Anticipated to be a box office smash and one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters, War for the Planet of the Apes combines a morally complex storyline with eye-popping special effects and stunning scenery – and the latter will be familiar to those who have ever visited Canada’s West Coast. Vancouver and Vancouver Island serve as a stunning backdrop with much of the film showcasing the region’s lush parks, forests and waterfront. Keen to check out the home of the apes firsthand? Tourism Vancouver, the Vancouver Economic Commission and Vancouver Island North Film Commission have partnered to give away a trip for two to Vancouver and Vancouver Island so you can explore the #HomeOfTheApes firsthand.
War follows Caesar, king of the Ape colony (Andy Serkis) as he battles the cold-hearted Colonel (Woody Harrelson) in an apocalyptic showdown between apes and humans. The film, as well as its two previous instalments – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Rise of the Planet of the Apes – used Vancouver as a double for San Francisco and neighbouring cities were transformed into battlegrounds, jungles and other settings (Richmond, for example, is barely recognizable in the film as a dank prison camp). Tofino, Ucluelet and other areas of Vancouver Island stood in for the film world’s waterfalls, beaches and cliffs. Check out 20th Century Fox’s behind-the-scenes look at the technology used to transform B.C. into the Home of the Apes
Though the movie was shot primarily on private land, visitors can check out public sites used in the film that are must-see attractions in their own right, such as recreation-heavy Alouette Lake at Golden Ears Provincial Park; tranquil Robert Burnaby Park; and postcard-worthy Pacific Rim National Park. The first two instalments of the series also featured popular tourist locations like Lupin Falls Provincial Park (Vancouver Island) and The Agrodome at Pacific National Exhibition (Vancouver).
Throughout the film, British Columbia’s awe-inspiring landscapes and sprawling forests are on full display – and we’re giving you an opportunity to experience it all for yourself.
The #HomeOfTheApes sweepstakes prize* includes:
- Round-trip flights for two to Vancouver, British Columbia
- Two nights at the waterfront Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, including daily breakfast, evening tapas and panoramic views of ocean and mountains
- Cycling tour of Stanley Park – pictured in countless films and TV series – courtesy of Cycle City Tours
- Complimentary admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, filled with towering evergreens, cedar-scented rainforest air and suspended footbridges
- Round-trip flights to Vancouver Island courtesy of KD Air
- Two nights at the luxurious Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites in Ucluelet
- Car rental, courtesy of Budget
- Guided kayaking tour with Majestic Ocean Kayaking
- Whale watching excursion with Remote Passages
- Stand-up paddleboarding adventure with Ocean Outfitters
- Admission to the Ucluelet Aquarium
To enter, click here. Good luck!
*restrictions apply – see Rules and Regulations for details
