Booking Alaska cruise excursions is……overwhelming. There are so many options at each port, and the price tags? Not cheap. We sailed on the Disney Wonder to Alaska in early June, and after an embarrassing amount of pre-trip research, we booked on three excursions — one per port. Here’s exactly what we booked, what it cost, and whether it was actually worth the money.
Quick Answer: Our Alaska Excursion Ratings at a Glance
Skagway — White Pass Scenic Railway: ????? Stunning views, a bit long, great for all mobility levels.
Juneau — Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp: ????? Our favorite excursion of the entire trip. Six-week-old puppies. Enough said.
Ketchikan — Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show: ????? Cheesy, affordable, and genuinely fun for the whole family.
Now let’s get into the details for each of these.
How We Picked Our Disney Alaska Cruise Excursions
We booked all three of these directly through Disney rather than a third-party operator, and I’d do it again. Having Disney’s guidance took a lot of the guesswork out of logistics, and one excursion (more on this below) actually met right on the ship, which was a huge win on an early morning. Also, if you book directly with Disney, they can help if anything is cancelled due to weather. They will also wait for you if an excursion is delayed (none of that running for the ship as it pulls out of port business).
Skagway Excursion Review: White Pass Scenic Railway
The verdict: Absolutely stunning, and worth it for the views alone.
This scenic train ride through the White Pass and the Yukon is one of the most photographed excursions in Alaska for a reason. You get sweeping views of the pass that you genuinely cannot get any other way, complete with an onboard narrator pointing out the history along the route.
A few honest notes: it’s a long excursion, so bring snacks and drinks. There are bathrooms in every car, which makes this a great choice if anyone in your group has mobility issues. It’s a comfortable, sit-back-and-enjoy-the-scenery kind of tour, which makes it perfect for grandparents, younger kids, or anyone who wants an incredible view without a ton of physical activity.
Best for: All ages, mobility-friendly, scenery lovers.
Juneau Excursion Review: Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp
The verdict: My personal favorite of the whole trip, hands down. THE PUPPIESSSSS!
I’ll admit I went in skeptical. With all the pricier tours that helicopter you up to a glacier for the “real” winter sled dog experience, I worried this summer, ground-level version wouldn’t measure up. I was completely wrong. It was a total blast, and we got to hold six-week-old puppies. Six. Weeks. Old. It’s the kind of experience that works for literally every age in your group, from toddlers to grandparents. It’s also limited to a very small group (maybe 30 people). You get to do a summer sled ride, meet the dogs, see a SUPER cool suspension bridge, learn about the history of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and see new husky puppies.
The added bonus: this excursion met right on the ship, which was so convenient given the early start time. No shuttle bus hunting or meeting-point stress before your coffee has even kicked in.
Best for: Everyone. Truly. This is the excursion to book if you only do one.
Ketchikan Excursion Review: Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
The verdict: Cheesy, kitschy, and one of the most affordable excursions we booked — and worth every penny.
This show is exactly what it sounds like: lumberjacks competing in axe throwing, log rolling, and climbing, with plenty of audience participation built in for the kids. We specifically booked the Disney-exclusive version of the show, and I’m so glad we did, because Goofy makes an appearance and he only shows up at that version. It ran the perfect length for our attention spans, and it’s genuinely one of the better values on this list price-wise.
We did this towards the end of the day, so had time to explore Ketchikan first. It’s also VERY close to the ship dock, so easy to pop on and off before or after!
Best for: Families with kids, budget-conscious excursion days, anyone who wants a laugh.
What We Spent: Total Excursion Costs for Our Family
Excursion pricing on an Alaska cruise adds up fast, so here’s some real insight into what we paid (adult/child pricing varies by excursion, and Disney typically prices ages 0–2 at no charge):
Between the White Pass Scenic Railway, the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp, and the Lumberjack Show, our total excursion spend for our family of three came out to $1,491. That’s a real number to budget around if you’re planning a similar itinerary, and it’s worth deciding ahead of time which one or two excursions matter most to you if you need to trim costs — for us, the sled dog camp would be the absolute must do!
Our Final Verdict: Are Disney Alaska Excursions Worth the Splurge?
Yes — with the caveat that you don’t need to book one at every single port to have an incredible trip. We loved that our three choices left plenty of time to also explore Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan on foot. If we had to rank where to put your money, the Juneau sled dog excursion is the one we’d pick above all else, with the Lumberjack Show as the best bang for your buck, and the White Pass Railway as the pick for anyone who wants postcard-worthy scenery without a lot of physical exertion.
Have you done any of these Alaska cruise excursions, or are you planning a Disney Wonder Alaska trip of your own? Drop your questions in the comments — happy to help you plan!
Frequently Asked Questions: Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Excursions
We booked the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway, the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp in Juneau, and the Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan — all booked directly through Disney.
The Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp in Juneau is the a great excursion for all ages, mostly thanks to the puppy-holding. The Lumberjack Show is also great with its interactive, kid-friendly format.
Pricing varies by excursion and age bracket. Our total for three excursions across a family came to $1,491. Booking directly through Disney lets you see exact per-person pricing at checkout before you commit.
Yes — this is one of the most mobility-friendly excursions available in Skagway. There are bathrooms in every car and no physical activity required, just note that it does run long, so pack snacks.
We chose to book through Disney for the peace of mind, including one excursion that met directly on the ship. It’s not the only option, but it took a lot of the planning stress off our plate. Plus, if you book through Disney and anything gets cancelled due to weather, the Disney Port Excursions team can help you with alternate options!
