We were thrilled with out choice to take the train to the Grand Canyon, rather than drive! Our car host, Amber Rose, was terrific. She interacted in a genuine way with each group in our car. She was also funny and incredibly knowledgeable of both history and the geography of our surroundings. We learned things we never would have discovered on our own. You have approximately 3 hours on your own to explore the rim from the Village. It was the right amount of time for us. We ate lunch at the Bright Angel Lodge. There are options for GF and Vegan. The food was delicious, running about $13 each.I
As mentioned in other reviews, there are entertainers and a photographer. We weren't annoyed by them looking for tips or purchasing photos because we knew what to expect and didn't feel pressured.