We were booked on the AAA Grand Canyon Railway 3-night package traveling to the Grand Canyon rim on First Class and then return the same day on Dome Observation class.
Upon arrival at the Train Ticket Depot to pick up needed tickets on a rainy day, finding parking was a nightmare near the roundabout fronting the train ticket office. (Front lot is being torn up now and many parking slots were not available, admittedly). The ticketing staff seemed to us to be "jaded."-----maybe they were fatigued from having to handle so many passengers/hotel occupants quickly but a more "welcome" attitude in general would have made us feel comfortable that we'd made the right decision to make the long drive to Williams, AZ.
We enjoyed our train trip to the grand canyon rim but our trip on May 11th was marred by a terrific rain and snow storm which got worse as we neared the canyon rim. Fog prevented us from seeing the canyon itself....but nevertheless our tour driver tried hard to chase around the rim sites trying to find an opening in the fog bank below....he succeeded in that at one point we did get a slight view below for a couple of minutes at the Yavapai Geology Museum. What we did however was to make the 65 mile drive to the rim the next day, which was very clear ....and saw all we wanted to see. The lunch included in the package was NOT good. The food was cold and the service was dismal.
Railroading to the rim and returning the same day is NOT recommended. Even on a good weather day, it would be impossible to explore all the different and varying views of the magnificent canyon. Much better to add an extra night stay at a canyon hotel/lodge and then return to Williams the next day in the afternoon.
Also, there is an excellent free shuttle bus service at the rim operated by the National Park Service. No need to have a car, or make earlier reservations for transport at all...just climb on the shuttle anywhere and you're there before you know it....very efficient ...and saying that, if AAA could furnish to all purchasers of the rim package detailed info about the shuttle operation would help to prepare passengers to use the service efficiently.
By the way, domecar service was excellent on the return. The snacks included strawberry dipped in chocolate, petit fours, hummus and champagne. But the seating was uncomfortable. We had champagne spilled all over our coats due to movements by passengers in front of us. My husband hit his head on the dome each time he stood up. He's 6'2". We'd strongly recommend First class. All the train servers were very accommodating. The roving singer was the same one we had on our trip to the trim. Hence, it wasn't as enjoyable the second time around with the same repertoire and jokes. I think the kids would enjoy the train robbers routine better than us seniors. However, it was a nice distraction especially with bad weather.