Hi all!! My family and I are going to Alaska in May 2008. I'm taking my family, including a 14 year old and a 20 year old. We already plan on taking the dogsledding and glacier viewing excursion, but I was wondering about whether the kids would enjoy the railway also. What do you all think? Perhaps renting a car and driving up the Yukon highway would be better? I just don't want the kids to get bored. We're going to be in Skagway for 14 hours and the dogsledding is only two hours. Thanks for any help.
Posts: 2 | Location: Missouri | Registered: September 03, 2007
The White Pass train is a very beautiful scenic ride up to the summit. However; it isn't active so they might not enjoy it as well as something with more activity.
When we rode on it in June there were a couple of teenagers. It appeared they were having lots on fun on the observation deck. I think the train would be fine. Not sure if you take the bus one way, that may be boring for them.
I think if you do the train take it both ways. Renting a car and driving into the Yukon is very nice also. We took the bus into the Yukon. Next trip we plan on renting a car and taking our time a little more. That way we can stop when we want, and not fight a tour bus load of people for the best spot to take a picture. Both are great, but we really enjoyed the train ride. This is what you will see if you take the car.
We took the Princess Bus Tour to the Yukon. The scenery was awesome. The bus driver stopped along the way for photo ops. We also went to the Yukon suspension bridge. On the way back to Skagway, we stopped at Liarsville for a Salmon Bake dinner. The food was wonderful. Our bus driver/ guide was very informative. If you do this excursion, bring your passport. You do cross the border into Canada. The agent does enter the bus to check passports.
My wife and our two teenagers just went to Alaska on Serenade of the Seas this past June. At Skagway we did a little shopping in the morning and then we took the 12 o'clock train ride and it was excellent. We rode the train up and took a bus back down to Lairsville where we drank hot cider, had cookies, watched a comedy show and panned for gold. The gold panning wasn't what we thought it would be, but overall we enjoyed the excursion. The ride back is the same route so you might get a little bored if you take it back too. On the way up, sit on left side of the train so you can get the best views and make sure to go outside on the rails between the trains. I don't know your itinerary, but we went to Hubbard Glaciers, which was beautiful, then Sitka, which was small and not much to see, then Skagway, and our last port was Juneau. Take the tram to Mount Roberts and also go see the glaciers there if you have time. We didn't pay to go whale wathcing because we had a balcony cabin and saw a lot of whales and seals from the ship. Have fun.
We've taken the train trip 2 times and will do the bus ride in June for our third cruise to Alaska..this leaves you plenty of time to SHOP and walk around Skagway....Have a Grand Time..
Okay - I am confused. We are going to be in Skagway as well in May. I wanted to take the train. Now, does the train go up and then back? Does it go up and you have to take a bus back? Do you take a bus up and then the train back? Are all options available? Just wanting a little clarity Thanks guys
cruizinallthetime, you can do it either way. You can do the train up and back or bus it on one leg. I'm not sure the price is any different, but with the bus, you take the risk of the bus being late (granted its a small risk) But in May there will still be lots of snow up there and you may have bus issues.
You can also take the train up to the pass and get off and have lunch/dinner and then come back.
So as you can see, there are several options involved with the WPR.
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Jim - Thanks for the information. We will probably take the train back. I am so excited to hear there will be snow. YEA! I live in Southwest Georgia and we NEVER see snow. Thanks again.
Are you all talking about doing the train and/or bus independently or through a ship's excursion?
I'm looking at HAL's excursion options for my summer 2008 cruise and there are a variety of choices--round trip train (where you don't get off), WPR and goldcamp (train up, bus down), and an 8-hour Yukon trip (bus up, train down). At this point, we're leaning toward the Yukon excursion and will do it through the cruise line due to its length. But, as we will be the only ship in Skagway, I'm wondering about doing a WPR trip on our own. (Or at least conveying this information to our traveling companions who don't want an all-day excursion.)
We took the train ride in May...they had to take the snowblower up to the summit before we could take the train...8 feet of snow at the top...so you will SEE ALL THE SNOW YOU WANT...Being from Minnesota snow isn't something I usually go to see, but it was wonderful on the mountain top:-)....Have a great time....
Originally posted by kwtraveler: My wife and our two teenagers just went to Alaska on Serenade of the Seas this past June. At Skagway we did a little shopping in the morning and then we took the 12 o'clock train ride and it was excellent. We rode the train up and took a bus back down to Lairsville where we drank hot cider, had cookies, watched a comedy show and panned for gold. The gold panning wasn't what we thought it would be, but overall we enjoyed the excursion. The ride back is the same route so you might get a little bored if you take it back too. On the way up, sit on left side of the train so you can get the best views and make sure to go outside on the rails between the trains. I don't know your itinerary, but we went to Hubbard Glaciers, which was beautiful, then Sitka, which was small and not much to see, then Skagway, and our last port was Juneau. Take the tram to Mount Roberts and also go see the glaciers there if you have time. We didn't pay to go whale wathcing because we had a balcony cabin and saw a lot of whales and seals from the ship. Have fun.
kwtraveler~could you please PM me? I would love to talk to you more. We are booked for Serenade of the Seas in June 2008 and would love to get more info from you on your cruise. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks! Pam
Also in Skagway, you can walk out to the Old cemetery and get in touch withsome of the history there...bring a warm jacket:-)...in May you may need it up there....Gloves too....
