bfalexander
Burt
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2007
- Messages
- 7
Disney Southwest Splendor Trip July 2007, return july 17th
This was the best family vacation we have ever had. Even the kids praised this trip. It was well run and exciting. I will outline below how the trip was organized. I will also comment on extras. I am happy for anyone to email me bfalexander@hotmail.com with questions. I really want people to go on this trip!
By the way, I recommend flying in a day or so early as we did. We stayed at the Scottsdale Regency Hyatt which is a 5Start Hotel but the summer rates were about 20% of the standard rate. We enjoyed a top hotel with very few guests at an unbelievable rate. They have 10 pools, great restaurants, gondola rides in the lake, waterslides, gift shops, Native American teaching and artifacts. They are also close to anything for day trips. We used the time to relax. Also, getting in early means you wont miss any of the Disney adventure time. Our flight was delayed over 3 hours and therefore we didnt stress about getting in late since we had an extra 1-2 days to relax. This is separate from Disney and I highly recommend this. The first day is very tiring if you come on that day. We took a town car, cheaper than taxi, from airport to hotel. Hotel concierge arranges this (about $45 for family of 4). You can rent a car but dont need one.
Day 1
We have to arrive at airport by 12 noon. We meet our guides, Tiffany and Chris B. The best guides! We loved them! You leave airport on the bus around 1:30pm. We landed in Phoenix Sky Harbor.
The first stop was Montezumas Castle. Our first group event was fun but a lot of this time was meeting everyone. We were there from 3:00-4:30pm about. Jack, our local cowboy, helped the guides with local knowledge and ran this tour. This was an amazing rock formation where the Native Americans built their homes carved into the rock face. The kids learned a lot. This is the first major picture session. The guides shoot thousands of photos-- often they are sneaky--for the guests. Disney after the trip provides the photos for sale on their web. We just got back so I dont know all the details. We left for the Amara resort and spa at 4:30pm. We had a welcome reception at 6pm and welcome dinner at 7pm. They had a local animal expert talk about the area (Sedona, Arizona) and the wildlife with some living examples.
The Amara was amazing and had some of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. Most of the food was included on this portion of the trip. Good food here. We didnt use the spa. We did book 2 rooms for the whole trip which was great for giving teenagers space. We also booked trip very early and got early bird discount which was significant and covered the extra room.
Day 2
Breakfast 8-9am. Depart for cowboys and canyons tour. Each jeep was driven by local cowboy. Great trip. The cowboys had good knowledge. The tour was excellent and the red rock mountains were beautiful. We learned all about the area and geology. Going in the mountain with 4 wheel drive was exciting b/c of the terrain made driving very difficult. We visited the Sedona Heritage Museum and had lunch provided. Two of the local cowboys entertained at lunch.
We did old time arts and crafts from 1-2pm. Soap figure making and dream catchers. We had rest of afternoon to ourselves. Our family toured/walked around Sedona. They have good books on the area, ice cream and snack stores, and good shopping. You can take a free trolley of the town. Dinner was on our own. Most of us ate at the Cowboy Club. Very good food! Many families tried the rattlesnake, cactus, and bison sampler. Wonderful service and food!
Day 3
Breakfast at 7am. Depart for Red Rock national Park hike at 8:30am. Great hike with local guide/ranger. Learned a lot about wildlife, plants, geology. Kids enjoyed. Small visitor center. Very warm on hike. Guides have abundance of water on every leg of the journey that Disney provides as well as snacks/fruit on bus. We explored Tlaquepaque and had lunch on our own from 12-1:30pm. This is a native American area with food and boutiques. We had good time here. We ate at the Café. Good food. Multiple other areas to eat. Dont forget to try the ice cream shop b/c kids loved this. Then, 3 hour bus tour to Tusayan where Grand Hotel located. Disney has lots of movies etc to pass the time on bus as well as information presented.
The Grand Hotel was the lowest hotel we had but graciously this was in the middle of two top notch hotels. Disney explained that the National Parks only work with one major company each year and they cant hold rooms. Tusayan is right outsided of the park and is the nicest therenot saying much. It was basically a place to sleep and shower. All rooms in parks are old and this room outside park was fairly old. Some parts of room like shower not up to snuff but you are only here 2 nights. Dont think Disney has any other real options in this area.
The Old West Dinner at 6:30 pm was okay. The Indian entertainment was interestingbut they request tips after show. Food was okay but not great. This was only place where food/stay about 3 star. Disney surprised us and gave us a one hour glimpse of canyon to get excited for next day tour. Awesome~! Spiritual experience seeing that amazing structure.
Day 4
Breakfast at 630am. Depart for grand canyon at 8am. We had about 3 hours with our local guide who was wonderful and funny. We went all along the southern rim. Tons of pictures were taken. Lunch on your own. Some went to El Tovar, more fancy. We ate at Bright Angel which was very good. All foreign students were the waiters. I thought very good. Afternoon on your own. Many hiked the canyon. We took a helicopter tour 50 minute of the canyon on Maverick in the new eco-star 2.5 million dollar copter. Awesome! One of best life experiences. It comes in 25 minute also. The high tech copter with DVD made for us with audio and video shot from bottom of helicopter. We bought DVD for $40. You can hear kids questions and pilots remarks during filming. Very nice ride and great photos. This was top in the trip. Well worth the expense. Very pricy. Others did ATV or hiking canyon. We had 6-8pm sunset tour of canyon. It was very low key. Kids played. Parents took pictures as sun set. Great time as group. Then we went to the pizza place right next to hotel. Great food and it was fun to have a low key night with kids.
Day 5
630am breakfast. Depart for Monument Valley at 730am. Lunch at 1130am at Gouldings lodge. Get the Navajo taco for local flavor. You are on the reservation here. The Off Road Tour in modified type pickups for group starts at 230pm. Great natural monuments, all named with tour by local Navajo. Good photo ops. Kids can sit on horse for $2 and get pictures with monuments in background. Lots of movies filmed in this area. Depart for Red Cliffs Lodge at 230pm. Each leg of journey, morning and evening, are 3 hours bus ride, so get ready. Again, there is food, drink, and movies on bus but long. Hotel dinner at 6pm that night. Good food. The lodge is awesome! Kids swim in pool/spa after dinner. Lighted tennis courts with all materials for freeyou dont have to bring your own equipment. Beautiful view as hotel is at base of red cliffs.
Day 6
630am breakfast. We left at 8am for Arches National Park. The group split into 2. People who wanted to take the 2-3 hour hike up and back to Delicate Arch left the bus. Those who didnt stayed on bus with our local guide. I took the hike. Tiring and uphill while hot. We brought water. View was worth it! Lots of photos and beautiful spot. My family took the bus ride. I only saw one arch. They saw 4-5 on bus and did some short walks to view arches. This was much much less rigourous . We had kids do the hike but it is uphill on way up of course and tiring. It was worth it but be prepared.
They took us to Moab for lunch. We ate at Zaks which was great. Buffet of soup/salad/pizza but there menu items were great. There is a smoothie shop up the street that is good. Many other local restaurants. Guides know all of these. We did some shopping here for shirts, hats and local books on Arches. Good visitor center. Nice little town.
Afternoon on your own. Did the horseback riding 430-730pm. Kids loved it. Beginners. Easy horses. Great countryside, pretty scenery. Wonderful time. They recommend long pants to protect legs. We forgot ours and had little problems. Bought cowboy hats at the lodge for the pictures. They were inexpensive but fun to use and take photos with the kids. Almost everyone did the horse ride on day 6 or day 7 b/c we had free time both days. The resort holds spots for Disney but calling ahead helps. Our guides helped us book these while we were on the way to the hotel.
730pm kids had junior dinner with guides. They watched movie and played games until 1030pm when we picked up. This was parent night where we ate dinner at hotel. Great food. Good night to relax with no kids. Kids had blast with guides. This was great night to have time off for parents.
Day 7
630am breakfast. 630am breakfast. 9am river rafting tour. Awesome! Be prepared to fight other boats and get wet. Bring water guns if you have them or buy them locally. We battled other boats in our group and other groups. You can swim near boat. Rapids are class I and some class II but this was an easy movement down the Colorado River. Great time, very relaxing, fun for building friendship. Boxed lunch at hotel after rafting.
Afternoon on your own. Do the hummer H1 tour!~ awesome! Bunch of families went and had great time going vertical 36 up the mountain. Mostly rock and vertical climbing on narrow areas that no other vehicle can do. In fact, we saw a Toyota 4runner jammed in rocks where it got stuck. Only bikes, cyles, and hummers can do this dangerous ride. Expert drivers take groups of 9-10 per vehicle. Again, another top thing to do.
730pm farewell barbecue. Cooking steaks on the grill over looking cliffs and river. Hotel really is beautiful with great scenery. Could see stars and formations at night. So much different than the big city. No cell coverage here or in the mountains so be prepared that you will be in cognito at times during trip.
There were some surprises after dinner that I dont want to give away. Later we did campfire singing and making smores. Really good time for kids and families in general. Very long night with some early goodbyes.
By the way, passport books stamped for kids each day of tour. Pins made ONLY for this trip given out each day to family members. Very special Disney items. Backpacks were given before the trip to each family member. At first hotel, Disney gave out carry bags stocked with goodies (small binoculars etc) for the trip.
Day 8
7am breakfast. Leave for Grand Junction Airport by bus around 8am. It is about 1 ½ hours to airport. Goodbyes were said at hotel before we left and at aiport. It was very emotional for all involved. My wife cried and one of my kids was visibly upset. This was very hard b/c after the first few days of learning names and personal info we became a family. The guides helped ease this transition and it was amazing. People from all over the country became attached. Our kids didnt complain about the trip b/c they had friends.
Having a group of 38 (40 is max) not counting the guides (2) made this trip great. You could travel and experience things with other people. You didnt get bored b/c many others to spend time with. Many familes got close and hung out together at meals and side trips. Friends were made for life. My family said this was the best trip ever. We set up an email list at the end to stay close. People had really come together and had a wonderful experience. I normally travel alone with my family but from now on this type of experience is what we will do.
Disney does it right. There are no characters remember. It is the Disney spirit I am talking about. Great food, Great hotels (mostly), great guides, great places to see, great friends. This was really a top notch trip well thought out and put together. I highly highly recommend this trip. The Disney product is great. It is so nice to relax as a father and let someone else to the :
1. Planning
2. Driving
3. Luggage transfer
4. Water/snacks
5. Entertainment
6. And more
We maxed out the guides in terms of tips at the end. Bring cash for this. We felt they deserved every dollar. They made the trip wonderful. When we had down time they were working nonstop. They helped people with problems. They took the photos (though I did many too). They helped you with restaurants and tour decisions on the own your own times. They had little if any personal time. You give the tip in an envelope on the last day to the guides.
I am sure I forgot things to write but I remember most all of this. I am happy to take any emails or even phone calls if you want to send me your number I will call. I think this trip was so great I want other people to partake in it. We really came together as a family on this trip and made some friends for life!
Burt Alexander
Bfalexander@hotmail.com
PS I have tons of photos.
This was the best family vacation we have ever had. Even the kids praised this trip. It was well run and exciting. I will outline below how the trip was organized. I will also comment on extras. I am happy for anyone to email me bfalexander@hotmail.com with questions. I really want people to go on this trip!
By the way, I recommend flying in a day or so early as we did. We stayed at the Scottsdale Regency Hyatt which is a 5Start Hotel but the summer rates were about 20% of the standard rate. We enjoyed a top hotel with very few guests at an unbelievable rate. They have 10 pools, great restaurants, gondola rides in the lake, waterslides, gift shops, Native American teaching and artifacts. They are also close to anything for day trips. We used the time to relax. Also, getting in early means you wont miss any of the Disney adventure time. Our flight was delayed over 3 hours and therefore we didnt stress about getting in late since we had an extra 1-2 days to relax. This is separate from Disney and I highly recommend this. The first day is very tiring if you come on that day. We took a town car, cheaper than taxi, from airport to hotel. Hotel concierge arranges this (about $45 for family of 4). You can rent a car but dont need one.
Day 1
We have to arrive at airport by 12 noon. We meet our guides, Tiffany and Chris B. The best guides! We loved them! You leave airport on the bus around 1:30pm. We landed in Phoenix Sky Harbor.
The first stop was Montezumas Castle. Our first group event was fun but a lot of this time was meeting everyone. We were there from 3:00-4:30pm about. Jack, our local cowboy, helped the guides with local knowledge and ran this tour. This was an amazing rock formation where the Native Americans built their homes carved into the rock face. The kids learned a lot. This is the first major picture session. The guides shoot thousands of photos-- often they are sneaky--for the guests. Disney after the trip provides the photos for sale on their web. We just got back so I dont know all the details. We left for the Amara resort and spa at 4:30pm. We had a welcome reception at 6pm and welcome dinner at 7pm. They had a local animal expert talk about the area (Sedona, Arizona) and the wildlife with some living examples.
The Amara was amazing and had some of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. Most of the food was included on this portion of the trip. Good food here. We didnt use the spa. We did book 2 rooms for the whole trip which was great for giving teenagers space. We also booked trip very early and got early bird discount which was significant and covered the extra room.
Day 2
Breakfast 8-9am. Depart for cowboys and canyons tour. Each jeep was driven by local cowboy. Great trip. The cowboys had good knowledge. The tour was excellent and the red rock mountains were beautiful. We learned all about the area and geology. Going in the mountain with 4 wheel drive was exciting b/c of the terrain made driving very difficult. We visited the Sedona Heritage Museum and had lunch provided. Two of the local cowboys entertained at lunch.
We did old time arts and crafts from 1-2pm. Soap figure making and dream catchers. We had rest of afternoon to ourselves. Our family toured/walked around Sedona. They have good books on the area, ice cream and snack stores, and good shopping. You can take a free trolley of the town. Dinner was on our own. Most of us ate at the Cowboy Club. Very good food! Many families tried the rattlesnake, cactus, and bison sampler. Wonderful service and food!
Day 3
Breakfast at 7am. Depart for Red Rock national Park hike at 8:30am. Great hike with local guide/ranger. Learned a lot about wildlife, plants, geology. Kids enjoyed. Small visitor center. Very warm on hike. Guides have abundance of water on every leg of the journey that Disney provides as well as snacks/fruit on bus. We explored Tlaquepaque and had lunch on our own from 12-1:30pm. This is a native American area with food and boutiques. We had good time here. We ate at the Café. Good food. Multiple other areas to eat. Dont forget to try the ice cream shop b/c kids loved this. Then, 3 hour bus tour to Tusayan where Grand Hotel located. Disney has lots of movies etc to pass the time on bus as well as information presented.
The Grand Hotel was the lowest hotel we had but graciously this was in the middle of two top notch hotels. Disney explained that the National Parks only work with one major company each year and they cant hold rooms. Tusayan is right outsided of the park and is the nicest therenot saying much. It was basically a place to sleep and shower. All rooms in parks are old and this room outside park was fairly old. Some parts of room like shower not up to snuff but you are only here 2 nights. Dont think Disney has any other real options in this area.
The Old West Dinner at 6:30 pm was okay. The Indian entertainment was interestingbut they request tips after show. Food was okay but not great. This was only place where food/stay about 3 star. Disney surprised us and gave us a one hour glimpse of canyon to get excited for next day tour. Awesome~! Spiritual experience seeing that amazing structure.
Day 4
Breakfast at 630am. Depart for grand canyon at 8am. We had about 3 hours with our local guide who was wonderful and funny. We went all along the southern rim. Tons of pictures were taken. Lunch on your own. Some went to El Tovar, more fancy. We ate at Bright Angel which was very good. All foreign students were the waiters. I thought very good. Afternoon on your own. Many hiked the canyon. We took a helicopter tour 50 minute of the canyon on Maverick in the new eco-star 2.5 million dollar copter. Awesome! One of best life experiences. It comes in 25 minute also. The high tech copter with DVD made for us with audio and video shot from bottom of helicopter. We bought DVD for $40. You can hear kids questions and pilots remarks during filming. Very nice ride and great photos. This was top in the trip. Well worth the expense. Very pricy. Others did ATV or hiking canyon. We had 6-8pm sunset tour of canyon. It was very low key. Kids played. Parents took pictures as sun set. Great time as group. Then we went to the pizza place right next to hotel. Great food and it was fun to have a low key night with kids.
Day 5
630am breakfast. Depart for Monument Valley at 730am. Lunch at 1130am at Gouldings lodge. Get the Navajo taco for local flavor. You are on the reservation here. The Off Road Tour in modified type pickups for group starts at 230pm. Great natural monuments, all named with tour by local Navajo. Good photo ops. Kids can sit on horse for $2 and get pictures with monuments in background. Lots of movies filmed in this area. Depart for Red Cliffs Lodge at 230pm. Each leg of journey, morning and evening, are 3 hours bus ride, so get ready. Again, there is food, drink, and movies on bus but long. Hotel dinner at 6pm that night. Good food. The lodge is awesome! Kids swim in pool/spa after dinner. Lighted tennis courts with all materials for freeyou dont have to bring your own equipment. Beautiful view as hotel is at base of red cliffs.
Day 6
630am breakfast. We left at 8am for Arches National Park. The group split into 2. People who wanted to take the 2-3 hour hike up and back to Delicate Arch left the bus. Those who didnt stayed on bus with our local guide. I took the hike. Tiring and uphill while hot. We brought water. View was worth it! Lots of photos and beautiful spot. My family took the bus ride. I only saw one arch. They saw 4-5 on bus and did some short walks to view arches. This was much much less rigourous . We had kids do the hike but it is uphill on way up of course and tiring. It was worth it but be prepared.
They took us to Moab for lunch. We ate at Zaks which was great. Buffet of soup/salad/pizza but there menu items were great. There is a smoothie shop up the street that is good. Many other local restaurants. Guides know all of these. We did some shopping here for shirts, hats and local books on Arches. Good visitor center. Nice little town.
Afternoon on your own. Did the horseback riding 430-730pm. Kids loved it. Beginners. Easy horses. Great countryside, pretty scenery. Wonderful time. They recommend long pants to protect legs. We forgot ours and had little problems. Bought cowboy hats at the lodge for the pictures. They were inexpensive but fun to use and take photos with the kids. Almost everyone did the horse ride on day 6 or day 7 b/c we had free time both days. The resort holds spots for Disney but calling ahead helps. Our guides helped us book these while we were on the way to the hotel.
730pm kids had junior dinner with guides. They watched movie and played games until 1030pm when we picked up. This was parent night where we ate dinner at hotel. Great food. Good night to relax with no kids. Kids had blast with guides. This was great night to have time off for parents.
Day 7
630am breakfast. 630am breakfast. 9am river rafting tour. Awesome! Be prepared to fight other boats and get wet. Bring water guns if you have them or buy them locally. We battled other boats in our group and other groups. You can swim near boat. Rapids are class I and some class II but this was an easy movement down the Colorado River. Great time, very relaxing, fun for building friendship. Boxed lunch at hotel after rafting.
Afternoon on your own. Do the hummer H1 tour!~ awesome! Bunch of families went and had great time going vertical 36 up the mountain. Mostly rock and vertical climbing on narrow areas that no other vehicle can do. In fact, we saw a Toyota 4runner jammed in rocks where it got stuck. Only bikes, cyles, and hummers can do this dangerous ride. Expert drivers take groups of 9-10 per vehicle. Again, another top thing to do.
730pm farewell barbecue. Cooking steaks on the grill over looking cliffs and river. Hotel really is beautiful with great scenery. Could see stars and formations at night. So much different than the big city. No cell coverage here or in the mountains so be prepared that you will be in cognito at times during trip.
There were some surprises after dinner that I dont want to give away. Later we did campfire singing and making smores. Really good time for kids and families in general. Very long night with some early goodbyes.
By the way, passport books stamped for kids each day of tour. Pins made ONLY for this trip given out each day to family members. Very special Disney items. Backpacks were given before the trip to each family member. At first hotel, Disney gave out carry bags stocked with goodies (small binoculars etc) for the trip.
Day 8
7am breakfast. Leave for Grand Junction Airport by bus around 8am. It is about 1 ½ hours to airport. Goodbyes were said at hotel before we left and at aiport. It was very emotional for all involved. My wife cried and one of my kids was visibly upset. This was very hard b/c after the first few days of learning names and personal info we became a family. The guides helped ease this transition and it was amazing. People from all over the country became attached. Our kids didnt complain about the trip b/c they had friends.
Having a group of 38 (40 is max) not counting the guides (2) made this trip great. You could travel and experience things with other people. You didnt get bored b/c many others to spend time with. Many familes got close and hung out together at meals and side trips. Friends were made for life. My family said this was the best trip ever. We set up an email list at the end to stay close. People had really come together and had a wonderful experience. I normally travel alone with my family but from now on this type of experience is what we will do.
Disney does it right. There are no characters remember. It is the Disney spirit I am talking about. Great food, Great hotels (mostly), great guides, great places to see, great friends. This was really a top notch trip well thought out and put together. I highly highly recommend this trip. The Disney product is great. It is so nice to relax as a father and let someone else to the :
1. Planning
2. Driving
3. Luggage transfer
4. Water/snacks
5. Entertainment
6. And more
We maxed out the guides in terms of tips at the end. Bring cash for this. We felt they deserved every dollar. They made the trip wonderful. When we had down time they were working nonstop. They helped people with problems. They took the photos (though I did many too). They helped you with restaurants and tour decisions on the own your own times. They had little if any personal time. You give the tip in an envelope on the last day to the guides.
I am sure I forgot things to write but I remember most all of this. I am happy to take any emails or even phone calls if you want to send me your number I will call. I think this trip was so great I want other people to partake in it. We really came together as a family on this trip and made some friends for life!
Burt Alexander
Bfalexander@hotmail.com
PS I have tons of photos.
). I'd expect you'd need a closed toe shoe there, no?
