Navigating the Vancouver Christmas Market With Extra Needs

I had the honour of attending the Media Night at the Vancouver Christmas Market, which opens tomorrow, Nov. 20 at 11:30 am and runs until Dec. 24th.  This is the tenth anniversary of the outdoor German market, which began with just 25 vendor stalls in Coal Harbour a decade ago.  Today, there are 80 vendors offering their wares at the Jack Poole plaza, beside the Vancouver Convention Centre.

We heard the founder and CEO, Malte Kluetz, speak, and then I had a chance to corner him for an impromptu interview.  In the spirit of inclusion, I wanted to find out a bit more about how the market plans to support their guests with extra needs.  It's an issue near and dear to my heart, and in years past, I have already gushed about my love for the Vancouver Christmas Market.  No need to repeat myself, right? ;)

Will the market support Access2 cards or offer discounts to guests who require a support worker or an aide?
According to Kluetz, they have a very generous admission policy, and do not require a lot of documentation.  That said, please do bring your Access2 Card or other caregiver documentation if you have it.  If you don't, they will accept any other form of caregiver ID, and are also willing to make exceptions for those who don't have documentation, but are accompanying someone with mobility or special needs.

If you purchase the ticket for the child/adult with special needs, they will admit the caregiver for free.  According to the Access2 website, the VCM does not have an existing arrangement with the Access2 (Easter Seals) program, but I'm told that the market will honour your card or other caregiver ID if your kiddo or client has a special need.  To expedite the process and avoid a lengthy wait time, Kluetz recommends purchasing your ticket(s) online.

Will the market allow guests with special needs to use the "Fast Pass" line? 
Because a ticket must first be purchased and/or  scanned, there is no way to avoid the long line unless you buy the ticket(s) in advance/online.  After that, you can use the Fast Pass line if you or your child/client has mobility or special needs, even if you don't have a Fast Pass.  Ask to speak with the Ambassador (who will be at the front entrance) to assist you in getting in more quickly.

Is there a menu available online, or a way to know about dietary options in advance?
Kluetz advises emailing the market in advance to ask about menus, as there isn't an exhaustive menu posted online.  Each of the vendors can answer questions about allergens in their products, and several of the food stalls have vegan and vegetarian offerings that are clearly marked on their menus or stalls.

I was lucky enough to enjoy some gulasch from Das Gulasch Haus.  I preferred mine meaty and drizzled in sour cream, but I learned that the bread bowls are actually made without eggs and dairy, and the vendor also has a vegan stew option!

Another vegan option is offered at Mr. Hotcakes, where egg- and dairy-free cinnamon-filled pancakes (with a texture that reminds me of green onion cakes) are served with rice cream.

On the website, under "Eats," you can find a list of the food vendors, and the ones who have vegan and vegetarian options are identified.  Still, if your kiddo has allergies to nuts and other things, please check with the vendors directly!

Is there a facility for breastfeeding moms? 
There are spacious bathrooms just outside the northwest corner of the market, and down the stairs; apparently these facilities are good for changing diapers and nursing babies.  There is stroller parking available if parents need to leave their wheels behind to navigate the stairs, or else there is also an elevator accessible from the northeast corner of the market.  You can also print out this market map, even though it isn't super detailed.

Are there quiet spaces available for overwhelmed guests?
I'm told that the WunderBar does not open until after 3:00pm on most days, so speaking with an Ambassador or the manager on duty could give you access to that quieter space in the early afternoon.  Other spaces to consider are the WinterDeck and the Alpine Lounge, although these areas do get busy in the evenings.  As a whole, the market is less crowded during the day, so Kluetz advises families and guests with sensory aversions to come when it is less busy.  Unfortunately, the market does not have dedicated sensory-friendly times or spaces.

Is there someone to assist with issues on-site during market hours?
Yes, I'm told that the Ambassador at the front entrance is the first line of assistance, but you can also request to speak with the manager at the Information Hut, and there is always a manager on duty during market hours.

Is the market wheelchair friendly?
Jack Poole plaza is considered an accessible space, and I did note a lot of ramps to access the various vendors, including the gorgeous Kathe Wohlfahrt shop.  Unfortunately when there are crowds, the narrow aisles inside the ornament store probably aren't so easy to navigate.  I would say that this goes for the whole market; just because there are ramps available does not mean that the market is super easy to wheel around, especially when throngs of people are haphazardly moving around a wheelchair or stroller with mugs of hot Gluhwein and plates of food.

Are service dogs allowed?
Yes, but only service dogs and not therapy/emotional support pets of any other kind.

What is the parking situation?
There is paid, covered parking in the Convention Centre lot located beside the market.  It is about a 2 minute walk from the parkade to the entrance gates.  There are also metered stalls across the street, but there are only a few, and tons of hotels nearby, so those spots tend to get taken up quickly.

Other notes:
**Kids age 0-6 are free, so if you have a special needs kiddo under the age of 6, you might want to call ahead to see if you can get admitted for free as their caregiver.  I'm going to guess that the answer is no, so you might want to double-check that.

**4Cats is sponsoring the Kinder Kraft Igloo again this year.  However, kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times, so it isn't a free baby-sitting service while you get your fill of mulled wine ;)

Overall, I would say that if you are planning to hit up the market and someone you love has extra needs, it is probably best to email the Market ahead of time with your questions and concerns, and make sure that you can be supported and accommodated the way that you need to be before you make the trek downtown or throw down cold hard cash for the tickets.  We love the Vancouver Christmas Market, and we go several times every year, but we don't have mobility challenges or sensory aversions to complicate matters.  I can see that the Market is trying to be inclusive and family-friendly, but as with all things, it still has a ways to go.