Denali tours without our toddler

[eeyore81]

We are looking at the 7 day Alaska Rail Tour through Princess Lodges. We will be taking are 2 year old (turning 3 on the trip) with us. She is a great traveler. She has been on numerous trips to all kinds of different places (long car rides, long train rides, long plane rides, long boring formal dinners, you name it). We went on an Alaska cruise last year and she did great (I think better than the adults on the 7 hour leg of our air travel to get to Alaska). All that aside, I just do not think Denali is for her. I'd like to take her to Denali. Let her look around. Take a picture, etc. but I do not think any kind of extend bus tour would be good for anyone involved (and trust me we are the type of parents who take our child anywhere we go). I was wondering if there is any way to coordinate morning and afternoon departures. My parents will be going on the trip with us. I was thinking half of us could get up early and go on the morning tour and then the other half go on the afternoon tour. This would allow my 2 year old to stay at the hotel, etc during this time. Would this be doable? Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[mapleleaves]

You'll need to look at the schedules for your date of travel. At peak times in the summer there are shuttle departures to Eielson Visitor Center every 15 minutes, starting around 6am. I think the last bus returns around 11pm. Eielson is 8 hrs RT. Toklat is 6 1/2. ( You could also make the schedule work by 'exchanging' your daughter with your parents at one of the stopping points, like Teklanika campground, at mile 29 which would only be a 3 hr ride for her RT )

Nice thing about the shuttles is that you can hop off any time, hike or walk along the road or a bit, and catch a differnet bus back to the entrance or deeper into the park. But it would be pretty hard to find 5 available seats on the same bus.

I'm surprised you are doing a cruisetour with a toddler. DIY would give you control over your schedule for breaks, meals, run-off-steam-time, without the early morning wakeups.

 

Look under PLAY for shuttle schedules: http://www.reservedenali.com

[Northern Aurora]

When I first read eeyeore81's post my first thought was that an RV is perfect in Alaska when traveling with a toddler.

[mapleleaves]

When I first read eeyeore81's post my first thought was that an RV is perfect in Alaska when traveling with a toddler.

 

yes, indeed ! Alaska is perfect for RV'g.

[Northern Aurora]

yes, indeed ! Alaska is perfect for RV'g.

 

No matter how well behaved and well traveled the toddler I just think that a parent is asking a great amount of that little kiddo when taking a cruise tour. When traveling in Alaska with a kid that age that an RV offers much more flexibility.

[eeyore81]

Thanks for the replies. What we are actually taking is a Rail Only Explorer tour. It is not escorted. Other than a very few planned activities (that can be removed from the tour if you elect not to do them) the only time you have to do something is be on the train for the next stop. The only thing that is included in the trip is the rail transportation in Princess Dome cars and overnight stays at Princess Lodges. I know some will disagree with me but I think it definitely depends on the child. As stated in my original post, we have traveled a lot since she was born. We have never had anyone give us a nasty look or say something to us because of our child. We have had numerous people stop us and say things like when I got on the plane I thought this was going to be miserable but your child's behavior shocked me-- she is so good, etc. We have had people say similar things to us on cruise excursions and at the shows on the cruise ship. She definitely has her moments but we are the first to remove her from an unhappy situation or distract her with toys, snacks, ipads, etc. Although Alaska in an RV sounds great, it is not an option on this trip as we will be traveling with a group of family and friends.

[agabbymama]

I'd look at the shuttle schedule. It should be pretty easy to schedule 2 on a morning shuttle, then 2 on the afternoon shuttle. So one set of adults could stay at the lodge with the child. Remember you will have more daylight late in the evening in Alaska.

 

We did the Tundra Wilderness Tour (and while others say it is 6 1/2 hours), we were gone for 8 full hours. I have no idea if we went to Toklat, but I know we didn't go to Eielson as there was no visitor center. We left at 3:00 and returned at 11:00.

 

Shuttles are supposed to be more flexible, able to get off and on whereas on the TWT, it was more difficult. Although doable, as two of our party had enough of the bumping bus about half way through the tour. They were allowed to wait at the rest area for the next shuttle and return. While my husband and I stayed on the tour.

 

Have a great trip!