues. The train depot is right by the docks so once we left the train on the way back we could wander Skagway for a while before heading back to the ship. We had to really great photo stops, one was with an Alaska sign and another with aYukon Territory sign. look them up on line, they list their stops. the cruise is great, have fun!

 

[jaimeadk]

So...don't laugh at me. I really want to go with Chilkoot but I guess I am a worrier and I worry that I would ride the train up, get off, and my Chilcoot tour guide/bus would not be there and is be stuck with no way to get back to Skagway. Is this a stupid fear?

 

[noahdove]

jaimeadk, no I will have fear as well, as I don't want to miss the ship leaving me. I will really have to thinking seriously on taking this tour...

 

[jaimeadk]

So much to think about. Happy thoughts though. I see that you can rent a minivan through Avis for $185 for the whole day and explore on your own and your own time frame all the way up the pass and into British Columbia. Wow! That sure beats the $800+ for my family of 5 to do the train/van combo. I'm going to do a bit more research on getting/into out of Canada at the border.

 

[niccikatie]

We rented a car in Skagway! It was fantastic. We drove all the way to Whitehorse, Yukon and back with plenty of time to spare. We were able to stop wherever we wanted and stay only as long as we wanted. The border crossing was super simple. Not much traffic and didn't have to get out of the car or anything. It was one of my favorite excursions from our whole trip.

 

[wdwwishes]

Cruise passengers are Chilkoot's bread and butter. while there's no guarantees on something going wrong, I'd book with them. I think you have more chances of something going wrong with a rental car although we considered doing it as well. Our TA strongly advised against it. Also, look at your time in port. In 2011 we didn't leave until 6:00 or something. We were back with plenty of time to shop in Skagway and be back on board. Good luck deciding and enjoy your cruise.

 

[nunzia]

I'm waffling between this one and the White Pass Railway and Gold Camp one. Any opinions or comparisons?

 

[linetbo]

I was there last August....
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...e-excursions/skagway-alaska/yukon-expedition/

Stops I can remember....

• Klondike highway
• Fraser for immigration (officers will not pose for pictures)
• Caribou Crossing for lunch (the less photo stops.... the earlier you eat, 5 min North of Carcross)
  https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...GfUaqueCjTvg;FYB9lgMdG4v49w&t=h&mra=prev&z=14
• Carcross
• Fraser to board the train

Our August morning had heavy rains, but there might be a stop at the William Moore Creek cantilever bridge, but we all voted to opt for an early lunch instead. A previous trip (Best of Skagway) did stop there.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fras...=km8U2okPxO3jVoYfNuMF5w&cbp=11,163.55,,0,1.55

Porcupine Creek may have been a photo stop... don't remember. Live my Nikon 18-300mm lens, I can get great pictures from the window without stopping.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fras...=CF8e0c2p3QDyk4V-L7mu1g&cbp=11,123.52,,0,1.32

No, we did not stop at the Yukon sign.... nor the US/Canada sign.

Founds some vids...

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yzz1O5ytEE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moNz-VKYYek
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb3Au3oKWWc

Did you book with Disney?

 

[xlxo]

Did you book with Disney?

Yes I did go with Disney... The Yukon is a significant distance from port. While missing the boat is rare... it can happen.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north...-problem-white-pass-and-yukon-route-1.2722963

There's been a few online comments of flight tours missing the boat when fog trapped cruisers on glaciers. Expensive inconvenience to chase a cruiseship to a second port.

I take private tours if the cruise tour is sold out and there is a low risk missing the boat.

 

[krissy2803]

So...don't laugh at me. I really want to go with Chilkoot but I guess I am a worrier and I worry that I would ride the train up, get off, and my Chilcoot tour guide/bus would not be there and is be stuck with no way to get back to Skagway. Is this a stupid fear?

I had reservations as well, last year when I was checking out excursions..I looked on tripadvisor and here for reviews and advice. I came to the conclusion that these tour companies rely on cruisers for their very existence. If they did poorly or left people stranded they would not be in business for very long.

In my opinion Chilkoot is one of the best.

 

[linetbo]

Yes I did go with Disney... The Yukon is a significant distance from port. While missing the boat is rare... it can happen.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north...-problem-white-pass-and-yukon-route-1.2722963

There's been a few online comments of flight tours missing the boat when fog trapped cruisers on glaciers. Expensive inconvenience to chase a cruiseship to a second port.

I take private tours if the cruise tour is sold out and there is a low risk missing the boat.

Perfect, Thanks!!! I will book that one for my July cruise. Thanks