Expo opens - Expo 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia

Summing up Expo 86 is like trying to describe the world in a sentence. Packed into the 173 acres of the Vancouver world's fair are exhibits from 54 nations, as well as theme plazas, theaters, amusement rides, international restaurants.

The 10 Sunset reporters and photographers who sized up the opening agreed on one thing: to see Expo in a day or two, you need a plan and must be selective. Otherwise, burnout will come fast, especially if you have children in two.

Think of the fair site as a 1 1/2-mile-long international mall with three anchor pavilions: the U.S., placed appropriately at the west end; China at the east; the U.S.S.R. at the center. (Host Canada is on Burrard Inlet about a mile from the main fair site.) Each major pavilion draws fairgoers past smaller exhibitors, restaurants, and outdoor displays.

Here are suggestions for getting the most from your visit. (For information on coping with traffic jams and parking shortages, see page 93. For ways to get around town without a car, or to explore more of British Columbia, see the reports beginning on page 94.)

One-day admission costs about $15. Three-day passes offer substantial savings. We give all prices in U.S. dollars; $1 U.S. equals about $1.35 Canadian.

What about crowds?

We saw the fair when attendance was about half the predicted peak of 200,000 visitors a day. Still we found lineups at major attractions: thrill rides, theme pavilions, and the smaller restaurants at some national pavilions--as well as at SkyTrain, the monorail, and some ferries. An early start may not help much. Gates often open before the official hour of 10 A.M., and there's music at the entrances by 9:30. But much of the grounds, and most pavilions and major attractions, stay closed until 10 (unless present policy is changed), so lineups develop early. But some lines may shrink during lunch and dinner hours and in the evenings (pavilions remain open until 10, some rides until 1 A.M.).

To minimize waiting at the three theme pavilions--Ramses II, The Roundhouse, and Expo Centre--stop by first thing and pick up free tickets for later entry.

When lines get too long, enjoy the street entertainers, watch a tall ship being built at the Old Salts Shipyard, or stroll through Marine Plaza to see small craft from around the world (a Pakistani dhow, a British canal barge, Hong Kong dragon boats, a junk from China).

Study the fanciful display at Air Plaza, the wild collection of vehicles at Land Plaza. Or take in free entertainment at theaters and bandstands. Or consider shopping: many pavilions have auxiliary shops in separate buildings nearby.

What's the best way to get around?

Walking is the logical way to tour the long, lean False Creek site; follow 1 1/2-mile-long Central Boulevard under the monorail. The farthest pavilion is no more than 50 yards or so from the main route.

At busiest times, walking may be faster than waiting to board the monorail. The 3.3-mile Swiss system tours the site every 10 minutes, but inefficient loading can cause waits three times that long.

Read pages 94 and 95 for more information on ferries that can get you up and down False Creek or over to Canada Place on Burrard Inlet, the SkyTrain to Canada Place, and buses from around the world that also connect the two sites.

However you decide to get around, a map is essential, preferably a color-coded one. Six color zones divide the False Creek site and help you find attractions. The zones' colors appear on banners, flags, employee uniforms, ticket booths, perimeter fences, even the flowers.

Maps are not given away at ticket gates; you can buy a color-coded pocket map for about $1.35 at shops near the entry gates. Or buy the helpful official souvenir guide (about $3.50).

As you enter, you will be given a daily show guide to performances and events.

The three theme plazas (Air, Land, Marine) provide major landmarks and help you locate adjacent attractions.

At a dozen kiosks, 90 touch-screen computer terminals give entertainment schedules, exhibit information, and so on. Also, personnel at information booths can answer questions and direct you.

What's worth waiting in line to see?

The superpowers showcase space achievements; other industrialized nations feature public transit. Almost every country promotes tourism. But don't expect indepth information: the flash of graphics and film is the rule. Queues aside, it's hard to move quickly through pavilions. You're barred from many until the movie is over. If your time is tight, when doors open, walk right through the theater and into the exhibition area.

Look for these more original attractions:

Canada Place (on Burrard Inlet): beneath an arresting set of "sails,' the host nation's pavilion--Expo's largest--offers a grand mix of live performances, extraordinary slide shows and films, high-tech and humorous exhibits, and artifacts like a 53-foot Haida war canoe. Be ready for crowds and long lines; if you want to see it all, allow half a day.

Entertainment includes performances on four stages. Look for Tabootenay, a revival of an early B.C. traveling carnival, with mime, dance, music, magic, clowns.