chunky, if you're still following this thread: do the denali bus ride! Truly a highllight of the trip (just back this morning). I do think who you happen to get for a driver makes a huge difference. We had a woman named Wendy going out, another driver coming back. Saw many animals, and had a nearly non-stop fascinating narrative all the way to Eilson (sp?) visitor center. I wanted to go back with her, but we ended up getting off the bus. Our second driver, no kidding, lapped her on the way back. No narrative, no animal sightings. The good thing was it was a camper bus and we got to talk with some very interesting hikers, climbers, kayakers. I doubt you can book with Wendy, but if she's working, maybe you can get off your bus and on to hers if your driver isn't much fun. (They don't have to do anything but drive.)

Budget tips: fill tank in Wasilla. Check gas price at Talkeetna junction. Yesterday it was the same price as Wasilla and Anchorage, much higher elsewhere up the road, up to $.50/gal higher. You could refill at Talkeetna both ways if price still holding. There's a hundred mile or so stretch from Cantwell to Trappers * (maybe junction? two word town) coming back toward Anchorage, with no fuel,then another 5 or 10 miles to the Tesoro station at Talkeetna turn off.

Try to eat grocery food instead of restaurant food a couple meals a day. I didn't go that far, but two of us easily spent $100/day on meals, many of which were mediocre. I was really worried about carrying food and water into the park as there is no food or water for sale on the road. BUT, the bus station area has a snack bar with coffee/expresso, plenty of options for the bus, as well as gear, so don't spend a lot of time or mental energy gathering up lunch. You can refill your water bottle at Eilson VC, and they actually have flush toilets there. In fact there are porta-potties along the road, so, ladies especially, if you've been fretting over using a tiny tundra bush for a pit stop, worry no more.

Get a good map. Frommers 2010's pullout map is useless, the area maps better. None of the hotel maps, the rental car map, or the Frommers area maps showed the route out of Anchorage. (It's 6th Avenue, just head toward the mountains and it turns into highway 3). I was amazed at how little park information, maps, etc was available at Denali's bookstore. Maybe I missed the section. I did buy an interesting booklet: Denali Road Guide by Kris Capps. $6.95


In Anchorage, don't park in the pay lots. You can pay $1.00/hr at Penney's, or feed the meter on the streets. In the lots, you have a choice of $5 or $10 for up to 2 or 4 hours, respectively. Of course, 3 hours would have been perfect at the Alaska Museum, but we had to rush as they threaten truly draconean repercussions if you're late.


In Seward, Major Marine has a new high speed Catamaran that can get you out to the glacier on the 1130 6 hour ride. If budgeting, skip the so-so $19 buffet and bring a sandwich and brownie. Bar available and a few snacks.

I want to thank you for your original post since it was most helpful to me to read the great advice you got before my trip.