I’m giving 3 stars because it was the first time of my sister at the Grand Canyon and she loved. For me it would be just one star.
I’m writing all the details because I think this place expensive compared with South Rim.
Grand Canyon it is one of the best places in I’ve been. It’s Spectacular!!!! A few years ago, we’ve been in the South Rim, we paid for National Park per vehicle per 7 days (today is $35). We spent one night there and we’re able to visit walking, shuttle to see the sunset and we were close to the edges. Amazing experience.
Last Saturday we went from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon west, and what a disappointed experience.
First you’ll parking far from the Grand Canyon itself. You’ll stay in line to buy tickets, $45. I recommend buy in advance, then you’ll stay in line for at least 20 minutes (winter season) to go to the first stop, Eagle Point and Skywalk. They don’t have buses enough to go among the points of view.
It’s Grand Canyon and the impact of the view it amazing!!! Specially for my sister (first time) But……
Second: Skywalk? Waist of money!!!! $23 per person. You can’t carry your phone, cameras, anything at all with you. You’ll leave your belongs in a locker that Thank goodness is free. Then you’ll put a dusty shoe cover and choose the line: left if you don’t want photos and the right you’ll wait in line to take pictures with their photographer. $50 per 10 digital photos. As soon as we entered at the bridge it was a totally disappointed, the floor was so scratched that we’ve barely seen through the glass. Unbelievable. The guy said they change the film over the glass once a month, definitely not enough! Of course, you’re far from the edge and able to see great views, but that’s it! The same view from the edge if you think about it.
The Eagle Point it’s beautiful and breathtaking and It’s kind of closer to us. But….
Another 20 minutes in line to take the bus to go to Guano Point!!!!
The place it’s amazing!!! What a view!!! And you can walk more around the edges, climb the little mountains, explore more by yourself like at the Grand Canyon South. After a hour there, another 20 minutes in line and the driver didn’t want us to enter the bus with free seats spaces yet. People forced the bus door and entered even to stay stand to go back the parking lot. Total disrespect!!!!!
And we gave up seeing the Hualapai Tribe Village. We were tired to spend time in lines.
And to end: You must have credit/debit card to pay for your gifts, food or drinks. At that time, they didn’t have cash anymore. What??? I think if the store still open, they have to have money, especially in a tourist place. (Really, I’ve never seen any place say that they don’t have cash at the cashier, at least if they’re not closing) I saw a lady who didn’t have any card with her and for lucky her friend paid for her. For me it’s unacceptable this kind of thing once you paying a lot to be there.
So, if you have enough time, go to Grand Canyon South Rim, if you don’t, I would skip the skywalk, give more time to spend there and be prepared for the huge lines.