Opinions/input on Sedona/Grand Canyon/Rte. 66/DL mega trip

Figment&Piglet

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Oct 28, 2000
DH, DD15 and I are doing a big 11-night trip in mid-August, so I'd love feedback and input on whether we're spending too much/not enough time at each place and/or things to see and do
  • Flying to Phoenix, staying one night (long day of travel).
  • Driving to Sedona, stopping at Montezuma Castle on the way.
  • Staying 2 nights in Sedona...have done some research but interested in opinions on easier hikes, interesting sites, things to do (Pink Jeep Tour?).
  • Driving to Grand Canyon south rim staying for 2 nights in Tusayan...again, have read about some easier trails and hikes, but would love input.
  • Driving toward Anaheim over 2 days, partially on Rte. 66...really think this would be cool...have read to stop in Seligman and Oatman, but not sure where else along the way? Staying one night in Kingman.
  • Staying 5 nights at DL in Villas at Grand Californian (DVC), going 3 days to DL/DCA and maybe the beach (which?) but no other theme parks.
Thoughts? Thanks so much!
 
That sounds like a fun trip!
I live in Arizona, and as much as it is beautiful - mid August will be hot.
If you have a chance to see the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, is world class and I recommend it.
Maybe have one less night in Sedona to see the MIM.
There is a new Aquarium in Scottsdale that would be good air conditioned fun.
Sedona is a little cooler, and really beautiful. You may want to limit your outdoor activities to the resort pool and enjoy the Sedona landscaping in an air conditioned vehicle for the most part.
Montezuma Castle will be great to see.
I would maybe spend one night in Sedona, and instead keep heading up I-17 to Flagstaff.
Flagstaff is awesome, beautiful with great places to stay, hiking, and the Lowell Observatory (they discovered Pluto)
The Grand Canyon is incredible.
Tusayan is close to the Grand Canyon, but there is great lodging inside the Grand Canyon gates that would be worth staying in to better experience the charm.
Kingman is OK for a short time, but be careful where you stay. The Hualapai Mountain Resort would be my choice, or the Hampton Inn if you are looking for something more affordable. They have a number of old hotels that are not that good.
The Grand Californian is wonderful, and it will be fantastic, along with the parks.
Huntington Beach is close, and our favorite area restaurant is Duke's by the pier. Newport Beach would also be great.
 
We are planning a road trip out west and thinking of doing much of the same as you, only backwards. ;)
Most of our stops will just quick stops for pictures and such though. There is so much info out there it is so overwhelming, and I keep adding things to my list. In Sedona, I've also read that the chapel of the Holy Cross is not to be missed so it is on my list as well as the montezuma castle and devils bridge. I haven't looked into the tours in that area yet, and it is at the end of our trip so we may be out of money for tours anyway, haha!

The musical instrument museum sounds interesting, I am going to look into that.
Sorry to hijack but also want to follow along with any suggestions people make on this thread!
 
We are doing a similar trip mid-August (me, DH, and DSs ages 8 &10; baseball nuts), but end point is Universal, not Disneyland:
  • Day 1: Fly into Phoenix early. Spend day around Phoenix. 7:10 Cubs/DBacks game. Stay Renaissance Phoenix Downtown.
  • Day 2: Up early, drive to Oak Creek Canyon/Slide Rock/Sedona for the day (approx 2.5 hour drive). Arrive Page, AZ late (another 2 hours from Sedona area); Stay Courtyard by Marriott. I'd love to spend more time around Flagstaff, but it's not to be on this trip.
    • I did Slide Rock as a kid. I understand that it is much more developed than it was 30+ years ago, but I still want to give my kids a chance to play in a "natural" waterslide -- something very different for my city dwellers.
  • Day 3: 1/2 day float on Colorado River from Page, AZ through Colorado River Discovery. Drive to South Rim after float (stay in Grand Canyon Village @ Kachina Inn). Approx 2 hour drive. Booked hotel yesterday -- very little lodging left in Grand Canyon Village for our date.
  • Day 4: Spend morning to mid-afternoon in Grand Canyon; drive to Barstow, CA (5ish hours). Stay Courtyard by Marriott (thank you, DH work travel points).
  • Day 5: Spend day at Calico Ghost Town; Depart Barstow and drive to LA in time to meet FIL (coming up from San Diego) for Dodgers/White Sox at 7:10 pm. Staying close to Dodger Stadium 1 night -- can't remember the name of the hotel -- something independent and boutique-y
  • Day 6-8 of trip: Breakfast with FIL before moving hotel closer to Universal. Not sure where yet -- just started researching this part of the trip. Items on the Universal/LA agenda include La Brea tar pits; Hollywood; Universal (probably just 1 day); maybe beach.
  • Day 9: Fly home from LAX
 


Staying 2 nights in Sedona...have done some research but interested in opinions on easier hikes, interesting sites, things to do (Pink Jeep Tour?).

It's about 3 or 4 years old now....but I hit Sedona in 2013 as part of a road trip between the two castles. Head to the second post for the quick links and you should find Sedona and the Grand Canyon after the Disneyland section.

We walked the West Fork trail and went to Jerome for the railway experience.


And I completely agree with Pintail about MIM. We did a running visit when we were driving through Phoenix and I wish we had more time to spend there. You'll find pictures of MIM in the TR as well.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/a...r-last-day-and-tr-wrap-up-2796-10-01.3185788/
 
Looking to do a similar trip. Just in the early planning stages and I briefly looked at one way rentals and they seem very high. Can you tell me any tips for getting that cost down?
 
Looking to do a similar trip. Just in the early planning stages and I briefly looked at one way rentals and they seem very high. Can you tell me any tips for getting that cost down?

Try looking at Hotwire rental rates or CostcoTravel. I usually find far better deals than anywhere else.
 


We walked the West Fork trail and went to Jerome for the railway experience.

The Verde Valley railroad is in Clarkdale. About 5 miles or so down the mountain from Jerome.

For anyone in Sedona area, Jerome is well worth the drive (About 25 miles). If driving onto Disneyland its a good scenic drive thru Prescott Valley, Yarnell and on to I-10 near Quartzite. While in Jerome, have lunch at the Haunted Hamburger. Great food and views.
 
Great thread! Thanks for all the information! We are considering a trip between CO, AZ and UT so there is some good information here (Disneyland will be the next year!)
 
We did something similar to what you are describing but in reverse in December 2016. We stayed at Tusayan overnight and drove into GC in the morning, from there we drove to Oak Creek/Sedona and then on to Phoenix in one day. Biggest regret ever! It was probably the most beautiful part of the whole trip and we wished we had of at least spent one night in Sedona. That part of the USA was so incredible and there was so much to see and do. Definitely allow yourself plenty of time to explore!
 

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