Grand Canyon Railway Adventure Package

Posted By : Exploration814872
This is an overpriced joke. You can check in early for a $35.00 fee but otherwise you can sit in the lobby with all the other guests waiting for check in time who, like us paid almost $1500 for this package. I used the time to pick up our coupons for meals, the train and the bus tour. The food at the Harvey’s restaurant buffet was really sub par. The seafood newburg tasted like someone opened a can of golden mushroom soup and watered it down too much. The beef tenderloin was almost raw and when I asked for a more well done piece I was told this is it. No offer to cook the pieces a bit more. The pasta station held some promise but the cook did not heat it up enough and it was lukewarm. On the good side, the table wait staff was excellent and attentive. The only bright spot was the omelet the next morning for breakfast. They did a nice job on that. Prior to boarding the train, there is a “Wild West.Show”. Do yourself a favor and pass. Use the time to position yourself towards the front of the boarding line as the mad rush for the observation car takes place. If not, you will sit in your assigned seats and NEVER get a seat in the car you paid extra for. It is first come first serve but no one tells you that. If you are among the ones who miss out, the area under the observation deck is well appointed, comfortable and quiet. Try that area. After arriving at the Grand Canyon, we chose the bus tour that included lunch. This was a big mistake. Lunch was terrible. Pork loin and chicken were barely recognizable as such. I ate held a piece of chocolate cake that tasted like a high school cafeteria special. A word about the bus seating. It is first come first serve BUT, there are four seats in the raised rear section of the bus that are in my opinion unusable. It has a raised slant that requires you to have your knees in your chest. Do not be the last four people on the bus or you will hate it. The bus tour is WAY too short and you make only three stops to get out and view the canyon. It is a waste of both time and money. Do yourself a favor, pass on this experience. It is a complete ripoff.
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Posted On : 2024-05-10

Posted By : Vickie_A
Our train conductor Michael was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and so friendly. Loved him, he made it nice. Also we enjoyed the cowboys show. The buffet was mediocre. People on the bus were fighting over the seats. The seats over the wheel wells are terrible. No one wanted to sit there. Older people cannot sit in those positions for that long. One couple worried about having their seats taken at the stop did not get off the bus, so they basically missed seeing the Grand Canyon on a trip they paid a lot of money to see. Unfortunately everyone in our bus were old. The bus driver did not intervene. Luckily only words were exchanged and not punches.
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Posted On : 2024-05-10

Posted By : Kim K
awful. Views Speed-slow. Constant talking and entertaining and tipping begging from the staff. Zero peace. Would never do it again. Recommend for those 65 + only.
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Posted On : 2024-05-08

Posted By : jeanena
What a fantastic day we had!!! we really enjoyed our trip on the Grand Canyon Railroad, and the western show before the train left… definitely worth doing.
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Posted On : 2024-05-02

Posted By : 846jennah
We enjoyed our time round trip in the observation dome. I would highly recommend booking a bus tour in the package as it is a great way to see different stops at the canyon in the short amount of time you get at there. We would have loved some overhead narration or light music through the speakers as at times our train guide was a little much and too frequent. The violinist was fantastic and funny and had the whole car singing and clapping. The rock guitarist we could have done without. It did not fit the train ride and we got tired of hearing about his partying and rock lifestyle. The bandits were a fantastic touch. Overall facilities of the train station were great! Everything was perfect about the Fred Harvey restaurant except the food. Fred Harvey would be rolling in his grave. If there was one thing we could change would be to speed up the train to take off 15-20 minutes each way. We would do this experience again if the opportunity arises.
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Posted On : 2024-04-29

Posted By : gailhathaway5
Highly recommend it. Everything is very well planned out and on time. Snacks and refreshments on board. The staff on the train are wonderful and attentive. The train robbers was a great highlight. But most of all Tyrel a lovely lady who worked the train fascinated us with her knowledge of the history and is one of greatest storytellers. We couldve stayed on the train and simply listened to her all day long.
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Posted On : 2024-04-26

Posted By : 454eileeng
Started off from the train depot raining, snow and sleet. Thought this is not going to go so well but, by the time we reached the Grand Canyon, we had a break in the weather. We had lunch at the lodge then Michael guided us on a bus tour with stops to view the canyon from different points along the rim. Our train guide Mary Ellen on the train ride up and back was absolutely the best. El Tovar was beautiful and the Hopi House was so amazingly authentic. I would highly recommend this tour. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
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Posted On : 2024-04-25

Posted By : Karen_M
The train ride,..with the the bus tour is highly recommended, especially for seniors,. or others with limited hiking abilities!
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Posted On : 2024-04-23

Posted By : 198wernerr
This AAA rail/lodging/tour package was a GREAT deal and best way to see the Grand Canyon. Our rail car hostess, Noel, was beyond fantastic in the PARLOR CAR, which was one option offered on the train part. The Harvey hotel at beginning and end of the package was extremely well coordinated and they are the ones doing all the logistics for this entire package. They facilitated everything to perfection!!! The Maswik lodge, which is an option if you prefer to stay overnight in the park, is a two star PARK LODGE; not a Marriott hotel. But for one or two nights most adequate. And, remember, inside national parks you have very few options! Overall, this package deal was excellent!!!
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Posted On : 2024-04-12

Posted By : ru_rowdy
We booked a package that included the Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel and train combination. We did not add the meals and bus tour. My husband and I booked the luxury parlor level for our CG train trip. We went up and back in the same day. The train ride was really fun and a bucket list item for us. Passengers in these cars need to be age 12 and up if you plan to book. Our hostess with the mostess was Jenny. She's a dynamo and handled 2 luxury cars due to staffing shortages. She genuinely loves her job, and it shows. Her personality made the trip fabulously fun. There is also some live entertainment while you travel. There were traveling musicians and actors portraying cowboys, robbers, and a U.S. Marshall in pursuit. Please have extra tip money because gratuities are not included in your package. You'll want to tip your train attendants, musicians, and other entertainment. The whole logistics of the train ride were easy to follow, and you are well prepared. Ensure you are prepared for the Grand Canyon weather. We went during late March when the weather was wild and unpredictable. We had our winter coats with us and were very glad. Wind speeds were 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph that day. The temperature was in the 50s, but the varying cloud cover and winds made it chilly. The train dumps you off right at the south rim of the GC. We had a great time exploring what we could in our time there. The GC is spectacular. The train ride back was just as fun! The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was a convenient place to sleep for 2 nights. Don't expect a lot of amenities. There aren't many. If you want convenience, book here. If you want amenities, don't. Most rooms don't have refrigerators or microwaves. This is extra. There is no included breakfast or free coffee bar area. To be honest, there is plenty of lodging within a short walking distance of the train. Do your research and decide what you really want in lodging. Our room was clean and comfortable. There are plenty of eateries in Williams. Just plan accordingly for time.
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Posted On : 2024-04-06