Are you taking an Alaskan cruise with Disney Cruise Line? Are you looking for suggestions on great Port Adventures? I recently experienced the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp in Juneau, Alaska, and it was one of the highlights of our entire trip!
Welcome to the last article in my series about our Disney Cruise Line (DCL) Alaskan cruise on the Disney Wonder. Previously I wrote a top 10 list of things to know if you’re taking a Disney Alaska Cruise, and I also wrote a review of our 1-bedroom suite and concierge services. Additionally, I wrote a review of our Port Adventures in Endicott Arm and Skagway. Today I’m writing about our Juneau Port Adventure, the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp.
Juneau, Alaska – Husky Power!
Travel to the Musher’s Camp, where you’ll enjoy an exciting sled dog ride as well as time to play with husky puppies.
On this adventure you will…
- Meet your friendly guides at the dock and depart on an approximately 30-minute ride to Douglas Island where a unique dog-sledding experience awaits!
- Arrive at the Musher’s Camp. Your adventure begins with an exhilarating sled-dog ride led by a powerful team of Alaskan Huskies. Your dog team will pull you around a one-mile track on a specially-made summertime sled. You will be surrounded by Western hemlock and Sitka spruce in the center of the world’s largest temperate rainforest.
- Conclude your ride for a chance to meet your professional team of Alaskan huskies. Many of the dogs on this high-caliber team are veterans of races such as the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. Feel free to take pictures with your team of sled dogs.
- Meet a dog handler and a special helper sled dog. Together they will tell you about the dogs at the camp and show you different tools and products used for taking care of the sled dogs.
- Mid-tour, take the rare opportunity to cross a suspension bridge that offers great views of the temperate rainforest, the lush Alaskan landscape and the river below. You will have the chance to snap some photos at the viewing platform.
- After learning about dog care, enjoy a presentation about the sport of mushing. Learn about famous races like the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. Finally, experience one of the most exciting moments of your tour: puppy time! They love to meet and be cuddled by new friends. Guests will get to hold new puppies and take lots of pictures.
- Board your transportation and travel back to the pier.
Our Experience
Since Juneau had an early all-aboard time, we decided to do the first excursion of the day. We met in Wavebands at 8:45, and we left the ship and walked to a passenger van. While waiting to depart, and because someone actually made it all the way back to the ship once, we heard a very stern lecture about not stealing any of the puppies. Then we were on our way. The driver gave us some fun and interesting facts about Juneau during the ride, and she also pointed out some landmarks and other points of interest.
We arrived at the Musher’s Camp, and we were divided into two groups. Our group got to go on the sled ride first! The sled was actually a modified large golf cart, and consequently I was worried that the dogs wouldn’t be able to pull us. As much as I hate to say it, was I wrong! First, they did it with ease, and second, they were having a great time! These dogs LOVE to run, and even when we stopped to give them a break, almost all of them were up and ready to go in a very short time.
After going around the “track” a few times we went back to the main area, and we got to meet and pet our team!
Once we finished with the dogs, we walked over to another area for the talk about mushing and sled dogs. I learned quite a bit, and the lecturer was super knowledgeable. One of the dogs came over and lay down at my son’s feet, and she stayed there for almost the entire talk.
Finally, we went right to the most-looked-forward-to part of the day – the puppies!
Puppy Time!
Each family got to hold a puppy, and of course, my son wanted to go first.
The puppies do this twice per day during the season, and consequently they are very socialized and friendly. They also like nibbling and chewing – and snuggling!
I see why they gave us the lecture about not stealing the puppies, because the temptation to keep one was certainly there!
Other Pertinent Information
The cost of this excursion was $158.00 for ages 10 and up, and $147.00 for ages 3 – 9. Children under 2 are free. There were two different times for this excursion, so be sure to check the DCL website for exact times that will work for you.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, we LOVED this port adventure. While I enjoyed our other adventures, this was definitely my favorite. If you take a DCL Alaska cruise, I highly recommend booking this one.
Hi Lisa! Can you tell me if it is required to cross the suspension bridge? Or is this just something optional to do if you like? Someone in my group is afraid of heights but we don’t want her to miss the experience. Thanks so much!