Hi, Michelle!
Welcome to planDisney! I love all the planning for a Disney Cruise, especially the pre-cruise part so the vacation starts before you even board the ship.
Vancouver is a fabulous city so let me help you get this travel-party started!
I see you are from Pennsylvania; we are state-neighbors as I am from Ohio! When my family sailed out of Vancouver for our
Alaskan cruise, we flew into Vancouver (I believe we had a layover in Chicago). Between taking an early flight, and the 3 hours we picked up from changing time zones, we had a nice full day in Vancouver upon arrival. We used this time to enjoy the city sights, which I will get to in a minute!
After completing customs at the airport in Vancouver, we hopped in a taxi to our hotel. Travel time into the city was about 40 minutes. We stayed at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, which is super convenient as it located at the cruise terminal. It was a lovely hotel, and we liked getting up early the morning of our cruise to watch our Disney ship enter the port.
I suggest getting to Vancouver a day or two prior to your cruise as there are so many activities to enjoy. We really liked renting electric bikes and circling Stanley Park. We took our time and even stopped along the way to take in the sights and have a snack or two. Another fun activity is the
Capilano Suspension Bridge. We had fun crossing the bridge and doing some light hiking. (Port Adventure through Disney Cruise Line is available for debarkation day and is great idea if you have a late flight out. To experience pre-cruise, you will need to arrange on your own.)
When you are ready to board your ship on embarkation day, simply head into the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, and you will check-in then board your beautiful Disney ship. Sail away is just amazing so don't miss your deck party! Check your
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for event times.
After the cruise, you have the choice of staying in Vancouver, or if you choose to fly out you may use a taxi or arrange
ground transportation directly through Disney Cruise Line. Disney recommends booking departing flights no earlier than 12:30 pm on debarkation day.
Michelle, this is just what I chose to do during my cruise, however your options are endless whether you choose to fly into Seattle and take a train to Vancouver or maybe extend the land portion of your cruise after your sailing. Figure out how much time you have for your adventure, your travel budget, and decide what your family will enjoy.
Both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are fabulous ships, so whichever you are sailing on I hope you find this to be the cruise of a lifetime. Bon Voyage and happy sailing up to Alaska!
Cathy