Denali National Park Shuttles

[Denise&Paul STL]

We have 3 couples doing DIY after cruise with some time in Anchorage, and Talkeetna and Denali.

 

We are wondering how the shuttle buses are in Denali National Park for seniors. I read somewhere they are really just old school buses. I remember our old school bus being very jerky and the thought of being on one of those for 4-1/2 hours bothers me, much less the seniors in our group. Can anyone relate just how difficult a ride this will be? Any tips to help deal with it if it is that difficult?

 

Thank you!

[mapleleaves]

no one can predict how comfortable or uncomfortable you will be on the bus. It's totally subjective .... similar to asking " will I be cold?"

 

I've made a dozen shuttle trips now and if I had the time I'd ride it every day for a week or 2. I feel no discomfort whatsoever, but not everyone feels the same. Look at the photos in this trip report for mvpinboynton to see the interior of the shuttle bus. http://www.thepreismans.com/alaska_island_14_page4.htm

 

If you don't like it, you can get off anywhere along the road or at a rest area, then flag down a bus that's returning to the entrance.

 

p.s. here's another trip report with Denali photos. They went all the way to Kantishna ... about 12 hrs

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2231881&page=3

Edited April 24, 2016 by mapleleaves
p.s.

[Denise&Paul STL]

Quite comfortable as it turned out! Great shocks and not like a school bus to me at all - but I went to school a very log time ago!

 

 

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[donaldsc]

I have done the long trip (7 1/2 hours if I remember correctly) all the way to the end of the road. No problems. They do stop frequently so you can walk around for a few minutes.

 

DON

[mapleleaves]

Thanks for returning to the forum with an update. Glad to hear that you weren't uncomfortable on the bus. :) Hope you had a great trip.

 

Please come back and tell us about the rest of your trip. ... it can be a couple of paragraphs with info about your activities or a 20 page photojournal !whichever you have time for, we'll appreciate the information .

[ppeckham]

We took the Tundra Wilderness tour in Denali in July.

 

The bus was a school bus. However the bench seats had been replaced by upgraded seating like on a luxury bus. The seats were cushioned.

 

The drive was not as smooth as a motor coach but it certainly was not like a bumpy school bus ride as we experienced in our youth! The frequent stops were helpful.

[Sea Hag]

My hubby has a back back, and that hurts him a lot of things are too bouncy or bumpy. He did fine on the Denali shuttle. No sore back.