Cancelling NHT but how to order shuttle

[gypsyyve]

Hi we are booked into the NHT on our princess cruise tour on the 25/8/2012 and from advice on here are going to cancel that and book the park shuttle. I have read some information on here that suggests we need to catch a princess shuttle from the lodge to the park shuttle and that we need to book the park shuttle ahead of time. Is this correct. If so how do we find out the times of the princess shuttle and how do we book the park shuttle. thanks very much for all the assistance and great info

[Budget Queen]

Yes, book yourself on the Denali Park shuttle bus, which leaves from the Wilderness Access Center. Princess Lodge does run a shuttle bus to the Access Center, but not in time for the earliest Park shuttle buses, You are safe with booking around 9am shuttle bus starts. OR you can walk, which is between 1-2 miles.

 

bookings link via http://www.nps.gov/dena read the distance shuttle bus descriptions, and look at the map.

 

Tell the vendor, you are there on a cruisetour and will already have paid the park admission. They may have you pay again, and get a refund when you get there. But disclose this and get the current information for this season.

 

Plan on being in line 30 minutes prior to the Park shuttle bus departures. You will be packing in (and out, if you want to practice "green" :) ), all your own food and drink. The Access Center does have a very limited food selection, if needed.

[hubble]

I did some research on doing this same thing also. The following information is from the Denali Princess website:

 

We also provide shuttle service hourly from 7 am to 7 pm between the lodge and the Denali National Park Visitors Center, the Wilderness Access Center and Horseshoe Lake for $5 roundtrip per person.

[gypsyyve]

Thanks for that information

[gypsyyve]

Sorry one last question are we best off booking to Eielson Visitor Center

or wonder lake, thanks

[Budget Queen]

Sorry one last question are we best off booking to Eielson Visitor Center

or wonder lake, thanks

 

When are you going??? Prior to mid August, you can run into a significant amount of bugs at Wonder lake, so preparation is necessary. After mid August, it is my only, suggested destination. :)

 

Depends on YOU??? I have been in Denali many times, over 20?? So, my selection process is going to be different than an infrequent visitor perhaps. more details are available http://www.nps.gov/dena

[mapleleaves]

are you sure you have time for a longer tour? Often the NHT indicates that your cruisetour arrives mid-day on Day 1 and leaves mid-day Day 2.

The price difference is only $12 so if seeing Denali from Wonder Lake is important it makes sense to book a seat to WL.

The advantage of a WL reservation is that if you get a clear sunny day and the mountain is out ... you have your ticket. But if it's a cloudy day you can choose to hop off at Eielson instead and catch a different bus back to the entrance. However if you only buy a seat to Eielson, and decide you want to go further ... you have to work with the dispatcher to get a seat for the additional distance.

EVC $ 34, WL $46

[gypsyyve]

Hi thanks for that we are there 25th and 26th of August so think we will book to wonder lake as that gives us the most options:)

[zqvol]

If you are on a Princess tour and staying at the Princess lodge (Whatever the name of it is) then you book your tour at the lodge and are picked up directly at the front door. there is no need to fool with going to the park on your own.

 

We did this last summer and it worked perfectly. Picked up at the hotel by a NPS bus, taken on the tour and returned to the front door of the lodge. (You book at the excursion desk at the lodge. Both the long and short tour are available.)

[Budget Queen]

If you are on a Princess tour and staying at the Princess lodge (Whatever the name of it is) then you book your tour at the lodge and are picked up directly at the front door. there is no need to fool with going to the park on your own.

 

We did this last summer and it worked perfectly. Picked up at the hotel by a NPS bus, taken on the tour and returned to the front door of the lodge. (You book at the excursion desk at the lodge. Both the long and short tour are available.)

 

Sorry, you did not get to Wonder Lake, which this poster is interested in, which is mile 85, you went, at most to mile 63. Your bus tour recommendation is also triple the cost of the shuttle buses, which go further.