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Grand Canyon Skywalk: $75 Per Person, Rip-Off?
How much would you be willing to pay to lurch out onto the newly-opened Grand Canyon Skywalk? Tyler Griffin Hicks-Wright (I hope I got that right) recently took his family to the Grand Canyon on the last leg of their trip to experience the Skywalk, and were shocked to learn that it would cost $75 per person to step foot on the $40-million project. Ouch!What's worse, Hicks-Wright says, is the cost isn't well advertised, and only after driving over harsh, unpaved roads and waiting in long lines do tourists find out the true cost of the Skywalk. (However, the Skywalk's official website -- while cluttered to the point of confusion -- does list the cost as $74.95 per person.)
"After 10 minutes of waiting, a 'Question Answerer' came by and made it clear why it was taking so long: the sales people had to explain the 'packages' and pricing to each and every person in the line. This was not because the package was that complex, but because each person in the line thought they were going to be paying $25 per person. In reality, the tribe was charging another $50 on top of the $25 for each person."
Hicks-Wright and his family decided to pay the high price anyway since they had driven so far out of their way specifically to visit the Skywalk, but he goes on to describe the entire experience as "quite disappointing," with photography not allowed.
Fred, a commenter on Wright's report, brings up a good point. "You can take a helicopter ride all around the Grand Canyon for about a hundred bucks - and you can take all the damn pictures you want."
The first result on Google for "Grand Canyon helicopter tour" was for Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters who charge $108 per adult and $88 per child if you book online in advance. Not bad. I'm sure with a bit of bargain hunting you can find it even cheaper.
Who needs a Skywalk?
Filed under: United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom G. Apr 10th 2007 2:31PM
I flew over the Grand Canyon in a very small plane and it was as you might expect...awesome. The Skywalk sounds interesting but not for $75. Not $50. Not $25. My family and I will look from the edge and try to decide how to spend our $450.
Mike Jul 5th 2009 2:35PM
We just got back from GC yesterday and let me tell you, THE SKYWALK IS A COMPLETE RIP OFF!!!
The fee is $75.00 and you can't even take a picture. The gift shop has "Native American" crafts with Made In China stickers. Honestly. Oh, "1/2 price" t-shirts are still $18.00. The road out there is absolutely horrible, if you use your own vehicle be prepared for rock damage. The dust from the drive covered our car.
The present day Native American have a full grasp of the entreprenurial system much like P.T. Barnum.
BTW, did I tell you there is a time limit on the skywalk? Lastly, if you drive out thinking you will see ANYTHING for free, forget it! You can't even get near the Canyon. And helicopter rides are more like $200.00 per person not $100.00.
We then went to the National Park and for a flat $25 fee for the car, we went to 5 different vantage points, clean restrooms and a nice general store. We saw 6 deer and 3 elk while driving through the Park. At the skywalk, there is no wildlife to be seen anywhere.
If you still decide to go to the Skywalk, good luck. For us, the additional 2 hour drive to the National Park was well worth it.