grand canyon excursion

[airbear]

For anyone who has gone on a helicoptor ride at the grand canyon, how pricey was it and what was it like? I mean in terms of the ride. Anyone get motion sick? Was it like a roller coaster? We leave for sws in 4 days and my hubbie is all about this excursion. He is a thrill seeker. Me, not so much. Any info. would be great.

 

[Diskidatheart]

I was not on this trip, but I did do an excursion in Maui and we rode a helicopter around the island. For me and my DW, we had no issues with motion sickness. The only odd thing for me was taking off. It was a little strange going straight up in the air and a bit wobbly. I wouldn't say it is only for thrill seekers as I think anyone would enjoy a helicopter ride.

 

[sayhello]

For anyone who has gone on a helicoptor ride at the grand canyon, how pricey was it and what was it like? I mean in terms of the ride. Anyone get motion sick? Was it like a roller coaster? We leave for sws in 4 days and my hubbie is all about this excursion. He is a thrill seeker. Me, not so much. Any info. would be great.

I did the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon in 2008. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember it was around $180 per person. I do have issues with motion sickness, and I was OK on this trip, although I *did* feel a little off... It was definitely not like a roller coaster. They can only go so far down in the Canyon (really not very far) so it's not like you're flying up & down & all around or anything like that. Honestly, while it was a cool way to see the Canyon from a different perspective, it was not the "religious" experience I'd been led to believe it would be. It was not scary for me, either.

That's just my experience, YMMV. I'm glad I did it, but I don't really have a desire to do it again.

Sayhello

 

[airbear]

Thanks to both of you, sounds like its something I can handle

 

[glassslipper2004]

We did the trip last summer. I have a post on this somewhere... but here's a quick summary. One person sits up front with the pilot, the other 4-6 in back. They group you with others if you don't have a large enough group. The poor lady from the other couple in the back with us did get motion sick and threw up in a bag - luckily it was towards the end of the ride, because after she threw up, she almost set off several other folks. I didn't think the ride was that bad, but it is different, if you have never been in a helicopter.

The person up front (me) can't see or talk to the rest of their family, which I didn't like at all - you didn't get to experience it with your family. And you have no choice about where you sit, they assign you based on weight.

It took a lot of time to get to the helicopter place at the airport, and to get back, and you have to take public transportation because Disney can't take you there for liability reasons.

Add all that and the fact that it was very expensive and took up a whole afternoon when we could have been looking at the canyon close up, and I can't recommend it. Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[tufbuf]

We were on the grand canyon trip last week. The helicopter ride, as relayed by those who did is no different from viewing it on the rim trail. In my opinion, it's better to make use of the free time and hike down the canyon. It's an amazing and humbling view!

 

[queenmother]

We are going August 3rd, and are interested in hiking down the canyon. How long does this take and how far down can you get? Did you see the IMAX? Was it 100 degrees in the Canyon? What other fun things can an active family with a 10 and 13 year old participate in right at the rim? Can you hike in the evening or is it dangerous?

 

[sunny34]

Ooo, thanks for the help.

 

[Turtlemom]

We did a 1/2 hour helicopter ride over the canyon (there is a long version and a short version).
Our ride was very smooth and there were 4 of us, so we had the helicopter to ourselves with the pilot. I found the ride very smooth and not at all motion sickness inducing, but this may differ with weather conditions. Dramamine ahead of time is always an option.
I was happy we did this as the view was phenomenal and I thought it was much different than the view from the rim, especially when we came up to the north rim, which is higher.
Good luck, and enjoy your trip--whatever you end up doing!

 

[Ed J]

Limo pic-up at hotel
check in / weigh in at their facility at the Vegas AP
flight to the GC going over the Dam and a big lake
Champagne lunch at the base of the canyon
ride back to AP with a tour of the strip
buy souvenir photo at their place
limo ride back to hotel (in Vegas)
4 hours door to door
$350 with tips add another $40 if you want a DVD of the trip

March / 2010

If you get motion sickness on a boat or plane you could easily do it in a helicopter, best advice is prepare for it.

It is truly grand .

 

[sayhello]

Limo pic-up at hotel
check in / weigh in at their facility at the Vegas AP
flight to the GC going over the Dam and a big lake
Champagne lunch at the base of the canyon
ride back to AP with a tour of the strip
buy souvenir photo at their place
limo ride back to hotel (in Vegas)
4 hours door to door
$350 with tips add another $40 if you want a DVD of the trip

March / 2010

If you get motion sickness on a boat or plane you could easily do it in a helicopter, best advice is prepare for it.

It is truly grand .

That looks & sounds fabulous!

Unfortunately (although it's not obvious from their post if you're not familiar with ABD) the OP is asking about tours in the National Park, which are vastly different from what you can get out of Vegas. (They're taking 'SWS' - Southwest Splendors - which is an ABD that goes to Grand Canyon National Park). There are a lot more restrictions on how far down into the canyon they can go in the National Park. You'd never get a shot in the National Park like the top one you posted. The helicopters do look like the one in your picture, though.

The ones in the National Park are way more bare-bones, and don't include any of the niceties (except the weigh-in! And the souvenir picture for $$) that yours did. No pickups, champagne, etc. I don't want airbear to get the wrong idea of what's available to them.

Sayhello

 

[Ed J]

I saw Grand Canyon on the main page and did not know what the ABD forum was, I get it now though thanks.

Based on your photos I'd say we were looking at the same hole and with the costs listed above sounds like a good deal .

 

[tufbuf]

We are going August 3rd, and are interested in hiking down the canyon. How long does this take and how far down can you get? Did you see the IMAX? Was it 100 degrees in the Canyon? What other fun things can an active family with a 10 and 13 year old participate in right at the rim? Can you hike in the evening or is it dangerous?

There are a few trails near the lodge ABD is staying, the most popular and easier one is Bright Angel Trail. There is a mile and a half stop and 3 mile stop. You can do either if you wish to hike all afternoon (the free time on your second day in the canyon). The 1-1/2 mile hike will take about 2-3 hours back and forth and the 3-mile may take 4-6 hours depending on your pace. You can book mule rides at the Bright Angel Lodge. Hiking at night is not recommended since the canyon is pitch dark at night. It also gets hotter as you descend the canyon if you do so in the early afternoon.

We had a blast in our Southwest Splendors trip! Hope you do too!!!

 

[queenmother]

Thanks for the hiking info!! We shall have to assess the temperature situation.

 

[pjacobi]

We are going August 3rd, and are interested in hiking down the canyon. How long does this take and how far down can you get? Did you see the IMAX? Was it 100 degrees in the Canyon? What other fun things can an active family with a 10 and 13 year old participate in right at the rim? Can you hike in the evening or is it dangerous?

Hiking down is usually via Kaibab trail (7 miles) and up via Bright Angle Trail (9 miles). It is almost impossible to get lost on these trails. The trip can only be done in one day unless you are a super athletic.

Anyone in normal physical condition can accomplish the trip in two days with an overnight stay at the Phantom Ranch. For about $100, the Phantom Ranch provides steak dinner, ranger talk, bunk bed in male or female bunk house, breakfast and sack lunch. Reservations are *absolutely* required and are difficult to obtain.

The greatest danger is heat stroke, so hikes normally start around 7:00AM.

If you do get into trouble, the only way out is by rescue helicoper which costs about $10,000.00 for a ride. Does that scare you enough?

As long as you respect the Canyon and use common sense, the trip is an incredible experience.


-Paul

 

[glassslipper2004]

You can definitely hike down into the canyon a little bit on the free afternoon - just don't go down too far, and then come back up. This gives you a nice view a little bit down the rim. Take lots and lots of water. Several families did this on our trip - I wish we had too, they really enjoyed it.

 

[pjacobi]

I would NOT recomend any partial hikes into the Grand Canyon!

Many people wander down the trail unprepared until they are exhausted. Then realize that it is a long and hard walk up the hill. It's also about the time people realize the rim is a 6000ft. altitude and the air is noticible thinner when panting out of breath. This is how most accidents happen.



-Paul

 

[sayhello]

I would NOT recomend any partial hikes into the Grand Canyon!

Many people wander down the trail unprepared until they are exhausted. Then realize that it is a long and hard walk up the hill. It's also about the time people realize the rim is a 6000ft. altitude and the air is noticible thinner when panting out of breath. This is how most accidents happen.
-Paul

I have to disagree with this. I don't recommend taking a partial hike into the Grand Canyon unprepared, but if you have snacks and plenty of water, and a hat & sunglasses & the proper footwear & layered clothing, and a reasonable expectation of how far down into the Canyon you can get in the time you have, it CAN be done. I did it, and loved it. I had 3 to 4 hours to hike, so I decided I would go about one hour in on the Bright Angel trail, leaving 2 hours to hike back out (the Guides had recommended twice as long to hike out as to hike in). It was very doable, and the views from part way down the canyon are much more intimate than pictures taken from the Rim.

I agree. Be smart and be prepared. But to not attempt it at all? Heck no!

Sayhello

 

[airbear]

We just returned from southwest splendors and we opted to pass up the helicoptor ride. My hubbie wanted to hike the bright angel trail instead. We got to the 3 mile resthouse in about 2 hours and then went back up. They are not kidding when they say be cautious when you hike down because the hike up is 10 times harder. It was also very hot the further we went down. We got back up in 3 hours. Great experience but very physically strenuous (for me anyway, but I have never hiked before).

 

[glassslipper2004]

Sayhello, that's a beautiful picture!