Our 9 Night Alaska Wonder Trip- July 4-July 16, 2025

[Dizney73]

Thanks for following along with our planning and our travels! Click the links below for all of our posts!

-Cruise is BOOKED! Do you have any tips for us for cruising on the Wonder or meeting the characters in their Alaskan outfits? I'd love to hear all your tips and tricks!
-Flights Booked! Do you have hotel recommendations for us besides the Pan Pacific?
-Hotels are booked! Yup...that's right ...HOTELS!
-Help booking excursions in Juneau! What would you do?
- Icy Strait Point Excursion Booked! It's a Whale Watching excursion!
-Ketchikan Fishing Excursion BOOKED!
-Vancouver Tour Booked (Pre-cruise)!
The Northern Lights in PA!
-Juneau excursionS finally booked! Yes... I booked TWO tours this day!


Let the Alaska vacation planning begin! Planning is all part of the vacation MAGIC!
Our family has just returned from a cruise on the Disney Magic that took us to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point for the first time! While on that cruise we booked the obligatory placeholder. After a bit of family discussion we decided that our placeholder will take us aboard the Disney Wonder for a 9 night cruise to Alaska summer of 2025! We had a 7 night Alaskan cruise booked for summer of 2020... but obviously we missed out when it was cancelled. I'll be using my notes and previous pre-trip report to plan this vacation... but lots of changes for sure!

An introduction...
We are a Disney loving, cruise loving, National Park loving family! I, Jami, am a Career, Media, Technology and library teacher for our local elementary and Intermediate schools. DH, Scott, is a professional firefighter. I always loved Disney and converted this man into my Disney loving world when we started dating! Our honeymoon was a wonderful 12 night trip to Walt Disney World! We have visited WDW and Disneyland many times before we finally bought into DVC at AKV and HHI. So as you may have guessed, we frequent the parks and the HHI beach resort often each year!

DS is a high school sophomore who plays a handful of sports always keeping us running to and from cross country, golf, soccer, wrestling and track practices and matches/meets/games. He prefers Disney cruises over WDW because "the parks have too much walking!"

DD is a freshman in college this year! She recently enjoyed her first visits to Palo and the Cove Cafe and was wowed! I'm booking her on our family vacations with us until she tells me otherwise!
It's going to be a tough year for this Momma as she heads off to college but we are so proud of her for all of her accomplishments and can't wait to see what she can do!

 

[Dizney73]

Book a stateroom aboard the Disney Wonder... CHECK

As soon as we arrived home from our Magic Cruise (which was absolutely fantastic!) I checked my email and found the confirmation for our placeholder and forwarded it to our Travel agent at Dreams Unlimited! We booked a category 9c Oceanview room on deck 2 aft for the 9 night Alaskan Cruise on July 7, 2025. Of course, we wish we could book a balcony room ... but college tuition and all forced us to be a bit more thrifty (if booking a Disney cruise is thrifty in any sense of the word). The cost difference between the balcony and Oceanview room is thousands of dollars! $5,418 to be exact! That's some good excursion money!

We always love a stateroom on the aft of the ship. We really didn't know how we would feel about being on deck 2 (we've never been lower than deck 5 on past cruises)so we tried it out on the 4 night Magic cruise and we LOVED it! We actually really liked being that close to the water... and the fact that we never had to wait for an elevator... especially when boarding the ship since we could just walk one flight up to our room! AND Cabanas is just 7 decks straight up making early morning coffee easy to get! We were surprised as to how much we loved our stateroom on deck 2!

DH and I have already cruised to Alaska twice in the past on Princess and Royal Caribbean. We loved the land tour where we visited Seward, Anchorage, Girdwood, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks and I would recommend that everyone does the land portion to truly experience the majesty of Alaska. DH and I wanted to take the our teens to experience Denali but despite them being 15 and 18 years old... they said NO! They wanted to do Alaska with DCL. Who am I to argue? Of course, I absolutely want to see those Disney characters in those cute Alaskan outfits!


Oh... I should also mention that we are Platinum DCL cruisers but this will be our first time on the Disney Wonder!
Do you have any tips for us for cruising on the Wonder or meeting the characters in their Alaskan outfits? I'd love to hear all your tips and tricks!

 

[Dizney73]

Flights Booked

This was a harder decision than we thought! We had to decide what our exact dates would be for our trip. How much time do we want to spend in Vancouver before and after the cruise? As a teacher I could take 2 months to explore Alaska and Canada but DD has already expressed interest in taking a required language class during the Maymester at a local branch of her college and DH's work schedule would technically give us a maximum of 14 days with a vacation and all available personal days. But do we want to use all the available days? It's always a tough question because... YES, of course we do! But is that the responsible thing to do knowing we may need one day to move our DD in/out of college? So we looked at flight prices and dates as well as Vancouver hotel choices and decided that we would fly in three nights prior to our cruise and fly home upon debarkation.

It was actually the cost of those Vancouver hotels that truly helped make our travel date decision... my goodness are those hotels in the city EXPENSIVE! We will choose a hotel soon enough.

In the end we booked a United Airlines flight leaving Newark Airport on July 4. Our departing flight is operated through Air Canada (but booked through United) leaving on the afternoon of July 16. For direct flights each direction we paid just under $3000 for the 4 of us. Of course, we could have chosen cheaper flights but we like the ease of nonstop flights vs the stress of layovers.


Our cruise is booked. Our flights are booked. Everything is quickly coming together! Now... it is time to choose a pre-cruise hotel! Do you have hotel recommendations for us besides the Pan Pacific?

 

[Mathmagicland]

Thanks for following along for our planning and our travels! Click the links below for all of our posts!

-Cruise is BOOKED! Do you have any tips for us for cruising on the Wonder or meeting the characters in their Alaskan outfits? I'd love to hear all your tips and tricks!

-Flights Booked! Do you have hotel recommendations for us besides the Pan Pacific?

Hi - following along as I am also on this cruise, with similar travel dates. Thanks for sharing your plans!

Since you’ve been on the Magic, the Wonder will seem very familiar. Same layout but some places have different names, ie Soul Cat Lounge is French Quarter Lounge to tie in to the Tiana’s Place theming. While the characters will randomly be in their Alaska outfits throughout the trip, the main day to see all of them is on the Glacier day when they can be found up on deck 9 hanging out with everyone.

Lots of fun special Alaska merchandise in the shops, things not typical - could be Mickey ear muffs, head bands, gloves, shearling socks, etc.

Are you planning to rent a car in Vancouver, or stick to walking and public transportation? The waterfront area is very walkable. I’ve stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront, which is across from the Pan Pacific. You can usually get a good rate if booking early, like now, cheaper than booking with Disney. Don’t need to include breakfast as there are places nearby to get that cheaper. I like the Fairmont because Bell Services will pick up your luggage and take it straight to the ship for you.

It is also fun to get up early, which might be easy for you if you are still on east coast time, to watch the ship come in. That is usually around 0500 or so as it first peeks out from under the Lions Gate bridge all the way to turning around to dock in backwards so it can pull straight out.

 

[Dizney73]

Hi - following along as I am also on this cruise, with similar travel dates. Thanks for sharing your plans!

Since you’ve been on the Magic, the Wonder will seem very familiar. Same layout but some places have different names, ie Soul Cat Lounge is French Quarter Lounge to tie in to the Tiana’s Place theming. While the characters will randomly be in their Alaska outfits throughout the trip, the main day to see all of them is on the Glacier day when they can be found up on deck 9 hanging out with everyone.

Lots of fun special Alaska merchandise in the shops, things not typical - could be Mickey ear muffs, head bands, gloves, shearling socks, etc.

Are you planning to rent a car in Vancouver, or stick to walking and public transportation? The waterfront area is very walkable. I’ve stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront, which is across from the Pan Pacific. You can usually get a good rate if booking early, like now, cheaper than booking with Disney. Don’t need to include breakfast as there are places nearby to get that cheaper. I like the Fairmont because Bell Services will pick up your luggage and take it straight to the ship for you.

It is also fun to get up early, which might be easy for you if you are still on east coast time, to watch the ship come in. That is usually around 0500 or so as it first peeks out from under the Lions Gate bridge all the way to turning around to dock in backwards so it can pull straight out.

We are looking at two scenarios right now... stay near the airport and take the train in or keep searching for a hotel closer to the downtown that isn't $800 a night! We've stayed in Vancouver before (but our teens haven't) so we are looking at perhaps spending one day in Stanley Park and then visiting Whistler the next day.

I am so looking forward to all the merchandise on the Wonder! I guess I'll conveniently forget a hat and gloves so I can but some on the cruise!

So glad you are going on the cruise too!

 

[Mathmagicland]

We are looking at two scenarios right now... stay near the airport and take the train in or keep searching for a hotel closer to the downtown that isn't $800 a night! We've stayed in Vancouver before (but our teens haven't) so we are looking at perhaps spending one day in Stanley Park and then visiting Whistler the next day.

I am so looking forward to all the merchandise on the Wonder! I guess I'll conveniently forget a hat and gloves so I can but some on the cruise!

So glad you are going on the cruise too!

Scott of the DCLBlog did this same one last month, here is his review of their pre-days and their hotel. He’s done Alaska three times now, and this post has links to his prior two pre-night hotels, if you’d like to read his comments.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...-wonder-orlando-to-vancouver-july-13-14-2024/

 

[TheRichFam]

Flights Booked

This was a harder decision than we thought! We had to decide what our exact dates would be for our trip. How much time do we want to spend in Vancouver before and after the cruise? As a teacher I could take 2 months to explore Alaska and Canada but DD has already expressed interest in taking a required language class during the Maymester at a local branch of her college and DH's work schedule would technically give us a maximum of 14 days with a vacation and all available personal days. But do we want to use all the available days? It's always a tough question because... YES, of course we do! But is that the responsible thing to do knowing we may need one day to move our DD in/out of college? So we looked at flight prices and dates as well as Vancouver hotel choices and decided that we would fly in three nights prior to our cruise and fly home upon debarkation.

It was actually the cost of those Vancouver hotels that truly helped make our travel date decision... my goodness are those hotels in the city EXPENSIVE! We will choose a hotel soon enough.

In the end we booked a United Airlines flight leaving Newark Airport on July 4. Our departing flight is operated through Air Canada (but booked through United) leaving on the afternoon of July 16. For direct flights each direction we paid just under $3000 for the 4 of us. Of course, we could have chosen cheaper flights but we like the ease of nonstop flights vs the stress of layovers.
View attachment 887019

Our cruise is booked. Our flights are booked. Everything is quickly coming together! Now... it is time to choose a pre-cruise hotel! Do you have hotel recommendations for us besides the Pan Pacific?

I know you said "not Pan Pacific," but before swearing it off completely I'd contact them directly and see if they offer a First Responders discount. When we sailed on the Wonder several years back, they offered a U.S. Military Rate that wasn't listed on their site, which is literally the only reason we were able to stay there It is REALLY convenient, and the view is unbeatable.

But my gosh is it expensive! (Fingers crossed that they'll have a special rate for y'all!)

 

[starry_solo]

We picked the Fairmont Vancouver Waterfront for our Alaska trip. Booked directly with the hotel vs through Disney. We figured a train from airport to Port and then walk across the street to the hotel would be good.

But yes, it is very expensive!

 

[Dizney73]

Scott of the DCLBlog did this same one last month, here is his review of their pre-days and their hotel. He’s done Alaska three times now, and this post has links to his prior two pre-night hotels, if you’d like to read his comments.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...-wonder-orlando-to-vancouver-july-13-14-2024/

Thank you so much! I'm going to take a look at this for sure!

 

[Dizney73]

I know you said "not Pan Pacific," but before swearing it off completely I'd contact them directly and see if they offer a First Responders discount. When we sailed on the Wonder several years back, they offered a U.S. Military Rate that wasn't listed on their site, which is literally the only reason we were able to stay there It is REALLY convenient, and the view is unbeatable.

We've been top Vancouver before a cruise and once after a cruise before and when I saw that hotel I always wanted to stay there but gosh that kind of extra money for a room can pay for a salmon fishing excursion in Ketchikan!

 

[Dizney73]

We picked the Fairmont Vancouver Waterfront for our Alaska trip. Booked directly with the hotel vs through Disney. We figured a train from airport to Port and then walk across the street to the hotel would be good.

But yes, it is very expensive!

That was the second hotel I checked... Prices really are much higher since we planned our hotel stay for our cancelled trip in 2020!

 

[Dizney73]

Totally off subject here...
It's that time of year for back to school and we have so much going on! Today was my 1st day back as a Career and Media Arts/Library teacher. I am in my 28th year of teaching. It's hard to believe that I have to wish this whole school year away before this trip happens!
Yesterday, we moved our daughter into her college dorm for the first time. II am so very happy for her and oh, so proud but never knew it would be so difficult to let go!

I hope to have this hotel choice all figured out this weekend before I start with my classes next week. I'm off to check out all the suggestions!

 

[Dizney73]

Hotels are booked...

Yup. You read that right...hotels. We truly did so much thinking about this. We watched videos, we looked at hotel reviews, we booked and cancelled and rebooked. DH and I have done an Alaskan cruise twice before which brought us to Vancouver. I wanted to do something new and still be able to show off this beautiful city to our kids.

We ran into a few obstacles. 1st... high prices. Staying near the port is certainly ideal for ease of touring the city and boarding the ship and YES... I want that! But those prices are crazy for 3 nights! 2nd... apparently there is a conference in town the weekend before our cruise and many hotels are unavailable on the Friday and Saturday nights of our stay.

So... in Disney terms... we are doing a split stay! We decided to book the Hampton Inn by Hilton Vancouver Airport for our first two nights and rent a car so that we can spend a n entire day driving the Sea to Sky Highway and visiting Whistler! That is something new for us and it looks absolutely stunning! This hotel also includes FREE breakfast! That's a plus!


On our 3rd night we wanted to move to a hotel that is close to the port so after much searching and review reading we decided to book the Auberge Vancouver! Is it $$$? Sure it is... but I can we don't mind for just the one night since it will bring so much convenience to our trip. We will enjoy a free breakfast at the Hampton and take the Skytrain from the airport into Vancouver on Sunday so that we can check our luggage at the hotel and enjoy exploring and touring and the restaurants and all the great things this city has to offer. It will be great to spend the night so close to the ship and be within walking distance to the pier so we can watch her come in early in the morning and walk our luggage, which will be carryon only, when we are ready to board!



We are happy with our decision to spend 2 nights at the Hampton near the airport so we can enjoy and adventure to Whistler and then 1 night at the Auberge giving us all the convenience for boarding day!

 

[Mathmagicland]

and rent a car

Hi - since you will have a car, I’ll throw something out that might be fun if you have a bit of time as it is somewhat unique to Vancouver.

Have you been to Port Roberts, Washington? It is 4 sq miles of USA, a little peninsula about 25-30 minutes south of Vancouver airport. It is not connected to the rest of the US, as you have to drive through Canada to get to it. There are some nature trails, birds, and beaches, and a few full time residents, but the fun part is being able to go & say you’ve been there. It’s part of US because it is south of the 49th parallel when that boundary was drawn. If you do go, you’ll need your passports as you will be going across the border & then back into Canada.




http://www.pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com

https://pointrobertsnow.com

https://www.visitpointroberts.com/

 

[Dizney73]

Hi - since you will have a car, I’ll throw something out that might be fun if you have a bit of time as it is somewhat unique to Vancouver.

Have you been to Port Roberts, Washington? It is 4 sq miles of USA, a little peninsula about 25-30 minutes south of Vancouver airport. It is not connected to the rest of the US, as you have to drive through Canada to get to it. There are some nature trails, birds, and beaches, and a few full time residents, but the fun part is being able to go & say you’ve been there. It’s part of US because it is south of the 49th parallel when that boundary was drawn. If you do go, you’ll need your passports as you will be going across the border & then back into Canada.


View attachment 890305

http://www.pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com

https://pointrobertsnow.com

https://www.visitpointroberts.com/

Thanks for the suggestion! I actually know about Port Roberts because I teach a unit to my 5th grade students about cool country facts (I teach research skills so I pick fun topics since research can be quite boring). I show a video all about it! That would be a really cool side trip!
Thanks for the awesome tip! I never even thought about it!

 

[Dizney73]

Help choosing excursions... Juneau

On a past trip Juneau we did a Mendenhall Glacier trek and it was fabulous! I would like our teens to experience being ON a glacier as well! BUT... I always wanted to do a dog sled tour as well. So now I am trying to decide if we should book the dog sled excursion ON a glacier with the additional glacier landing (that's where the blue ice will be)... or book a glacier ice field excursion and a summer dog sled musher camp. Option one would run close to $3500 for the 4 of us. Option 2 would come in $1000 less. Option 2 would also still offer us an excursion in case of rain or low clouds cancelling a helicopter flight.
I guess I have an option #3... I could book through DCL(and yes, it is more expensive). DCL offers a Glacier hike which allows an hour (vs 25 minutes) walk around and a Glacier trek which allows 2 hours for a more moderate hike on a glacier. But we may not have time for the summer dog musher's camp if we choose this option.

What would you do?
#1 Dog sled with additional glacier landing $3336
#2 Ice field Excursion AND Juneau Musher's camp with ride not on snow $2370
#3 book the ice trek through the cruise line for more $$

 

[Dizney73]

Icy Strait Point... excursion booked!


We still remain undecided on our Juneau excursion though we lean towards a glacier trek. However, there is time for decisions to be made. After reading many reviews I have learned that Icy Strait Point is one of the best places for whale watching so I set out to find a reputable company! I came across a few and we decided to book the Whale Watching and Wildlife Excursion with Glacier Wind Charters.
We selected them based on the fact that the boats hold up to 13 guests. We definitely prefer smaller tours and this one fit the bill. So at least we have successfully booked one excursion for our trip!


Hmmmm... what do I start researching next? Salmon fishing in Ketchikan perhaps? Anyone have any companies that they would recommend?

 

[PoppyJ]

What would you do?
#1 Dog sled with additional glacier landing $3336
#2 Ice field Excursion AND Juneau Musher's camp with ride not on snow $2370
#3 book the ice trek through the cruise line for more $$

Our tablemates did the Ice Trek through DCL and thought it was amazing. They said they even got to drink the glacier water!

However, my co-worker cruised the second to last week of July and her sister's helicopter glacier tour in Juneau was canceled due to the weather, so there is always that risk...

 

[Dizney73]

Way back in 2005 DH and I did a glacier trek and it was most definitely the highlight of our trip! The picture below is us with our friends on that glacier! It was amazing! It's literally this memory that wants to take my kids on this trip!

We generally do not book excursions through the cruise line but we know that anything that involves a flight has a high probability of cancellation in Alaska so booking through DCL is probably the easiest for refund sake.
But we are looking at booking through Alaska Shore Excursions since I found the same tour and of course it would be priced significantly less for the 4 of us! There is a walk about tour vs a trek available which is only 1 hr on the glacier vs 2.... so it might still be possible if the times line up that we can also do a summer dog camp tour! After all, it is a very long port day from 7 am to 9 pm!! I just have to be patient and wait for them to open bookings for 2025!

 

[Dizney73]

oh... waiting for these Summer 2025 excursions to open up for booking in Juneau is killing me!!
The Summer Dog Musher excursion is now open with times at 10:00 am and 3:30 pm but I don't know what time to book until I can see the Glacier Walk About and Glacier Trek times!!!


Oh what great memories from our trip to the glacier in 2005!