I'm a planner. I planned and booked a kick @ss trip through Alaska with my partner and his kids (10, 14). However, as we headed toward Talkeetna, I realized that I hadn't planned much between staying there and then going to Denali, which is a pretty short drive. Our trip was going so great that I went online and saw that taking a plane tour with a glacier landing was a thing we could do from Talkeetna. On a whim, I checked to see the availability, thinking it would likely be a bust a most tours I booked I had to book MONTHS in advance and had slim pickings.
Nope! Was able to book a flight for the next day. OMG-highlight of our trip. The 14 year old even got out his phone to... wait for it... take pictures! We'd kayaked to a glacier and seen countless amazing things so far and this is the ONE time he actually took pics--that tells you how amazing it was.
This is THE way to see what a glacier really is and to also get a terrific view of Denali. Every other way is just so chancy.
Anyway, maybe scrap a few other things and splurge for this--it's amazing.