Adventures by Michele: The Grand Canyon About This Page:

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Adventures by Michele: The Grand Canyon
(Subtitle: Three Trips Before Disney)
Installment I: The Pre-Trip Report
Dates: July, 2012 (actual dates, TBD)
Travelers:
Michele - I’m the mom who loves to run and plan trips, among other things. I teach full time, and I would be DELIGHTED to let Adventures by Disney take care of every last detail and pamper me during this trip! However, I have learned that ABD is not really for the budget conscious traveler. Hence, the subtitle.
Chris – The dad. He’s an avid hiker and athlete who was born in hiking boots. By day, he is a college professor and musician. But in the wee hours of the morning, or when his work day ends, he can be found trail running, swimming, biking, hiking…you get the idea.
Peter – Our fabulous son. He’s 12, but he’ll be almost 13 when we travel. So far we’re making it through the tween years, and it’s been fairly painless. It’ll be interesting to see how the teen years roll. Peter is a swimmer, a trombonist, a soccer player, and a huge rail fan. Trains will no doubt play a part in this vacation.
Back story:
“Three Trips Before Disney” is the rule we are currently following, and this is trip #2. My family enjoys WDW and DL, but not with the great love and devotion that I feel. Chris is adamant that we should see other places. Agreed. So after 3 trips to WDW in 4 years, we set out to travel to new destinations. Two years ago we had a fantastic time in Alaska. (See Trip Report link in my signature.) Last year we saved some cash by visiting family and sponging off my parents on at trip to Lake Michigan. (They take my brothers’ families and my family to Lake Michigan for a few days each summer, so it’s more of a tradition than a sponging situation.) We also went to the beach in North Carolina, but since we were paid to go there to play at a wedding, I’m told that it isn’t one of the Three Trips Before Disney.
Peter and I have never been to the Grand Canyon. Chris hiked to the bottom, stayed overnight, and went rafting when he was 18. I imagine it will feel much different now that he and I have both passed the milestone birthday of 40. He has always wanted to return.
Lodging
1 night at the Bright Angel Lodge (already reserved, and yes, this means were hiking in and out of the canyon)
1 night on the rim
2 nights at the Havasu Lodge (uh-huh, hiking in and out TWICE!)
2 nights in Vegas at Club 39, a Blue Green vacation property.
Flights: TBD
Car Rental: TBD
Concerns:
1. Honestly, we’re all in pretty good shape, but I’m a little nervous about climbing in and out of the canyon twice, with a backpack filled with water and necessities on my back. I’m really more of a day hiker.
2. Lodging is also a slight concern. I think the places we’re staying in AZ are fairly basic. Did I mention that I LOVE Disney’s Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts? And that I dream of Concierge Level at any of the Deluxe resorts?
3. Vegas – again, I’ve never been. I hope I don’t hate it. Club 39 is a time share, and for $34 (+90 minutes of our time!) we are staying in a deluxe, 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa, for 2 nights. I know that some pretty good deals can be found on the strip, but this property looks relatively nice, and has mostly good reviews. I think we’ll enjoy visiting the strip, and then relaxing a little further off the beaten path. Maybe this won’t be so bad. As for the time share presentation, we’ve done this a couple of times before, and I think we can withstand the pressure.

[chezp]

Great start - wow, you're braver than me with all that hiking!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start!

[xrosario]

Oooh I'm really excited to hear about these plans! I plan like crazy for Disney but I feel totally lost when it comes to planning for other places. Everything sounds like fun so far!

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Adventures by Michele: The Grand Canyon
Installment 2: Dates and Details

July 6,2012 - Fly from Columbus, OH to Las Vegas. Rent a car, and drive to Grand Canyon National Park.
Stay 1 night at the Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins.
http://http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/bright-angel-lodge-408.html

July 7 - Leave the Bright Angel Lodge and Cabins bright and early. I've been dying to say that! Hike the South Kaibab Trail to the floor of the canyon. (7.8 miles, about 4.5 hours.)
Stay 1 night at the Phantom Ranch. I'll be alone in the Female Dorm, and Peter and Chris will be together in the Male Dorm.
http://http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/reservations-427.html

July 8 - breakfast at 5 am, pick up sack lunches, and begin climbing the Bright Angel Trail to the rim. (9.5 miles, about 8 hours!)
This is my favorite part - the carrot on the stick! Stay 1 night at El Tovar Hotel!
Grand Canyon Lodging, Hotel, Vacation, Camping, Lodge, Tours

July 9 - After we wake up and eat breakfast, we'll drive to the Havasu Canyon Trail Head. We will once again hike into the canyon, and see the breath-taking water falls.
Stay 2 nights at the Havasupai Lodge.
httphttp://www.havasupaitribe.com/lodge.html

July 11 - Hike out of the Havasu Canyon and drive to Las Vegas.
Stay 2 nights at Club 36, 2 blocks off the strip. Sleep.


July 13 - fly home. Sleep some more.

[Colexis Mom]

Great plans!

[chezp]

Nice plans!

[Straitlover]

What time does your flight get into Vegas the first day? That drive from LV to GC takes longer than you think is why I ask. Although, maybe it's shorter now that they have opened that bypass around the dam.

Have a great trip! We were at the Maswik Lodge the night we spent there.

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Originally Posted by Straitlover

What time does your flight get into Vegas the first day? That drive from LV to GC takes longer than you think is why I ask. Although, maybe it's shorter now that they have opened that bypass around the dam.

Thanks for the tip. It looks like it will take us about 4 hours to drive to the Canyon from Vegas? I hope this is correct.

[B.M.]

I'm excited to read all your plans!! We are also planning a trip to the Grand Canyon- this May. Apparently we have a lot in common..... We also recently did Alaska (this past May w/DCL) and my two oldest(14 & 12) play the trombone. We are also doing Vegas on our trip to the Grand Canyon.... But our trip is a road trip rather than flying that will also include some other national parks with the Grand Canyon being the main destination.....
Sounds like it will be a great trip!

[Dlandmom2]

I'm definitely following along! I almost went on a last minute trip to the Grand Canyon earlier this year but then realized that this is something that does take some planning to have the best time! Your plans sound great so far! I "think" your driving estimate sounds about right, but I agree that everything I've heard points to the drive being longer than you think because you pretty much have to go all the way around the canyon to get to the village before going down. I don't know about the bypass around the dam, though, so maybe that's a faster option?

[JuliB57]

Originally Posted by MAKHayes-DisneyDiva

Adventures by Michele: The Grand Canyon
(Subtitle: Three Trips Before Disney)
Installment I: The Pre-Trip Report
Dates: July, 2012 (actual dates, TBD)
Travelers:
Michele - I’m the mom who loves to run and plan trips, among other things. I teach full time, and I would be DELIGHTED to let Adventures by Disney take care of every last detail and pamper me during this trip! However, I have learned that ABD is not really for the budget conscious traveler. Hence, the subtitle.
Chris – The dad. He’s an avid hiker and athlete who was born in hiking boots. By day, he is a college professor and musician. But in the wee hours of the morning, or when his work day ends, he can be found trail running, swimming, biking, hiking…you get the idea.
Peter – Our fabulous son. He’s 12, but he’ll be almost 13 when we travel. So far we’re making it through the tween years, and it’s been fairly painless. It’ll be interesting to see how the teen years roll. Peter is a swimmer, a trombonist, a soccer player, and a huge rail fan. Trains will no doubt play a part in this vacation.
Back story:
“Three Trips Before Disney” is the rule we are currently following, and this is trip #2. My family enjoys WDW and DL, but not with the great love and devotion that I feel. Chris is adamant that we should see other places. Agreed. So after 3 trips to WDW in 4 years, we set out to travel to new destinations. Two years ago we had a fantastic time in Alaska. (See Trip Report link in my signature.) Last year we saved some cash by visiting family and sponging off my parents on at trip to Lake Michigan. (They take my brothers’ families and my family to Lake Michigan for a few days each summer, so it’s more of a tradition than a sponging situation.) We also went to the beach in North Carolina, but since we were paid to go there to play at a wedding, I’m told that it isn’t one of the Three Trips Before Disney.
Peter and I have never been to the Grand Canyon. Chris hiked to the bottom, stayed overnight, and went rafting when he was 18. I imagine it will feel much different now that he and I have both passed the milestone birthday of 40. He has always wanted to return.
Lodging
1 night at the Bright Angel Lodge (already reserved, and yes, this means were hiking in and out of the canyon)
1 night on the rim
2 nights at the Havasu Lodge (uh-huh, hiking in and out TWICE!)
2 nights in Vegas at Club 39, a Blue Green vacation property.
Flights: TBD
Car Rental: TBD
Concerns:
1. Honestly, we’re all in pretty good shape, but I’m a little nervous about climbing in and out of the canyon twice, with a backpack filled with water and necessities on my back. I’m really more of a day hiker.
2. Lodging is also a slight concern. I think the places we’re staying in AZ are fairly basic. Did I mention that I LOVE Disney’s Beach Club and Boardwalk Resorts? And that I dream of Concierge Level at any of the Deluxe resorts?
3. Vegas – again, I’ve never been. I hope I don’t hate it. Club 39 is a time share, and for $34 (+90 minutes of our time!) we are staying in a deluxe, 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa, for 2 nights. I know that some pretty good deals can be found on the strip, but this property looks relatively nice, and has mostly good reviews. I think we’ll enjoy visiting the strip, and then relaxing a little further off the beaten path. Maybe this won’t be so bad. As for the time share presentation, we’ve done this a couple of times before, and I think we can withstand the pressure.

I love your idea of three trips before Disney.....Disney is wonderful but there is also a lot of beautiful country in our United States. I am looking at a trip to the Grand Canyon in Sept 2012 so I am anxious to see how yours turns out. I think we will do a road trip this time....just hubby and myself.....and stay 4 nights. I am looking at the North Rim mainly for something different. We have been to the Grand Canyon for a day about 17 years ago and always wanted to return and spend some more time. Right now we are just in the discussing stage but I know if we want to make reservations there in the national park, we will need to make a decision fairly quickly. Have fun and happy planning!!

[Straitlover]

Originally Posted by MAKHayes-DisneyDiva

Thanks for the tip. It looks like it will take us about 4 hours to drive to the Canyon from Vegas? I hope this is correct.

It took my sis and I about 5.5-6 hrs to get there. That included a couple of gas/potty stops and a stop right outside the park entrance to grab a quick bite (wnated tos ave a little money). Went in the genral sore for a few to look around, then walked over to McDonalds. Uh, no!!! The prices were outrageous! A quarter-pound combo was like 8-9 bucks! And no Dollar Menu. Ended up across the street at Wendy's. Their prices were only about 10-20 cents higher thatn regular.

It's around 275 miles one way if memory serves. That bypass around the dam may save you a little time. Plan your potty breaks because there's not a lot of places to stop.

[JuliB57]

Well, you guys inspired me. Made reservations for the Pioneer Cabins on the North Rim for Sept 14-18. Am looking forward to seeing it!!

[pamcarey]

Great plans! It's been many years since I went to the Grand Canyon, and I'd love to go back someday!