Grand Canyon?

NYCANC

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Has anyone used ABD for the Grand Canyon?
I was talking to my Disney TA the other day about our next vacation being GC and then drive into California (Southern to Northern- used to live there and want to see friends/family) and she mentioned ABD does a GC and Southern California trip.

We would probably do 2 days at DL along the way since we love it.

Any opinions? I know absolutely nothing about it and only peeked at the website.
Thanks!
 
The Grand Canyon/Arizona/Utah ABD was the first ABD I did, and it still ranks pretty high as one of my favorites. They've made some slight changes over the years, but nothing significant. You can check out my trip report linked in my signature (the trip used to be called Southwest Splendors) to get an idea of what the trip is like. I just don't think you can go wrong with this ABD.

Sayhello
 
We are also interested in that trip. So many have done it but there are so few trip reports... Anyone who has done it recently -- feel inclined to do a report?
 
we are so interested in this and the canadian rockies trip. I do find there is a severe lack of info on US ABD...seems so odd
 


We took the trip back in 2013! Loved it. Not much has changed since SayHello's trip report--nly really the hotel l in Sedona (Enchantment). We absolutely loved it and rank it as one of our favorite places ever. If you have specific questions, let me know.
 
The hotel at the Grand Canyon also changed. We did this tour in May 2016, and we stayed at the Maswik Lodge at the Grand Canyon.
 
We are planning to do the Sedona area next March, Sedona is about 2 hours south of GC. Seems like a beautiful area!
 


We are planning to do the Sedona area next March, Sedona is about 2 hours south of GC. Seems like a beautiful area!
It's gorgeous!! And included in the Arizona/Utah/Grand Canyon ABD.

Sayhello
 
Is this change for the better... or not?
Thunderbird Lodge (where the trip stays now) is not plush. It's closer to a Motel 6 than a Hilton but it's clean and right in the middle of the park. You have breakfast at the El Tovar which is beautiful and we liked it fine. I think this was a positive change because you are actually in the park rather than driving in each day.
 
https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/north-america/grand-canyon-vacations/

Clicking through the ABD link.... I notice one had images of a tour operator... you might want to compare with what the operator offers directly....
https://www.pinkjeeptourslasvegas.com/grand-canyon-tours-activities/

I haven't done a tour with ABD.... but a few trips to the Grand Canyon. The main difference is "legroom". The cheap tours sold on the strip put you in buses with very little legroom.

I did a Red Rock Canyon tour with Pink... there was legroom, but head room was tough sitting at the back of the vehicle.
 
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Is this change for the better... or not?

The Maswik is part of the collective hotels right at the Grand Canyon. The accommodations are very basic, but it is an easy walk to the GC rim (crossing the road). We ate at the cafeteria right on site (canceled the El Tovar dinner because our guide made our reservation for 5 pm, and it wasn't enough time for us to get ready).

Pink Jeep tours is who ABD used in Sedona. We had Randy as our guide/driver; he is hilarious.

Our guide had activities to suggest for the on-you-own time at Red Cliffs Lodge, and she pre-booked these while we were driving to Moab. (Payment was to our credit card, for which we were billed.) The choices were ATV tour (scenery was amazing), horseback riding, or do your own thing.
 
We are getting ready to book this trip for July 5th departure. I am very interested in any information. I am so excited because this will be our first ABD.
 
Thanks everyone!
For people who have done the GC on their own- which hotels do you recommend on property?
I am now thinking for this trip- we will only be at the GC 2 days before we drive to CA.

When we have more time to dedicate to the GC- then this trip looks amazing.

Anyone been there in April? Cold?
 
Spring and Fall temperatures can vary year to year. I used to say go at Christmas when temperatures we like room temperature... until one year I found snow.

I will avoid the summer heat.
 
Three years ago we went during April vacation (mid April). We got to the south rim on Thursday and it was 80 degrees. Friday was also warm. Left on Saturday during a big snow storm. Made for a great contrast as the canyon was covered in snow. Also made for a long drive to Phoenix that afternoon :scared:
 
Thanks everyone!
For people who have done the GC on their own- which hotels do you recommend on property?
I am now thinking for this trip- we will only be at the GC 2 days before we drive to CA.

When we have more time to dedicate to the GC- then this trip looks amazing.

Anyone been there in April? Cold?
I was there in early May, and it snowed 5 inches overnight, and by afternoon was in the high 60's and most of the snow was melted. Even with the snow, it wasn't that cold.

The thing about staying "on property" at the Grand Canyon is, they tend to book up really quickly, and you need to reserve WAY in advance. Also, most of the on-property hotels are pretty basic (and yet pretty expensive). You're staying there for the location, not the amenities. The El Tovar is the nicest of the on property hotels, but it's pretty small, so sells out quickly. I picked some random dates to check on the Grand Canyon Lodges website, and wasn't able to find any availability until early June, and that was for the Bright Angel Lodge only. There seemed to be more availability in July. Again, that was random dates.

Sayhello
 
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We went in mid June and the temps were 120+. They closed the trails down to the bottom of the canyon. The good point was that the Thunderbird and El Tovar had great A.C.. Loved this trip and maybe our favorite.
 
I was there in early May, and it snowed 5 inches overnight, and by afternoon was in the high 60's and most of the snow was melted. Even with the snow, it wasn't that cold.

The thing about staying "on property" at the Grand Canyon is, they tend to book up really quickly, and you need to reserve WAY in advance. Also, most of the on-property hotels are pretty basic (and yet pretty expensive). You're staying there for the location, not the amenities. The El Tovar is the nicest of the on property hotels, but it's pretty small, so sells out quickly. I picked some random dates to check on the Grand Canyon Lodges website, and wasn't able to find any availability until early June, and that was for the Bright Angel Lodge only. There seemed to be more availability in July. Again, that was random dates.

Sayhello

Thanks! I took a peek last night and I think Bright Angel had some random days (single days) in late March but every one looks booked in April. Oh well- thought I could find a random Monday or something but nope.

I guess the Grand Canyon will need to wait until next year.
I guess it's back to Disneyland instead ;)
 

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