https://dailyhive.com/seattle/ Latest articles from Daily Hive Seattle en-us © 2026 Wed, 09 Oct 2024 20:22:29 GMT jsonfeed-to-rss 3.0.7 (https://github.com/bcomnes/jsonfeed-to-rss#readme) http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification https://dailyhive.com/seattle/deadliest-school-shootings-canada Isabelle Docto A small town in northeastern British Columbia has become the site of one of the deadliest school shootings in Canada. Police responded to reports of a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon. According to the RCMP, as of Tuesday evening, the incident left at least 10 people dead. Police say they found an individual believed to be the shooter dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. In total, six victims were found deceased inside the school, not including the suspect. Two other people were flown to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, while a third died during transport. About 25 additional individuals were taken to a local medical centre to be assessed for injuries that were considered non-life-threatening. “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragic incident,” stated B.C. RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd in a news release. “This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown as officers continue their work to advance the investigation.” The police have not indicated whether any of the deceased found in the school are children, teachers, other school staff, and/or parents. According to the school’s website, it has an enrollment of about 160 students between grades 7 and 12. Floyd said about 100 people were safely evacuated from the school. Beyond the investigation of the school, the police confirmed they identified another location believed to be linked to the case, where two more people were found dead inside a residence. Officers are continuing to check other properties in the area to determine whether there are additional victims or connections to the events. This incident at Tumbler Ridge has unfortunately made the list among the most devastating school shootings in Canada. Here are some of the other deadliest school shootings in the country’s history. CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY On Aug. 24, 1992, associate professor of mechanical engineering Valery Fabrikant killed four colleagues and wounded a staff member at the Montreal university. Fabrikant has since been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE On Dec. 6, 1989, Marc Lépine murdered 14 women at École Polytechnique in Montreal. He entered a mechanical engineering class armed with a legally obtained semi-automatic rifle and a hunting knife and ordered the women to one side of the classroom, and asked the men to leave. He shot all nine women in the room, killing six, and continued on a shooting spree throughout the school for just under 20 minutes in the anti-feminist attack. Lépine killed eight women before killing himself with the gun. OTHER DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN CANADA La Loche High School — Jan. 22, 2016: Randan Dakota Fontain killed two of his cousins with a gun, then killed a teacher and a teacher’s aide at the high school in Saskatchewan. Les Raacines de vie Montessori — April 5, 2013: Robert Charron killed two men during a shooting at daycare in Gatineau, Que. Charron then took his own life. W.C. Jeffreys Collegiate Institute — May 23, 2007: Two teens were charged with first-degree murder and later acquitted after 15-year-old Jordan Manners died of a single gunshot wound to his chest. He was found in the Toronto secondary school’s hallway. Dawson College — Sept. 13, 2006: Kimveer Gill killed 18-year-old Anastasia De Sousa and injured 20 other students after opening fire with a semi-automatic weapon. The 25-year-old gunman was killed in a gunfight with police. W.R. Myers High School — April 28, 1999: A Grade 9 student shot three students and killed 17-year-old Jason Lang. The 14-year-old shooter was arrested. With files from Kenneth Chan and Amir Ali You might also like: - 'Two minutes': B.C. premier highlights rapid police response in Tumbler Ridge school shooting - At least 10 killed in school shooting in B.C. community of Tumbler Ridge - Canadian university among global top 10 for one particular subject https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/deadliest-school-shootings-canada Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:29:14 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/recall-canada-refunds National Trending Staff There are several recent recall notices in Canada that are also offering refunds. From recall announcements for Dollarama products to Costco items, it’s worth checking if you’re impacted to see if you can get some cash. Here are some products that have been recalled in Canada recently that are providing refunds. STAIN REMOVER RECALL Health Canada has issued a massive recall for a stain remover brand sold across the country. On Jan. 22, the agency released a recall notice on Angry Orange Stain Removers due to the risk of exposure to bacteria. The company reported that 43,781 units of the affected products were sold in Canada and 1,390,834 were sold in the U.S. from March 2019 to December 2025. To receive a refund, you’ll need to take a picture of the product with “recalled” and your initials written in marker and email the photo to productrecall@angryorange.com. Here’s how you can check if you have the impacted product. DOLLARAMA TOYS Dollarama shoppers can get a refund for a popular toy that’s part of a massive recall across Canada. On Jan. 20, Dollarama issued a recall for thousands of baby toys sold at various locations, according to Health Canada. The recall affects Disney Baby Water Teethers. “Under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, teether fillings must not contain any living microorganisms,” reads the statement. “Health Canada’s sampling and evaluation program has determined that the liquid filling is contaminated with the fungus Rhinocladiella similis.” As a result of the recall, the company is urging people to stop using the products immediately and to return them to a Dollarama store for a refund. Here’s how you can check if you have the impacted product. COSTCO CANADA CHOCOLATE RECALL Costco Canada is offering refunds after announcing a recall for two types of chocolates, citing health risks due to possible food contamination. On Thursday, Jan. 8, Costco Canada shared a notice issued by Nova Scotia-based chocolate company Peace by Chocolate. The company is recalling The Harmony Bar and the Classic Box of 15 assorted filled chocolates, both of which were sold online between Sept. 7 and Dec. 3. Peace by Chocolate issued the voluntary recall of select pistachio-containing chocolate products. This was done after Tootsi Impex Inc., one of the company’s approved ingredients suppliers, initiated the recall for a specific lot of pistachios due to possible Salmonella contamination. No other products in the Peace by Chocolate variety packs are being recalled. Here’s how you can check if you have the impacted product. BODY SPRAYS AND HAIR PRODUCTS Health Canada issued a recall notice on Jan. 8 for various Magic BM products due to missing mandatory hazard labelling. “These products do not meet the Cosmetic Regulations in Canada,” reads the notice. “The products are missing required hazard symbols, signal words on the front of the containers and safety information.” The affected products include AXE Men Deodorant Body Spray and Pantene hairspray. According to Health Canada, the company reported that 3,203 units of the affected products were sold across the country from 2024 to December 2025. “Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Magic BM Trading Co. Ltd products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund,” reads the notice. Here’s how you can check if you have the impacted product. With files from Irish Mae Silvestre https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/recall-canada-refunds Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:18 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/dine-out-vancouver-2026 Katy Brennan We hope you’re hungry, because Canada’s largest culinary festival is returning this winter. From Jan. 21 to Feb. 8, Dine Out Vancouver is set to take over the city once again, celebrating its 24th year with 18 days of multi-course menus, exclusive culinary events, and hotel and travel deals you won’t want to miss. With more than 350 participating restaurants, curated menus starting at just $25, and dozens of one-of-a-kind food experiences, Dine Out is the ultimate way to explore Vancouver’s world-class dining scene — whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just hungry for something new! Here’s what to expect for 2026. A STACKED LINEUP While the full restaurant lineup and menus remain under wraps until Jan. 12, diners can expect beloved spots like Salmon n’ Bannock, Maenam, and L’Abattoir to return for another year of culinary creativity. (You can find a restaurant teaser on the website). This year’s festival will feature over 20 special events you can already reserve — like craft beer pairings, hands-on food adventures, and dinners that double as unforgettable nights out. Highlights will include Dumpling Hop & Cocktails in Chinatown, an evening of spanish flavours with Paella Guys, and dinner on board a luxury train with Dine with Rocky Mountaineer. Event tickets go on sale Dec 1. Another major draw is the return of the Vancouver World Chef Exchange, a signature dinner series that brings international chefs from global culinary hubs to collaborate with Vancouver’s own talent. These dinners consistently sell out each year, and while exact dates for 2026 are still to be announced, they remain among the most anticipated experiences of the festival. FLIGHTS AND HOTEL PROMOS For visitors — or locals looking to make a staycation out of their dining plans — there is also some exclusive travel perks during Dine Out. Guests can receive up to a $250 Prepaid Mastercard with a two-night hotel stay or $75 with a one-night stay at participating Vancouver hotels. Air Canada is also offering 15 per cent off flights to Vancouver from anywhere in Canada and the US when using the festival’s special promotion code C9UMD7H1 at checkout. This is valid on bookings made from Dec. 1, 2025 to Feb. 8, 2025, for travel between Jan. 14 and Feb. 15, 2026. To round out the experience, festival-goers can enhance their trip with discounted admission to some of Vancouver’s most beloved attractions. With VancouverAttractions.com, Dine Out guests can save 15 to 35 per cent on 32 top-rated city attractions by booking during the festival period. With hundreds of menus, standout events, and citywide travel offers, Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2026 is gearing up for its biggest and most flavourful edition yet The full restaurant list and menus will be revealed on Jan. 12, so keep an eye on the Dine Out Vancouver website.   https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/dine-out-vancouver-2026 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:10:30 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/charles-white-park-los-angeles-disney-redesign Kenneth Chan What is the end result when Disney Imagineers are given the task of designing a public park space in a major city? The Walt Disney Company is stepping in to help revitalize an urban public park destroyed by the wildfires that swept through parts of Los Angeles earlier this year. As part of its US$15 million commitment to support recovery efforts, Disney announced that US$5 million will go toward the restoration of Charles White Park, which was reduced to ashes in January 2025’s Eaton Fire. You might also like: - New downtown Vancouver park gets First Nations "Rainbow" park name - Record-breaking demand: Vancouver's Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience ticket sales top all previous cities ahead of opening - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway Disney Imagineers — the creative force behind Disney’s theme parks and other iconic attractions — have been deeply involved in the park’s redesign since the spring, working with Los Angeles County officials on everything from landscaping to new play structures. Some of the Imagineers themselves lost homes in the fires, lending emotional significance to their work as the community begins to rebuild. “Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement this week. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.” Expected to reopen in 2026, the redesigned Charles White Park will feature a new community centre and playground infused with Disney’s signature storytelling. The plans include play structures inspired by Altadena’s famous Deodar Cedar pinecones, a whimsical splash pad, nature-themed climbing elements, as well as bridges, slides, and swings for children of all ages. There will also be a new amphitheatre-like area for community performances and events. “Disney is honoured to partner with Los Angeles County to help restore and reimagine this special place,” said Emily Dow, an architecture and design executive for Disney Imagineering. “We want families to gather, play, and make memories for generations to come.” You might also like: - New downtown Vancouver park gets First Nations "Rainbow" park name - Record-breaking demand: Vancouver's Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience ticket sales top all previous cities ahead of opening - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/charles-white-park-los-angeles-disney-redesign Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:44:08 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/holiday-movie-vancouver-winter Katy Brennan If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping straight into a holiday movie, Vancouver is the place to do it. Just a three-hour drive from Seattle, Vancouver is a picture-perfect wonderland with twinkling lights adorning the streets, cozy restaurants serving up seasonal delights, bustling Christmas markets, and boutique hotels that feel straight out of a rom-com. So, lights, camera, cue the snowflakes! Here’s what to check out when you’re in town. FIND YOUR HALLMARK MOMENT There’s no shortage of seasonal activities to dive into in Vancouver! If you’re after adventures in nature, head to VanDusen Botanical Garden, where you can lose yourself in a glowing garden straight from a fairy tale at VanDusen Festival of Lights, a mesmerizing display with over a million sparkling lights. Or, venture across the Capilano Suspension Bridge during Canyon Lights, where you can take in treetop light displays and soak in the views of the illuminated canyon below. After more of a classic holiday-in-the-city vibe? Lace up your skates and head to Robson Square Ice Rink in the heart of downtown. (Pro tip: Get there earlier in the day to beat the crowds!) Or, make the short drive to Langley for Merry and Bright at Martini Town, a studio film backlot where you can stroll through a collection of constructed scenes that have set the stage for dozens of popular holiday productions. Grab a hot chocolate and have your cameras at the ready – this one’s chock full of dreamy photo ops. HIT THE SLOPES Vancouver’s nearby mountains deliver pure winter wonder, so if you’re into winter sports at all, pack your skis and boards, because you have to check them out. Glide down world-class runs at Grouse Mountain, Cypress, or Mount Seymour, all just a short drive from downtown and offering breathtaking views of the city lights below. Not feeling adventurous? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy the magic of the mountains! Check out Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas event, where you can take an enchanting lakeside walk, visit Santa’s workshop, skate on a frozen pond, watch Christmas movies at the Theatre in the Sky, and even get up close with real life reindeer. And don’t miss Lights to the Lodge at Cypress Mountain, where a glowing, lantern-lit trail leads you through the forest for a magical evening snowshoe adventure. It’s easy to live out your ski movie moment — no green screen required! HOLIDAY SHOPPING Is there anything more Chrstimas-sy than shopping with a steaming cup of mulled wine in hand? Wander through the famous Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza, and browse more than 75 wooden huts overflowing with handcrafted ornaments and European-style treats. Or take the SeaBus across the water to the Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver for more local artisans, live music, and glittering views of the skyline. You can also head to the city’s main shopping district, Robson St., to discover chic retail stores adorned in festive décor, or explore Gastown’s cobblestone streets filled with local stores and strung up with lights. COZY DINNER SPOT After a day of sightseeing and shopping, settle in somewhere cozy for a meal. Check out the Michelin-recommended Bacchus, located in the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, where you can enjoy fine dining and festive cocktails surrounded by holiday decor and an open fireplace. It also hosts a Nutcracker Afternoon Tea throughout the season, where you can enjoy an assortment of hand-crafted delicacies, sandwiches, and teas. For something more casual but still upscale (and also Michelin-recommended!), Ask for Luigi is an intimate Italian-inspired restaurant designed to make you feel like you’re dining in someone’s home. It specializes in fresh, handmade pasta and is the perfect spot for a cozy date night. Top it all off with a cocktail at The Narrow Lounge, a dim, candlelit bar with a relaxed ultra-cool vibe. STAY AT A FESTIVE HOTEL Of course, any good trip needs a good base. Some Vancouver hotels go all out for the festive season, including Rosewood Hotel Georgia. The garden patio here is known for its yearly holiday decor and seasonal cocktails, and the hotel itself has an elegant, roaring ’20s theme. For a classic Christmas hotel vibe, check out The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Not only does it go all out (and we mean all out) with the decor, but it also hosts a holiday cocktail bar pop-up, afternoon teas, and unique dining and shopping experiences. So there you have it! From twinkling streets to snowy slopes, Vancouver is the place for your festive adventure this year. Head over to Destination Vancouver for even more recommendations and start planning your trip now. Happy holidays! https://dailyhive.com/seattle/holiday-movie-vancouver-winter Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:28:04 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/baseball-conflict-blue-jays-seattle-mariners-alcs Trevor Beggs It’s a decision that baseball fans in Vancouver have had to grapple with since 1977. Nearly 50 years later, there’s no concrete answer on which MLB team Vancouver residents should cheer for: the Toronto Blue Jays or the Seattle Mariners. And, for the first time since both teams entered the league nearly 50 years ago, they will battle each other for a spot in the World Series. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Detroit Tigers in a marathon, 15-inning Game 5 on Friday night at T-Mobile Park. They will now face the Blue Jays in the playoffs for the second time ever, after sweeping them in two games during the AL Wild Card round in 2022. The series will begin in Toronto on Sunday. Based on Blue Jays fan presence at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, support for Toronto on the West Coast has been overwhelming compared to local love for the Mariners. However, heightened political tensions between Canada and the U.S. diminished the amount of Blue Jays support at T-Mobile Park in 2025. “We definitely felt the support… not quite as full as it’s been in the past, and understandably so,” Jays manager John Schneider told The Athletic back in May. While Blue Jays fan attendance at Mariners games has declined recently, there has been an overall increase in Jays fans since 2015. From about 2010 through 2014, the average attendance at T-Mobile Park ranged from 20,000 fans to 32,000 fans per contest between the Marines and Jays Since 2015, however, attendance at these games has regularly surpassed the 40,000 mark. The Blue Jays’ playoff run in 2015 seemingly reinvigorated support for Canada’s lone MLB team. The decision whether to cheer for the Jays or the Mariners has long been a tough and contentious decision for those living in B.C. Some clearly support the West Coast over a team from Toronto. > West coast never supports Toronto > > — ben ellison (@benelli14597445) October 11, 2025 However, there are Vancouver baseball fans who couldn’t fathom cheering for an American team. > Any Canadian rooting for an American team over a Canadian should lose their healthcare and their passport. Trash. > > — Meredith Heron🇨🇦 (@meredithheron) October 11, 2025 Even those in Vancouver sports media can’t agree on who to cheer for. > Blue Jays off to the A-L-C-S. > > You love to see it. > > — Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) October 9, 2025 One thing about Mariners fans in Vancouver, however, is that they tend to be more of the diehard variety. > Gawd. An amazing game and the Sportsnet post-game panel begins with “let’s start with the Blue Jays”. Like I said 🇰🇵 > Blue Jays #TridentsUp > > — Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich (@The_Real_Moj) October 11, 2025 One thing is clear: the baseball conflict on the West Coast will have higher stakes than ever before. Both teams will be looking to bring their fans a long-awaited spot in the World Series. The Blue Jays haven’t been there since winning it all in 1993. Seattle has never made it to the World Series in their 48 years of existence. You might also like: - Everyone was so impressed by Hazel Mae during Toronto Blue Jays champagne mayhem - When Toronto Blue Jays will play Mariners or Tigers in ALCS - Toronto Blue Jays playoff hero nearly retired from baseball a few years ago https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/baseball-conflict-blue-jays-seattle-mariners-alcs Sat, 11 Oct 2025 14:56:17 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/nhl-team-unveils-leagues-first-ever-glow-in-the-dark-jersey Trevor Beggs The NHL has seen flashy, neon jerseys before. But jerseys that glow in the dark? That’s a first. The Seattle Kraken recently announced that they will be unveiling a new, glow-in-the-dark third jersey for the 2025-26 season. “This season, the Kraken descends deeper than ever before with the launch of our third jersey: all all-black kit forged in the shadows and illuminated by the eerie glow of bioluminescence,” the Kraken explained on the team website. Seattle will wear this alternate jersey 12 times next season. The first time they’ll wear them will be against the New York Rangers on Saturday, Nov. 1. “We definitely wanted to make it bad-ass, more intense and scarier than our other jerseys,” said Aaron Wiggan, the Kraken’s vice president of brand. “You feel something lurks beneath the surface of the third jersey. It’s spookier, darker, heavier and gutsier.” “The jersey is the highlight of an all-black kit with red accents that includes helmets, socks, pants and gloves… We’re extremely proud of how it turned out, and we can’t wait to see our players and fans in the jerseys and merchandise.” Seattle Seahawks legend Marshawn Lynch was involved with the Kraken and their announcement of the jersey. Suffice to say, he’s a fan. > the type of sweater that’ll make you pop your collar 😂👕 > > our 3rd jersey is beast mode approved! pic.twitter.com/D7XDCACEB9 > > — Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 5, 2025 “This here bad, like Dennis the Menace lil’ bad,” Lynch said in the clip. “They should probably have somebody walk with this in a fashion show or something.” The Kraken are one of six teams to unveil new jerseys this season. The Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes are the other five squads to either shake up or add a new jersey for the 2025-26 campaign. You might also like: - 6 NHL alternate jerseys that deserve to be the main look https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/nhl-team-unveils-leagues-first-ever-glow-in-the-dark-jersey Sat, 06 Sep 2025 19:18:20 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/amtrak-cascades-new-trains-interior-design-photos-testing Kenneth Chan The first of Amtrak Cascades’ brand new generation trains has officially rolled out of the factory and is now undergoing testing, marking a major step toward a new era for interregional passenger rail travel along the Pacific Northwest’s north-south corridor. Amtrak Cascades links Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland, serving other destinations in between and reaching as far south as Eugene, Oregon. Years in the making, Amtrak and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) have been working to renew the aging fleet of trains used on the route, with Amtrak Cascades set to be the very first route to see the use of new trains as a part of Amtrak’s U.S.-wide fleet renewal strategy. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - VIA Rail to order over 300 passenger cars and locomotives for Canada-wide train fleet replacement - CN Rail to end lease on Sea to Sky corridor railway through Whistler, opening door for rail public transit revival Amtrak is investing US$7.3 billion in renewing its equipment, fleet, and infrastructure, including US$3.4 billion for its order from Siemens Mobility to provide 73 new Siemens Venture trains, which is also the model in use on Brightline in Florida and VIA Rail’s Quebec City-Windsor route. Amtrak’s version of the Siemens Venture train has been given the name “Airo,” and the new trains for Amtrak Cascades are also a subvariant of the Airo model. There is a critical need for the new trains to be used on Amtrak Cascades, which was made particularly evident in March 2025 when Amtrak was suddenly forced to pull Amtrak Cascades’ entire fleet of aging Horizon cars out of service due to newly discovered corrosion issues that posed a major safety risk. Train services along the entire route were briefly replaced by buses until a temporary replacement fleet of Amfleet I trains arrived from Chicago, which restored all trips but provided reduced capacity from the use of fewer passenger cars per train. Eight new trainsets, two new locomotives, and a spare cab car will be delivered to the Amtrak Cascades fleet over the next year, with the first scheduled to enter service in 2026. This will be the first full renewal of the Amtrak Cascades fleet in decades. Earlier this year, WSDOT told Daily Hive Urbanized the aim is to have at least some of the trains operational in time for Vancouver and Seattle’s roles in co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In late July 2025, the very first trainset for Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak’s overall Airo fleet program left the Siemens factory in Sacramento, California, for Pueblo, Colorado, where it will undergo initial testing. The trains will be delivered to the Pacific Northwest gradually over several months, with each unit undergoing inspection and approval before entering service. Each new train features the Amtrak Cascades’ familiar evergreen, cream, and mocha Cascades colour scheme, now paired with modern graphics of the Cascade Range mountains across every car. Over 300 seated passengers can be accommodated in each train. Beyond capacity, the new fleet promises to significantly elevate the passenger experience with a mix of modern amenities and regional touches. Bigger windows and additional table seating are designed to showcase the Northwest’s scenic landscapes, while upgraded seating offers an ergonomic design with larger tray tables, cushioned headrests, water bottle holders, and integrated tablet stands. Passengers will benefit from modern upgrades such as personal outlets, USB ports, free Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting, digital displays, automated boarding steps, and touchless restroom features. A redesigned cafe car will serve local beers, wines, and spirits alongside Northwest-inspired food, with new self-service options for added convenience. The trains will also feature improved environmental performance, offering greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. WSDOT previously told Daily Hive Urbanized that Pacific Central Station — the northernmost terminus of Amtrak Cascades, situated on the edge of downtown Vancouver — is in need of station platform upgrades to optimally handle the brand new fleet of trains. Such upgrades would need to be funded by Canadian governments. Currently, during optimal conditions, the entire Amtrak Cascades train journey between Pacific Central Station and Eugene, Oregon, is about 10 hours and 30 minutes, including just over three hours for the segment between Vancouver and Seattle. Amtrak Cascades has seen great momentum in its post-pandemic ridership growth, which saw an all-time record of 985,000 passengers in 2024 — up from 746,000 in 2023, 824,000 in 2019, and 781,000 in 2014. Furthermore, the Vancouver-Seattle segment saw its own record ridership in 2024, with 205,000 passengers using Amtrak Cascades at Pacific Central Station — up from 161,000 in 2023 and 169,000 in 2019. Pacific Central Station is the third busiest station after King Street Station in downtown Seattle and Portland Union Station in downtown Portland. It remains to be seen how the current Canada-U.S. political tensions since early 2025 have impacted ridership on the Vancouver-Seattle segment of the service. The forthcoming improvements to Amtrak Cascades are deemed to be a precursor to help build up ridership demand for the possibility of building a new high-speed rail line over the long term. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - VIA Rail to order over 300 passenger cars and locomotives for Canada-wide train fleet replacement - CN Rail to end lease on Sea to Sky corridor railway through Whistler, opening door for rail public transit revival https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amtrak-cascades-new-trains-interior-design-photos-testing Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:20:46 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/hong-kong-disneyland-resort-line-mtr-subway-battery-electric-trains-mickey-mouse-hk Kenneth Chan Fans of Disney Parks have had no shortage of big headlines lately, with major new attractions and rides announced for parks across the globe, and even a brand new Disneyland theme park resort announced for Abu Dhabi. At Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, the excitement has centred on the recently opened “World of Frozen,” which is Disney’s first-ever Frozen-themed land, and the anticipation for the future Pixar and Spider-Man–themed attractions. As well, the 20th anniversary celebrations are now underway at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which first began with new and expanded programming in June 2025 and will continue through May 2026. But while the spotlight stays fixed on new attractions and rides within the park, there is another change coming — this time, to the train that takes you there. You might also like: - A world-class example of repurposing subway trains as public space centrepieces - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - World's first "Frozen"-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle The Disneyland Resort Line is the world’s most magical subway — and quite possibly the cutest. And the line also celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, opening just a few weeks before the theme park two decades ago. Although it is owned and operated by Hong Kong’s public transit authority, the MTR Corporation, the trains and stations carry a unique Disney flair. MTR worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to design the trains, originally built in the early 1990s and later completely refurbished with a new look and purpose — to carry tens of thousands of visitors and cast members each day to and from the seaside theme park resort on Lantau Island. Unlike Disney’s theme parks in the United States, where many guests arrive and depart by private vehicle through vast parking lots, this subway line is the resort’s primary mode of access, handling the overwhelming majority of its transportation demand. It is one of 12 lines in the MTR’s rapid transit network across Hong Kong — and the shortest, spanning just 3.8 km. The route includes an underground segment tunnelled deep into a mountain that forms the backdrop of the theme park resort, and it serves only two stations. It also holds the distinction of being Hong Kong’s first fully automated line, using advanced systems to safely and efficiently operate high-capacity service on a single track, with a short double-tracked section at the midpoint acting as a passing loop. Visitors bound for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort begin their journey on the MTR’s Tung Chung Line to Lantau Island, transferring at Sunny Bay Station — an infill station built specifically to provide the interchange to the Disneyland Resort Line. For guests, their unique Disney immersive experience begins on the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Line — long before reaching resort property. On the other side of the mountainous island, Sunny Bay Station is designed with a contemporary, modern aesthetic, in line with Hong Kong. The Disney aesthetic of both the line’s dedicated trains and Disneyland Resort Station serves to “transport” guests to the world of fantasy and magic. These are, without question, the world’s most magical trains — both inside and out. On the exterior, each train is dressed in a crisp livery of cool white, royal purple, and yellow, accented by windows shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head and outlined in bright red for a playful pop of colour. Inside, daylight streaming through these iconic windows casts matching Mickey Mouse-shaped patterns of light across the interior, adding a delightful touch to the journey. Beneath a starry night-themed ceiling, the well-maintained car interiors feature an open layout with comfortable, clean soft-fabric perimeter seating. The seating areas are punctuated by glass-encased, illuminated bronze statues of beloved Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Jiminy Cricket, Snow White, Tinker Bell, and Chip ‘n’ Dale. Even the smallest details have been touched with Disney whimsy: the overhead hand grips for standing passengers are shaped like Mickey’s head, complete with a yellow strap and red attachment — echoing one of his most classic outfits. These trains, despite being part of a public transit network, are arguably even more magical and thoughtfully designed than the resort-owned and operated monorail vehicles serving Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Just six minutes after departure from Sunny Bay Station, the train pulls into Disneyland Resort Station. This terminus station, dramatically contrasting with the sleek modernity of Sunny Bay Station, features a charming 19th-century, Victorian-like design style, mirroring the architecture of the esplanade and main entrance of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. It is a deliberate choice, creating a seamless visual and thematic transition that eases guests from the real world into the theme park’s storybook setting. This includes structural steel trusses, with each base support partially concealed by Mickey Mouse’s oversized hat from Fantasia, as well as special lighting, handrails, roofing, limestone cladding, faux vintage station clocks, and planter bowls. But big changes are on the horizon for Disneyland Resort Line — changes that put a time limit on enjoying the current trains. Although well-maintained, the original trains put into use for the Disneyland Resort Line are now reaching the end of their lifespan, and the design and planning process for a new replacement fleet is well underway. MTR is ordering three new-generation, four-car-long trains for the line, marking a first for the entire network due to its power supply — Hong Kong’s first subway trains equipped with battery-electric systems. These will also be among the first in the world to be deployed in a major, high-profile application. Battery-electric trains are a new and still very rare technology in subway and metro systems worldwide, as most urban rapid transit networks rely on continuous electrification from a third rail or overhead catenary. Upon inquiry, a spokesperson for the MTR told Daily Hive Urbanized that the new battery-electric trains can run without a fixed power supply, but can also operate with the electricity supplied from the existing overhead catenary. This provides the Disneyland Resort Line with “greater flexibility in the design of train operations in the future,” said the spokesperson. In addition to battery-electric propulsion, new technologies, including artificial intelligence, will be used for the renewal project of the Disneyland Resort Line to improve the overall railway facilities, operations and maintenance, and passenger experience. This includes the replacement of the signalling system, with the adoption of “communications-based train control” technology and new advanced “train-to-train” communication technology. Not only will the trains use highly advanced technology, but they will carry a brand new immersive Disney look and feel, with a high bar set by the design of the existing trains in use. MTR will work with Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on the design of the new trains, incorporating “Disney-themed elements to create a magical journey for passengers,” the spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized. MTR anticipates the new train fleet and systems upgrade for Disneyland Resort Line will be ready in 2028. You might also like: - A world-class example of repurposing subway trains as public space centrepieces - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - World's first "Frozen"-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - A feat of engineering more than doubled the height of this Disneyland castle https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hong-kong-disneyland-resort-line-mtr-subway-battery-electric-trains-mickey-mouse-hk Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:51:45 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/hong-kong-disneyland-castle-of-magical-dreams-architecture-design-modular-construction-history Kenneth Chan When Hong Kong Disneyland Park first opened its gates in September 2005, its centrepiece was a familiar sight to Disney fans all around the world — the Sleeping Beauty Castle, a near replica of the same iconic castle found at the world’s original Disney theme park in Anaheim, California. Modest in scale compared to its counterparts in other Disney theme parks, the pastel-hued castle stood just 77 ft. (23 metres) tall, backdropped by the lush green mountains of Lantau Island. Its design offered guests an instantly recognizable Disney landmark, while also taking advantage of the surrounding natural scenery to provide Hong Kong Disneyland Park with a uniquely Hong Kong look. For more than a decade, it served as the backdrop for countless photos, parades, and fireworks, becoming an enduring part of the resort’s early identity, the world’s fifth Disney theme park resort. You might also like: - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway - World's first 'Frozen'-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape But as the theme park matured, there was also a growing desire — including among local fans — for a castle that gave Hong Kong Disneyland Park a distinctive presence and identity of its own. While the original Sleeping Beauty Castle was charming, its short height and duplicated design left some longing for a centrepiece that better reflected the park’s individuality and local cultural context. That desire became the spark for the most ambitious transformation in the resort’s history. Original Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in Anaheim: Previous condition — Original Sleeping Beauty Castle at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort: New condition — New Castle of Magical Dreams at Hong Kong Disneyland Park: Major construction work began in 2018, but it involved relatively little removal and changes to the original castle structure. Instead, Walt Disney Imagineering gave Hong Kong’s Sleeping Beauty Castle an evolved design — now named the new “Castle of Magical Dreams.” Rather than replacing the original castle structure, Disney Imagineers took the unprecedented step of providing the structure with a vertical expansion — a transformation directly over the existing castle. Completed during the peak of the pandemic, the Castle of Magical Dreams reaches a height of 167 ft. (51 metres) – more than double the original castle’s pinnacle, which remains in place as the lower frontage of the reimagined design. It also ties with the castle at Disneyland Paris Park as the third-tallest main castle at any Disney theme park. The reimagined design is described to be more inclusive and diverse, incorporating elements from the stories of 13 Disney princesses and queens — though it features 14 characters, since Elsa and Anna share one story from Frozen. Each princess or queen is represented by a dedicated tower with a symbolic finial — the distinctive ornament at the various pinnacle points of the castle — such as a snowflake for Elsa and Anna, a pumpkin carriage for Cinderella, and the sun-dropped flower for Rapunzel. The windows also carry symbols arranged chronologically by film release, with the character of Snow White placed at the centre as the first Disney princess. Unlike other Disney theme parks, where castles typically feature a direct interior walkway straight through the centre, a porous walking route to reach other lands and Main Street U.S.A., Hong Kong’s new castle takes a different approach, offering an outdoor walkthrough experience that guides guests around the structure. This design invites visitors to slow down and explore the castle from multiple vantage points, revealing layers of architectural detail and hidden storytelling touches that can only be appreciated from certain angles. Intricate gold accents catch the sunlight and shimmer throughout the day, while jewel-toned stained-glass windows offer glimmers of colour that change with the angle of the light. The rooftops, clad in iridescent tiles, reflect a spectrum of hues, giving the castle a slightly different personality depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Moreover, the major construction process to achieve the reimagined castle design was a real feat of engineering. Upon inquiry, a spokesperson for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort told Daily Hive Urbanized that they utilized a special method called Modular Integrated Construction (MIC). In essence, the vertical expansion of the castle was achieved through carefully lifting individual modular components that were pre-fabricated off-site, transported, and then carefully raised into place. “We had to rely on the amazing talents in the U.S., the region, and Hong Kong to devise an innovative construction strategy called Modular Integrated Construction to minimize the impacts to the park’s daily operation,” said the spokesperson. This overall process of having two construction sites – the off-site factory and the castle site – also enabled the very complex work to be conducted in a relatively short period of time. The modular castle segments were also painted at the factory, before arriving at the seaside resort by barge, where the components were lifted onto flatbed trucks in preparation for the final assembly. In addition to the evolved castle, the surrounding “Castle and Hub” area has been completely transformed. This landscaped plaza, situated between the castle’s frontage and Main Street U.S.A., now provides an expansive setting for new daytime and nighttime shows. Among its highlights is a grand dancing water fountain that sends towering jets into the air, fully synchronized with the “Momentous” nighttime spectacular. “Momentous” blends fireworks with elaborate projection mapping, made possible by the castle’s increased height, which provides a far larger canvas for imagery, and by its intricate architectural details that open up more dynamic and creative projection possibilities. Purpose-built for this projection role, the castle’s design maximizes every surface for projection mapping, offering rich textures that bring visuals to life. Its varied shapes and heights not only enhance its daytime beauty but also allow imagery to wrap seamlessly around the structure at night, creating depth, motion, and dimension that a flat facade could never achieve. From the very beginning, the castle was digitally modelled in 3D, enabling Disney Imagineers to align every projection with pinpoint accuracy. High-powered projectors, strategically positioned and edge-blended, ensure the entire structure is covered in crisp, ultra-bright visuals. The spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized a previous survey showed 99 per cent of guests had a highly favourable rating of “Momentous,” made possible by the new castle. It is one of Disney Parks’ most highly rated nighttime spectaculars/fireworks shows. In June 2025, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort kicked off its special 20th anniversary celebrations, which will run for a year through May 2026. This includes new offerings, entertainment, and programming to mark the occasion, including an enhanced “Momentous” show that provides projections onto the facades of the buildings along Main Street U.S.A. for the very first time. The reimagined castle is part of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s ambitious master plan for revitalization and expansion, which also encompasses the recently opened “World of Frozen” land and upcoming attractions inspired by Moana and Pixar and Marvel films — including a new Spider-Man experience. The expansions and new entertainment offerings appear to be delivering the desired results, with Hong Kong Disneyland Resort recording its highest net profit, revenue, and attendance in the 2024 fiscal year since its 2005 opening. Total attendance in 2024 reached an all-time record 7.7 million visitors, driven by a strong rebound in tourism from Mainland China, overseas markets, and local guests. You might also like: - New battery-electric trains coming to the world’s most magical subway - World's first 'Frozen'-themed land at a Disney theme park opens in Hong Kong - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/hong-kong-disneyland-castle-of-magical-dreams-architecture-design-modular-construction-history Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:49:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/disneyland-70th-anniversary-celebration-things-to-do Kenneth Chan “If you could tell Mickey Mouse one thing today, what would it be?” I curiously asked Sonia Cassidy, age seven from Newcastle, England, waiting on the sidelines of Main Street U.S.A., behind the rope, during a media preview of the new Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Resort. “I hope he has cake with sprinkles and a candle… [and] make sure Donald [Duck] is happy because he always looks cranky. I want him to invite me again,” she said, clutching a pair of Minnie Mouse ears with a bright red polka dot bow. Moments later, the whistling tune of the Jonas Brothers’ new “Celebrate Happy” song spilled through the air along Main Street U.S.A., as Duffy and Shellie May pedalled in on cycle rickshaws to lead the energetic mini-parade. They were followed by a lineup of Disney princesses, then — to cheers and waves — Mickey and Minnie Mouse alongside Donald Duck and Pluto. Aladdin, Genie, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins brought the first-ever Celebrate Happy Cavalcade to a close. You might also like: - Behind the magic of Disney's fireworks and nighttime spectaculars - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disneyland California finally has a Mickey and Minnie ride - Twice the magic: Disney to double its number of cruise ships serving Vancouver starting in 2026 - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape Disneyland Resort in California has been making magic for 70 years — and it is throwing itself a party big enough for the whole global kingdom. And once again, everyone is invited. This especially includes Canadians. Until the end of 2025, Canadians are being offered exclusive special discounts on three-, four-, and five-day theme park tickets at Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure Park for as low as US$77 per day. But the 70th anniversary celebrations will continue well into 2026. The resort is also home to three major hotels, offering a combined total of about 2,400 guest rooms: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, with direct access to Disney California Adventure Park; the recently renovated Pixar Place Hotel; and the iconic Disneyland Hotel, which celebrates its own 70th anniversary this year, having opened just a few months after Disneyland Park in 1955. Staying at one of these official resort hotels offers more than just a place to sleep — guests enjoy unmatched convenience with all three properties just steps from the gates of both theme parks and Downtown Disney’s hub of restaurants and shops, offering a fully immersive Disney experience around-the-clock, and exclusive perks such as early theme park entry and easier access to park reservations. While there is no absolute need to rush to join the extra-magical fun, the celebration, of course, will not last forever. The “Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration,” which began in May 2025, will run through Summer 2026 — giving fans plenty of time to plan a visit and be part of this extra-magical period at the Happiest Place on Earth. While Disneyland Resort has hosted many high-profile anniversary celebrations over the years — most notably serving as the global hub for the “Disney100” festivities in 2023, marking The Walt Disney Company’s centennial and the resort’s triumphant return, with the magic roaring back after the pandemic — this milestone is unique. It is the first celebration in a decade dedicated solely to the world’s very first Disney park, where it all began with Walt Disney himself, following the “Disneyland Diamond Celebration” that marked Disneyland Park’s 60th anniversary. “Happy is a celebration. It’s a party. It’s something that we want people to get excited about,” David Caranci, the creative development manager of Walt Disney Imagineering and the producer of the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration, told media during an open session, explaining the thematic approach. This year-long theme, he noted, is steeped in pure whimsicality — a lighthearted, imaginative spirit designed to capture the joy of a birthday party on a grand, Disney scale. It is about bright colours, playful details, and unexpected moments that make guests feel like they’ve stepped into a living storybook where every turn offers a reason to smile. “Think about the 60th. That was very traditional. It was very kind of, well, it was a little bit different, like in the 100th, right? So, those were a little bit more sophisticated. We wanted this to be the best birthday party ever. And we want all of you to celebrate with us,” continued Caranci. Fittingly, the 70th anniversary is also the stage for one of the most ambitious tributes to Walt yet: the debut of “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” at the Opera House theatre on Main Street U.S.A., which made its debut on July 17, 2025, the 70th birthday of Disneyland Park. Years in the making, the new show and attraction are the result of deep passion and planning by Walt Disney Imagineering, designed to remind guests of Walt’s story — told in his own words — through both film and the art form he pioneered, audio-animatronics. Before the curtain even rises, the experience begins in the Opera House lobby, where new exhibits trace Disneyland’s design evolution — from its earliest master plans to the development of audio-animatronics. Fans can also view the awards and honours Walt received over the years, alongside a video presentation, “Memories of Walt,” featuring personal interviews with those who knew and worked alongside him. Inside the theatre, the show opens with a film adaptation of “One Man’s Dream,” narrated by Walt himself, chronicling his life from his earliest creative ventures to his boldest visions for the future, including his realized plan of turning orange groves in Anaheim into Disneyland Park. The grand finale then raises the curtain on the first-ever audio-animatronics figure of Walt, set within a meticulous re-creation of his studio office. There, he “meets” fans, sharing stories and reflections on his career and philosophy. Decades of archival recordings were woven together to create this attraction, offering visitors an unprecedented opportunity to hear from Walt in a way never before possible at Disneyland Park. Upon exiting the theatre, guests are just steps from the theme park entrance, where an iconic plaque bearing Walt Disney’s famous words reads, “Here you leave the world of today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.” The new attraction and longtime inscription carries particular weight here, as this remains the only Disney theme park that Walt himself ever walked through. Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure Park, the 70th anniversary magic bursts to life over Paradise Bay with the debut of the all-new “World of Color Happiness!” show — a nighttime spectacular that transforms Walt’s opening day greeting into a kaleidoscope of light, music, and emotion. This new nighttime spectacular begins with a playful pre-show, as the Muppets take the stage — in their own chaotic, comedic way — to celebrate the legacy of Disney Parks’ nighttime spectaculars while “preparing” Paradise Bay lagoon for the grand performance to come. The main show opens with Walt’s iconic words from Disneyland’s opening day on July 17, 1955 — “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” — setting the tone for a dazzling journey through “happy,” explored as a kaleidoscope of emotions. Hosted by Joy and her fellow emotion friends from Pixar Animation’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2, the show brings audiences through musical and cinematic moments from across the Pixar and Disney Animation library. “Happy” comes to life in scenes from Turning Red and The Incredibles, woven together with beloved moments from A Goofy Movie, Tangled, Encanto, and many more fan favourites. This is the fourth permanent all-season (non-holiday) “World of Color” production — and the seventh full show overall — since Paradise Bay and its 1,200-fountain World of Colour water theatre made its debut 15 years ago. In every iteration, the lagoon transforms into a vast canvas where signature fountains soar up to 20 storeys high, illuminated by dazzling lighting effects, sweeping lasers, and bursts of fire. The newest version, “World of Color Happiness!,” carries on that tradition with all the spectacle and emotion the show is known for. “When we sat down to start the creative process, there was an immediate thought of what is happiness? How do we create happiness? How do we experience happiness? What does happiness mean to everyone?” Jennifer Magill, the executive director of Disney Live Entertainment, told media during the session. “And as we started to do that deep dive, we realized very quickly that our friends at Pixar had created the perfect team to help tell that story and to help explain what happiness is. With the cast from Inside Out and Inside Out 2, we realized very quickly that you can’t have happiness without all of the emotion.” The entertainment lineup for the 70th anniversary also includes the big return of the fan-favourite nighttime spectacular, “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks, at Disneyland Park. The fireworks occur on select nights, typically on weekends and holidays. Originally created for the “Disney100” celebrations just a few years ago, “Wondrous Journeys” makes a fitting comeback for the park’s 70th anniversary, offering a poignant tribute to the rich legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Through breathtaking fireworks, stirring music, and unexpected special effects, “Wondrous Journeys” celebrates decades of animated storytelling in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The fireworks are accompanied by an array of dazzling features — from flying characters (including Baymax, the loveable robot from Big Hero 6, soaring overhead with pyro-emitting rockets) to dramatic lighting and other special effects. Sleeping Beauty Castle serves as the centrepiece for stunning projection displays, making the area in front of the castle an obvious choice for prime viewing. But equally magical perspectives can be found elsewhere: along Main Street U.S.A., where building facades become projection screens that frame the fireworks over the castle, or at Rivers of America and It’s a Small World, which also feature their own immersive projections under the same “Wondrous Journeys” show. In fact, there’s one viewing location at the rear of Disneyland Park that offers a “fresh” thematic twist on the “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks. On select nights in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land, the exact same pyrotechnic display — exploding high behind the Millennium Falcon and the Batuu planet’s cliff landscape — is paired with an entirely different soundtrack, transforming it into a Star Wars–themed experience called “Fire of the Rising Moons.” Only fans within Galaxy’s Edge hear this alternate score featuring John Williams’ iconic galactic themes, while the rest of the park enjoys “Wondrous Journeys” in its original form. First appearing at Disneyland Park in 2024 on select nights, previous iterations of Fire of the Rising Moons” have also been adapted from other fireworks spectaculars at the park, a clear demonstration of the creativity of Disney Imagineers. Through a kind of reverse-engineering process, they craft an entirely new show on top of an existing one — reimagining its music through considerations of timing and emotional beats, all without altering the original experience for spectators elsewhere in the park. Another major highlight of the 70th anniversary entertainment lineup is the much-anticipated return of the “Paint the Night” parade. And this is no ordinary parade — it is a full-scale, full-length nighttime spectacular, with thousands of dazzling lights illuminating not only the elaborate floats but also the costumes of the many energetic performers who bring the procession to life. Set to an upbeat, high-energy soundtrack, “Paint the Night” transforms the parade route into a moving light show, blending cutting-edge technology. Each float is a glowing work of art, from towering character figures to shimmering scenes inspired by beloved films such as Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Frozen. Every performer is adorned with illuminated costumes that ripple and change colours in sync with the upbeat music, creating a seamless river of light that flows down the pathway. A few tweaks have been made to this parade for the 70th anniversary, including a revised finale featuring the Jonas Brothers’ “Celebrate Happy” theme song. “One of the things that I think is really special about the 70th is that we have a lot of new, exciting offerings, but we also have listened to the fans and we are bringing back those classics that not only our guests but our cast members truly, truly love, and ‘Paint the Night’ fits that bill perfectly,” continued Magill. “I have to say, it looks just as good as it did on opening day. But this is the 70th. We never rest on where we were, so we’ve added a few extra little bits of pixie dust to it… We’ve got a few little extra nods and things that make it unique to the 70th celebration, but it is a classic that remains really special.” “Paint the Night” was first conceived for Hong Kong Disneyland Park in 2014, with an expanded replica later debuting at Disneyland Park in California the following year as part of the Diamond Celebration. Among fans, there has been tremendous pent-up demand for the dazzling nighttime parade’s return; at the California resort, it was last seen briefly in 2018 at Disney California Adventure Park. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s version has yet to return following its sudden disappearance in January 2020 due to COVID-19. When I visited Disneyland Park in 2016 for the Diamond Anniversary and saw “Paint the Night” for the very first time, I was completely spellbound. The sheer glow of the floats, the music that seemed to flow through the crowd, and the way every performer shimmered with light pulled me straight into the magic. By the time the last float — an awe-inspiring tribute to The Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Fantasia, with Mickey Mouse taking centre stage in his iconic red robe and blue, star-studded hat, perched atop a spinning, shimmering kinetic LED sculpture — disappeared from view, I knew I’d been transformed from a casual visitor into a lifelong Disney Parks fan. That same feeling washed over me all over again when I experienced “Paint the Night” a second time at Hong Kong Disneyland Park in 2018, and again most recently for the 70th anniversary of the original Disneyland Park. There is also a brand-new nighttime parade lighting up another corner of the Disney-sphere — “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida. Debuting in July 2025, the parade builds on the proven success and crowd-pleasing energy of “Paint the Night,” transforming the entire procession into a dazzling, moving light spectacle. While it shares that same illuminated magic, it introduces an entirely different theme, along with all-new floats, costumes, show elements, and music unique to Magic Kingdom Park. Both the “Paint the Night” and “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” parades build on the legacy of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” which first premiered at Disneyland Park in 1972. The vintage nighttime parade is still found today at Tokyo Disneyland Park. Currently, Disneyland Resort in California is not the only Disney destination marking an anniversary milestone. Early this summer, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort kicked off its 20th anniversary celebration, featuring new and enhanced magical programming and theming. The festivities in Hong Kong will continue through May 2026, offering fans a full year to join in the park’s unique, extra magical celebration. You might also like: - Behind the magic of Disney's fireworks and nighttime spectaculars - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney to build Disneyland theme park resort destination in the Middle East - Disneyland California finally has a Mickey and Minnie ride - Twice the magic: Disney to double its number of cruise ships serving Vancouver starting in 2026 - Michael Buble calls Disney cruise from Vancouver an 'unreal' magical escape https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/disneyland-70th-anniversary-celebration-things-to-do Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:12:03 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vancouver-seattle-teriyaki-trip Amir Ali Vancouver has no shortage of incredible Japanese restaurants in every corner of the city, but there’s one thing it doesn’t have: Seattle-style teriyaki. That revelation was made apparent in a recent online discussion on the Seattle subreddit started by a Vancouver resident who once lived in the Emerald City. The Redditor told the Seattle community that she drove all the way from Canada just for teriyaki and then drove back with “no regrets.” We had to learn more about what makes Seattle teriyaki so special and different from what you can find in Vancouver, so we touched base with the Redditor, Kim, for the saucy scoop. In her post, she said, “And I swear, every time I’m hungry, all I can think about is Seattle-style teriyaki. I literally have a dream about it sometimes.” Kim revealed that she grew up in Seattle and moved to Canada for college, but ended up staying here. She told Daily Hive she moved here in 2019. “Seattle-style teriyaki just hits different,” Kim shared in our teriyaki exclusive. “It’s usually grilled chicken, two scoops of rice, and a simple salad. The chicken’s always super flavourful, and the smell from the grill is chef’s kiss. There’s something about the way they cook it that I’ll never figure out.” Sure enough, if you Google Seattle teriyaki, tons of results highlight just how different it is from stuff you’ll find in Vancouver restaurants. Some of the results suggest that Seattle Teriyaki, generally speaking, is meat, two scoops of rice and a teriyaki salad (usually consisting of iceberg lettuce and carrots with a dressing that includes mayo and sesame oil). Others call it an “iconic Seattle dish.” Kim headed out on B.C. Day and left around 9 a.m. and arrived in Seattle around noon. She got the teriyaki from a place called Haru Haru Teriyaki (her childhood spot) and headed straight back, getting back around 4 p.m. “10/10 would do it again.” Kim bought five boxes of the stuff when she was in Seattle, and we wondered if she had any issues at the border. “At the border, I just told the officer it was for me and my friends. I even opened the boxes to show them (I put them on the passenger seat next to me). I think as long as it’s cooked and not excessive, they don’t seem to care much. It was actually super chill.” Kim eats out a lot in B.C., but she says “nothing here comes close.” “Teriyaki here always has onions, bean sprouts or some other stuff mixed in, and the taste is just totally different. Portions are smaller, too. Not the same vibe.” If you’re hoping to find some Seattle-style teriyaki in Vancouver, Kim jokes that might be where her ambitions take her next. “If I ever get laid off, I’m opening a Seattle-style teriyaki spot in Vancouver.” Have you ever had Seattle-style teriyaki, and do you agree that it outclasses Vancouver teriyaki options? You might also like: - A sober mermaid-themed morning rave party is coming to Vancouver - Customer blames Starbucks for coat hook injury trauma in B.C. case - Canada's first vegan omakase has opened in Vancouver — here's what to expect https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-seattle-teriyaki-trip Wed, 06 Aug 2025 17:51:23 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vancouver-airport-south-border-states Amir Ali Vancouver International Airport has won numerous awards, even being named the best airport in North America, but that’s not necessarily why folks south of the border prefer it over local options. You might think that if you’re travelling from Washington State to a domestic destination, it would be preferable to fly out of a U.S. airport like Sea-Tac, but that isn’t the case for many Bellingham residents. A recent Bellingham Reddit thread reveals why. Washington State has several airports, the main ones being Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Spokane International Airport (GEG), and Bellingham International Airport (BLI). There’s also Paine Field Airport in Everett.  The original poster of the thread stated that they’d noticed that on some occasions, flights are actually cheaper out of Vancouver than out of Everett, Seattle, or Bellingham. In response, many other Redditors agreed, sharing their own travel stories, which often involve crossing the border to fly from Vancouver International Airport. It’s worth noting that the drive from Bellingham to Vancouver airport is shorter than the drive to Seattle airport by about an hour. Of course, border wait times must also be considered, as one user pointed out. “In our experience, the biggest variable is delays at the border, nothing to do with the airport. We have NEXUS but earlier this year got stuck waiting for a while on the US side when US border patrol was searching cars on their way to the border. (The actual border was quick, no wait).” One person who responded said, “I travel internationally for work frequently and always opt for YVR.” Some responses noted that YVR parking is more affordable compared to local options. Many people had small complaints about Seattle’s airport compared to YVR. “It’s a great airport, much smaller and easier to get around than SeaTac. Parking is easy. We made a trip out of there this past April, and everything was great, but it took nearly 3 hours to get across the border coming home,” one user responded. “I do it often if I can’t find a reasonable price out of Bellingham. Anything is better than the drive to Seattle,” said another Bellinghamster. Others confirmed what some users said about parking, suggesting that YVR offers cheaper options than their local counterparts. > Comment > byu/RecklessRedneck from discussion > inBellingham While the majority said they prefer YVR, other Bellinghamsters said they’ve found good deals travelling from Seattle. In any case, it’s a good look for YVR, which has won several notable awards earlier this year. YVR is home to one of the world’s best airport cafes, and it was also recently named the 13th best airport in the world and the best in North America. In comparison, Seattle-Tacoma airport was named the 38th best. These are Vancouver International Airport’s six accolades in the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards: - 13th best airport in the entire world - Second-best airport in the world, with annual passenger volumes of between 20 million and 30 million - Best airport in North America - Fourth best airport hotel in the world (Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel) - Second-best airport staff in North America - Seventh-best airport in the world for art With files from Kenneth Chan  https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-airport-south-border-states Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:00:29 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vancouver-theatre-tv-production-july-2025 Amir Ali Filming seems to be ramping up in Vancouver, and Daily Hive stumbled upon an elaborate TV production taking place at a notable theatre near downtown on Monday. We spotted a massive film crew at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, featuring FBI vehicles, other vehicles that appeared to be from the 1960s, and signs indicating that the theatre had been transformed into Seattle International Airport. Some folks on social media have started theorizing what the shoot could be for, with some suggesting it’s for the upcoming season of Tracker and someone else saying that it could be the Legally Blonde prequel, Elle. Daily Hive asked a film crew member on the scene who suggested it was for a TV show but couldn’t share any additional details, which doesn’t rule out either of those options. We’ve spoken to a few industry insiders who are leaning toward the shoot being for Elle. Creative BC would not comment. There were numerous background actors on the scene, and craft services were plentiful, indicating a likely large crew of actors. You might also like: - Is Hollywood North thriving? Major Vancouver film producer weighs in - Vancouver city councillor urges need to support Hollywood North's global talent - $2.6B B.C. film industry exempt from push to cancel American contracts Production crews went so far as to replace the banners at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, replacing them with more signs indicating Seattle Airport. One notable show recently filmed in Vancouver, the second season of The Last of Us, is also set in Seattle. The production reminds us of a conversation we had with producer Chris Ferguson, who Daily Hive spoke to last month. In that chat, we discussed with Ferguson the tendency for studios to shoot in Vancouver and disguise it as other cities, often Seattle. Ferguson told us he doesn’t necessarily know how to fix it, aside from producing movies that are set here, proving that it works. That also connects to what Ferguson told us about the need for more Vancouver-based production companies. “If the head creatives are living in Vancouver and running shows out of [Vancouver], they’re going to be more likely to want to tell stories out of Vancouver.” We’ve reached out to Queen Elizabeth Theatre in hopes it could share what the shoot was for. If you have some information to share, please email vancouver@dailyhive.com. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-theatre-tv-production-july-2025 Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:19:58 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/bc-ferries-seattle Amir Ali A Seattle resident’s recent BC Ferries trip has made them and fellow Seattleites yearn for a service like it in the Washington city. Someone who visited B.C. during the Memorial Day weekend had no shortage of good things to say about their BC Ferries journey. Redditor CamStLouis said his experience was “dope as hell.” You might also like: - BC Ferries to proceed with major overhaul of Horseshoe Bay terminal - Opinion: BC Ferries needs more new big ships much sooner than later - Metro Vancouver's public transit ridership growth rate in 2024 surpasses driving: TransLink The Redditor’s post sparked a large discussion, resulting in numerous comments from Seattle residents who remarked on how they wish their city had something like BC Ferries. CamStLouis had nothing but good things to say about their experience. They said that they’ve been on ferries all around the world, but “nothing has ever been as nice as the BC Ferries.” “It’s nearly as big as a cruise ship and almost as nice inside – a reasonably-priced gift shop, two cafes, a kids’ area, pet areas, two indoor passenger decks and two outdoor decks with stunning views of the straits and islands. Many comfortable chairs in various configurations, and a lounge playing Canadian news.” Shout out to Canadian news. They added that someone had used a Sharpie to rename “Americano” to “Canadiano” on cafe menus. In response to their post, so many Seattle residents reflected on the lack of a service like BC Ferries in their city. Some pointed out that the Jones Act was responsible for a lack of a BC Ferries-like service in Seattle. Essentially, the Jones Act limits the potential of Washington ferry services. “Sadly, the Jones Act prevents us from purchasing ferry boats built anywhere outside the United States,” one Seattle resident said. Someone from B.C. chimed in on the discussion, saying what we’re probably all thinking. > Comment > byu/CamStLouis from discussion > inSeattle In response to that comment, a former B.C. resident who now lives in Seattle said that we take the ferry service for granted. Others pointed out that it is all about perspective. “It’s fair to compare what you have to someone doing it better. Canadian public transit lacks in comparison to some European and Asian contemporaries, but the USA lags behind its Canadian contemporaries (some less than 200 miles from each other).” If you Google the best ferry trips or routes in the world, BC Ferries is named in practically every list. However, did you know that there are other ways to travel between Seattle and Victoria on the water? Yardbarker, a digital media publication, called the trip from Seattle to Victoria via the Victoria Clipper one of the most scenic trips in the world. A round trip from Victoria to Seattle with the Victoria Clipper costs US$162. The original poster also remarked on the speed of BC Ferries, saying, “You might think such a large vessel would be excruciatingly slow, but no – watching this goddamn building-sized ship yeet itself through narrow straits and marine traffic at flank speed was one of the highlights of the trip.” They added, “In any event, if you end up having to take the BC Ferries for a trip north, they’re not half bad. Make a reservation tho.” For locals who make frequent trips via BC Ferries, service woes resulting from staff shortages and vessel issues have been a common complaint. It has sparked conversations about the need for more and bigger vessels as soon as possible. BC Ferries is making improvements to various aspects of the system, including the planned overhaul of the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. The project will focus on upgrading the terminal’s critical facilities and infrastructure, including the replacement of all three berths, relocation of the control tower, upgrading of aging elevated structures, and improvements to seismic performance and operational efficiency. Existing structures will be improved and new structures will be built. Are you a frequent BC Ferries traveller? Do you love it or hate it? What aspects of the service would you improve if you could? With files from Kenneth Chan You might also like: - BC Ferries to proceed with major overhaul of Horseshoe Bay terminal - Opinion: BC Ferries needs more new big ships much sooner than later - Metro Vancouver's public transit ridership growth rate in 2024 surpasses driving: TransLink Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-seattle Wed, 04 Jun 2025 18:40:50 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/canada-tallest-public-observation-deck-vancouver-tower-new Kenneth Chan This article is Part 2 of Daily Hive Urbanized’s three-part series unveiling what may be the most ambitious private-sector building proposal in downtown Vancouver’s history. - PART 1: Downtown Vancouver’s skyline soars with proposal for landmark towers up to 1,033 ft - PART 3: Holborn Group proposes 38-storey social housing tower for Gastown ---------------------------------------- Vancouver could eventually become home to Canada’s tallest building with a public observation deck, as part of an ambitious proposal by developer Holborn Group to transform a prominent site in the heart of downtown Vancouver. This newly proposed supertall tower would dramatically reshape Vancouver’s skyline and technically boast the highest publicly accessible observation deck within a building. However, Toronto’s CN Tower would still retain its title as the tallest public observation deck in the country overall. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), a “supertall” skyscraper is any structure that reaches at least 984 feet (300 metres) in height — a benchmark reserved for only a select tier of global high-rise architecture. The building’s height would be a first in Canada west of Toronto. The proposed Vancouver supertall tower — one of three tall mixed-use towers for a new complex proposed by Holborn Group — would reach a height of 1,033 ft (315 metres). Its one-of-a-kind, enclosed-glass dome public observation deck would be perched on top of the tower at a height of over 1,000 ft (305 metres). Furthermore, if built today, this proposed Vancouver supertall tower would rank as Canada’s tallest building — surpassing Toronto’s 978-ft (298 metres) First Canadian Place. It would also stand as the third-tallest building nationwide across all categories: existing, under construction, approved, or proposed. You might also like: - Vancouver City Council approves new policies to catalyze more hotel projects - It's official: Vancouver City Council approves view cone policy relaxations for more housing and job space - Shangri-La dethroned: BC's tallest building is no longer in Vancouver - Transformative Northeast False Creek development revealed by Concord Pacific - Proposal for tall tower in Metrotown features a public observation deck attraction While the CN Tower rises much higher, it is technically classified as a “freestanding structure” rather than a “building,” primarily because it lacks continuous occupiable floor plates from base to crown. As such, this new tower, if built, would claim the title of Canada’s tallest building with a public observation deck. The CN Tower reaches a total height of 1,815 ft (553 metres), including its iconic communications antenna spire. Its main observation deck sits 1,135 ft (346 metres) above ground, while its highest viewing point, known as “The Top,” a smaller secondary observation deck, is perched at a height of 1,465 ft (447 metres). The public observation deck at the proposed Vancouver supertall tower would stand as the tallest attraction of its kind anywhere on the continent west of the Mississippi River. It would exceed the heights of several major West Coast landmarks, including the 520-ft (160 metres) upper deck at the Space Needle and the 902-ft (275 metres) Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center in Seattle, and the 866-ft (264 metres) indoor and 909-ft (277 metres) outdoor decks at The STRAT in Las Vegas. For another comparison, the Calgary Tower has a full structural height of 626 ft. (191 metres), with its observation deck at a height of 517 ft (158 metres) above ground. Vancouver’s only public observation deck attraction at present is The Lookout, perched atop the Harbour Centre tower — just two city blocks north of Holborn Group’s proposed redevelopment site at 501–595 West Georgia St. While it generated significant buzz when it was officially opened by Neil Armstrong in 1977, its allure and prominence has since diminished, as the surrounding skyline has grown to include numerous towers of similar or greater height, limiting its once-commanding views. Harbour Centre’s upper rooftop — just above the public observation deck and the “Top Of Vancouver” revolving restaurant — has a height of 482 ft (147 metres), according to CTBUH. The proposed supertall tower would be over two times taller than Harbour Centre. The city had another public observation deck up until 2017, when the 394-ft-tall (120 metres) Empire Landmark Hotel on Robson Street permanently closed for its demolition. Atop the 1973-built hotel tower, there was a Cloud 9 tower rooftop revolving restaurant and observation attraction. Also located in downtown Vancouver is the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. When this 20-storey hotel first opened at Coal Harbour in 1972, it featured a rooftop revolving restaurant called Vistas Revolving Restaurant & Bar. Once known for its panoramic views, the restaurant has since closed, with those views now largely obscured by taller towers that have risen in the surrounding area since the 1990s. For many years now, this former restaurant space has been called the “Vistas 360 room” — billed as Vancouver’s only revolving event and wedding space. In 2022, Cadillac Fairview submitted an application to renovate the former Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, a 1976-built, 305-ft-tall (93 metres), for its reuse by a new luxury hotel operator, including the conversion of the tower rooftop level into a restaurant, bar, lounge, and a partially-covered outdoor terrace — altogether, creating an experience not dissimilar to an observation deck. However, this renovation project fell apart, with Cadillac Fairview confirming in early 2025 its revised plan to demolish the tower and instead pursue a brand new mixed-use tower development from scratch at some point in the future. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring city of Burnaby, WPJ McCarthy and Company has recently submitted an application to build McCarthy Plaza tower, an 853-ft-tall (260-metre) mixed-use tower in Metrotown, which would include a public observation deck, signalling growing regional interest in elevated urban attractions that take advantage of the region’s stunning natural scenery and evolving cityscapes. Vancouver’s once-iconic hotel rooftops may have faded from prominence, but Holborn Group is keen to bring the experience back — with a bold new scale and verticality. Its public observation deck would sit atop the supertall hotel tower with 920 guest rooms and a vast 70,000 sq. ft. conference centre, redefining Vancouver’s tourism offerings vertically. “I made sure if we’re going to be the tallest tower in Vancouver, it has to be for the right reasons. You need to have a tower that people can get behind and support you,” Holborn Group president Joo Kim Tiah told Daily Hive Urbanized in a sit-down interview this past Monday. That is also why access to the public observation deck would be free for Vancouver residents who book online in advance. Tourists would pay an admission fee. “And so, I made sure that the tallest tower was not a residential tower, but a commercial tower — a hotel tower with an observation deck — that locals could really get there, experience the views, and show their friends around town that this is what our city is about to look at how beautiful the view we have, and be proud of the tower that represents them, the tallest tower downtown. That is the vision,” continued Tiah. The attraction would include a prominent street-level entrance, an observation deck lobby and elevator access located on the entire second floor, and two high-speed elevators offering direct service to the top of the tower. Around the world, many public observation deck attractions incorporate immersive experiences, setting the tone before the journey to the top. Large lobby spaces are often designed to showcase local history, culture, and/or architectural innovation, providing a transitional experience that also functions as the queuing area for elevator access. Some notable examples include the Skydeck at Willis Tower in Chicago, The Edge at Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City. Some of these major attractions also extensively use immersive digital technology, including the high-speed elevator rides, which feature digital screen panels on the walls, ceiling, and even the floor. These screens display dynamic animations and graphics designed to heighten the sense of thrill and anticipation throughout the quick vertical journey. A notable variation of this concept can be found at the A’DAM Lookout in Amsterdam, where the elevator shaft is transformed into a dramatic LED light show, visible through a glass ceiling within the elevator cab. There are also some exceptions to this seamless vertical elevator link, such as at The View from The Shard in London, which has a mid-tower transfer floor where visitors need to transfer between elevators. Unique to Vancouver, the proposed observation deck would be housed within a striking, high-ceiling glass dome, capping off the tower’s glass sponge reef-inspired architectural concept. This enclosed crown could feature a soaring interior space designed to accommodate a lush green sky garden, a water feature, and a one-of-a-kind destination restaurant. In total, the preliminary concept envisions approximately 30,000 square feet of observation deck space, including both public areas and back-of-house support functions. Working with Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects, the formal rezoning application was submitted to the municipal government last week. “The metaphor that we thought of was to inhabit, obviously, the top of the sea sponge. We wanted to make this place a world where local plants will be good all year-round,” Henriquez Partners Architects managing principal Gregory Henriquez told Daily Hive Urbanized during the interview, explaining the design inspiration for the public observation deck’s glass dome. “And if you go out in the winter to the Bloedel Conservatory, it’s really a magical place. So if we could take the conservatory, put it up on top of our building, overlooking all of the context that surrounds you in the mountains, it could be something really special. And so, the idea is a garden in the sky.” Tiah emphasized that the exact design, functionality, and layout of the observation deck will be refined further during the upcoming development application stage. But he noted that many people have already compared their concept to a miniature version of the Jewel at Singapore’s Changi Airport, referencing its lush interior, iconic architecture, and immersive public experience. You might also like: - Vancouver City Council approves new policies to catalyze more hotel projects - It's official: Vancouver City Council approves view cone policy relaxations for more housing and job space - Shangri-La dethroned: BC's tallest building is no longer in Vancouver - Transformative Northeast False Creek development revealed by Concord Pacific - Proposal for tall tower in Metrotown features a public observation deck attraction The project also includes two other adjacent mixed-use residential towers of comparable height and a standalone 38-storey social housing tower on a separate secondary site nearby in the city centre, which would be built as a gift to the City of Vancouver in exchange for the project’s approved market residential density. Other components at the main development site include new additional underground entrances into SkyTrain’s Granville Station, a major public plaza, and retail and restaurant uses. If all goes as planned, construction on the first phase could begin in about five years. The entire project is estimated to cost about $2.73 billion. ---------------------------------------- This article is Part 2 of Daily Hive Urbanized’s three-part series unveiling what may be the most ambitious private-sector building proposal in downtown Vancouver’s history. - PART 1: Downtown Vancouver’s skyline soars with proposal for landmark towers up to 1,033 ft - PART 3: Holborn Group proposes 38-storey social housing tower for Gastown https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-tallest-public-observation-deck-vancouver-tower-new Thu, 08 May 2025 13:00:09 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/disneyland-abu-dhabi-theme-park-resort Kenneth Chan The Walt Disney Company announced today its plans to pursue its seventh theme park resort destination location in the Middle East, specifically in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The “House of Mouse” has reached an agreement with UAE-based immersive destination and experiences firm Miral Group to build the attraction as an additional major offering on the 25 sq. km. Yas Island, which is already a designated hub for major tourism and leisure developments. “Disneyland Abu Dhabi” will be Disney’s first new theme park destination announcement in 15 years, when it first announced its plans to build Shanghai Disney Resort, featuring Shanghai Disneyland. It adds to Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” said Robert Iger, CEO of Disney, in a statement today. You might also like: - 10 big new things coming to Disney's theme parks and experiences - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Universal Studios looking to build its first European theme park near London “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati — an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come,” continued Iger. This echoes Disney’s earlier messaging for the project launch of Shanghai Disney Resort, which was described as “authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese.” Shanghai Disneyland Park opened in 2016. However, Disney will not make any financial contribution toward this project. Instead, it will benefit from royalties through a licensing agreement with Miral — similar to Disney’s 1979 agreement with the Oriental Land Company to create Tokyo Disneyland. Miral will finance, build, own, and operate the property, assuming all risk, while Disney will own the intellectual property rights and activate its team of Disney Imagineers to research, design, and develop the attraction. Disney has full ownership control of the U.S. and Paris resorts and partial ownership control of the Hong Kong and Shanghai destinations. Disneyland Abu Dhabi is not part of the US$60 billion investment announced by Disney in late 2023 to expand and improve its theme parks around the world over 10 years. They are promising a whole new world. This new theme park in the Middle East promises to be the most immersive and technologically advanced Disney attraction, with UAE tourism projects particularly known for their ambition — supported by big budgets. As well, the seaside waterfront location at Yas Island provides new creative opportunities. “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences. “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront — which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before. Ultimately, it will be a celebration of what’s possible when creativity and progress come together.” Yas Island is best known for being home to the world’s largest indoor theme parks, including the 2010-opened Ferrari World, the 2018-opened Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and the 2023-opened SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. These existing theme parks were also built by Miral under a licensing agreement, with the indoor climate-controlled configuration accounting for the region’s sweltering heat, often reaching over 40°C during the summer months. It is not clear if there will be a significant indoor component at Disneyland Abu Dhabi; highly preliminary conceptual artistic renderings appear to depict a significant outdoor component, with a unique crystal-like main castle situated on the edge of the sea. The island is also home to the Yas Waterworld water park and the Yas Marina Circuit — the venue of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009 — as well as major live music, entertainment, and sports venues, and numerous hotel resorts. This new theme park project will also include a number of Disney-themed resort hotels. If all goes as planned, Disney’s seventh theme park resort destination location and its 13th theme park could open relatively soon in the early 2030s. This project strategically allows Disney to enter a new major untapped global market. Yas Island is located near Abu Dhabi’s main airport, Zayed International Airport, which is the home base of flag carrier Etihad Airways. It is also just a one-hour drive away from Dubai International Airport, which is the world’s busiest airport and one of the world’s most connected. About 120 million air passengers travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s airports each year. Dubai is also home to several theme parks, including Legoland Dubai Resort and the Hollywood-themed Motiongate Park. However, Dubai has seen comparatively less success in the theme park sector than Abu Dhabi. This was most notably demonstrated by the failure of the ambitious Dubailand project, which resulted in the cancellation of major developments such as Universal Studios Dubailand and Six Flags Dubailand. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, which was expanded in recent decades through land reclamation, follows a similar integrated entertainment destination concept, but has seen far greater success, made even more apparent today by its ability to secure a Disney attraction. “Abu Dhabi is a place where heritage meets innovation, where we preserve our past while designing the future,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Miral. “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever. Through the development of unique attractions and experiences, Abu Dhabi continues to be a destination of choice for the world.” As for its own in-house projects for the theme park resorts it owns, Disney is making historic investments into the Disney Experiences division, which is the company’s most profitable division — exceeding film and television, Disney+ streaming, and other subsidiaries. Construction on major theme park expansions is underway at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World and at Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be renamed as Disney Adventure Park) in Paris, and other major expansions are planned for Hong Kong Disneyland Park and the cruise ship fleet of Disney Cruise Line. In 2024, the City of Anaheim provided Disney with the approval to nearly double the combined resort size area of Disneyland Resort Park and Disney California Adventure Park, enabling an expansion of theme park, hotel resort, retail, dining, and other entertainment areas. Disney increasingly has competition from Universal Studios’ theme parks. Universal opened Universal Beijing Resort in 2021, and on May 22, 2025, it will open the new Epic Universe Park — the third theme park for Universal Orlando Resort, located near Disney World. In April 2025, Universal and the United Kingdom government confirmed the plans to build a Universal Studios theme park just outside of London, with construction potentially beginning in 2026 for an opening in 2031. You might also like: - 10 big new things coming to Disney's theme parks and experiences - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney launches Storyliving division to build "magical" residential communities - Universal Studios looking to build its first European theme park near London https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/disneyland-abu-dhabi-theme-park-resort Wed, 07 May 2025 17:48:59 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/bc-washington-ferry-cancellations-low-demand Daniel Chai A cross-border ferry that has served British Columbia and Washington for over 65 years has been forced to cancel several upcoming sailings due to lower-than-expected demand. And residents on both sides of the border are speaking out. Black Ball Ferry Line, which provides year-round vehicle and passenger ferry service on the MV Coho between Victoria, B.C. and Port Angeles, W.A., posted on social media that, “we have made the difficult decision to adjust our June sailing schedule.” Instead of increasing the number of sailings as planned on June 12, Black Ball has cancelled several early morning sailings from Victoria and many evening sailings departing from Port Angeles in the month. Several commenters posted messages in support of the ferry, though others blamed the ongoing trade war and travel anxieties between Canada and the U.S. for the drop in sailing demand. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Black Ball Ferry Line (@mvcoho) You might also like: - B.C. pushes back after new Trump tariffs threaten $2.6B film industry - 'Costco was so empty': Some Bellingham residents miss the Vancouver traffic - Not a single U.S. city among Canadians' top 10 travel destinations this year “A lot of our neighbours to the south still don’t get it,” said one person. “We’re hurt and we’re angry. We feel for the U.S. businesses affected by this, and we hope you vote more wisely next time. Last year, I went to Port Angeles on the Coho for my birthday. This year, I cannot.” “It sucks, I love Port Angeles, Port Townsend, and Sequim,” added another commenter. “I know you guys didn’t vote for this. But we just can’t go there right now. Your country doesn’t feel safe anymore. Your government is attacking the world. “Every day, I hope that somehow, California, Washington and Oregon secede and form their own country. You’d be better off.” Several Washington residents also spoke out in support of their Canadian neighbours. “I live in Port Angeles and would love for the West Coast states to join Canada. I am not alone in that desire,” replied a social media user. “I didn’t vote for this and the man responsible for the chaos,” added another person. “Our tourism is being crushed by the stupidity of power,” said another Washington resident. “I hope our town and small businesses can survive now that the United States has become a pariah to the rest of the world.” Canadians are sticking to their guns amid the trade war between Canada and the United States, with travel to the U.S. plummeting drastically. Recent data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that 4,105,516 people crossed the border from Canada to the U.S. in March. That’s a drop of 864,844 visitors compared to the same month last year, when 4,970,360 Canadians travelled south. As more Canadians reconsider travel to the U.S. this year, many are choosing to explore domestic getaways and international destinations. Tariff tensions between the two countries continued to rise after President Trump announced that a 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced outside the United States would be implemented. Black Ball stated that it would offer alternative sailings or a full refund to passengers affected by its sailing cancellations between B.C. and Washington. “We do not take this decision lightly, and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and understanding as we navigate through these unprecedented times.” Black Ball Ferry Line and the MV Coho have transported over 26 million passengers and more than seven million vehicles since they launched in 1959. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-washington-ferry-cancellations-low-demand Tue, 06 May 2025 17:22:10 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/canadian-travel-us-down-drops Laine Mitchell Many Canadians seem to be using travel decisions as their way to make their voices heard amidst the U.S. trade war and 51st state rhetoric from President Donald Trump. A recent report from OAG, a global travel data company that provides data solutions and analytical tools, including airline schedules, flight status information, and aviation data, has revealed that Canadians are simply turning elsewhere for their travel destinations. Airline capacity between Canada and the U.S. has been reduced through to October 2025, with the most significant cuts occurring during the peak travel months of July and August. The largest drop in forward bookings was in April, with a drop of 75.7 per cent, while June was the lowest at 71.6 per cent. The average percentage between the six months was a staggering 71.8 per cent decline in Canadian bookings to travel to U.S. markets. When it comes to scheduled airline capacity on routes from Canada to the U.S., the experts at OAG found that comparing the total number of scheduled one-way seats between the two countries filed on March 3 and those filed on March 24, over 320,000 seats have been yanked by airlines operating between the two countries through to the end of October. “Unfortunately, the law of unintended consequences is once again impacting the airline industry, adding to what had already become a softening market,” wrote John Grant, OAG chief analyst. The lack of travel interest has even forced some Canadian airlines, like WestJet, to cut routes to some U.S. destinations. When it comes to which parts of Canada have residents that are more likely to still proceed with trips to the United States this year, one province leads the pack in that department. Grant added that there may be some airlines offering particularly cheap flights over the coming months to try and create demand. Have you decided to forgo travel to the United States this year due to the current political and economic climate with our neighbours to the south? Let us know in the comments below. You might also like: - Alberta travellers lead Canada on plans to visit U.S. amid tariff tension - WestJet axes two Alberta flight routes as travellers shift away from U.S. destinations - Alberta leads Canada in opposition for retaliatory tariffs in U.S. trade war https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canadian-travel-us-down-drops Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:50:18 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/us-ferry-company-apologizes-upside-down-canadian-flag Daniel Chai An American ferry company with over 65 years of service has issued a public apology for a Canadian flag gaffe over the weekend. Black Ball Ferry Line, which provides year-round vehicle and passenger ferry service on the MV Coho between Victoria, B.C. and Port Angeles, W.A., announced that the Canadian flag was unintentionally raised upside down as the vessel approached Victoria’s Inner Harbour. “As soon as we became aware of our mistake, it was fixed immediately so that the flag flew correctly,” said Black Ball Ferry Line of the incident that occurred on Sunday, March 23 during what is normally routine practice. > View this post on Instagram > > > > > A post shared by Black Ball Ferry Line (@mvcoho) You might also like: - ‘Food sucks here’: Seattle residents compare their city to Vancouver - Elections Canada is hiring for over 200,000 jobs and some pay pretty well - Over 50,000 Canadians say Trump should be excluded from G7 Summit in Alberta “We sincerely apologize for any unintended disrespect or confusion this has caused,” added the Seattle-based company. We deeply value our strong connections on both sides of the water, and we have the utmost respect for the communities we serve.” Hundreds of comments were left on Black Ball Ferry Line’s social media apology, the majority thanking the company for their quick acknowledgement of the flag faux pas. “Thank you for recognizing the error and your clear and concise apology, no harm done,” said one commenter. “Coho is an awesome service and very much a part of Victoria’s culture.” “Mistakes happen,” added another. “Love the Coho and I know the majority of Americans are good people and support Canada. “I hope these attempts to divide us all will soon come to an end. I have always viewed Americans as our friends and I can’t wait till all this ridiculous nonsense is over.” A few social media users were slightly more hesitant to accept the apology outright. “Timing’s a little on the nose,” said a user on Instagram. “I certainly hope it was unintentional and that the crew member who did it was questioned to ensure it was unintentional on their part,” added another on Facebook. The incident comes at a time of raised tensions between Canada and the United States, with over 50,000 Canadians signing an online petition saying that U.S. President Donald Trump should be excluded from the G7 Summit in Alberta. Still, most of the comments left online took the incident in stride and even felt empathy for the crew of the MV Coho. “I’m only laughing because I know you guys would never do this on purpose,” said a supporter. “And I can’t help but picture the poor crew going “Awww, jaysus, we are never gonna hear the end of this.” Black Ball Ferry Line and the MV Coho have transported over 26 million passengers and more than seven million vehicles since it launched in 1959. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/us-ferry-company-apologizes-upside-down-canadian-flag Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:54:40 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vancouver-seattle-differences Daniel Chai Though the number of Canadian travellers to the United States continues to drastically drop, one Vancouverite planning a move to Seattle reached out to the city’s residents to find out what he may be in store for. The question was asked in a Seattle subreddit, with the Canadian explaining that they expected little to no change in lifestyle because “Seattle is the American Vancouver.” However, in a discussion covering topics like public transit, housing, and even cuisine, Seattleite revealed more differences than first seen on the surface. You might also like: - Four of the five most expensive Vancouver houses for sale are all on the same street - Elections Canada is hiring for over 200,000 jobs and some pay pretty well - 'Ghost town': Bellingham residents feel effects of B.C. boycotts as tariff war continues The cost of living was a major point that came up. “Way more affordable in most cases due to higher earning power and lack of the completely screwed Canadian housing market,” said one commenter. “This is a big part of my decision. I was mesmerized by how ‘cheap’ the real estate is,” said the original poster. According to RentCafe, the average rent for a Seattle apartment is $2,232. In Vancouver, the average rent for an apartment is currently $3,199, according to Zumper. “The myriad charts showing the collapse of Canadian disposable income growth versus house price growth live rent-free in my head,” said another Seattle resident. “Lots of causes of course, but the affordability gap is astounding and you all sure have reaped the whirlwind.” One thing that everyone seemed to agree on was the fact that Vancouver has better transit. “Vancouver has muuuuch better transit,” claimed one user. “I love Seattle but Vancouver is kind of better in every way. “The SkyTrain is significantly more useful, efficient, cleaner, and nicer than the Link light rail,” added another. Food was another big conversation piece, with Seattleites agreeing that food across the border was much better than in the Emerald City. “Food sucks here,” said one Seattle resident succinctly. “Coffee, takeout food, restaurant food, and food in general are all more expensive in Seattle than in Vancouver. However, one resident said all was not lost when it comes to finding good eats in Seattle “It for sure takes some time and communication to learn where the good food places and markets are at. Yelp can be helpful, but talking to the store workers and restaurant employees about their own favorite other places will help you find some real gems,” they shared. Nightlife comparisons between the two cities also cropped up in the online discussion. “Vancouver has a more vibrant city centre due to the number of businesses and residences present; downtown Seattle is a ghost town in many places by comparison.” The big question that Seattle residents had for their Canadian neighbour was why they were planning a move to America with all of the tension between the two countries. “Why would you want to move to the U.S. now,” asked a commenter. “This place is going down the toilet since inauguration day.” “My salary has more than tripled,” the original poster responded. “Canadians don’t get paid well, unfortunately. Otherwise it’s obvious to stay in Canada.” How would you compare the two cities? If you’re a Vancouver resident who has been to Seattle, what are the biggest differences between the two cities? Let us know in the comments. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-seattle-differences Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:40:46 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/donald-trump-g7-alberta-petition Laine Mitchell The Alberta Rockies are set to host world leaders for the G7 Summit later this year. However, more than 40,000 Canadians say that U.S. President Donald Trump should not be allowed to visit. The Prime Minister of Canada is expected to welcome Trump, along with other G7 members, including President of France Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, to Kananaskis this June. The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in addition to the European Union. A petition on Change.org calling for Trump to be blocked from visiting Canada for the G7 Summit in Alberta has amassed more than 41,000 signatures as of writing, pointing to Trump’s convicted felon status. “Trump is a convicted felon who is threatening Canada’s Sovereignty. He has also stressed that border security along the Canadian border is a priority for him, and we agree. We can’t allow convicted felons from other countries across our border,” the petition stated. “Under Canadian law, convicted felons are inadmissible to Canada. There are exceptions, but we do not feel that Donald Trump fulfills these requirements. He is not rehabilitated, he has not received a pardon and he poses a serious risk to Canada.  Also, let’s be honest, we just don’t want him here,” it added. You might also like: - G7 Summit with Trump bringing some serious closures for parts of Alberta - Alberta leads new poll in support of Canada becoming a US state - Two Alberta cities considered to be hardest hit by U.S. tariffs on Canada The idea even made it to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, but he quickly shot it down, calling the proposition “facile” after it was floated by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. Alberta last held the meeting in June 2002, when Prime Minister Jean Chretien welcomed G8 world leaders to Kananaskis, including U.S. President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Donald Trump visited Canada just once during his first presidency, spending time in La Malbaie, Quebec, during the 44th G7 summit.  Are you on board with Canada denying Donald Trump a chance to join other world leaders when the G7 summit is held in Alberta this summer? Let us know in the comments below. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/donald-trump-g7-alberta-petition Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:58:33 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/google-removing-state-parks-labels-canada Megan Devlin Google is working to update labels on Canadian provincial parks to more accurately reflect what they are after the company’s current “State Park” labels sparked concern this week. Some Canadians were worried the state park descriptors on provincial parks were changed following U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that he wanted to make Canada the 51st state. However, Google says, in most cases, the inaccurate labels have been there for years. “We have not made any recent changes to the way we label parks in Canada – the vast majority of these parks have had their existing labels for several years. We’re actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion.” Google Maps recently changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico, adding (Gulf of America) behind it in response to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) update at Trump’s request.   Some Canadians who noticed provincial parks labelled state parks emailed Daily Hive to share their disapproval. “This is incorrect and it is also very disrespectful,” Daily Hive reader Sonia Picco said. “[We should] start a movement to bombard Google to stop messing with the facts.” BC Parks even got involved. The provincial agency reached out to Google to request the parks’ labels be changed from state park to provincial park. “We understand the concerns this has raised in the context of recent events – and let’s be clear, we will never be the 51st state,” B.C.’s minister of environment and parks, Tamara Davidson, told Daily Hive. You might also like: - 'State Park' Google Maps label on provincial parks has some Canadians worried - Trump to 'go forward' with tariffs on Canada next week - Opinion: How slumping Canadian pride rebounded due to Trump's shenanigans https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/google-removing-state-parks-labels-canada Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:19:22 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/amtrak-cascades-service-improvements-targets Kenneth Chan Legislators in Washington state are seeking to drastically improve Amtrak Cascades over the coming decade by enhancing inter-city passenger rail service’s capacity, frequency, reliability, speed, and travel time. The Intercity Passenger Rail Improvement Priorities, referred to as House Bill 1837, would require the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to meet various new service level and performance targets by 2035. Key to the new bill’s proposed targets, WSDOT would work towards increasing the number of roundtrip Amtrak Cascades trains. You might also like: - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Washington state proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning - Cascadia mega-region should build hub cities for smart growth: report - Government of Canada announces high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City The route segment between Vancouver and Seattle would see at least five roundtrips daily — up from the current two roundtrips per day. Between Seattle and Portland, the number of roundtrips would rise from the current six to 14. As for travel times, the target is to achieve lower travel times of two hours 45 minutes each way between Vancouver and Seattle — down from the current four hours 30 minutes each way. Between Seattle and Portland, travel times would drop from the current three hours 30 minutes each way to two hours 30 minutes each way. Moreover, the minimum on-time performance rate would be elevated to 88 per cent. Currently, Amtrak Cascades’ on-time performance is very low; for the period between January and October 2024, only 48 per cent of all trains arrived at their final destination within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. These new targets follow an all-time, record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership, with WSDOT recently sharing with Daily Hive Urbanized that the service saw about 985,000 passengers in 2024 — up from 746,000 in 2023, 824,000 in 2019, and 781,000 in 2014. The bill is not directly attached to any new funding to achieve these targeted metrics, but it calls for coordination with the U.S. federal government, stakeholders, and other partners. As well, WSDOT would be required to provide annual updates to the Washington state legislature on its progress toward reaching the targets. This includes improvements to the railway corridor used by Amtrak Cascades within British Columbia, funded by Canadian authorities. In January 2025, WSDOT told Daily Hive Urbanized that Pacific Central Station — the northernmost terminus of Amtrak Cascades, on the edge of downtown Vancouver — is in need of station platform upgrades to handle the brand new fleet of trains for Amtrak Cascades, arriving in 2026. Without the platform improvements, Amtrak Cascades cannot make any additional daily trips between Seattle and Vancouver, and optimize the use of Amtrak Cascades’ eight new Amtrak Airo trains — a variation of the Siemens Venture trains — and two new locomotives. Currently, other upgrades are underway to the customs facility at Pacific Central Station. When complete in Spring 2025, the new pre-clearance customs facility will eliminate Amtrak Casscades’ train stop for southbound trips across the Canada/U.S.-border for secondary international border inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers. WSDOT anticipates this border stop — involving officers boarding the train in Blaine to re-inspect passengers — will be eliminated starting later in Spring 2025, reducing the southbound travel time by 10 minutes. Moreover, WSDOT has suggested a need to improve the railway corridor north of the Canada-U.S. border, in order to achieve better travel times and reliability. This would be reciprocal to the various railway corridor upgrades led by WSDOT south of the border, with more planned over the coming years. Concurrently, the Washington state government is also leading efforts to plan a future high-speed rail service connecting Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland, which would replace the Amtrak Cascades service. In late 2024, WSDOT secured $50 million in the final days of then-U.S. President Joe Biden’s public transit-friendly administration — an enthusiasm not shared by his successor, U.S. President Donald Trump. A high-speed rail service is likely decades away, and its projected cost — likely in the tens of billions of dollars — remains completely unfunded. This makes incremental yet impactful upgrades to the Amtrak Cascades service a more practical and cost-effective alternative for the foreseeable future. Previous preliminary studies for overhauling the Amtrak Cascades route into high-speed rail estimated ridership could reach 2.1 million per year upon opening. Using conventional train technology, much slower speeds, and low frequencies, the existing Amtrak Cascades service already approached nearly half of that high-speed rail ridership in 2023. You might also like: - Record-breaking year for Amtrak Cascades ridership between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Washington state proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning - Cascadia mega-region should build hub cities for smart growth: report - Government of Canada announces high-speed train between Toronto and Quebec City https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amtrak-cascades-service-improvements-targets Mon, 24 Feb 2025 23:00:35 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/state-park-google-maps-canadian-provincial-parks Megan Devlin Google Maps displays “State Park” as the description for some Canadian provincial parks, and it has some folks worried, given U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada. Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver and Joffre Lakes Provincial Park near Pemberton both display “State Park” when searched on Google Maps. That’s not the case for all B.C. provincial parks. Some are simply described as “Park.” Parks in Alberta and Quebec have the State Park descriptor, too. “This is incorrect and it is also very disrespectful,” Daily Hive reader Sonia Picco said. “[We should] start a movement to bombard Google to stop messing with the facts.” Relations between Canada and the US are tense right now after US President Donald Trump took office. He’s threatened to implement heavy tariffs on goods travelling from Canada to the U.S. Trump also said Canada should become the 51st State, and it’s got people wondering how serious he could be. After Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Google began displaying Gulf of America in brackets. While some concerned Canadians are worried State Park could hint at Google legitimizing Trump’s desire to make Canada join the U.S., others believe the State Park labels could be a bug that is just gaining attention now as tensions rise. “I was mad when I saw it too but I checked and other countries that have provincial parks such as Belgium also display ‘state park’ in their title,” one person said on Reddit. “The bug is called ‘fascism,'” another replied. The Reddit users suggested that people should report the name errors to Google with the hope that Canada’s provincial park labels will be updated. BC PARKS GOES TO GOOGLE ABOUT PARK LABELLING ERROR Tamara Davidson, B.C.’s Minister of Environment and Parks, told Daily Hive that BC Parks is aware of recent concerns around the state park label on Google Business listings for provincial parks in the province. “Some users have reported that ‘provincial park’ is no longer an option and has been removed. We cannot validate that, and it is our understanding that the ‘state park’ label has always been the default setting of Google,” Davidson said. BC Parks has contacted Google Canada to request a unique label option of provincial park for the Canadian nature pots. “We understand the concerns this has raised in the context of recent events – and let’s be clear, we will never be the 51st state.” A Google spokesperson told Daily Hive that it hasn’t made any changes to park labels in response to Trump’s comments. “We have not made any recent changes to the way we label parks in Canada – the vast majority of these parks have had their existing labels for several years. We’re actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion.”   You might also like: - Trump orders tariffs to counter digital service taxes in Canada - Vancouver strip club makes sassy jab at Trump after Canada's 4 Nations victory - Bellingham residents are seeing a quieter downtown with fewer B.C. visitors https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/state-park-google-maps-canadian-provincial-parks Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:54:42 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/last-minute-valentines-day-gifts-2025 Victoria Kuglin ALL PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENTLY SELECTED, AND PRICES ARE ACCURATE AT TIME OF PUBLICATION. DAILY HIVE MAY COLLECT A SHARE OF SALES AND/OR OTHER COMPENSATION FROM THE LINKS ON THIS PAGE AT NO COST TO YOU. Valentine’s Day is this Friday, and while some of you eager beavers may have your gifts already sorted (congratulations!), the rest of us have not. Oops! Luckily, there are still plenty of great last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts you can snag — and they’ll all arrive in time for the big day. No matter their taste (or your budget), we curated a helpful list of goodies to make them feel extra special on the 14th. Just make sure you don’t dilly-dally, or you might miss the delivery window! BUDDHA BOARD Perfect for doodlers, artists, and fidgeters alike, it’ll let their creativity run wild without the pressure of trying to create ~art~. Once the water dries, their creation will fade, leaving the board ready for their next chill-out sesh. If they’re always on the go, consider getting them the mini version instead. Shop from Amazon Canada for $39.95 HOOMBAND BLUETOOTH SLEEP HEADPHONES This slip-on headband will help lull them to sleep with over 100 different soundscapes, including bedtime stories, meditations, and nature sounds. The speakers inside are super thin (perfect for side sleepers) and removable, which means they can toss the band in the wash if it ever gets gunky. Reviewers say it’s surprisingly comfy to wear, too. Shop from Amazon Canada for $99 UMBRA DACHSIE RING HOLDER Give them a place to stash their most precious bling. It can hold up to ten rings or earrings and is covered in plush velvet to protect their jewellery from scratches and scuffs. Shop from Amazon Canada for $16.98 THOUGHTFULLY GOURMET DIY HOT SAUCE SET Things are about to get hot in the kitchen! This kit comes with all the ingredients and accessories they’ll need to craft their own spicy blend, with options to customize spice levels. Reviewers say each flavour tasted amazing and loved that the instructions were easy to follow (even for those with minimal experience in the kitchen). Shop from Amazon Canada for $49.99 DATE NIGHT IDEAS SCRATCH-OFF CARDS Save yourselves the struggle of constantly coming up with fun and fresh date ideas by just pulling a card from the deck. There’s no way to tip the scales, either, since each one’s a scratch-off. That means you’ll both be in for a surprise! According to reviewers, the activity suggestions are unique and interesting — none of this “go for a movie date” nonsense. Shop from Amazon Canada for $21.99 HUSKI WINE CHILLER After slipping their favourite bottle of vino into this cooling carafe, it will stay perfectly chilled (for up to six hours, by the way). The carafe is adjustable in height and big enough to fit champagne bottles, or they can tuck a large bottle of water inside if that’s more their vibe. Because it’s condensation-resistant, reviewers say it never leaves a wet or drippy mess behind. Shop from Amazon Canada for $62.99+ ($69.99+) LEGO ART LOVE COLLECTIBLE BUILDING SET Build your love together this Valentine’s Day — literally! A smaller version of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture, you’ll get to put it together right in the comfort of your own home (not to mention keep it as long as you’d like). Once completed, you and your partner can use it as decor in your home, too. Shop from Amazon Canada for $99.86 BEATS PILL Despite its sleek design and small size, this speaker delivers MAJOR sound, thanks to a bunch of fancy tech that keeps the treble crisp and bass deep. An impressive battery life (up to 24 hours of playback on a single charge) adds to the appeal, with reviewers reporting that it’s also lightweight and ideal for travel. It also happens to be both dust- and water-resistant. Shop from Amazon Canada for $199+ BODY RESTORE SHOWER STEAMERS Popping one of these pods into the shower while they’re lathering up will fill their space with soothing scents and set the mood for the rest of the day. Reviewers were surprised by their potency and added that the smell lasted for hours after they stepped out of the shower. Shop from Amazon Canada for $28.79 ($31.99) GROSCHE ABERDEEN PERFECT TEA MAKER SET Brewing the perfect cuppa is about to get a lot easier. The steeper is designed to keep loose leaf blends from sneaking their way into their mug while being easy to clean when they’ve finished the last drop. Reviewers are especially fond of the fact that it’s drip-free, meaning they won’t have to clean up any spills and messes in their quest for a hot drink. Shop from Amazon Canada for $29.99 MAGIC BAG HOT/COLD COMPRESS If they’re active, they’ll probably find themselves using this handy compress a *lot* (and who doesn’t love a useful gift?). It can be used hot or cold, depending on what ails them, and because it’s stuffed with oats — rather than gel — you won’t have to stress about it leaking goop all over them. It’s great at soothing arthritis, muscle pain, cramps, sciatica, or just about anything else. Shop from Amazon Canada for $23.77 GRACE & STELLA EYE GLOW TRIO After looking at screens all day long, there’s a pretty good chance their eyes are feeling a bit tired. Gifting a variety pack means you won’t need to guess if they’re dealing with fine lines, puffiness, or dark circles — there’s a set of patches to help them tackle it. Here’s what’s inside: four pairs each of moisturizing, energizing, and illuminating patches. Shop from Amazon Canada for $19.95 CABIN PORN: INSIDE They may live in the city, but that doesn’t mean they can’t dream of a woodland escape. This tome is chock-full of gorgeous imagery of peaceful cabins and handmade homes from around the globe that might inspire them when they finally make their metropolitan exodus. Shop from Amazon Canada for $20.32 LULULEMON DUAL POUCH HEART WRISTLET Each zippered pouch is enough for credit cards, house keys, lip balms, and other small odds and ends they’re toting around that day, but they can un-snap them if they’re looking to ditch the extra weight. Reviewers love how modular the design is, allowing them to clip the pouches onto belts, keychains, or even other bags when they want a smidge of extra storage space (or a cute charm addition). Shop from lululemon for $58 INFMETRY CAPSULE NOTES Let’s get back to old-school romance — no texts, emails, or fancy-schmancy tech here! Each petite pill contains a small scroll for writing down love notes, funny jokes, or sweet reminders (it’s really up to you). Reviewers like that it’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long because who says you have to reserve the celebrations to just February 14? Shop from Amazon Canada for $11.32 MAUDE VIBE FLUTTER-TIP VIBRATOR It’s whisper-quiet, super-soft (wrapped entirely in body-safe silicone), and switches between three modes at the press of a button. The tip has the perfect level of squish, so the fluttering sensation feels pleasurable rather than buzzy. Unlike bigger toys, this one’s small enough to tuck between two bodies, so you both can frolic and explore to your heart’s content — regardless of what position(s) you’re in. As an extra bonus, the power button can be long-pressed to engage the travel lock. Shop from Sephora Canada for $66 SEEDLIP NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS TRIO BUNDLE Zero-proof cocktails have been their new obsession this year, and these non-alcoholic spirits are just the ticket for cranking them up a notch. Seriously — each one is award-winning and can be mixed into all their favourite recipes, like espresso martinis, margaritas, and anything else they’ve got a taste for. Shop from Amazon Canada for $119.99 LUVLINK FRIENDSHIP LAMP You touch yours, and theirs lights up (and vice versa), so you can still stay connected even if you’re doing the long-distance thing. Bluetooth setup is easy-peasy, and they’re USB-rechargeable, so no one will have to stress about plug compatibility. Using the app, you can even send each other secret coded messages. You’ll get two. Shop from Amazon Canada for $189 STACKED: THE ART OF THE PERFECT SANDWICH BY OWEN HAN No matter what they’re layering on breads and buns, there’s a sammie inside this tome that’ll suit their tastes. Don’t expect any basics here — Owen Han’s recipes instead focus on unusual ingredients (like green tomatoes and homemade pickles) to amp up the classics, with options for every meal and occasion, including breakfast and dessert. There’s even a section dedicated to homemade breads, sauces, and toppers that’ll have them ditching the store-bought mayo. Shop from Amazon Canada for $34.40 TRUTH OR DARE FOR COUPLES Packed with thought-provoking questions and risqué dares, this deck is just the thing for keeping the spark going in your relationship. Reviewers say the options are fun, silly, or just plain exciting and love that the deck’s small enough to take on the road (because the fun doesn’t have to stop once the two of you leave home). Date night just got saucier! Shop from Amazon Canada for $11.48 PHOENIX VINE SELF-WATERING TERRACOTTA PLANTER SET Whether they’re an aspiring plant parent or a seasoned gardener, these genius planters are a surefire hit. Using a combination of glass and unglazed terracotta, they prevent overwatering and ensure anything planted inside is always well-hydrated (instead of drowned). Reviewers say they’re great for ensuring their leafy babies don’t dry out when they’re travelling, too. Shop from Amazon Canada for $116.02 VADHAM ASSORTED TEA SAMPLER It’s like a mini buffet of loose-leaf teas! Each tin offers a different blend, and reviewers say each one is equally delicious. You might get lucky and be allowed to have a cup or two, but don’t be surprised if your partner decides to keep them all to themselves. They’ll get English Breakfast, Vanilla Spice Masala, Hibiscus Rush, Masala Chai, Sweet Cinnamon Spice, and an herbal Turmeric Spice. Shop from Amazon Canada for $49.99 BLACK WIDOW COLOURED PENCILS Unleash their inner artist with this set of buttery-smooth pencils. Thanks to wax cores, the colours are vibrant and easy to blend and layer and are even visible on dark paper. They also stay intact during sharpening and drawing, meaning they won’t have to stress about them crumbling or breaking when they’re creating a masterpiece. Shop from Amazon Canada for $23.52 KNOCK KNOCK WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU JOURNAL If their love language is words of affirmation, you’ll hit some seriously high notes by jotting down exactly what about them makes your heart go pitter-patter. Reviewers love that the prompts leave lots of room for adding humour (rather than just some corny responses), so you might give your partner a giggle or two in the process. Shop from Amazon Canada for $16.35 BATHORIUM SLEEP FIZZY BATH SOAK When it comes to catching z’s, this stuff is the next best thing to a lullaby and a warm blanket. Infused with soothing essential oils like lavender and fresh mint, the formula is a blend of magnesium sulphate and Dead Sea salts that help ease tired bodies (and minds). Thanks to aloe and vitamin E, they won’t need to slather their body in moisturizer after, either, so they can roll straight into bed. Shop from Amazon Canada for $25 You might also like: - This year has already blessed us with tons of cool new products — these are our favourites - Here's our guide to 21 amazing Canadian brands we plan to shop from this year https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/last-minute-valentines-day-gifts-2025 Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:22:04 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/canada-us-trump-tariffs-home-construction Kenneth Chan While the effects of US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on a sweeping range of Canadian imports are widely discussed, their impact on Americans is often overlooked, especially by policymakers south of the border. According to the signed executive orders on Saturday, the new duties on Canadian goods entering the United States will be fully in force by Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Coordinated between the Canadian federal and provincial governments, Canada will retaliate with its own tariffs on select American goods starting on the same day, with an initial tariff on $30 billion worth of goods targeting orange juice, peanut butter, alcohol, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper. Later in February, a second phase of retaliatory tariffs on American goods worth $125 billion could be rolled out, such as on beef, pork, dairy products, certain fruits and vegetables, passenger vehicles, trucks and buses, and steel and aluminum products. You might also like: - BC government warns loss of 124,000 jobs, $69 billion in economic activity due to Trump tariffs - Trump tariffs may hit these certain jobs in Alberta hard - How your job and bills in Canada could be affected by Trump tariffs - Federal government prepping massive relief package for Canadians in case of Trump tariffs - Bellingham residents welcoming BC travellers amid economic tension In a letter addressed to Trump on Friday, just prior to the signing of the tariff executive orders, the US National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) warns the 25% tariffs on both Canada and the United States “will have the opposite effect” of Trump’s inauguration day executive order that “seeks to increase housing supply and affordability.” Due to the previous pandemic-induced impacts, home construction costs in the US have already soared by over 30% in recent years. The association states the tariffs will result in the further “slowing down [of] the domestic residential construction industry.” “Our sector relies heavily on a diverse and cost-efficient supply chain for building materials such as lumber, steel, gypsum, and aluminum,” reads the letter, noting that American builders rely on components produced abroad, with Canada and Mexico representing nearly 25% of US building materials imports. “Imposing additional tariffs on these imports will lead to higher material costs, which will ultimately be passed on to home buyers in the form of increased housing prices. Further supply chain disruptions from increased tariffs coupled with increased demand for materials could also hinder rebuilding efforts in areas affected by natural disasters, which you have pledged to help rebuild as quickly as possible,” continues the letter. In a news release on Friday that accompanies the letter, the NAHB also highlighted that over 70% of the imports of softwood lumber and gypsum (materials for drywall) — two essential materials for home construction — come from Canada and Mexico, respectively. The association has requested Trump to make a tariff exemption for critical construction materials. “Tariffs on lumber and other building materials increase the cost of construction and discourage new development, and consumers end up paying for the tariffs in the form of higher home prices,” said Carl Harris, chairman of NAHB, in a statement. “NAHB urges the administration to reconsider this action on tariffs and we will continue to work with policymakers to eliminate barriers that make housing more costly and prevent builders from boosting housing production.” Prior to the Trump’s blanket tariffs, there was already a longstanding dispute on softwood lumber between both countries, with the US hiking its tariff on Canadian softwood lumber from 8% to 14.4% in August 2024. Trump’s new 25% tariffs, combined with the existing 14.4% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber, could raise total duties on these specific products to nearly 40%. For decades, the US has accused the Canadian government of subsidizing its lumber industry, resulting in the import of lower-priced softwood lumber that unfairly puts American producers at a disadvantage. British Columbia is particularly affected, as its lumber products typically account for roughly a quarter of exported commodity value. “The Canada-US lumber trade is mutually beneficial. American demand exceeds domestic supply-requiring US builders to import about 30% of their lumber needs,” reads a statement by BC Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) on Saturday in reaction to Trump’s executive order. “Canadian producers fill most of this gap, ensuring a stable, predictable supply of quality lumber. Tariffs disrupt this essential supply chain, increasing building material costs, at a time when affordability is already a major concern for American families.” Canada’s share of the US lumber market is now smaller than it was when the Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement was signed in 2006. According to Fastmarket in 2024, US domestic softwood lumber production — especially in the US South — is surging in the backdrop of a recent wave of Canadian sawmill closures, particularly in BC, due to macroeconomic shifts in demand coupled with the previously targeted tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports. “The growing US share of the North American lumber market has been a secular trend driven ultimately by lower fiber costs in the rapidly growing US South but also accelerated by duties and managed trade for Canadian sawmills as well as the long-term consequences of the mountain pine beetle kill in British Columbia. This is a noteworthy development considering that historically, Canada has accounted for anywhere between a quarter to a third of US softwood lumber consumption,” reads the Fastmarket’s commodity report. In 2024, North America saw its sawmill capacity drop by 4%, with over 40% of these losses situated within BC. Some of the largest sawmill shutdowns in recent memory occurred in September 2024, when Canfor Corporation announced the closure of of its Plateau and Fort St. John operations due to “persistent challenge accessing economic fibre, ongoing financial losses, weak lumber markets, and increased US tariffs.” Both closures impacted about 500 employees in these small communities in northern BC, and removed 670 million board feet of annual production capacity. Additionally, West Fraser Timber Company, Western Forest Products, and Interfor Company have also suspended or shut down various operations in Western Canada. According to BCLTC, as of 2023, about 85% of BC’s softwood lumber production is exported to international markets, with about 65% of production exported to the US, almost 20% to overseas markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Indian, and 15% sold within Canada. Moreover, in recent years, BC lumber exports to China have dropped substantially from over four billion board feet annually just over a decade ago — a surge that was a part of Canada’s previous strategy to diversify its lumber exports beyond US markets — to about 650 million board feet in 2023. This decline is due to a combination of China’s weakened economy and housing sector, and political and economic tensions. In 2022, the logging industry contributed about $17 billion to BC’s provincial gross domestic product, and provided $6.5 billion in revenues for all three levels of government. The lumber industry in BC supports over 100,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in BC, paying $9.1 billion in wages, salaries and benefits, according to BCLTC. Furthermore, the province’s lumber industry represents one-in-28 of all BC jobs and one-in-six manufacturing jobs. BC’s provincial government estimates as many as 124,000 jobs could be lost in the province over the coming years if the 25% blanket tariff runs through 2028 — the entire duration of the Trump presidency. The largest job declines would be experienced in the natural-resource sector export industries and associated manufacturing, as well as in the transportation and retail sectors. In contrast, the total number of COVID-19-related job losses by June 2020 — three months into the pandemic — was 235,000. To mitigate the major impacts of the tariffs on small communities in BC, especially those that are currently dependent on the natural resource-based industries, the provincial government announced on Saturday that it will fast-track the approval of $20 billion worth of private-sector projects, creating 6,000 jobs in remote and rural communities. You might also like: - BC government warns loss of 124,000 jobs, $69 billion in economic activity due to Trump tariffs - Trump tariffs may hit these certain jobs in Alberta hard - How your job and bills in Canada could be affected by Trump tariffs - Federal government prepping massive relief package for Canadians in case of Trump tariffs - Bellingham residents welcoming BC travellers amid economic tension https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-us-trump-tariffs-home-construction Sun, 02 Feb 2025 19:37:28 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/amtrak-cascades-vancouver-seattle-portland-ridership Kenneth Chan The Amtrak Cascades interregional passenger rail service, which links the Pacific Northwest, appears to be gaining new momentum, with record-breaking ridership and forthcoming service improvements. The passenger rail service runs between British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon, linking the major cities of Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and smaller communities along the way. The entire route between Pacific Central Station near downtown Vancouver and Eugene, Oregon spans 752 km, with most trips between Vancouver and Portland requiring a transfer in Seattle. Currently, Amtrak Cascades operates two daily cross-border round-trip trains between Vancouver and Seattle with four trains, six daily roundtrip trains between Seattle and Portland with 12 trains, and two daily roundtrip trains between Portland and Eugene with four trains. Some trains travel direct between Vancouver and Portland. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Construction to begin on new $200 million Holdom Avenue road overpass above railway in Brentwood in Burnaby - CN Railway to build new 4-km-long freight railway through East Vancouver - From Brentwood to Burrard Inlet: All about the 3.2-km-long railway tunnel deep under Burnaby and its fake house - Washington State proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning Following a prolonged pandemic shutdown, the Seattle-Portland segment of the service restarted in May 2021, while the Vancouver-Seattle segment resumed service in September 2022, with full pre-pandemic service levels returning in March 2023. Despite the initial pandemic impacts, ridership has not only quickly recovered, but it reached a new all-time record in 2024, continuing the pre-pandemic ridership growth trend. Janet Matkin, the railways spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which funds and oversees Amtrak Cascades services in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation, told Daily Hive Urbanized that preliminary figures indicate the service achieved an all-time record-breaking total ridership of over 985,000 passengers in 2024. This is up from 746,000 passengers in 2023, 824,000 in 2019, 802,000 in 2018, 811,000 in 2017, 817,000 in 2016, 745,000 in 2015, and 781,000 in 2014. Furthermore, the Vancouver-Seattle segment saw its own record ridership in 2024, with 205,000 passengers using Amtrak Cascades at Pacific Central Station — up from 161,000 in 2023 and 169,000 in 2019. Pacific Central Station is the third busiest station after King Street Station in downtown Seattle and Portland Union Station in downtown Portland. A December 2024 report by WSDOT also noted that the addition of two more daily roundtrips for the Seattle-Portland segment contributed to the jump in ridership in 2024. Furthermore, trains for the segments between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland were often sold out in Summer 2024. The 2024 farebox recovery rate figures have yet to be made available, but the rate of fares covering operating costs for Amtrak Cascades in 2023 was 60% — the third highest in a decade, just behind 60.1% in 2016 and 63% in 2017. A small proportion of the 2024 ridership growth was also attributed to a new free fare program for youth ages 18 and younger. This free ride program first launched in May 2024 only applies for trips within Washington state. According to WSDOT, between May and late September 2024, over 15,000 young riders took advantage of this program, which is the first of its kind in the United States. US CUSTOMS SOUTHBOUND STOP AT THE BORDER TO BE ELIMINATED Construction began in January 2025 to modify the passenger inspection area shared by the Canada-US border agencies at Pacific Central Station, which is owned by VIA Rail. “We can confirm that construction is currently underway for the development of a pre-clearance Facility at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. This project is being executed by Amtrak, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the United States Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP),” a spokesperson for VIA Rail told Daily Hive Urbanized. Upon completion, this new pre-clearance facility will eliminate Amtrak Cascades’ train stop for southbound trips across the Canada-US border for secondary international border inspections by US Customs and Border Patrol officers. Currently, this involves officers boarding the train in Blaine to re-inspect passengers. It is anticipated this border stop elimination just south of Peace Arch will reduce the train travel time between Vancouver and Seattle by 10 minutes. Matkin notes they are targeting a Spring 2025 implementation of this new operating pattern without the train stoppage and secondary inspection, after the upgrades reach completion. Currently, during optimal conditions, the entire Amtrak Cascades train journey between Pacific Central Station and Eugene, Oregon, is about 10 hours and 30 minutes, including just over three hours for the segment between Vancouver and Seattle. PACIFIC CENTRAL STATION PLATFORM NEEDS UPGRADES FOR NEW AMTRAK TRAINS Currently, at its manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, Siemens is building a brand new fleet of 83 Amtrak Airo train sets for various Amtrak services across the United States, with Amtrak Cascades set to be the very first service to receive the new trains. These new trains will replace most of Amtrak’s existing fleet across the US. The Amtrak Airo itself is a variation of the Siemens Venture trains in use on Brightline in Florida and VIA Rail in Eastern Canada. From this nationwide order, Amtrak Cascades will receive eight new Airo train sets and two new locomotives. These new trains offer increased capacity, drastically improved comfort and ergonomics, and a wide range of new and improved amenities, including new in-seat features, touchless washroom controls, and a new onboard cafe concept. Matkin told Daily Hive Urbanized the first completed Amtrak Airo train sets will be sent to the Northeast Corridor of the US later in 2025 for testing on railroad tracks owned by Amtrak, before being delivered to Seattle over a period of several months in 2026. The intent is to have some of these new trains operational on the Amtrak Cascades route in time for Vancouver and Seattle’s role as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But she notes that the current platform used by Amtrak Cascades trains at Pacific Central Station is in need of major upgrades to accommodate the new Airo trains. This platform needs to be replaced with a wider, raised platform, she says. Without the upgrades, Amtrak Cascades services reaching Vancouver cannot see any further future improvements. “Ideally, this new platform would expand the customs security fencing and include a rain canopy, enhanced lighting, and better access for wheelchairs and passenger movement. Until such improvements are made, the station cannot accommodate any additional daily service between Vancouver and Seattle,” Matkin told Daily Hive Urbanized. The December 2024 report also noted that these platform upgrades require a Canadian funding source, as there are “US federal funding constraints for railroad-related capital projects in British Columbia.” In addition to funding the new Amtrak trains, the US federal government is also covering the US$300 million cost of upgrading Amtrak’s King Street Yard in Seattle to better handle the new fleet’s operations, maintenance, and storage requirements, including a new two-bay maintenance and inspection facility and a new service and cleaning bay. Construction began in December 2024 for a targeted completion and opening by late 2026. This Seattle train yard also handles the passenger trains of the Amtrak Coast Starlight (Seattle-Los Angeles service) and the Amtrak Empire Building (Seattle-Chicago) services, as well as Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter trains operating in the Seattle region. In addition to Amtrak Cascades, the trains of all three of these services are maintained by Amtrak crews. RAILWAY CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED ON THE BC SIDE In recent years, WSDOT, the US federal government, and BNSF Railway have set aside over US$18 million toward making railway corridor improvements within Washington state to reduce the risk of landslides onto the railway used by Amtrak Cascades trains, freight trains, and local commuter trains. This includes constructing walls to stop debris from reaching the tracks, enhancing slope stability, making drainage improvements, and adding slide warning fences. According to WSDOT, no landslides have reached the tracks or disrupted service in the locations where work was completed. The last landslide that disrupted Amtrak Cascades services occurred on December 18, 2024 on the Canadian side of the route. A landslide covered the railway in South Surrey between White Rock and Crescent Beach. As a result, Amtrak Cascades and freight train services were suspended until December 20, 2024. Whenever a landslide reaches the tracks, BNSF Railway puts in place a 48-hour moratorium for passenger trains. Later in 2025, construction will begin on a US$100 million upgrade of the 1914-built Salmon Bay Bridge located just north of Seattle. This vertical-lift bridge crossing is used by both Amtrak Cascades and freight trains, with funding for the project provided by both the BNSF Railway and the US federal government. Additionally, about US$13 million, covered by WSDOT and the BNSF Railway, is being spent to replace several railroad switches and add switch heaters for the railway segment north and south of Seattle. The new switches will be easier and faster to maintain, reducing delays to passengers and freight trains, with the heaters eliminating the need to manually clear snow and ice off the switches. These improvements are expected to reach completion in 2028. Matkin told Daily Hive Urbanized that WSDOT is working with Amtrak and the various railway companies to identify the causes of delays and determine ways that they can be decreased or eliminated, including identifying chokepoints along the corridor where infrastructure improvements would improve the movement of trains, such as new double tracks or sidings. But she also notes that capital improvements on the railway within BC towards Pacific Central Station would also help. Currently, it takes over an hour to travel between Pacific Central Station and the Canada-US border, with the tracks on the north side of the border having a slow average speed of just 48 km/hr. The December 2024 report noted that discussions will begin in early 2025 between Amtrak, WSDOT, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, VIA Rail, BNSF Railway, Transport Canada, Canadian National Railway, and BC Business Council on exploring short-term and long-term railway upgrades within BC to improve Amtrak Cascades’ performance and potentially allow for future additional daily service serving Vancouver. This includes the Pacific Central Station platform upgrades, and other potential upgrades along the railway in Canada. Canadian National Railway has long-term plans to double-track the existing four-km-long single-track railway segment in East Vancouver from Powell Street (near the port’s Centerm container terminal) then through the Grandview Cut to Nanaimo Street. This would increase the capacity and reliability of freight trains, which would also benefit Amtrak Cascades’ final approach into Pacific Central Station in the False Creek Flats. In December 2024, construction began on a C$200 million project to build a new Holdom Avenue road overpass above the Burrard Inlet Line railway in Burnaby’s Brentwood area, replacing the existing at-grade road crossing to improve capacity, reliability, safety, and speeds. It will reach completion in 2027, and it is jointly funded by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Canadian National Railway, and the Canadian federal government. Other grade separation projects are also being considered along the corridor. In 2021, the Canadian federal government conducted a study exploring a long-term upgrade or replacement of the 1904-built New Westminster Bridge between New Westminster and Surrey. Owned by the federal government, this single-track, vertical-life bridge across the Fraser River is a growing congestion point for trains operated by Canadian National Railway, Southern Railway of British Columbia, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, BNSF Railway, VIA Rail, and Amtrak Cascades. The on-time performance of Amtrak Cascades is very low. For the period between January and October 2024, only 48% of all trains arrived at their final destination within 10 minutes of their scheduled time — well below the target of 88%. This was mainly due to delays from freight train and passenger train interference, and new speed restrictions imposed by Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, and Canadian National Railway. Over the long term, the Amtrak Cascades service could be replaced by a new high-speed rail service linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland. In December 2024, the US federal government provided WSDOT with US$50 million toward advancing planning work on this potential high-speed rail project. Previous preliminary studies for overhauling the Amtrak Cascades route into high-speed rail estimated ridership could reach 2.1 million per year upon opening. Using conventional train technology and much slower speeds, the existing Amtrak Cascades service is already approaching half of that ridership. You might also like: - This is the design of Amtrak Cascades' brand new trains linking Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland (RENDERINGS) - Construction to begin on new $200 million Holdom Avenue road overpass above railway in Brentwood in Burnaby - CN Railway to build new 4-km-long freight railway through East Vancouver - From Brentwood to Burrard Inlet: All about the 3.2-km-long railway tunnel deep under Burnaby and its fake house - Washington State proposes $150 million for Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail planning https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amtrak-cascades-vancouver-seattle-portland-ridership Tue, 28 Jan 2025 03:31:05 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/dine-out-vancouver-festival-2025 Katy Brennan Canada’s favourite food and drink festival is back for another year! From Wednesday, January 22, to Sunday, February 9, Dine Out Vancouver is set to spotlight the city’s world-renowned food scene with a whole host of unique culinary experiences. As always, foodies can enjoy fixed-price three-course menus for under $65 at participating restaurants across the city. Curated by the city’s top chefs, these menus offer an incredible and affordable way to experience some of Vancouver’s higher-end restaurants — from MICHELIN Guide restaurants to some of the hottest new spots. More than 350 restaurants will participate in Dine Out this year, so you’ll be spoiled for choice! WHAT’S ON THE MENU THIS YEAR Also returning this year is the Vancouver World Chef Exchange dinner series, which sees international chefs from global culinary hubs collaborate with local chefs to work their magic and prepare truly one-of-a-kind dinners. Other awesome features include fun foraging excursions, cooking classes, and pop-up dinners in unexpected places — like a three-course dining experience at Vancouver Aquarium. You can also look forward to neighbourhood culinary tours, such as A Wok Around Chinatown, where you’ll savour BBQ meats and pastries while exploring the historic streets; a Granville Island Uncorked Tour, which highlights BC’s freshest ingredients; and The Legend of Gastown Gold, a thrilling adventure where you’ll solve puzzles, gather clues, and indulge in delicious bites along the way. SWEET TRAVEL DEALS Whether you’re visiting Vancouver for Dine Out or you’re a local looking to turn your experience into a delicious staycation, there are some sweet deals to make your experience even better. Book a stay at a Vancouver hotel during the festival and you can snag a Special Hotel Offer: a Prepaid Mastercard with a balance of up to $250 for two nights, or a Prepaid Mastercard with a balance of $75 for one night. Flying in? Air Canada has you covered with 15% off flights to Vancouver — just use code ‘RFH2X6U1‘ at checkout. (Travel must fall between January 21 and February 10. Conditions apply.) ---------------------------------------- Dine Out Vancouver’s full list of participating restaurants will be released on January 15, so keep your eyes peeled. For more information or to see the latest updates, click here. DINE OUT VANCOUVER 2025 When: Wednesday, January 22, to Sunday, February 9 Where: Participating restaurants and various locations across the city Price: Fixed menus range from $20 to $65 per person https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/dine-out-vancouver-festival-2025 Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:26:43 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/destination-vancouver-travel-things-to-do Kendall Bistretzan Are you considering Vancouver for your fall or winter getaway? The answer here should be “Yes!” and if it isn’t, allow us to follow up with: “Why the heck not?!” Known for its world-class cuisine, proximity to nature, cultural attractions and seasonal festivals, Vancouver has no shortage of things to do to make the most out of your vacation. In fact, we could give you 100 things to do right now with the help of TheVan100. But that might be a little bit much, so we’ll start with ten. VANDUSEN FESTIVITIES Fancy a stroll, anyone? The VanDusen Gardens boast gorgeous colours in the fall and stunning silhouettes in the winter, along with seasonal festivities, including the VanDusen Festival of Lights in December. FLY OVER CANADA Well, not literally. But it’ll sure feel like it on FlyOver‘s immersive flying journey, which connects riders with the spectacular sights and sounds of Canada. With the wraparound screen, flight motion seats and 4D effects, you really will feel as though you’re in the clouds! STRAP ON SOME SKIS Or a snowboard. Or snowshoes. Whatever floats your boat. Cypress Mountain promises winter adventures for seasoned skiers and novices alike. With 600 skiable acres, six lifts and 53 runs, you can go all day without ever hitting the same run twice! CONQUER GROUSE MOUNTAIN Breathe in that fresh mountain air and get ready for adventure, because Grouse Mountain is ripe with activities for all ages and skill levels. Get your heart pumping with activities like snowshoeing, pond skating, and of course, skiing and snowboarding. And if you prefer the laid-back mountain experience, you can still enjoy the scenery with a ride on the Peak Chairlift or Skyride, or a stroll through the Light Walk. DINE WITH THE STARS Remember that world-class cuisine we mentioned earlier? We meant it — Vancouver is home to several MICHELIN-starred restaurants. AnnaLena, Burdock & Co, Published on Main and Barbara feature contemporary dishes, Masayoshi and Okeya Kyujiro specialize in Japanese cuisine, St. Lawrence is French, Kissa Tanto is fusion, and iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House serves Chinese dishes. Yes, Chef! TAKE A SPOOKY STROLL Vancouver is no stranger to dark secrets and sordid pasts. Uncover these mysteries on the Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours… if you dare. Whether you’re communing with the lost souls of Gastown, taking in the hidden history of Stanley Park, or strolling through the prohibition era, you’re sure to learn something new and end up with a few stories to share of your own. LOOP THE SEAWALL This 10-km trail is Vancouver’s most popular fresh-air attraction for a reason. Start the Seawall destination walk at the east side of Stanley Park Drive by Coal Harbour and take the circular path through a full range of scenic vistas, landmarks, monuments, and sculptures. Just because it’s too cold to swim doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to enjoy the sea! WATCH A SHOW LIKE A LOCAL There are plenty of live performances planned for the fall/winter season at The Vancouver Civic Theatres. Live music, comedy, lectures, opera, musicals, ballet, drag, and more — all at a series of gorgeous venues throughout the city. You’ll feel like royalty! CRAFTY CRAWLING East Vancouver — perhaps better known as Yeast Vancouver — is one of the favourite brewing districts in town, and with such a flourishing craft beer industry, that’s saying a lot! Book a Vancouver Brewery Tour, or take things into your own hands with a self-guided pub crawl. Just make sure to plan a safe ride home. WANDER A GALLERY Enjoy a slice of Vancouver’s history and culture at one of its many museums. We especially love the Bill Reid Gallery, which showcases contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art, and the Chinese Canadian Museum, which honours the history, contributions, and heritage of Chinese Canadians. And of course, you can never go wrong with the Vancouver Art Gallery. And this all only scratches the surface of what Vancouver has to offer. Start planning your perfect vacation today with 100 ideas from Destination Vancouver and get ready for a getaway you’ll remember forever. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/destination-vancouver-travel-things-to-do Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:43:03 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/move-to-canada-best-places-live National Trending Staff The results of the US federal election have caused many Americans to wonder if they should move to Canada. If living in Donald Trump’s America (again) sounds daunting, you may want to consider relocating to your northern neighbour. Aside from checking official immigration-based methods to migrate to Canada, you might find the following information useful. A report published in the summer put together the best places to live in Canada based on liveability factors. Re/Max partnered with Montreal-based data analytics firm Local Logic1 to determine the top neighbourhoods in major, growing real estate markets. “Liveability refers to the qualities that give each homeowner the true satisfaction of living in their neighbourhood, such as access to affordable homes, green space, restaurants, entertainment or other amenities,” Re/Max explained in the report published on Wednesday. “Liveability is largely related to lifestyle preferences and is entirely subjective.” The study considered all the factors Canadians deemed necessary in a liveable place, per a Leger survey. These include affordability, proximity to work, easily walkable, access to green spaces and parks, proximity to health or medical services, low-density neighbourhoods, proximity to public transit, easily driveable, proximity to preferred childcare/schools, access to bike lanes/walking paths, a neighbourhood with diverse cultures and ethnicities, and high-density neighbourhoods. Affordability was the top factor, with 44% of survey participants prioritizing it, followed by neighbourhood safety and walkability. “Cities in Prairie provinces, such as Alberta and Manitoba, overwhelmingly top the list, with some of the most liveable neighbourhoods in Canada,” real estate experts said. “Not surprisingly, the relative affordability of these regions is boosting their liveability ranking, combined with access to amenities.” Without further ado, these are the best places to live in Canada in no particular order. DOWNTOWN WEST END, CALGARY, ALBERTA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Jason T. Tiongco, LPT (@tiongcojason) Calgary’s downtown west end has seen more foot traffic in recent years. The ease of getting to the city’s core makes it an ideal spot. Getting there via bike, car, or transit doesn’t take long. DANIEL MCINTYRE, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by West End BIZ (@westendbiz) Re/Max describes this western downtown Winnipeg neighbourhood as “relaxed and family-friendly,” with lots of single-family homes. The area is quite walkable, and access to schools and parks is easy, making it a dreamy location for parents with young kids. “Public transit is available via a number of nearby bus routes, and those who prefer driving enjoy easy highway access,” the report reads. OLIVER/WÎHKWÊNTÔWIN, EDMONTON, ALBERTA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Jeff Szucsik (@jefrosonic) The name of this old Edmonton neighbourhood will soon change from Oliver to Wîhkwêntôwin, meaning “circle of friends.” It’s one of the more populated areas in the city, which likely contributes to its vibrant and welcoming vibe. There are tons of condo options for those who don’t want to live in a house. HERITAGE, REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Heritage Community Association (@heritage_comm) Heritage does justice to its name, with lots of history to take in. It’s located east of Downtown Regina. “Historic homes still line the streets, lending a distinct character,” experts at Re/Max said. “While the neighbourhood started to decline post-war, it is brimming with potential.” SANDY HILL, OTTAWA, ONTARIO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by SerCo Realty Group (@sercorealtygroup) Close to the University of Ottawa, the Sandy Hill area is trendy and great for anyone who loves to go out. You can shop at Rideau Centre and take walks, and the public transit is “well-serviced,” according to Re/Max. The neighbourhood is just minutes from Parliament Hill, too. QUINPOOL AREA, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Quinpool Road (@quinpool_road) This neighbourhood has some significant landmarks, including the Atlantica Hotel and the Oxford Theatre. Re/Max said the area also has an eclectic mix of restaurants and more than 120 businesses. “While it’s primarily a commercial stretch, this neighbourhood connects the working-class North End and the wealthier South End of the city,” the report reads. WESTMOUNT, SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Krystle (@83kdub) In this inner-city neighbourhood close to the city core, you’ll see lots of single-family homes. “Many [of these homes were] built before 1960 that harken back to its early days as a homesteading community,” said experts at Re/Max. Now, decades after its homesteading prime, Westmount is an affordable, family-friendly area ideal for raising kids. There are more homeowners than renters. LE SUD-OUEST, MONTREAL, QUEBEC >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Arrondissement du Sud-Ouest (@lesudouest) Most of Montreal’s neighbourhoods have a historic European vibe, as does this one. Le Sud-Ouest is made up of many smaller communities with their own histories. “This trendy urban pocket comes with an affordable price tag and offers good walkability with easy access to everything downtown has to offer, alongside proximity to parks and recreational pursuits,” said Re/Max. “Historic architecture and industrial conversions pay homage to the neighbourhood’s past with a modern-day twist.” OLD TOWN, TORONTO, ONTARIO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by The Best of Toronto ❤️ (@tbotoronto) From the famous Berczy Park dog fountain to the trendy St. Lawrence market patios, Old Toronto is a paradise for city folks. If you move to Canada from a city like New York, expect a similar charm. The Old Town area has landmarks like the Flatiron Building, St. James Cathedral, and the Distillery District. It is very walkable and has access to many public transit lines. “Given its central downtown location, the majority of homes here come in condo and apartment form,” reads the report. CORKTOWN, HAMILTON, ONTARIO >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Michelle M Schoufour (@oldontariohouses) A community-focused neighbourhood, Corktown is one of Hamilton’s most vibrant. Access to schools and nature is easy, with lots of walking and biking trails and “a blend of older and newer homes.” If you’re so inclined, check out this post about places that offer the best affordability and quality of life on the True North, or read this article about parts of Canada where you can still buy a lovely home for under $1 million. For those who love living by the water, last year, Vancouver was named the third-most famous city for US residents to search, tied with Singapore and eclipsed only by Amsterdam and Dubai. So, would you move to Canada? Email us at trending@dailyhive.com to share your thoughts. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/move-to-canada-best-places-live Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:00:26 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/casey-jarzabek-lottery-winner National Trending Staff Casey Jarzabek of Ontario is still flying high after his recent lottery win, and although he needed to wait until September to properly celebrate, it was all worth it. The entrepreneur has been playing the lottery with OLG for the past decade. He recently received a follow-up email about claiming his prize. In a press release, he explained that initially, he was weary of the email’s authenticity. Jarzabek subscribes to OLG services and assumed that winnings would automatically be deposited into his account. It turns out that Jarzabek had missed his big win. “I logged into my account and was shocked to see that I had won more than $100,000 back in June!” he said. At the time he learned of his $103,636.30 prize, his wife was out of town. “I called her and apologized for waking her up in the middle of the night,” said Jarzabek. “When I shared the good news, she was so happy and excited for us.” The lotto winner picked up his winnings on the day of his 10th wedding anniversary. “Before coming here, my wife told me the best present she could receive this year would be a cheque for $100,000,” said Jarzabek while collecting his winnings. He added that “winning has been an awesome experience,” and he hopes to hit the jackpot again. All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, you can find resources here. https://dailyhive.com/calgary/casey-jarzabek-lottery-winner Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:00:27 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/luke-willson-nfl-tsn Adam Laskaris Three years since ending his NFL career, Luke Willson isn’t that far removed from the game. If you turn on your television set to TSN on the night of a big NFL game, you’ll likely see the Canadian former tight end breaking it down alongside longtime anchor Jay Onrait. And though it took a while for him to become a TSN regular, Willson said that the first phone call from the network asking for his services actually came during his NFL career. Having done the odd hit with TSN during Super Bowl week, a producer reached out to Willson following his release from the Oakland Raiders back in 2019. “I was like, ‘I really appreciate it, but I’m not done yet!'” Willson said in an interview with Daily Hive. Willson had just 16 games left in his NFL career from that initial phone call, however, and eventually found himself back on TV. Starting off with a few remote hits with Onrait, Willson said the working relationship grew “pretty organically” over the next few years. Having two older brothers who stayed in Canada to play football for the Western Mustangs, the 6-foot-5 Willson hit an early growth spurt that began to help him in the first stages of his football career at Windsor’s St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School. “I haven’t grown much since ninth grade,” Willson said. “Don’t quote me, but I think I was the tallest kid in school in Grade 9.” Getting scouted at a camp by the Houston-based Rice University, Willson recalled the moment he was first offered an NCAA scholarship. “I was 18, a pretty fresh 18 at the time… I remember looking at my parents, taking the phone off my ear… it’s a pretty shocking moment,” he recalled. After a four-year career at Rice, Willson was picked in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Spending the majority of his career with the Seahawks, he got to experience the pinnacle of the NFL in his first season in the league, defeating the Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. But as much as the Seahawks are remembered for being one of the era’s most dominant teams, the team’s 28-24 loss the following year to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX and the aftermath of that devastation remains one of the biggest “what-ifs” in NFL history. Moments after losing the game, the Seahawks had a private party planned with a performance by Snoop Dogg and Drake. Being Canadian, Willson said he’s long supported Drake but left the party early due to the emotions of the game. “My favourite artist is ripping an after-party and I’m sitting in the hotel room doing nothing,” he said. “My sister and my whole family were there… there were maybe 200, 250 people in this room. As much as I love Drake… you were so sad in that moment. It was such a brutal loss. I couldn’t just sit there and pretend to be happy.” While it wasn’t the final play of the game, a last-minute interception on the goal line of Seattle QB Russell Wilson from New England’s Malcolm Butler essentially sealed the Seahawks fate. With Seattle having the ball on the one-yard line, the consensus expectation was that they’d hand the ball off to star running back Marshawn Lynch. But with the Seahawks calling a surprise passing play, Willson, who was on the opposite side of the field from the interception, said he never thought about suggesting an alternate play call. “It’s not a democracy,” Willson said about the politics of an NFL huddle. “I might’ve been the last person in the stadium [to realize what happened]… I hear everybody screaming, and voices I didn’t actually recognize… I’m just like, ‘what happened? That can’t be good’… I thought we’d run the ball, but you can kind of argue that if you’re blue in the face.” > A big ups to @LWillson_82, @NFLCanada and @mmschocolate for this opportunity. > > Starting off talking with former Seahawks TE and current TSN broadcaster Luke Willson about his views on *that* play on the one-yard line at the end of Super Bowl XLIX. pic.twitter.com/7uHrFfufCd > > — Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) September 27, 2024 With less than 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Willson recalled the moment he realized that his dreams of a second Super Bowl win were shattered. “You’re looking up [at the clock] you’re like, ‘the math isn’t mathing’… we just lost a Super Bowl.” While Lynch wasn’t able to play Super Bowl hero on that day, Willson recalled a funny moment during a fourth-quarter touchdown during a playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. > Marshawn Lynch was known for his love of Skittles, but Luke Willson says he’s much more of an M&M guy. A funny story about getting pelted with Skittles during one of Lynch’s iconic playoff moments: pic.twitter.com/eXdYrOZot0 > > — Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) September 27, 2024 After being spotted by television cameras during a game eating Skittles, Lynch became synonymous with the candy brand, later appearing in commercials for the company. Willson himself has recently signed a brand deal with M&Ms, helping promote the “Huddle with your Home Team” campaign. “I was one of the first guys down there for the celebration and there’s Skittles coming at you at 100 miles per hour,” Willson said of Lynch’s late-game touchdown. “I remember taking a whole thing of Skittles off the side of my helmet and being like, ‘What if one of those things hits me in the eye right now?’… I wasn’t into the Skittles as much as I’d be into M&Ms.” As for his relationship with Lynch these days, Willson admits they aren’t the closest friends, but he still hears from the former NFL star from time to time. “He was such a phenomenal teammate… he just always had your back. He was always going to be his authentic self,” Willson recounted. “I randomly run into Marshawn like, once a year. I wouldn’t necessarily say that we’re wildly close, but I’ll just get a phone call from him and usually he’s talking sh*t to me, but in a fun way, or he’s got a question about Canada.” But with his playing days well behind him, Willson is hoping that his story resonates with those watching him on TSN. “[I hope when you see me on TV], you learn [my story], pretty stereotypical Canadian… Hopefully that gives them a little motivation or inspiration to chase their dreams,” Willson said. “I do feel a bit of responsibility to help grow the game here in the country.” You might also like: - “Canada?!” Peyton Manning goes off on CFL-inspired NFL play https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/luke-willson-nfl-tsn Wed, 09 Oct 2024 20:22:29 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/tourist-canadian-travel-international-rankings Claire Fenton If you are thinking of travelling alone this year, a new ranking might help you narrow down your list to places where you won’t feel horrifically lonely. According to the travel website Kayak, Berlin, Germany, is the best place to travel internationally alone. But sitting pretty in second place is Canada’s own West Coast darling: Vancouver. According to Kayak, Berlin is perfect for a single trip because of its techno clubs, art scene, and history. In this eclectic and culturally diverse city, you can also enjoy the famous currywurst, döner kebab, and schnitzel. Now, back to us. While the ranking is part of their international list, for Canadians, this trip might not be all that far. Vancouver, British Columbia, received a 90% solo score thanks to its craft beer scene, nature, and adventure. According to Kayak, its average hotel prices didn’t deter people from rating this spot so highly, but at $347 per night, it’s nearly double what it would cost to stay solo in Berlin. However, food prices in the two cities are fairly similar, with both about $34 per average meal. We know a lot of cheap eats in the city where you could dine out for less. There are many things you can do alone in the city, so much so that we’ve rounded up seven of our solo adventures in Vancouver that are perfect for dating yourself. Other spots that made the rankings? Montréal, Paris, Milan, Dublin, Toronto, Dubai, and Mexico City. Where do you want to travel this year? Let us know in the comments below! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/tourist-canadian-travel-international-rankings Sat, 07 Sep 2024 19:00:53 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/income-tax-worker-quebec-lottery-winner National Trending Staff Two lucky lottery winners now have $50 million reasons to celebrate. We are finally learning the names of Canada’s newest millionaires and what the couple plans to do with their jaw-dropping winnings in the Lotto 6/49 draw. We already knew that someone from Quebec had the winning numbers 76249451-01 and was blessed after the August 28 draw, in which the Gold Ball was finally drawn after nine tries. But one of the winners is already an expert on finances, as he works at Revenu Quebec, the provincial government tax agency. Mohamed Karim Mamlouk called his wife at work the day after the draw to tell her he had just checked his ticket, but Insaf Bach Werdiane was busy at her job and didn’t respond for ages. When he finally got through to her, she had trouble believing what she heard. “We just won $50 million!” Mamlouk told her. According to Loto-Québec, Mamlouk kept working that day and was even “entrusted with new responsibilities at work and had an excellent day.” He’s not planning on quitting his job and says he plans to “keep a similar lifestyle.” Plus, Loto-Québec confirmed that lottery wins are not taxable! The two weren’t the only big winners. Three players — one from Campbell River, BC, and two from Ontario — split the second prize, getting $101,904.60 each after matching five out of the six winning numbers, including the bonus. All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, you can find resources here. You might also like: - Mid-week wins: Canadian lottery player just woke up $50 million richer - BoC likely to cut interest rate tomorrow, drop it to 3.75% by year-end: expert - Ways Canadian students will get MORE money from the government this year https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/income-tax-worker-quebec-lottery-winner Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:07:05 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vancouver-better-seattle Amir Ali It’s a question that occasionally arises: Is Vancouver a better city than Seattle? This time, the question was asked in the Seattle subreddit, and the conversation covered topics like housing, the cost of food, and how cool people are (or aren’t). The original poster said, “I’ve lived in Seattle for more than 20 years, and I just went to Vancouver for the first time in a long time, and I’m shocked because it seems like it might be a better city than Seattle!” They concluded their post by asking, “Should we all move to Canada?” You might also like: - Diet Crush, grape nuts: Reasons why Surrey residents travel to Seattle - Some Bellingham residents see Vancouver as a cure for what it lacks - Bellingham resident plots revenge on Vancouver border hoarders The cost of living was a major point that came up. One Redditor said, “Vancouver is significantly more, not less, expensive.” They added that they thought food was better in Vancouver and that the city was prettier in some ways, including its proximity to the mountains. They also said Vancouver is “far, far more boring than Seattle.” > Comment > byu/radiowavesss from discussion > inSeattle One complaint about Vancouver is that it is very crowded, much like Seattle, according to residents of the Washington city. Others said Vancouver is better for urban planning, but not everyone agreed. > Comment > byu/radiowavesss from discussion > inSeattle Then, there was the conversation about the cost of living. There seemed to be unanimous agreement that Vancouver was the more expensive city. > Comment > byu/radiowavesss from discussion > inSeattle There also seemed to be little disagreement about the fact that Vancouver has better transit and is a more diverse city overall. A Vancouver resident chimed in, disagreeing that Vancouver was superior. “As a Vancouver person. Absolutely not. It’s less friendly, more uptight, has less to do, and more expensive. Nopeeee,” they said. Someone else said Seattle was better because “left turns in Vancouver suck!!” Others engaged in a sports debate, saying they love Van but “boo to the Canucks!!” You might be sick of being asked this question, but how would you compare the two cities? If you’re a Vancouver resident, could you unbiasedly say this city is better? https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-better-seattle Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:36:11 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vessi-courtside-classic-waterproof-canada Sabrina Gamrot Sneaker shopping can be a seriously challenging task. We all want to make sure our kicks are stylish and make a statement — but we don’t want to compromise on comfort or suffer from wet socks and crushed sneaker dreams when the rain starts pouring. Well then, it’s good news that everyone’s favourite waterproof shoemaker Vessi has launched a brand-new product that ticks off all those boxes and more. The Vessi Courtside Classic is your new go-to shoe that fuses next-level features into a vintage-inspired design. Sounding too good to be true? Here are just a few reasons why the Courtside Classic is everything an everyday shoe should be — and why you’ll want to upgrade your old sneakers ASAP. WATERPROOF DESIGN No matter where you take your Courtside Classic shoes, rest assured your toes will stay nice and dry. Rain, puddles, or an accidental spill of your water bottle are no match for Vessi’s breathable knit Dyma-tex and 100% waterproof technology. And because the Courtside Classic features a rubber midsole and outsole for excellent traction, you won’t have to worry about slipping either. EASY MAINTENANCE AND CARE Luckily, the Courtside Classic’s clean and minimalist design is easy to care for. Vegan leather highlights protect your Vessis from dust and are super easy to clean — simply wipe the dirt away and keep it moving. Non-marking soles mean you won’t be leaving any mess behind either. INSPIRED BY THE ’90S It’s not just durable design features to talk about here. Vessi specifically crafted the Courtside Classic as a fresh take on ’90s sneakers, meshing vintage-inspired styles for a sleek and effortless look. Pops of subtle accent colours (in Black, Tidal, or Mahogany) add a bit of splash to your shoes while the classic off-white upper goes with every outfit in your closet. It’s a classic for a reason! ALL-DAY COMFORT Need a shoe that goes the distance with you all day? You’ll be able to stay on your feet with Courtside’s ultra-comfy features. The padded collar and tongue provide an extra layer of cushion, and the tongue is also gusseted, which allows for flexibility and a better-fitting shoe. FIND YOUR COURTSIDE CLASSIC Designed in Canada, Vessi’s waterproof shoes are perfect for whatever life throws at you. With expert design at the forefront, you can always count on a comfortable and dry experience. With the launch of the Courtside Classic, Vessi is once again proving that high-tech shoes can be cute and stylish, adding a pop of personality to your wardrobe. And with fall just around the corner, it couldn’t be a better time to upgrade your shoe game. Visit the Vessi site to learn more about their shoes and shop the Courtside Classic in-store or online for all adventures — big or small. https://dailyhive.com/seattle/vessi-courtside-classic-waterproof-canada Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:27:34 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/canada-tallest-waterfall-british-columbia-hiking Ryan Hook Canada boasts some beautiful sights, but when it comes to awe-inspiring and picturesque natural wonders, this one is proudly the largest, and it’s a nature photographer’s dream. Nestled within British Columbia’s Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, Della Falls is the tallest waterfall in Canada and the 16th tallest in the world. It boasts an impressive vertical drop of 440 meters, twice the height of the Calgary Tower and only about 100 metres shorter than Toronto’s iconically tall CN Tower. But reaching it is no small feat. The journey requires a multi-day hike and canoe trip — the only way to access Della Falls is across Great Central Lake, which, at 294 m deep, is the second-deepest lake on Vancouver Island and is surrounded by mountainous terrain and rocks that date back to the Mesozoic area. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Molly (@hyperintelligentmolly) WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO THIS BC SPOT? The Della Falls Trail is best hiked between June and October, as it is usually snow-covered from late October or November until at least June and sometimes into July. The trail passes through rainforest, valley, and subalpine terrain, making it suitable for intermediate backpackers. Wilderness camping is permitted at designated back-country sites, and the hike typically takes three days, depending on fitness levels and route planning. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Rumon Carter (@_rumon) While Della Falls is the main attraction, the trail also features other beautiful waterfalls and, if time allows, a day trip to the stunning Love Lake is perfect for a refreshing swim and views of Mount Septimus and Mount Rosseau. If you’re looking for a perfect place to camp, the nearby Margaret Creek offers a scenic camping or lunch spot with clear, green waters and views from the BC Parks bridge or nearby bluffs. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Reza Var-zi-deh-kar (@reza.vee) THE HISTORY OF THIS NATURAL CANADIAN WONDER According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Della Falls was discovered in 1899 by Joe Drinkwater, a prospector and trapper who mined gold in the area. He named the falls after his wife, Della, and even constructed an aerial tramway to transport ore and supplies along the steep cliffs. Remnants of this tramway, along with other mining debris, can still be found today. Drinkwater Creek, named after Drinkwater, is a constant presence on the Della Falls Trail, with hikers crossing it multiple times and hearing its flow at night. The hiking trail begins at the western end of Great Central Lake and follows Drinkwater Creek to the base of the biggest waterfall in Canada. Which spot placed second? Nestled near the Alberta border, the massive Takakkaw Falls is also within BC, and it comes highly recommended. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Ava Oliver (@avaandoliver0212) “Nothing captures the awe and wonder of Yoho National Park like the tremendous thunder of Takakkaw Falls. Plunging from above at a height of 380m (1246 ft ) with a 254m ( 833 ft ) freefall, Canada’s second highest waterfall leaves every visitor humbled,” the national park’s website reads in part. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Andrea Ference ↟ vagabondhearts (@andrea.ference) Humbled is right! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-tallest-waterfall-british-columbia-hiking Sun, 18 Aug 2024 17:00:51 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/pike-place-market-anniversary-onion-festival Daniel Chai Many shoppers can relate to inflation woes, and over 100 years ago, the City of Seattle decided to address it, culminating in the opening of the Pike Place Market. The iconic public market is known for many things, including local goods, historic shops, and fresh flowers. But did you know that the Market’s origins can be traced back to the humble onion? >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Pike Place Market (@pikeplacepublicmarket) You might also like: - Get away from Vancouver to this pristinely beautiful spot just a short ferry ride away - 8 free and inexpensive things to do on a Bellingham day trip - Washingtonians share pet peeves about visiting Canadians “In the summer of 1907, Seattle saw produce prices soar, with onions skyrocketing from 10 cents to a dollar per pound,” explained Pike Place Market in a release. “City Councilman Thomas Plummer Revelle discovered an 1896 ordinance allowing the city to designate land for public markets. On August 17, a damp and cloudy Saturday morning, Pike Place Market opened its doors to eager shoppers looking for fresh produce at fair prices. “A handful of farmers sold all their goods within minutes, and by the end of the first week, dozens of wagons lined Pike Place to meet the demand.” Visitors and locals love visiting the market for its 500+ small businesses, including artists, farmers, and plenty of delicious food vendors. This week, to celebrate its 117th birthday, the Produce on Pike event series is presenting the Onion Festival on Wednesday, August 14. There will be live performances by buskers Andrew Maples and Chloe Payne and live plein air painting by craftsperson Q Ma. Children can build and race vegetable cars in the Zucchini 500 races and join the Pikesters Club for more goodies. Shoppers can also receive a special anniversary gift bag by spending $25 or more at any participating Produce on Pike vendor between 3 and 7 pm. “Farmers have always been the backbone of Pike Place Market,” said the Market’s Preservation and Development Authority (PDA). “Their dedication and hard work have provided Seattle residents with the freshest local ingredients for over a century. Everything on their tables is grown locally in Washington, ensuring customers receive the highest quality produce. “These farmers remain an essential part of the market, maintaining the tradition of bringing farm-fresh goods directly to the community.” https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pike-place-market-anniversary-onion-festival Tue, 13 Aug 2024 22:55:01 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/sparkling-hill-resort-ultimate-wellness-destination Daniel Chai Summertime is in full swing, and it’s the perfect season to rejuvenate your well-being, both inside and out. The luxurious Sparkling Hill Resort and Spa in Vernon, BC, is here to help. It’s the ultimate wellness destination for those who need to get away from it all, relax, and unwind. If self-care is on your summer checklist, then this award-winning resort needs to be on your travel calendar. >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa (@sparklinghill) Sparkling Hill Resort is perfectly positioned on top of Mount Royce and overlooks beautiful Lake Okanagan. Of course, the stunning vistas are not the only reason why guests keep coming back to the adults-only four-diamond resort. From soaker tubs in every guest room to outdoor infinity pools and the 40,000 sq ft KurSpa with seven steam and sauna rooms, an Igloo for cooling off, experience showers, and more, one can expect to bask in a serene state of luxury. Book a penthouse, mountain, or lake view room and soak up the bliss before choosing from one of over 100 spa treatments. There is a wide selection of signature options for revitalization, and the resort also specializes in wellness retreats, which are customized to help guests reach their unique self-care goals. Pet-friendly rooms are also available. There are 25 km of trails surrounding the resort, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to experience the Okanagan’s natural beauty on walks and hikes in the area. Golfing, biking, and wine tours are all nearby, and you can even drive to the downtown Vernon core in just 15 minutes from the resort. And when you’re ready to indulge your appetite, visit the three mouthwatering dining experiences on-site. Treat yourself to gourmet dining in PeakFine Restaurant, traditional Austrian fare in Gerni’s Farmhouse, or casual snacks in the coffee and wine bar, Barrique & Java. Terrace dining for lunch is also available during the summer. Sparkling Hill is ready to welcome you whether you’re on a solo trip, a girls’ vacation or a couples retreat with its West Coast Resident Getaway. Guests can enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail for use in any of our dining outlets during their stay up to August 31. The West Coast Resident Getaway offer is valid on two-night stays or longer and is open to residents of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Washington State. Treat yourself to a well-deserved break in some of BC’s most tranquil surroundings this summer. Visit SparklingHill.com to book your getaway today. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/sparkling-hill-resort-ultimate-wellness-destination Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:54:16 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/canadians-visiting-washington Amir Ali Some Washington residents recently discussed their peeves with Canada and Canadians who visit their state. In a Reddit thread, a Washington resident asked what people’s general complaints were about people from BC, Vancouver, and the entire country. What originally was supposed to be a collection of complaints also partly became an American and Washingtonian love fest with Canada. You might also like: - Canadians are heading across the border to WinCo for cheap groceries - "Check the plate!" Washington resident scolds BC border travellers - "Act less entitled": Bellingham residents upset about visiting Canadians Several American cities along the West Coast are popular tourist destinations, including Seattle, Bellingham, and Portland, Oregon. Washington is also home to several national parks, like Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park. Washington has been a popular shopping destination for Canadians and British Columbians looking for cheaper options, even if the currency exchange negates some of the potential savings. This was a point of contention for some Washingtonians. > Comment > byu/kboy7211 from discussion > inWashington Many of the responses about what people dislike about Canada were Vancouver-focused. “We were named first,” said one Reddit user, reflecting on how they always have to clarify that they’re from Vancouver, Washington, rather than Vancouver, BC. Some echoed the sentiments with their suggestions on how to solve the naming issue. > Comment > byu/kboy7211 from discussion > inWashington Driving habits were another major point of contention. > Comment > byu/kboy7211 from discussion > inWashington LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR Despite the annoyance of some Washington residents, many of the responses reflected positively on Canada and Canadians. > Comment > byu/kboy7211 from discussion > inWashington The Washington economy also benefits from visiting Canadians. Seattle is a great example of this. We heard from Micahel Woody, Visit Seattle’s chief communications officer. Woody says that roughly 1.7 million visitors travelled from Canada to Seattle in 2023. Those travellers contributed around $563 million in US dollars to the Seattle economy. “Seattle is uniquely positioned to offer western Canadians a diverse variety of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions within a three-hour drive,” he said. One user suggested that the two regions are best friends. > Comment > byu/kboy7211 from discussion > inWashington CANADIANS RESPOND Last week, we published a story about a Washington resident scolding drivers from BC who visit the state. In response to that story, many Canadians shared their feelings about Washingtonians. “You guys in [Washington] are lucky you have Canadians close by to boost your economy and create jobs for y’all,” one commenter said. Someone else said that Washingtonians create just as much traffic havoc in Canada as Canadians do in the States. “It’s no different than all the Washington-plated Subaru’s crawling through Granville Island all summer, creating the worst congestion ever.” Another commenter said, “I notice Washington drivers in Vancouver that don’t drive well either. It could have something to do with being unfamiliar with the city. Most places you go if you are stuck behind a tourist this is pretty common. No need to cause commotion.” Ultimately, it sounds like Canadians and Washingtonians have a lot in common. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canadians-visiting-washington Mon, 01 Jul 2024 22:36:31 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/bc-border-travellers-washington-resident Amir Ali Another long weekend is upon us, a popular time for BC residents to road trip to the states across the border. However, one Washington resident has some words of caution. In a Reddit thread earlier this week, Redditor Jessintheend, who hails from Washington, had some driving advice for BC travellers. “Whenever you guys visit Washington, I am literally begging you to drive at least somewhat coherently. Here are some pointers.” We’ve done several stories about how Americans feel about Canadians and BC residents travelling across the border. While sentiments are generally friendly, some Americans are also peeved about the perceived entitlement of travelling BC residents. You might also like: - "They suck at driving": Bellingham folks respond to Vancouver visitors - "Stay out": Some Bellingham residents are upset about Vancouver, again - Canadians are heading across the border to WinCo for cheap groceries “I am posting this with the best intentions possible,” the Washington resident said. Most of the pointers in the Reddit post focused on BC drivers not following road rules. “Don’t go 45 mph on the highway,” they said. They added that BC drivers should not stop at every section of a roundabout but should use a turn signal and a mirror. They also said that one-way road signs are not optional. “I say this out of the kindness of my heart because we in Washington have a joke near the border here we say ‘check the plate!’ whenever there’s a car accident.” “YOU’RE GOOD PEOPLE” >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Bellingham Experience (@bellinghamexperience) We had some questions for the Washington resident, who doesn’t think it’s all bad. “I riff on Canadians, but you’re good people,” the Redditor told Daily Hive. They said that for every one person who might be driving erratically, “there are five other Canadian plates they don’t notice because they drive fine.” We also asked if they agree with the perceived sense of entitlement some Washington residents are getting from Canadian travellers. “There’s definitely a sense of entitlement sometimes. BC visitors seemed to be offended when people told them that they could be a nuisance in terms of traffic and extra crowds. If there weren’t so many of them visiting, Bellingham would be a much more chill town overall.” Many of the Redditors in the BC subreddit agreed. “Vancouver drivers are especially bad, I’ll give you that,” one user said in response, adding a complaint of their own. “That being said, I have noticed Washington plates with especially bad driving to and from Whistler.” They concluded their thought by saying, “Vancouver drivers do totally suck though.” Another user also agreed but added there are “horrible drivers everywhere, and none of the things you’ve mentioned are unique to Vancouver drivers.” Others weren’t as receptive to the advice. “Nah, I’ll just go ahead and do what I want. Thanks though.” WASHINGTON REAPS THE BENEFITS OF BC BORDER TRAVELLERS There are some irrefutable benefits from Canadians travelling to the States. We heard from Micahel Woody, Visit Seattle’s chief communications officer. Woody says that roughly 1.7 million visitors travelled from Canada to Seattle in 2023. Those travellers contributed around $563 million in US dollars to the Seattle economy. “Seattle is uniquely positioned to offer western Canadians a diverse variety of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions within a three-hour drive,” he said. We also asked about BC residents travelling down south for specific items. “It’s no surprise to hear about these trips for things they can’t find elsewhere,” he added. We also contacted Tourism Bellingham for some numbers but have not yet heard back. Based on your experiences travelling across the BC border to Washington, how do you feel about the US resident’s thoughts? Chime in in the comments. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-border-travellers-washington-resident Fri, 28 Jun 2024 19:42:59 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/side-hustle-canada-highly-paid Irish Mae Silvestre With the rising cost of living, it’s no wonder many Canadians are looking for a side hustle to supplement their income. More workers are taking up side jobs due to rising rental rates, inflation, increasing grocery costs, and other economic factors. According to a 2023 report from H&R Block, 28% of Canadians have some sort of side hustle. This represents a 13% year-over-year increase from H&R Block’s 2022 report. Using data from the job search site Indeed, Preply, an online language-learning marketplace, analyzed the average hourly wages of side hustles across Canada. The study reveals the 10 highest-paid side hustles and the cities and provinces that offer the best hourly rates. “The average salary for side hustles across Canada sits at $24.90, and in a year (working 10 hours per week), this totals $12,948, which could have a huge financial impact on your life,” reads the study. And some jobs pay even better. If you’re good with cars, you should consider using that skill to earn extra income. In Canada, mechanics earn up to $35 per hour, followed by plumbers at $34 per hour and personal trainers at $29.10 per hour. Where you live also matters. In BC, freelance designers can earn up to $45 per hour; in Alberta, mechanics can earn an average of $40 per hour; and in Saskatchewan, a waste collector can earn $37 per hour. Overall, BC takes the top spot with an average hourly wage of $26.70, followed by Saskatchewan with an average hourly wage of $24.10, and Alberta, where side hustles can earn you an average of $23.80 per hour. Rates can also vary depending on which city you live in. Side gig workers in Quebec City earn an average of $32.50 per hour; in Vancouver, they make around $27.50 per hour on average, while workers in St. John’s can bring in up to $27.20 per hour. Are you looking to dive into the gig economy? Here are the 10 best-paid sides hustles by average hourly wage in Canada: 1. Mechanic — $35/hour 2. Plumber — $34/hour 3. Personal trainer — $29.10/hour 4. Freelance designer — $24.50/hour 5. Freelance writer — $24.30/hour 6. Painter — $24.50/hour 7. Handyman services — $24.30/hour 8. Uber driver — $24/hour 9. Waste collection — $22.30/hour 10. Tutor — $21.60/hour Do you have an atypical side hustle? We would love to hear from you. Email us at trending@dailyhive.com. With files from Christopher Liew. This article was originally published on February 26, 2024. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/side-hustle-canada-highly-paid Sun, 16 Jun 2024 12:00:41 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/road-trip-destinations-vancouver-summer Raxana Sun Taking a big vacation isn’t always the most financially feasible option, especially with our rising cost of living, and getting time off can be challenging. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the comforts of a holiday close to home.  Living in a coastal city like Vancouver has some beautiful benefits that you should take advantage of. The city is fortunate to have easy access to stunning natural landscapes, diverse outdoor activities, and charming nearby destinations perfect for quick getaways. We’ve rounded up six road trip spots near the city that offer something for everyone. Pack your bags, grab some snacks, and get ready for an unforgettable journey! WHISTLER >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Fairmont Chateau Whistler (@fairmontwhistlr) A famous vacation spot close to home is the iconic Whistler. Just a two-hour drive from the city, Whistler is a world-renowned destination known for its stunning alpine scenery and outdoor activities. During the summer, Whistler transforms into an adventure playground with hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, and more. Stroll through Whistler Village for shopping, dining, and lively entertainment. If Whistler isn’t for you, drive 30 minutes north to Pemberton, a change of pace with a lot less foot traffic but the same stunning scenery. Length of drive: Approximately two hours HARRISON HOT SPRINGS Harrison Hot Springs is perfect for a relaxing getaway with friends and loved ones. Enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs, take a boat tour of Harrison Lake, or explore the quaint village. The surrounding area offers beautiful hiking trails, including the scenic Sasquatch Provincial Park. If visiting with children, make sure to stop by Harrison Watersports and Waterpark for an awesome day of fun in the water. Length of drive: Approximately 2.5 hours SQUAMISH >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by 𝑆 𝑘 𝑦 𝑙 𝑎 𝑟 𝑀. (@skylarmarks) If you’re already headed to Whistler, try and visit Squamish for a pit stop. Located halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Known as the “outdoor recreation capital of Canada,” Squamish boasts activities like rock climbing, hiking the iconic Stawamus Chief, kiteboarding, and eagle viewing. Don’t miss the Sea to Sky Gondola for panoramic views of Howe Sound and the coastal mountains. Length of drive: Approximately one hour VICTORIA >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Victoria Hype (@victoriahype) Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, earns its title with good reason. An ideal getaway destination, Victoria offers a home-away-from-home experience and can be reached via a picturesque ferry ride from the mainland. Known for its historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and beautiful gardens, Victoria offers attractions like the Royal BC Museum, Butchart Gardens, and the beautiful Inner Harbour. Enjoy whale watching tours, bike rides along the Galloping Goose Trail, and dining at waterfront restaurants. Length of trip: Approximately 3.5 hours You might also like: - 10 road trip destinations less than three hours from Vancouver - BC Place will host Vancouver's biggest patio pop-up this summer - Coachella FOMO? 5 road trip-worthy summer music festivals from Vancouver SEATTLE >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Taylor Stalfort | PNW Photographer (@taylorstalfort) Seattle makes for an enticing day trip from Vancouver, offering a mix of urban charm and natural beauty just a few hours away. Explore iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, indulge in diverse culinary delights, or stroll along the scenic waterfront. With its rich arts and cultural scene, Seattle promises a memorable day of exploration and discovery for Vancouverites looking to experience a vibrant American city nearby. If Seattle is too far, stop by the town of Bellingham to do some quick shopping and check out the natural beauty. Length of drive: Approximately 3.5 hours SUNSHINE COAST The Sunshine Coast isn’t just a name — it’s brimming with sunny vibes and laid-back adventures. A quick ferry hop from Vancouver lands you in a haven of charming coastal towns, hidden beaches, and lush forests. It’s the perfect getaway for unplugging and exploring local art scenes, savouring fresh seafood, or simply chilling by the shore. Whether you’re into kayaking, hiking, or just soaking up the relaxed vibes, the Sunshine Coast has something to make every moment feel like a sunny escape. Length of trip to Gibson: Approximately two hours BOWEN ISLAND >   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by EMMETT SPARLING 🌎 TRAVEL (@emmett_sparling) When you visit the Bowen Island tourism website, you’re greeted with a message from Lonely Planet. “One of the best days out you can have from Vancouver.” This hidden gem offers picturesque hiking trails through lush forests, panoramic views of Howe Sound, and tranquil beaches perfect for picnics and relaxation. Bowen Island is a vacation destination you don’t want to miss. Length of trip: Approximately 1.5 hours Will you be vacationing near home this summer? Let us know in the comments. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/road-trip-destinations-vancouver-summer Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:40:19 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/cougars-canada-populations-attacks Ryan Hook Canada’s largest cat, the cougar, is known as one of the most mysterious and secretive animals in the world. As a result, it’s unlikely you will ever see one in the wild. However, there’s one spot that boasts the greatest chance of you encountering one of these predators, and that’s BC’s Vancouver Island, which reports the highest concentration of cougars on the planet. An estimated 4,000 cougars live in BC alone, and 600 to 800 live on Vancouver Island. The cougars that live on Vancouver Island are their own subspecies, the Puma concolor vancouverensis, which translates to the Vancouver Island cougar. They are a vital part of the wilderness and ecosystem. > Vancouver Island COS ear tagging a captured young cougar on the Gorge in Victoria. Thanks to @vicpdcanada, @VictoriaFire730 and VicAnimal Control for the combined work. Cougar was in good health and will be relocated back to the wilderness. pic.twitter.com/Iar9YTkPik > > — BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) April 27, 2019 But while we might be fearful of meeting these cats face-to-face, they really don’t want anything to do with us. Even researchers have struggled to learn much about them and their numbers because they are so elusive. What they do know is that despite a massive eradication effort in the 1960s, their numbers today are strong enough that they are not deemed to be at risk. “Cougar are abundant in western Canada, with established breeding populations confirmed in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The presence of cougar has been confirmed in the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Manitoba, which are not considered to be within the historical range of cougar,” The Government of Canada wrote in 2015 on its Puma concolor (Cougar) findings. > Patrol officers located a cougar in the Selkirk Waterfront area early this morning.https://t.co/2loGhiO0r4#yyj #CommunityUpdate pic.twitter.com/sVJAvpGTbh > > — Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 21, 2023 “This suggests that populations of the cougar in the west are expanding eastward and northward, possibly following the expansion of the deer population. Population size is difficult to estimate because of the elusive nature of the cougar. The current Canadian population is estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 individuals.” You might also like: - Cougar warning issued near popular tourist destination in Alberta Rockies - Child survives "extraordinarily rare" cougar attack in Washington - Menaces of the sky: Here's why even eagles hate crows (VIDEO) COUGAR ATTACKS IN BC According to the University of Victoria, in the past 100 years in BC, fatal cougar attacks have been exceedingly rare, with five recorded deaths, the majority happening on Vancouver Island. To compare, bees kill upwards of three Canadians every year, the Ministry of Environment says. “Meeting a cougar is the last thing people want when they’re out enjoying Vancouver Island’s wilderness trails, campgrounds and beaches. But as humans have claimed more of the wilderness for recreation, development and forestry, the chance of encountering these reclusive predators has increased,” the UVic website details in part. However, non-lethal attacks on humans are in the double digits, with the most likely to be hurt being those under 16 and the highest proportion of those attacks occurring on Vancouver Island. “Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because their high-pitched voices, small size, and erratic movements make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey,” the Government of BC says. The highest number of attacks is reported in the late spring and summer when young cougars become independent from their mothers and roam widely in search of a new range without other cougars. A body of land cut off by water means they can only really go so far and often need to explore human-occupied territories. That also makes encountering a cougar while hiking on the island that much more likely, especially right now and particularly if you are in the southern third part of the region and in a rural area. HOW TO SURVIVE A COUGAR ATTACK It’s important to first remember you might be in cougar territory. “Cougar are stalk and ambush predators and will occupy a wide range of habitats where the vegetation and topography are favourable for this type of hunting,” the Canadian government states. In general, cougars are predators which feed largely on deer and small mammals — not humans. But to avoid cougar encounters or attacks, here are a few tips while you’re hiking and what to do if you encounter a cougar, according to WildSafeBC. WHILE HIKING: 1. Travel in groups and make noise to avoid surprising a cougar 2. Always keep children close to you 3. Carry bear spray 4. Be mindful of fresh tracks 5. Like bear cubs, if you stumble upon cougar kittens, leave the area immediately as the female will be close and defend her young 6. Keep pets leashed 7. Do not leave open food or food scraps on you WATCH: VANCOUVER ISLAND COUGAR STALKS MAN WHILE ON A HIKE IF YOU ENCOUNTER A COUGAR: 1. If you see a cougar in the distance, do not run or turn your back. 2. If the cougar appears to be unaware of your presence, gather children and pets in close, slowly and cautiously back away, and leave the area. 3. If a cougar is hissing and snarling or staring intently at you and tracking your movements, do not run, and do not play dead. Make yourself look big and speak loudly. 4. If the cougar makes contact, fight back and don’t give up. Use all means at your disposal. 5. It’s also critical not to feed any kind of wildlife to help prevent cougars and other predators from entering your neighbourhood. Have you ever had an encounter with a cougar? Let us know in the comments. You might also like: - Cougar warning issued near popular tourist destination in Alberta Rockies - Child survives "extraordinarily rare" cougar attack in Washington - Menaces of the sky: Here's why even eagles hate crows (VIDEO) https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cougars-canada-populations-attacks Thu, 13 Jun 2024 17:17:52 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/collision-conference-web-summit-vancouver-relocation-2025 Kenneth Chan It is now confirmed that the massive annual Collision Conference, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, will be leaving Toronto for its new home of Vancouver in 2025. The announcement today comes just days ahead of the start of what will be the final Collision Conference in Toronto, which will take place from July 17 to 20, 2024. The inaugural conference in Vancouver will be held in May 2025, and it will be named “Web Summit Vancouver.” The precise dates will be announced at a later time. It is deemed to be North America’s fastest-growing tech conference, with over 40,000 attendees from more than 130 countries. The conference assembles high-profile individuals from around the world, bringing together thousands of international thought leaders in tech, unicorn founders, investors, startups, and media. You might also like: - Opinion: Collision, an annual tech conference with up to 40,000 attendees, could come to Vancouver — if it wants it - Cost of living one of the main glitches in growth for Vancouver tech scene - Inside one of Amazon's largest new Vancouver office buildings, now under new ownership - Industrial Light & Magic to relocate Vancouver studio to The Stack office tower “Vancouver is ready to welcome the world. We’re a young, energetic city full of opportunity,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim in a statement today. “Nowhere is that more obvious than in our thriving tech scene, where we’re advancing leading edge technology like virtual reality and augmented reality. Vancouver is attracting highly skilled people from around the world drawn here by our lifestyle, incredible natural surroundings, and the chance to be part of something exciting.” This follows a concerted effort by levels of government and the business and tourism community to woo event organizer Web Summit to keep the event in Canada, and choose Vancouver as the conference’s new permanent home. The effort was led by local tourism authority Destination Vancouver, in partnership with the federal government’s Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, the City of Vancouver, and local tech industry leaders, including the Frontier Collective. Web Summit is also behind other major tech conferences such as Web Summit Lisbon, Web Summit Rio de Janeiro, Web Summit Doha, Rise Hong Kong, and MoneyConf Dublin. The decision to move Collision Conference to Vancouver also comes as a big nod to the city’s tech industry, which has seen wildly exponential growth over the past decade to become one of BC’s largest economic sectors in terms of the number of jobs the industry supports, with many of these jobs being high paying. “We can’t wait to gather the tech world in Vancouver and take over the city next year. Last month I flew to Vancouver to check out the city and meet Mayor Ken Sim and Destination Vancouver. I was so blown away by its beauty and tech scene. It’s the perfect place to bring the tech world,” said Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Web Summit. “Similar to Lisbon, Vancouver and British Columbia might seem like the underdogs at first, but the energy and drive to build on an already very fast-growing technology ecosystem blew me away.” Vancouver Convention Centre will play a central role for the event, and other major venues across Metro Vancouver are also expected to see prominent uses. Destination Vancouver estimates Web Summit Vancouver will produce substantial local economic spinoffs, with nearly $57 million in direct spending and over $93 million in overall economic impact for British Columbia in its first year. Throughout its life in Toronto, starting with the inaugural Toronto conference in 2019 and the event’s post-pandemic return in 2022 and 2023, the event had a cumulative three-year local economic impact of $189 million. This year’s final event in Toronto will feature over 800 speakers, 1,400 media, 1,000 investors, 2,000 exhibiting startups, 340 impact startups, and 300 partners from around the world. Beyond the direct tourism spending impact of the significant influx of visitors, the makeup of Web Summit Vancouver’s attendees will also carry the long-term impact of promoting BC’s tech industry centred in Vancouver, attracting direct foreign investment and venture capitalist investment in local companies, promoting international trade with Canada, and promoting Vancouver as a tourism destination. “We knew Vancouver was the right place for Web Summit,” said Royce Chwin, president and CEO of Destination Vancouver. “A transformational event of this calibre will continue to build our reputation as an exceptional host city and sharpen Vancouver’s global destination competitiveness.” It goes without saying that Web Summit Vancouver will be one of the largest conferences to be ever held in Vancouver, and the largest annual conference for the city. Web Summit Vancouver’s inaugural conference in 2025 adds to what will already be a major year for conferences and conventions in the city. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) will host its 2025 International Convention from July 3 to 6 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium. This will be AA’s first International Convention in a decade, as the 2020 convention in Detroit was cancelled due to the pandemic. The convention is held once every five years in a new destination, and about 50,000 attendees from around the world are expected for the first convention in a decade in Vancouver. Prior to Web Summit Vancouver, the largest tech-related conference hosted in the city was SIGGRAPH, which has been held four times at Vancouver Convention Centre — in 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Previous SIGGRAPH events held in Vancouver saw up to 16,600 attendees. SIGGRAPH will be returning to Vancouver next year, from August 10 to 14, 2025. You might also like: - Opinion: Collision, an annual tech conference with up to 40,000 attendees, could come to Vancouver — if it wants it - Cost of living one of the main glitches in growth for Vancouver tech scene - Inside one of Amazon's largest new Vancouver office buildings, now under new ownership - Industrial Light & Magic to relocate Vancouver studio to The Stack office tower https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/collision-conference-web-summit-vancouver-relocation-2025 Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:45:17 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/surrey-seattle-travel Amir Ali Seattle is a relatively short trip for many Surrey residents, and a recent thread on Reddit reveals why folks head out that way, which may inspire you. Created by Effective-Farmer-502, the thread focused on what Surrey residents can get in Seattle that they can’t get at home. Among the popular options were food and beverages, taco food trucks that surpass the quality of Mexican food trucks in Metro Vancouver, and unique retail spots. You might also like: - Canadians are heading across the border to WinCo for cheap groceries - "They suck at driving": Bellingham folks respond to Vancouver visitors - "Stay out": Some Bellingham residents are upset about Vancouver, again According to Google Maps, a drive from Surrey city centre to downtown Seattle would take roughly two and a half hours. Your mileage would obviously vary depending on traffic and wait times at the border. Once there, Surrey residents shared various things they get from the Mariners’ and Seahawks’ homes. “Gorditos for that 2lb burrito,” one Redditor said. They also shared that they head down to Trader Joe’s for those sweet, sweet peanut butter pretzels, adding that “Chex Mix and grape nuts” are another popular item for them. “Silly, but Diet Crush. They don’t have it here, and it tastes just like the real thing,” another user shared. Pike Place Market is a popular destination for most BC travellers who visit Seattle. One Surrey resident goes for the Beecher’s mac and cheese. It sounds like snack options offer a lot more variety down in the States. > Comment > byu/Effective-Farmer-502 from discussion > inSurreyBC Taco food trucks are plentiful and affordable, with one person suggesting they’re around one to two dollars per taco. We aren’t so lucky here in Metro Vancouver. > Comment > byu/Effective-Farmer-502 from discussion > inSurreyBC Cheesecake Factory was an option that multiple people mentioned heading down to Seattle for. One user suggested that the diet A&W root beer in Seattle tastes better than the local variant. > Comment > byu/Effective-Farmer-502 from discussion > inSurreyBC What are some reasons you’ll head down to Seattle? Let us know in the comments. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/surrey-seattle-travel Thu, 30 May 2024 19:47:23 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/canada-border-rules-dogs-usa Claire Fenton After many travellers were surprised to learn the US is cracking down on its rules for pets coming into the country, we rounded up the rules for those hoping to bring their dog into Canada this summer in hopes of making the trip as seamless as possible! First, it’s key to remember that Canada and the US have different rules regarding animals, and your situation might just be an exemption to some of these rules. It’s always best to reach out or ask the border guard directly if you have a specific circumstance not mentioned below. If you aren’t following the rules, you risk being delayed, turned away, or forced to make other arrangements for your animal. Saying you didn’t know any better won’t land with the border guards! Even worse, if you get through the border and then it’s discovered you didn’t follow the rules, you could face a serious investigation, and the animal will usually be removed from the visiting country. A minor Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) fine will cost $500, and a serious one could be $1,300. That’s according to the Government of Canada’s Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which states that rules like these are in place “to avoid introducing animal diseases to protect its people, plants and animals.” Okay, now to the rules for US travellers into Canada by land border. IF THE DOG IS YOUR PERSONAL PET AND IT’S LESS THAN THREE MONTHS OLD When you arrive in Canada, you will need: - Proof of the dog’s age from a veterinarian - The dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements - Proof you own the dog “A hard copy of all required original documentation may be requested during the inspection, and the importer must be able to provide such records if asked. As such, it is strongly recommended to travel with a physical original copy of all required documentation,” the website reads in part. Note: if your dog is younger than six months, the United States will not allow you to bring it back into the country afterwards, according to new rules starting in August. IF THE DOG IS YOUR PERSONAL PET AND IT’S OLDER THAN THREE MONTHS When you arrive at the border from the US, you will need: - A valid rabies vaccination certificate from a vet - The dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements - Proof you own the dog Younger dogs aren’t required to be immunized for rabies because they are too young, but older dogs must have proof that they have received it from a licensed veterinarian, and it is valid for one year from the date of vaccination (dogs typically get a booster every year anyways). If the dog isn’t immunized, owners have to apply for an exemption, or they will be required to get their dog immunized within a specific period and present the documentation in person to a CFIA Health Office. IF YOU ARE BRINGING SOMEONE ELSE’S DOG TO CANADA TO SELL, FOSTER, ADOPT, ETC. Requirements include: - Knowing where the dog came from and having official documentation to back it up - You may need to book an inspection ahead of time - Depending on the age, it will need a rabies vaccine - The animal must be healthy and be inspected to determine no sign of abuse or neglect - Must be transported humanely - The dog might need a microchip if it’s a puppy “Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for domestic dogs imported as personal pets or domestic cats. However, dogs under eight months of age imported under the commercial category (dogs for retail sale, breeding purposes, show or exhibition, scientific research, dogs in ‘special training status’, and dogs destined for adoption and/or animal welfare organization) must be identified by an electronic microchip,” the website states. IF YOUR DOG IS A SERVICE DOG Emotional support or therapy animals do not count under this category and instead would be classified as personal pets. - The dog must be certified and trained by an organization accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International - You must have proof that you are the owner of the dog and you are bringing the dog in yourself - It is exempt from the rabies vaccination requirements. IF THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE YOUR DOG - You will have to pay each day the animal is in their care - Plus, if you have to have additional tests or experts from the CFIA to examine your dog, it will cost additional fees for that, plus the costs of medical services. It’s important to note that if you are an American crossing into Canada with your pet and then heading home after, the rules for re-entry will apply, and that will likely mean a microchip as of August 2024. WHY ALL THE STRESS ABOUT RABIES? “Dog rabies is a fatal disease of the central nervous system and is 99% fatal to animals and humans once they start to show signs or symptoms. That’s one of the reasons why it’s important to know what country the dogs are coming from before planning to bring them into Canada to prevent the introduction and spread of serious diseases like dog rabies,” the Government of Canada wrote online. Rabies kills some 59,000 people a year; however, in Canada, it is extremely rare, and cases even amongst wildlife populations are declining. The last human fatality from rabies was in 2019 when a 21-year-old man was bitten by a rabid bat on Vancouver Island. Since 1924, there have been 26 cases of rabies in the country, and all cases have been fatal, according to Health Canada. “Rabies is also known as hydrophobia because one of the symptoms is paralysis of the throat muscles leading to a fear of water. This viral encephalitis is spread by infected mammals. Dogs are responsible for most of the cases worldwide,” the BC Centre of Disease Control says. Fears of dogs bringing the lethal disease to the country have led to the ban on dogs from more than 100 countries into Canada since 2022, a move which many rescue organizations have spoken out against, claiming that the animals they have brought into Canada are healthy. Some also argue the dogs they can now no longer bring to loving homes for adoption are left in a state of neglect and inhumane conditions. Stateside, the expansion of current measures for public safety has led officials to announce that additional rules will be in place, but the government will apparently relax its ban on high-risk country imports. “CDC updated its dog and cat importation regulation in 2024 to protect the health and safety of people and animals and prevent the reintroduction of dog rabies to the United States. The updated regulation will help keep Americans and their pets safe. It addresses recent challenges seen with international dog importations, including the challenges posed by fraudulent documentation,” the United States rules read in part. To learn more, click here. You might also like: - Group calls on Canada to amend ban on rescue dogs from around the world - New US border rules soon to kick in for Canadians travelling with a dog - Getting gas in the US? Canada's border rules fuel confusion for some BC drivers https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-border-rules-dogs-usa Thu, 23 May 2024 18:19:54 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/pixar-fest-2024-disneyland-guide Kenneth Chan Excitement buzzes through the air, like a whirlwind of colourful balloons hovering high over Sleeping Beauty Castle, as Disneyland Resort in Anaheim welcomes back Pixar Fest with open arms and a new — yet familiar — sprinkle of magic. This is the second-ever Pixar Fest at Disneyland after the first iteration in 2018, and it comes just on the heels of the resort’s role last year as the global hub for the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary celebrations. But this is far from being a mere carbon copy of the first Pixar Fest from six years ago. New characters, stories, and themes from Pixar Animation Studios’ latest original films — including Soul, Luca, Turning Red, and Elemental — are infused into the latest experiences while also retaining the whimsicality of Pixar-defining favourites like Toy Story. You might also like: - Canadian residents can now save big on their next Disney World trip - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney names new cruise ship launching in 2025 - The new Disney Wish: Inside the most magical cruise ship on Earth (PHOTOS) In some cases, Pixar classics have been given a whole new light — for example, there is now a giant human-sized talking Dug, the lovable golden retriever from Pixar’s Up, roaming around Disney California Adventure Park. “What we loved about the first round of Pixar Fest, we’ve built upon it, and I think made it even better and amazing for our guests,” said Megan Roth, a manager of event production and a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort, during a media preview attended by Daily Hive. Pixar Fest has a highly limited three-month run between late April and August 4, 2024 — right up until Disneyland Resort begins its annual spooky transition for the Halloween season. Here is a rundown of the Pixar-themed experiences from the second-ever Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort in Summer 2024: NEW CHARACTERS, CLUB PIXAR, AND PIXAR PALS PLAYTIME The aforementioned talking Dug from Up will perform meetings and greetings with fans at the Redrose Creek Challenge Trail at Disney California Adventure Park, where squirrels may, on occasion, distract his undivided attention from guests. “I think you might be surprised how you can now interact with Dug, so that’s something to really look out for when you find Dug and have that fun interaction,” said Tracy Halas, a creative director at Disney Live Entertainment. Halas adds other new character encounters include the dried-off human forms of Luca and Alberto from Luca, Ember and Wade from Elemental, as well as new supersuits for Mr. and Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles. There are also two other live entertainment activations beyond the parade. This includes Club Pixar in the Hollywood Backlot of Disney California Adventure Park, with games and character encounters during the daytime, and a DJ dance party, live performances, photo opportunities, themed food, and crafted beverages for the backlot’s transformation after dark. The “Club Pixar” neon signs are hard to miss. Over at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park, there will be activations throughout the day with characters, along with what is described as a “high-energy show,” plus interactive games, photo opportunities, and other Pixar-themed activities. “The biggest challenge was that there were far too many things to work with. The biggest challenge was looking at all the plethora, the library of Pixar films and shorts that we have at our disposal. And which ones do we use? Which ones do we celebrate?” said Robert Trowbridge, a show director for Disney Live Entertainment. “How do you narrow it down? Because there are so many wonderful things to work with.” “BETTER TOGETHER” PIXAR PARADE The “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” roams through Disney California Adventure Park twice daily. It retains the spirit of the previous Pixar Play Parade and provides the fan-favourite parade with a major update. It features over two dozen Pixar characters, including the new additions of Red Panda Mei from Turning Red, Joe from Soul, and Luca and Alberto from Luca. These new additions are topped off with older characters and longtime favourites, including Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl from The Incredibles, Miguel from Coco, Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc., and Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Of course, just like the Pixar hopping lamp introduction in the animated films, a float with the iconic Pixar lamp kicks off the parade procession. “We wanted to go into this parade with a message. And then messages from the stories that we helped bring to life, basically the truth about life is: friendship matters, and that friendship is a great thing. And then when we have friends, we are better together, right?” said Robert Trowbridge, a show director for Disney Live Entertainment. “We’ve learned from our Pixar pals that friends will accept us or help lift us up no matter what we’re going through, no matter what stages we are in life. And we love that message. And so better together at Pixar pals celebration is literally an invitation to celebrate friendship and beyond, right?” “TOGETHER FOREVER” FIREWORKS Pixar Fest’s fireworks show has also returned with some all-new sequences, continuing the show’s overarching theme of friendship overcoming adversity to forge everlasting bonds. “Together Forever — A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” combines fireworks, vivid, colourful projections, and other special lighting features with physical aerial set pieces and characters that streak across the sky, namely the flying balloon house from Up, along with Buzz Lightyear himself. > “Together Forever” Pixar Fireworks. #Disneyland 🏰 > > It is a big night in Anaheim as City Council has officially approved the massive #DisneylandForward expansion that will nearly double the size of theme park, entertainment, hotel, and retail uses.https://t.co/N6aGdh4FXD pic.twitter.com/OKlDyZSMkR > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) May 8, 2024 But like everything else in this second iteration of Pixar Fest, there have also been key updates to account for the latest animated films, including new scenes featuring characters and moments from Onward, Soul, Luca, Turning Red, and Elemental. “Originally, the idea was that we were just going to add the new characters to the old show. [But] … we really need to do something a little bit different. And we decided to sort of break the show apart in little ways and add in the new characters to our appropriate chapters,” said KC Wilkerson, the principal media designer at Disney Live Entertainment. “Because remember, Together Forever is a story. And it’s about meeting new friends. It’s about taking those friends and setting out on adventures. And it’s about overcoming adversity together. And that is what allows us to form everlasting bonds. So we wanted to choose moments from the newer films that really reflected the overall story that we were trying to tell.” Since 2018, when the original version of “Together Forever — A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” took to the skies over Disneyland Park, the projectors have undergone major technological upgrades, providing greater detail, clarity, and richer colours. Specifically for this updated version of the nighttime spectacular, special unique shells have been developed to add more variations to this second iteration of the show. When it comes to fireworks viewing locations at Disneyland Park, spectators may instinctively gravitate towards the main plaza, the area closest to the castle. But there are also other optimal fireworks viewing locations, namely Main Street, USA. Projections fully animate the buildings along Main Street, USA, to provide a framed view of the fireworks bursting over the castle and the backlot. Alternative fireworks viewing areas entail the Rivers of America, and It’s A Small World, where projections onto the facade feature “hidden Mickeys.” It should be noted that the nighttime spectacular only incorporates fireworks on select nights, with the show being a projection-only display for all other nights. However, according to Wilkerson, the fireworks are included for most nights through the end of Pixar Fest’s run on August 4. PIXAR-THEMED EATS Soul-inspired Earth Pass Cake with lemon cream cheese mousse with mango-passion fruit compote covered with candies and vanilla sauce? Luca-inspired Sea Monster Friends Parfait with mascarpone cheesecake and berry blue gelatin? Cars-inspired Racing Radial Cake chocolate cake filled with red cheesecake — completely shaped like a race car tire? And so on and so forth. “These are savoury, these are deserts, these are candy confections, these are beverages for both adults and kids. And there are novelties to help continue to tell the story in many different ways,” said John State, a chef and culinary director for Disneyland Resort. There are dozens of new limited-time food and beverage options found at 29 various locations scattered across both theme parks. BTW: There is also a different twist to the renowned DOLE Whip soft serve by having it used as the topping for the Pineapple Coconut Float. A PIXAR-THEMED HOTEL Just in time for the return of Pixar Fest, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has been renamed and rebranded as the Pixar Place Hotel. As the name suggests, the renovated hotel fully immerses guests in the works of all things Pixar. The property is one of the three Disney-owned and operated hotels at Disneyland Resort. As an alternative to a visit to Disneyland Resort in California over the coming months, Canadians can also save 20% on the admission cost of five-day or longer theme park tickets at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. This Canadians-only deal with no blackout dates runs through September 28, 2024. You might also like: - Canadian residents can now save big on their next Disney World trip - Massive expansion of Disneyland Resort approved by Anaheim - Disney names new cruise ship launching in 2025 - The new Disney Wish: Inside the most magical cruise ship on Earth (PHOTOS) https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pixar-fest-2024-disneyland-guide Thu, 09 May 2024 21:15:36 GMT https://dailyhive.com/seattle/cruise-ship-stabbing-fbi-investigation Claire Fenton A cruise ship worker has been arrested and charged in connection to a shocking attack at sea off the coast of Vancouver Island that injured five people, including a 75-year-old passenger, according to documents from the FBI. The worker, a South African national, was hired by Norwegian Cruise Line to work on the Norwegian Encore vessel. The affidavit from FBI agent Matthew B. Judy alleges that the man boarded the vessel in Seattle on Sunday en route to Alaska. The ship’s itinerary states that it would travel north, past British Columbia, to Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, before returning and stopping in Victoria and then back to Seattle on May 12. However, the document states that personnel caught the man that night trying to board a lifeboat while the ship was off the west coast of Vancouver Island, about 30 kilometres from Tofino. He’s been named as Ntando Sogoni in the documents. “Sogoni was contacted by ship security officers, who eventually escorted him to the shipboard medical center for an assessment. After he was brought to an examination room, Sogoni became irrational and attempted to leave. He physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse,” the document describes. He allegedly then ran into a medical room where a passenger was being treated and stabbed the woman in the arm, hands and face with a pair of scissors. She’s described as 75 years old, and her injuries were reportedly non-life-threatening. “Security guards intervened and Sogoni stabbed two guards with the scissors before they could subdue and detain him. One guard… a citizen of the Philippines, was stabbed in the head. The other guard…a citizen of Nepal, was stabbed in the back and shoulder,” the affidavit reads. The victims were treated for non-lethal injuries. He was held in the ship’s jail and then arrested in Juneau by the FBI. While the incident is detailed as having happened off Canada, the FBI agent says there is probable cause to believe the criminal act occurred “within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.” “Sogoni is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction in violation of 18 USC §113(a)(3). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors,” a release from the United States Attorney’s Office reads in part. Daily Hive has contacted Norwegian Cruise Line for comment and will update this piece if that information becomes available. You might also like: - US couple out $3,500 over Alaska cruise ship cancellation in Vancouver - WestJet strike staved off after agreement reached with aircraft mechanics' union - "F**king joke": Ticketmaster crashes during Live Nation $25 concert sale https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cruise-ship-stabbing-fbi-investigation Wed, 08 May 2024 18:48:32 GMT