Warning-page 6 Vacation Magic

[Pa@okw95]

Just a friendly warning to beware of the National Parks when it comes to acccommodations, they can be about the worse you will see anywhere. I always felt there should be some kind of an investigation into the business of renting out accommodations at the National Parks. I did have one excellent accommodations and that was at the Grand Canyon in their Lodges that were renovated. Most of the other places I stayed at were very very sub-par, one if fact at Yellow Stone was the worse I have ever stayed in. Our Vacation Magic is touting them as Adventurers selection, just beware how bad they can be. The National Parks are beautiful, however there should be some arrests regarding the people taking your money for acccommodations. Don't expect anything near the DVC at these places.

 

[lulu71]

Thanks for the warning. Somehow I missed that part. The Grand Canyon sounds like fun, but am I understanding that not all of the accomodations have been renovated?

 

[Pa@okw95]

Here is a site for NP, if you dedide to go I would try to stay only in the very best they have to offer which may require some advance reservations.
http://www.nps.gov/
I stayed in the lodges at Grand Canyon that were just renovated, they were excellent, if you do decide to go to GC I would ask about the renovations situation, they were excellent.

 

[sgtpet]

The National Parks are beautiful, however there should be some arrests regarding the people taking your money for acccommodations.


Lock them up and throw away the key.

 

[Beca]

Wow!! Thanks for the "heads up". I will remember that...not that I think I will ever trade away my "precious" DVC points!!!



Beca

 

[Patty3]

We stayed at the Thunderbird lodge in the Grand Canyon this past September. I really wanted to stay at El Tovar, but it was completely booked. Our room had a view of the canyon that was breathtaking. However, even though the room was recently remodeled, it reminded me of an old college dorm room. There was no AC and it did get hot on some days, we were told there was AC, there is not, but there is some sort of cooling system that does not work very well. With that said, I would stay here again for the convenience and the view.

We also went to Bryce Canyon and could not get a room in the park, so we stayed at Ruby's. This was one of the worst places I have ever stayed at. We booked a two bedroom suite and the room stunk of mold. The place was fully booked and we had a choice of this room or sleeping in a teepee. I could not recommend this place at all and would not stay here ever again.

 

[DVC Chris]

We've stayed in (or visited) a few of the east coast National Park properties (Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah) and found them to be acceptable. They were clean, comfortable and sufficient. My wife always tells me that we're 'spolied' by the DVC accommodations, but some of the National Park places we've stayed are on par with some of the decent chain 'budget' motel/hotels out there.

When I book in a National Park, I expect a clean, comfortable place to stay that's INSIDE the park. Some of the National Park Lodges give you that, plus the rustic ambiance.

We are booked for a two week trip this coming June to Grand Canyon (both rims), Byrce Canyon and Zion and we're staying in the lodges in each place. I did a bunch of research and hope we'll have decent experiences. We're just NOT expecting DVC-level accommodations.

 

[perdidobay]

Uhhh, when you stay in a NP lodges and motels, you should never expect fancy. Just clean and comfortable. No where near whatWDW DVC units look like. It is the NP location you are paying for.
We love the "original" rooms at Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone NP...not for the comfort, but for the location and the history of being in a lodge room that has not changed in over a 100 years.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Just a friendly warning to beware of the National Parks when it comes to acccommodations, they can be about the worse you will see anywhere.

What were the specific problems?

We've stayed at West Thumb in Yellowstone and Colter Bay at GRand Teton NP. Both were what I expected. Clean. Quiet. No frills. No mold. Quite rustic. I would stay at either again. In fact we have reservations at Colter Bay for August. (Not on points.)

The tent cabins at Colter Bay have rodents running around. At least they did 20 years ago. I wouldn't stay there with my family.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I've stayed at the Bright Angel Lodge and Phantom Ranch at the Grand Canyon. Bright Angel had no air conditioning, no TV, in some instances semi private baths. I loved it and I'll stay there again. It was rustic, beautiful, quite clean and right on the rim. Phantom ranch had no air conditioning, no TV, bunk beds, the occasional rodent running around the beams and you had to walk to the public shower...in some instances you might have to hike to the toilet as well. It was also on the bottom of the canyon with all the beauty that goes with that including a spectacular walk out on the morning of departure (start in the dark with the stars and get beautiful sunrise views as you hike up and along the Bright Angel trail. Would I trade points for any of these including the El Tovar? Probably not. Would I stay there or at any other National Park? Absolutely.

 

[WDWorld2003]

To us, there's no place like the National Parks. I don't think I'd trade points as I think it would be easier to just obtain a reservation on your own, but may consider it. We've spent time in many different accomodations and never had a bad room, always clean - rustic, yes - but I wouldn't want anything else when I'm there. We've even stayed in the Roosevelt Cabins in Yellowstone with no bathroom or sink - loved it! To us, it's part of the experience. I would actually rather be at a cabin in the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone or Glacier than at Disney any day. We love Disney, but the National Parks are such a treasure - we're all lucky that our country has protected some of the most beautiful places on earth.

 

[JimC]

Grand Canyonj lodges are quite nice. There are a variety of accommocations. I have stayed at El Tovar and Bright Angel. El Tovar is really something. My first vist to the canyon we got to the El Tovar at night. Woke up in the morning, walked outside to the patio and there you are -- the full splendor of the canyon right in front of you. If you are going, make reservations for the mule ride down into the canyon. It is great fun, but is booked well in advance.

 

[dcfromva]

Hmm, that is interesting. I didn't know you could use points at the NPS. I would agree with most that has been said--lodging in the NPS is usually pretty basic, but it is where I want to stay when visiting the park.
I have rarely seen any discounts over the publishes rates--I wonder how the points come out in comparision to the cash rates...

-DC

 

[rinkwide]

Just a friendly warning to beware of the National Parks when it comes to acccommodations, they can be about the worse you will see anywhere.

NOTE: The above statement most certainly does not apply to the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite NP.