Is Disney a Cult?

Vancouver to Alaska aboard the Disney Wonder

(Part 2 of our Disney Cruise Series)

The Reluctant Pilgrims

For those who may have read the introduction explaining how we ended up on this trip I never thought I’d take — I suggest you start there. My wife and I, while big Star Wars fans, are not Disney people. In fact, we’re not really kid people either, so a Disney cruise isn’t exactly our idea of fun. It’s more of a punishment.

But we were going to help my mother-in-law, who was supposed to be recovering from surgery (she didn’t end up having it), and her friend, who usually suffers from severe seasickness (she magically didn’t this time). So there went the excuses.

Vancouver Arrival

We flew United to Vancouver, where a car from the Fairmont Waterfront met us at the airport. Since we’d booked a Fairmont Gold Level room, we went straight up to the Club floor for check-in.

The hotel couldn’t be more convenient — it’s literally across the street from Canada Place, the cruise terminal. Even better, the Fairmont offers to collect and deliver your bags directly to the cruise line for gratuity only. That’s the kind of service that makes you briefly forget you’re about to spend a week surrounded by people in Mickey ears.

Exploring Vancouver

After freshening up and grabbing a couple of drinks at the honor bar in the Club Lounge, we went for a stroll along the waterfront before dinner. The concierge suggested Chop Steakhouse and Bar, which turned out to be a solid recommendation.

We also stopped for cocktails at Cactus Club Café — apparently a favorite of Drake’s, where he supposedly enjoys the Bellinis. It’s also a great place to people-watch and watch the water taxis come and go. Dinner at Chop was excellent, though the steak came out a bit overcooked for our liking.

Boarding the Disney Wonder

The next morning, it was time to meet the Disney Wonder and see what this floating fantasyland had in store. While we waited for our boarding time, we started noticing the crowds gathering — families, couples, even groups of adults — and nearly all of them were wearing Disney-branded clothing. A lot of it was… not exactly flattering.

What really caught us off guard, though, were the number of adults without kids. That’s when the realization hit: there’s a Disney Cult. We had no idea, but it was clear — these folks live and breathe Disney.

After lunch at the Fairmont’s restaurant, we strolled across to the terminal. Thanks to the bellmen, our luggage was already delivered to the ship (a $20 tip for two bags felt like a bargain).

Since my wife was still in her walking boot and using the knee scooter from our Yosemite trip (see previous trip report for that saga), we were directed to the handicap section for expedited boarding — a rare travel perk from an otherwise unfortunate injury.

Then came the big moment: joining the ship. As we boarded, the crew scanned our Disney bands — kindly provided by our travel companions (possible cult members, still under investigation) — and suddenly, we were announced. Out loud. To the entire atrium.

And just as the words left the crew member’s mouth, we were hit by a wall of color, blaring music, and smiling cast members clapping enthusiastically as if we’d just won something. My immediate thought: oh no… we have seven more days of this.

Up Next

Please stay tuned for the next entry as we explore the ship during our sea days and our stops in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, before heading back to Vancouver. Something tells me this “cult” experience is just getting started.