Solo-on-a-Scooter AbD DLR and DCL Alaska! (7/21-8/7/2012) - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Today was another day of incredibly beautiful scenery. I took the White Pass & Yukon Railway and was awed by the snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, the amazing feat of building the train route and the Yukon River gorge with rapids that have never successfully been rafted. The food was good again today, too! Now we're sailing to Juneau and, I'm happy to report that it's another calm night for sailing.
An awesome day!!! Did you book the excursion through DCL or an outside company?
So glad to hear you are having good meals on the Wonder!
I'm so glad the food and the seas have improved for you--I was starting to worry! Enjoy Juneau!
I was worried, too! The seas are glassy-calm this morning as we approach Juneau. The forecast is for steady rain all day, but maybe we'll be lucky again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
So glad the seas calmed and the food improved! What beautiful sights you are taking in. How has the accessibility been for you on the excursions?
Danielle
So far it's been just one excursion and it couldn't have been easier. The only slight problem was that, because of the tide, we had to get on and off the ship through deck 4, which meant going up and down a very steep ramp. No problem going down, although I had the brakes on the whole time, but going up I needed the help of a strong CM-- my scooter could have done it, but not if I had to stop and start again in the middle of the incline. Today in Juneau I have a two-part excursion, but don't anticipate any problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iloverags2
An awesome day!!! Did you book the excursion through DCL or an outside company?
So glad to hear you are having good meals on the Wonder!
Through DCL. There are several versions of the train ride. Mine was the only accessible one and was perfect. If visibility had been poor, though, it would have been a waste of time and very boring!
Caught back up, for now. I was a bit relieved to see you are just doing mini updates now, with the full story, and pictures, to come later!
Sorry it's been impossible to get into the Rainforest Room - we did that daily on our Dream trip. Did you buy a length of cruise pass? If so, will they refund you, given lack of availability?
Glad the seas, and food, has improved!
Today was another day of incredibly beautiful scenery. I took the White Pass & Yukon Railway and was awed by the snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, the amazing feat of building the train route and the Yukon River gorge with rapids that have never successfully been rafted. The food was good again today, too! Now we're sailing to Juneau and, I'm happy to report that it's another calm night for sailing.
I remember doing the White Pass & Yukon Railway trip - such fun. And Juneau will be such a treat! So glad the seas have calmed for you!
Glad you're having a great time! Tracy Arm day was amazing, wasn't it?
I'm happy that you had a good experience on the White Pass RR. We did not. It was poor visability on the day we went and was, as you guessed.....boring. The visability wasn't bad in town (and at the very start of the trip) but it got bad quickly. I was a little upset because right after we got on the train they offered to let people choose another excursion saying "There is a little fog up the mountain. If you feel that a little fog will hamper your enjoyment of the trip, you can get off right now and go to the cruise desk to choose another excursion. This will be the only time this is offered and you need to choose right now." The problem was that they also said, "But there is still plenty to see and enjoy and it will still be a good trip"
Not true!! We saw next to nothing except clouds and fog . It was the one mar on an otherwise fabulous trip. Guess I've learned my lesson the hard way. If they offer to let you off the hook for an excursion -take it and run!!! I suppose I could have gone to the excursion desk and complained, but I didn't think they would do much. It was Disney's offer to get off and choose something else. It was the railroad staff who said it would still be a good experience .
Hope the weather holds out for you and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your meals after the one bad experience. And I have a piece of advice for Ketchikan -KetchiCandies!!! They have amazing chocolate covered oreos.
Glad the seas have calmed down. It is really awesome to think about the incredible power of the ocean that it can so easliy toss around such a LARGE ship. Also gives a new appreciation to those early explores traveling these water in those tiny sail boats.
I'm glad the seas have calmed down for you!
Sounds like you are having an amazing time, i can't wait to see all of your beautiful pictures!
Really, Alaska is beyond-belief beautiful. My photo's won't even hint at the true beauty.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
The excursion sounds great! Glad you had good visibility to enjoy it!
I, too, am looking forward to your pictures! Can't wait to hear about your next excursions!
I opted out of today's excursion.... see my reply to Holly below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Caught back up, for now. I was a bit relieved to see you are just doing mini updates now, with the full story, and pictures, to come later!
Sorry it's been impossible to get into the Rainforest Room - we did that daily on our Dream trip. Did you buy a length of cruise pass? If so, will they refund you, given lack of availability?
Glad the seas, and food, has improved!
I did buy a length-of-cruise, but cancelled it and got a refund on Tuesday. I got to Rainforest today, though, and it was lovely!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny
Happy to hear you're having a great time!
Kinda hard not to, really.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
I remember doing the White Pass & Yukon Railway trip - such fun. And Juneau will be such a treat! So glad the seas have calmed for you!
Juneau was completely fogged in all day-- still foggy as we sail away-- and heavy rain as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
Glad you're having a great time! Tracy Arm day was amazing, wasn't it?
I'm happy that you had a good experience on the White Pass RR. We did not. It was poor visability on the day we went and was, as you guessed.....boring. The visability wasn't bad in town (and at the very start of the trip) but it got bad quickly. I was a little upset because right after we got on the train they offered to let people choose another excursion saying "There is a little fog up the mountain. If you feel that a little fog will hamper your enjoyment of the trip, you can get off right now and go to the cruise desk to choose another excursion. This will be the only time this is offered and you need to choose right now." The problem was that they also said, "But there is still plenty to see and enjoy and it will still be a good trip"
Not true!! We saw next to nothing except clouds and fog . It was the one mar on an otherwise fabulous trip. Guess I've learned my lesson the hard way. If they offer to let you off the hook for an excursion -take it and run!!! I suppose I could have gone to the excursion desk and complained, but I didn't think they would do much. It was Disney's offer to get off and choose something else. It was the railroad staff who said it would still be a good experience .
Hope the weather holds out for you and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your meals after the one bad experience. And I have a piece of advice for Ketchikan -KetchiCandies!!! They have amazing chocolate covered oreos.
I'm quoting your whole post, Holly, because it's such good advice! I read what you'd written about the railway excursion last year and you saved me a lot of money as well as a disappointing and boring excursion today. We're in Juneau and I'd booked the Mt Roberts Tram and Mendenhall excursion. It was thick fog and heavy rain this morning and when they offered the option to cancel, I did so right away remembering what you'd said! Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
Glad the seas have calmed down. It is really awesome to think about the incredible power of the ocean that it can so easliy toss around such a LARGE ship. Also gives a new appreciation to those early explores traveling these water in those tiny sail boats.
Can't wait to see all your pictures.
It's true... they were hardy souls and very brave.
I'm glad that my post was able to help you out , although it is too bad that the weather wasn't cooperating in Juneau. The view from Mt Roberts is amazing, but only if you can see it .
We had amazingly good luck with weather on our trip. So good in fact that some of the cruise staff suggested if we got to Ketchikan and it was sunny, we should buy ourselves some lottery tickets .
I'm glad that my post was able to help you out , although it is too bad that the weather wasn't cooperating in Juneau. The view from Mt Roberts is amazing, but only if you can see it .
We had amazingly good luck with weather on our trip. So good in fact that some of the cruise staff suggested if we got to Ketchikan and it was sunny, we should buy ourselves some lottery tickets .
Skagway was great weather, but I'm afraid our luck has run out. Juneau was just a white fog and Ketchikan is supposed to be the same tomorrow. Christiaan, the cruise director, says the saying in Ketchikan is "If you can't see the top of the mountain, it's raining. If you CAN see the top of the mountain, it's going to rain." Not very promising!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Bummer you were "fogged out" of your excursion, but good thing you read Holly's review! I hope you were able to enjoy Juneau anyway!
I had a great, relaxing day on board, but didn't see much of Juneau. Just saw some humpback whales, though! Who needs whale-watching excursions?
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. It was the one mar on an otherwise fabulous trip. Guess I've learned my lesson the hard way. If they offer to let you off the hook for an excursion -take it and run!!! I suppose I could have gone to the excursion desk and complained, but I didn't think they would do much. It was Disney's offer to get off and choose something else. It was the railroad staff who said it would still be a good experience 
Holly: 
, although it is too bad that the weather wasn't cooperating in Juneau. The view from Mt Roberts is amazing, but only if you can see it 
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