digg

Join DiggAbout

Donkeys and Elephants and Delegates,oh my!
Check out the most popular Elections 2008 content on Digg.

Grand Canyon Skywalk is a ripoff

hicks-wright.net — Anyone who is planning a trip to experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk should read this: "The view and feeling of hovering were amazing. It really was the closest I've ever come to experiencing flight...Unfortunately, the experience had already been soured by the feeling of being taken advantage of and lied to."

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • Petrarch1603, on 10/12/2007, -4/+359$75 and you can't take pictures from the skywalk? what a ripoff.
    • trghpy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+224*****, at least 75 bucks buys a nice dinner at the space needle...
      The St. Louis arch is only like 10-15 bucks...

      75 bucks will buy you an hour of flying lessons in a cesna... You can pay to fly around inside the canyon for the same amount.

      Now that is a total rip off.
    • macmcrae, on 10/12/2007, -59/+17Capitalism is a BITCH.
    • ezweave, on 10/12/2007, -30/+13$75 will buy you a lift ticket at Vail and maybe some food too (like a packet of mustard, j/k).
    • bacon_skoda, on 10/12/2007, -34/+15supply and demand, it's brand new.
      if people aren't paying $75, they'll lower it.
    • SultanTravi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+76http://www.flickr.com/photos/77844686@N00/444355160/in/photostream/
      Yeah, I know the floor is glass. But look at this thing. It doesn't even look as exciting as the concept art made it seem.
    • insinuate, on 10/12/2007, -19/+8jeeze...so the native american's basically said, "well the company gets $25 a pop, ***** them, we'll DOUBLE that for our profit and just triple the advertised price!"

      Does suck the company ***** em like that though.
    • unknamed, on 10/12/2007, -37/+8Damn Native Americans... trying to get rich off the land. Wonder where they learned that crap from.

      Oh yeah, I like how he was so pissed off he still gave them his money... no, instead I'll go whine about it on my personal web page where I show you how to make a cheap homemade latte and bitch about kids on airplanes. Personally I think this guy is a douche.

      Bury me if you want but I know you'll read this before you do.
    • merreborn, on 10/12/2007, -3/+78"Capitalism is a BITCH."

      Part of capitalism is people saying "Holy *****, these guys are charging way too much. This product is not worth the price charged. Oh, and they con you in to spending 3 times more than the advertised price".

      You're right. Capitalism *is* gonna be a bitch... for the people who built this thing, once word gets out that it's a rip off.
    • LonesomeFighter, on 10/12/2007, -8/+18@macmcrae

      It's not really capitalism when it is a native american tribe. It more like guiltalism. They were given the nice land from the US for feeling sorry and it's not really a fair competing ground that capitalism offers. Also the natives don't pay taxes.
    • fpssledge, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19This is a huge ripoff. I remember about 8 years ago my father, brother, and myself went on a helicopter tour of the grand canyon. I personally don't remember too much, I threw up about 6 times (had some really bad food, and on top of that I heard helicopters can do that to ya easy). Anyways, I think it was like $125 per person to take the helicopter tour. Not only do you get the fly all around the desert and several parts of the grand canyon, but you get the ride in a helicopter. That cost/experience is way more worth it than walking around some glass suspended above the grand canyon. I mean, that's got to be quite the experience, but I would much prefer the helicopter ride (so long as I don't fill up every barf bag available)
    • bebop717, on 10/12/2007, -10/+3Damn, payback is a bitch.
    • dggeek, on 10/12/2007, -10/+1Wait, they didn't have the infrastructure to handle all the people that wanted to pay $75, but you want them to charge $25?

      I can see you being angry about them jacking the prices up once you've driven all the way there. That's not right at all, but apparently it's popular enough for that kind of money.
    • Gir53457, on 10/12/2007, -5/+86For 75$ you can get enough weed to make you feel like you're flying.
    • generalhooha, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3Good Article
    • humperdeath, on 10/12/2007, -9/+6The reason for no cameras was becausue if you drop the camera, it might break the glass you are standing on. I think that says it all right there. I'm not going on that thing if it is so brittle.
    • dirtmaster, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9its on an Indian reservation, thats why.
    • hdtvdust, on 10/12/2007, -6/+0merreborn...the advertised price is $75. They don't advertise on Wikipedia, and that is the ONLY place that claimed it was $25.
    • gxcdesign, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4whatever happened to the glass concept?

      that ***** si so gaudy
    • d3c0yn4m3l355, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Indeed people like to bitch. The website clearly states what the price is, if you consider reading other websites like wikipedia (known for incorrect information) and you rely on it, I guess its more a darwins example. Further the picture thing, even if you are allowed to take pictures you can only take them from the straight sky-walk part now the bend part as the glass will messup your pictures for sure. As clearly shown by his pocket picture which is a mess as well.
      Now further its new... you could take a chopper as stated above and personally I would say thats more fun as well. Though a bit more expensive..
    • CarolynMittens, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4the website does not clearly state the price, it is in fact very vague. the only way my boyfriend could get exact price info was calling the reservation, and when he did the woman he spoke to was unimaginably rude and would answer no questions other than the price (like directions or parking info). just her attitude made us not want to support the freaking thing. a very nice native american fellow at our hotel, though, brushed off that woman's rudeness as "that's just how they are" which seemed to be the general consensus in the area. indians are apparently just rude people? i don't quite understand that, but the guy from our hotel did make the point that these are people who aren't used to customer service and the way most businesses in america work, and they don't exactly grasp the fact that we are paying for a service and expect a little more than what they're (half assedly) offering.

      we chose to just hike to the bottom from the south rim a couple of times from different locations, and i can't imagine the skywalk is any more beautiful than the areas we hiked. and we didn't have to wait in any 3 hour lines, everyone we dealt with was incredibly nice, we paid $25 for 7 days and took about 600 beautiful pictures. i think we got about 10x our money's worth.
  • Cutkomp, on 10/12/2007, -10/+77I was just about to submit this one, saw you'd done so already. Hey if any of you folks were going to see that Skywalk trap, save your money and come to Iowa. Not only is it a heck of a lot cheaper but we are home to the Largest Frying Pan(Free) and have the birthplace of Captain Kirk(free). I've been to both and from the sound of things they are a much better value than the Skywalk. You want natural wonders? We have caves in Maquoketa, also free and lots of cool stuff to do along the Mississippi.
    • Petrarch1603, on 10/12/2007, -83/+16Idiots Out Wandering Around
    • Cutkomp, on 10/12/2007, -12/+35@petrarch1603

      Yeah, keep it up buddy and we'll cut off your food supply. Oh wait, the gov't is already working on that.
    • Petrarch1603, on 10/12/2007, -43/+24sorry but i doubt seeing a frying pan or the birthplace of captain kirk are comparable to the natural beauty of the grand canyon
    • wonderchemist, on 10/12/2007, -3/+96I can see the slogan now:

      Visit Iowa: Not as Flat as You Think
    • Cutkomp, on 10/12/2007, -13/+16@petarch1603

      That's it, no corn or pork for you. Beam me up Scotty!
    • Herkimer56, on 10/12/2007, -3/+58"Visit Iowa: Not as Flat as You Think"

      Yes, it is. But it's not as flat as Nebraska.
    • Cutkomp, on 10/12/2007, -17/+2@herkimer

      Damn herk, I think that's the first time I've seen you be right, congrats!
    • garagefighter, on 10/12/2007, -17/+3Dude, don't tell people to come to Iowa. Everyone stay away from Iowa, esp the weird California people.
    • kcpwnsgman, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5see, after thinking, I really like my state (Utah), you just have to go to southern Utah, where the fun is (Zion national park, Arches, rivers to raft or boat on, great rock climbing, off-roading etc), Salt Lake City is just like any other moderately big-ish city, not too much to see there, but maybe its just me.
    • bscene, on 10/12/2007, -13/+4you realize Captain Kirk wasn't actually born right?
    • imnojezus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Cutkomp, no! Not my pork n' corn! Anything but that!

      Man, this is going to be the worst barbecue ever.
    • MisterWhite, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4And you can see John Wayne's birthplace in Winterset.
    • neuropsychguy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Or you can go see the Grand canyon without paying to go on the Skywalk(er) thingy. It's plenty impressive from the normal vantage points. If you really want to see the Grand Canyon for pretty cheap you can always hike down in it (very recommended if you're a glutton for punishment) and spend a night or two. Or you can run it rim to rim (or rim to rim to rim) in a day.
    • Cutkomp, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3@bscene
      It's a lot more fun if I pretend that he was.


      @MisterWhite
      Really? I didn't know that. Thanks for shooting that info my way. John Wayne the cowboy master, Captain Kirk the space master, and Zach Johnson the Master's champion... Iowa rules.
    • UO07, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3WORD

      used to live in Iowa City... cool town. Moved out before it got hit by that tornado though lol
    • BT1000101, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Dude, don't tell people to come to Iowa. Everyone stay away from Iowa, esp the weird California people."

      Hey, we "California people" aren't the ones who built that ***** Skywalk!
    • geoboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1If anyone thinks Iowa is all flat, then you've clearly never been to Dubuque.

      Picture: http://www.answers.com/topic/4thelevator2-jpg
    • cklol, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Or Lubbock
      http://www.centrallubbockchurch.org/centrallubbockair4.jpg
    • cklol, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I meant to say.. "Texas is a lot flatter than Iowa"
  • stevieB, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18Ahhh, the romance of Guano Point.
    • Cutkomp, on 10/12/2007, -15/+4Hey, guano + ? = $
      The underpants gnomes strike again.
    • cvrefugee, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6Pocahontas better give me a BJ if I'm paying $75!
  • dn11, on 10/12/2007, -17/+5Too bad... looks like the developers gave the Indians a ***** deal.
    • Ibox, on 10/12/2007, -3/+37***** deal hell they are getting twice as much money with ZERO investment... I'll take that deal anyday.
    • tarmithius, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3like that hasn't happened before.
    • Doorfingers, on 10/12/2007, -8/+8What else is new? It's pretty much been happening since white men came to the Americas.
    • Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13It's a stupid contract for both parties. The developers figured they scalped the Indians, but they left it open for the Indians to screw them over. Think about it, the Indians could raise the rate to $1 million dollars, effectively ruining the developers' investment, and the tribe isn't out anything. They wait the developers out and seize the property at auction. I doubt the Indians will do it, though, they obviously can't buy a competent advocate at any price.
    • PATSCRU, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11zero investment?

      it's their ***** land.
    • Ibox, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Yes its their land, and they decided to make a deal to exploit it... now their making money. you act like the Indians didn't want this to happen... this may have been the deal all along, we don't know, we haven't seen the contract. I hope they all do well in their endeavor, and make em big money. I would assume that when the new wears off and people stop coming the prices will come down.
    • insomniac8400, on 10/12/2007, -6/+5Is it not their land. They suck and I will love the day this indian reservation stuff is finally ended.
    • tarmithius, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I got dugg down for that? It is a true statement, the Indigenous people of this land has been getting screwed from the day the Europeans got here. Now tell me that is not true? Digg me down all you want, it does not make it any less true.
  • lilmikey, on 10/12/2007, -10/+8Wow.... what a rip off.

    I can only imagine what I would say if a 'Question Answer' came by and told me that the reason it is so expensive is "because we have to get ours too, you know?"

    All I can say is that my response would include the words: "I have yours right here..."
  • Dou6, on 10/12/2007, -5/+10What a bunch of bull. Reminds me of the time I stopped at graceland. It's in the middle of the most god forsaken neighborhood in tennessee. And when you finally get in the house, you wonder why one of the greatest performers of all time would live in it.
  • Skaughtyboi, on 10/12/2007, -7/+64Damn scammers... We should take those indian's land. That'll teach them for screwing with the white man! Oh, wait, we already did? Ok then! :)
    • MrFatalistic, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2I want to claim my 5% indian heritage and get 5% of that action.
    • zonk3r, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8What I find funny is people talking about copyright law and public property when they forget they are on an Indian reservation. USA laws don't apply (there are a few exceptions).
    • crazybugger, on 10/12/2007, -7/+0Its people like you who are responsible for bloodshed and hatred. In your own words, you have proved that america does not belong to whites. Its a occupied land by europeans with a american mask.
    • ICSU, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2One could wonder from whom Indians learned to rip people off...
  • Wolfie351, on 10/12/2007, -19/+11Every article I have read mentioned you had to pay extra to get on the property, it's not a secret. It's only a ripoff if you don't do your homework.

    I also had to laugh at the "dust storm" comment. Apparently this reviewer wants the entire area paved over so they don't get dust in their eyes. I guess this genius doesn't realize they're in a desert!!! Would be like wanting Yosemite to cut down all the trees because they leave branches lying around that people might trip on.
  • MadScientist420, on 10/12/2007, -5/+6That's terrible.

    If you're physically able, you should just hit up the Bright Angel trial to the look out point. Just as breathtaking I'm sure and a hell of a lot less $$.
  • Nysul, on 10/12/2007, -20/+5Moron got his pricing information from wikipedia. The pricing is quite clear on their website:
    http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/tours.html

    His only valid complaint seems to be the no pictures portion and the wait for the buffet.
    • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -5/+17The pricing information is *not* clear on the website. It says the SkyWalk is $25, but doesn't talk about the 'extra' fee on top of that. The packages at your link are independent of both.
    • Nysul, on 10/12/2007, -20/+4The pricing isn't clear if English isn't your native language, I guess. Otherwise only the most clearly retarded could not understand that the cheapest package listed that has the skywalk as an option is $9.95, and it says in BOLD ITALICS that it is $25 additional. What do they need to do, make it a 72 point font as well?
    • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -5/+20RTFA. He was charged the $25, then a $50 from the 'reservation' on top of it. The $50 is the point of contention.

      Thank you, please drive forward.
    • Nysul, on 10/12/2007, -17/+2I did RTA, and if you actually read it as well, the moron got the price from wikipedia, which at the time stated $25. The tribe shouldn't have to honor what someone posts on wikipedia.

    • tghw, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15As that "moron", I should make it clear that I understood that it was $25 plus a non-ridiculous entry fee from the opening press release: http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/update.html

      I only linked to Wikipedia in the article because the official site is such a bloody, Flash-ridden mess.
    • twertyto, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2The official site states:

      "Access to The Skywalk will run from dawn to dusk and will cost $25 per person in addition to the cost of a Grand Canyon West entrance package."

      Also on the tours page it states in the $50 package, in bold I might add, the skywalk is an additional $25.

      The man IS a moron.

      @tghw
      "I only linked to Wikipedia in the article because the official site is such a bloody, Flash-ridden mess."

      That's your excuse. You are a moron
    • aaaargh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5The official site's "update" page says it's "$25 per person in addition to the cost of a Grand Canyon West entrance package." While there is a "Tours" page as well, and the tours page does list a $50 tour with $25 extra to walk on the skywalk, I don't see anything that says you *have* to take a tour to walk on the skywalk. Nor do I see anything that says what an "entrance package" is, or what it costs. If tour packages and entrance packages are the same thing, then they should have used consistent terminology. As it is, it seems quite ambiguous.
  • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -12/+441. Put giant glass diving board over Grand Canyon.
    2. Advertise low, low $25 'admission' fee.
    3. ?????
    4. Profit!
    • fantasticFlan, on 10/12/2007, -3/+42Much as I love mindless underpants gnoming, this one doesn't work, step 3 is "charge $50 more per person".
    • praisethelard, on 06/06/2008, -2/+17shh...step 3 is the secret!
    • SouthKP, on 10/12/2007, -1/+143. make her open the box
  • piratearggghhh, on 10/12/2007, -4/+24Hopefully this bad publicity will catch on with the mainstream media to expose this scam and get those greedy bastards to lower their prices or at least be up front about their prices.
    • Sambone67, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6or build the place up to justify the price.
  • superpotential, on 10/12/2007, -3/+82I don't agree with people ever telling me not to take pictures or asking for extra fees to do so.

    Saying no flash is ok -- that interferes with actors, religious services, and so on. Saying no publication/commercial use/redistribution is ok -- they may hold a copyright of things on their property. But I believe it is an inalienable right for me to take pictures for my own personal use. My human eyes already take pictures and send them to my brain, and a camera is simply an extension to my body. Whether I collect photons in my eye or in a silicon eye is irrelevant -- what's the difference? What defines a camera, anyway, that a human eye does not qualify? What if my jacket includes an embedded CCD? I'm just wearing my jacket, then! Now what if my head includes two cameras in it?

    Even more so when there is no damn copyright. The grand canyon is nature. It's immoral to even try to copyright or withhold rights for people to do anything with it.
    • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22You should go to the Japan for a laugh then. For a people that love taking pictures so much, the entire country seems to have a giant 'no photos, please' sign on nearly every building, attraction and place of interest.

      (I'm agreeing with you, btw - 'no photos' is absurd)
    • DietMountainDew, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14Can you copyright the grand canyon?
    • mugdecoffee, on 10/12/2007, -2/+32But the tourists were cracking the glass with dropped cameras. But don't worry, its perfectly safe for little kids to jump up and down.
    • fatdog789, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13No, you can't, and this is actually illegal. However, they'll keep the rule up until somebody calls them on it and takes them to court (for an injunctive order compelling them to drop the rule).

      What they can prohibit:
      Pictures *OF* the building, under various landmark IP laws that apply to landmarks or unique buildings

      What they can't prohibit:
      Pictures of the grand canyon, UNLESS the *TICKET* says you agree not to take pictures. If it's not on the ticket, you don't agree to it. Thus, this is probably on the ticket.
    • TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3For some things I think it makes sense to restrict cameras. For example, I went on a tour of the Boeing factory. The tour guide told us that cameras (and other things) were banned because someone once dropped their camera on an airplane wing, costing more than $100K
    • unfiction, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17The Skywalk is their property. They can stop people from bringing cameras into it. It might be a douche thing to do, but it's not illegal.
    • zonk3r, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Umm I think you forget that when you are on THEIR reservation you are **no longer on US soil and US laws no longer apply**. They can make laws and rules however they want.
    • superpotential, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Ok, it's their property. Fine. But if they allow the public to purchase access, they also need to clearly define the rules. Restricting 'cameras' is extremely ambiguous, and AFAIK the human eye qualifies as a camera. What next -- "no silicon cameras"? No problem, I'll bring in a film camera. "Nothing that stores data"? Guess I can't bring in my brain then, or my friend with a photographic memory.
    • hdtvdust, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0 superpotential...AFAIK, you are a ***** idiot. the human eye does not qualify as a camera. To suggest that saying "no camera" is too vague is the dumbest thing anyone has ever said in the history of human communication.
  • johnnyDiggs, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3i remember hearing on CNN right before it opened that the builder was going to take the first part of revenue just to cover the building costs and then hand it completely over to the tribe. i guess maybe they want their money a bit in advance? i think i'll wait a year or two until they get the full $25 and dont charge the extra 50. thats just absurd
    • maggiesue0303, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Problem is....They aren't going to lower their fees. Thats like when city's impose higher taxes to do road work. They charge $.50 extra to each citizen across 12 cities but only three of the cities get road work done. Then the tax never really goes away.
  • vulgrin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4I actually went on a plane and helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, with the plane landing at this airstrip. We did the little bus tour BEFORE they had opened the sky walk, and it was a nice little trip. We paid for the whole package with the flights and all, so I really have no idea what amount was paid to the tribe...

    We DID do the buffet lunch at Guano point, which was pretty decent fare. What's more interesting is that the building is out in the middle of nowhere, yet has power and plumbing, thanks to solar panels and chemical toilets. Its called Guano point because there was a huge derrick out there that let them hoist people down the canyon wall and into caves that were full of bats, so they could harvest the guano for dynamite, etc. The derrick is still there and I can't imagine being one of the guys having to be hoisted into the canyon.

    $75 is WAY too much for that area, but you can't beat the flights and helicopter tours of the area around there. Will change your life.
  • pktgumby, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6He actually said they had to get theirs?

    "That's Crazy Talk.."
    "No, it's true"
    "No, I know, that's my brother, Crazy Talk. We're all a little worried about him.



  • Hoov, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5Native Americans getting taken advantage of?

    NO WAI
    • SultanTravi, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2That's immediately what I thought. Not the first time they've been screwed in a "business deal."

      Looks like their lawyer smokum too much peace pipe.
    • MiDri, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2Ya, apparently they still have not learned to not trust the "White Man"...
    • 9Digits, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Hey, those beads were worth a LOT - stop your bitching!
  • ggiDigg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+106If you can crack their glass by dropping a camera, you really shouldn't walk on it
    • Sambone67, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3shenani....?
    • adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3"If you can crack their glass by dropping a camera, you really shouldn't walk on it"

      Thats exactly what I was thinking, I think that the glass would have to be rather thick to support all the people walking on it. Once word of this gets out the tickets being sold are gonna drop like rocks being tossed over the side. I'd be looking into this if I was they guy who paid to have it built.
    • ki85squared, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1... And that's _exactly_ what "Maggie Leber" thought (word for word) on the article's comment section. Nice copy pasta... =/
  • theodicean, on 10/12/2007, -13/+1Tourists deserve to get ripped off-- thats why there "tourists"!!!
    • Bmulley, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15They're* .....sigh
    • brbubba, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8>http://www.flickr.com/photos/77844686@N00/444355160/in/photostream/
      >Yeah, I know the floor is glass. But look at this thing. It doesn't even look as exciting as the concept art made it seem.

      I agree, compared to the concept photos that damn thing is just pathetic. I wonder if this is a case of the artists not talking to the engineers or the Indians being sold short. Aside from being at least twice as long in the sketches, it was also fully enclosed.
  • FuZi0nDET, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Yeah I heard about the fee to get in on the news and they were all hyped up about it. Screw that I went on some tour for free up in flag staff we just paid to get into the park.

    Well at least the Native Americans are getting a cut; they sure haven't been getting the income from the "Indian" casinos. Thats a whole other scam in its self, I heard one of these "Indian" Casinos was started by some group that claimed Native American status and there had been something like 5 people in the tribe. Still sounds to me like this investor is screwing these people too.
  • richieforeman, on 10/12/2007, -9/+31. Canyon
    2. Skywalk
    3. ??
    4. Profit!!
  • Ibanezfoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I had a friend visiting from another country who said the exact same thing... waste of money.
  • Seph7, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Why can't people just enjoy a natural wonder for what it is without the need for visitors centers and souvenir shops. When things get commercialized like this it takes something away from the real experience.
    • MiDri, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16I need trinkets to remember things! TRINKETS! LOTS OF THEM! Thimbles, key chains, shot glasses I need them all to remember my breath taking experience...
    • janete, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Seph7, I agree. I was at the Canyon a few years ago and did the walk to the bottom of the canyon (it was tough but worth it). My strongest memory of the Canyon was, wow, it's really great that there are no obtrusive man made things getting in the way of the natural beauty.

      The best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon is to get into it. Even a short walk down the trail gives you the feeling of the awesome size of the place. The Grand Canyon is one of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world. Even better than Uluru (Ayer's Rock) in my home Australia. I hope the Skywalk doesn't spark other commercial interests to do something even worse!
  • 9Digits, on 10/12/2007, -9/+16Hey, great submission. This is a really useful post - thank you!
    • 9Digits, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13Wow... dugg down even though the comment was a genuine compliment to the poster, and even though I didn't include a single URL or blog. It's nice to know that offering a little goodwill and thanks here is encouraged... *cough*
  • Smaroo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2$75.00 could buy you seven annoy-a-trons. ( http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/8c52/ )
  • jayman187um, on 10/12/2007, -13/+3 I have been having allot of problems lately (socially) where it ends up that my honesty and desire to be deliberate and forthcoming in my dealings with others has been causing myself and those around me nothing but grief and serious stress... I have been getting to the point where I cannot come to any other conclusion than that I guess the majority of people in society have a disdain for honesty. I have been forced to conclude as well that the same people cannot fathom that someone would be at all honest in what they say or be aware of their own motives enough to seriously consider the effects that their actions will have on others. (like I do...) So no matter what it is I say or do, my actions, words, and motives are interpreted by those around me as being self-serving, and dishonest. So I am consistently argued with, people become way defensive, and roll their eyes with malice when I suggest that they misunderstood. It has been really a very disheartening experience.
    I don't really know how, but somehow, this story really hit home with me. When I first saw or heard of this ***** glass bridge a few months ago my gut reaction was that there was a permeating element of absurdity in a project like this. I couldn't put my finger on it... but my ***** detectors went wild... something about a mind that is so out of touch with nature that they think the only way to "really experience" it's vast beauty would be to create and build some pathetic eyesore of an attempt at disregarding the laws of the very same nature, (...gravity much?) and suspending disbelief hoping to enter into some fantasy world (this one's not good enough I suppose?) where you have super flying powers.... I mean don't get me wrong...it would be cool to fly and all but..... I mean ... NATURE... what is more liberating and uplifting than spending REAL QUALITY time out in nature? ... they want to skip the part where you actually enter into nature.... and wind up instantaniously an the part where you are all uplifted and spiritually fulfilled and all that *****? HA! ....stupid impatient people and their big ideas...how damn silly this ***** is...

    So when I read this piece I felt like somebody just understood me. I felt that moment of connection where for a mere moment, I wasn't the only one standing on the outside of the freak show looking in at all the absurdity with wonderment and mild disgust... HA! now it's becoming clear to others as well... It's like he said... pretty rad (or whatever) but not worth all the lies and phony ***** ... HA! now you see what I've been saying... finally.

    I really hope to see more stories like this.
    • deployroy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Holy crap...this is insanity at it's finest folks. lmfao
    • Matt2k, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2> people become way defensive, and roll their eyes with malice when I suggest that they misunderstood.

      They misunderstood because you wander from topic to topic franatically. No seriously. I have no trouble believing you find it hard to work with the people around you. Have you looked into medication? I say this with love in my heart, sir. I think you'd be happier.
  • pak314, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5For $75, you might as well get a group rate on a helicopter tour. I did one with one other person for about $120 each but that was a last minute decision. If we planned ahead, I could have gotten a hotel plus helicopter tour for a much better price. The helicopter trip lasted 30 minutes and there was no waiting or wasted time driving plus it is a real view the canyon. And of course you could take as many pictures as you desired.
  • kimbermatic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7The whole reason this thing was built was for money. Most of the money will come from Europeans and not Americans if you have been amongst the summer crowds at the canyon you will know what I mean. With the weak dollar and 5 to 1 ratio of Europeans to Americans it isn't too hard to figure out. When I lived in AZ the canyon was ok, but go visit Sedona and many other great places in that state I really miss.
  • ibeetle, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1This guy is an idiot. The Grand Canyon Skywalk website, the Hualapai Native American website, and the Arizona State Tourist website all have detailed information about the skywalk. Including pricing. There are several tired pricing structures to choose from. Just like many other tourist attractions such as Disney World. There are no surprises, everything outlined in detail. No bait and switching.
    He got there. It was more expensive than he thought it was. Therefore in his pointed little mind it was a rip-off.
  • waterboy1628, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Tricksy Native Americans, they are.
  • Snowe, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2He was just too stupid to look at the website--the prices are very clear.
    • neuropsychguy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That doesn't make it any less of a rip-off. $25 was still way too high but then again, I'm a bit of a cheap-skate.
  • chrisutley, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2This made the front page of Digg? A whining blog entry about $50 ... awesome.
    • Gazpacho, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Well, the blogger said he was with his family. Assuming his family is made of four people that's $200 extra. The whole thing including fee to get on the reservation is around $310 if there are four people. That much money for temporary buildings, no cameras allowed, what sounds like long waits, a bus ride, and a buffet. ***** that. I'll only spend some money for gas and go geocaching to find some unexpected beauty.
  • TonyTheTerrible, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6if i was in your position i would have made my money back in buffet :)
  • MattS, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3a classic case of "one awww sh*t erasing a thousand attaboys!" They didn't even get one! Love to be one of those investors!
  • DoscoJones, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4$75? Far less expensive than what most folks wind up losing at an Indian casino. Or any other casino for that matter.
  • drjekelmrhyde, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12How long b4 someone jumps from it
    • t4k3n, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9$75 to kill ya self ?

      seems a little steep..
  • undersky, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I think they prohibited camera because they wanted people to see the sight themselves. If people could bring camera, the buzz won't be there anymore will it? I for one would just look at those pictures and not go. Also, it's ok to charge 75 dollars if people are willing to pay for it, but at least make the bus ride more efficient! One hour of wait??? I would have asked for a refund for waiting that long just to get back.
  • ElectricFuneral, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5i could have told you that ***** was a rip off. anyone stupid enough to pay to walk out on someones ***** glass balcony deserves to be ripped off by the natives.
  • happymealz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14I think I'm going to build my own on the other side of the canyon and charge $20.
  • Peacemaker, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I agree the Sky Walk is simply a tourist attraction, and if you want to see something really amazing in Arizona you are better off visiting the Meteor Creator site just west of Flagstaff.

    http://www.meteorcrater.com

    Educational, well put together, and the price is only $15 no additional parking fee's!
    • neuropsychguy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7"Meteor Creator"

      Step right up folks, you can make your very own meteor! Only $15!
  • EyewitBass, on 10/12/2007, -1/+25Hey that's 75 Jr Bacon Cheeseburgers
  • p51d007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3P.T. Barnum would be so proud!
    Finally, the injuns figured out a way to screw white man. LOL
    As soon as the word gets out what a rip off this is, I wouldn't be surprised to
    see another "government program" to help em out.
  • Switchnig, on 10/12/2007, -6/+5stupid ***** indians
  • ValleyBoy, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0So you're peeved because the Native Americans took advantage of YOU?!

    Silly white people make me laugh.
  • CaseyCC, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3The idea of paying to get into something and not being able to take pictures isn't exactly unique. If you go to Trinity University in Dublin, Ireland, and you go into the library to see the Book of Kells, they don't let you take pictures there either. In fact, Trinity has an image trademark on the library, and actually sued George Lucas because he used a long library in one of the Star Wars flicks. The case was settled out of court, so there's definitely precedent for this.
    • dahamsta, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3You're not allowed take photos of the Book of Kells because flash photography might damage the exhibit. Same as in most museums. Anyone with half a brain knows that.
  • kevlarbaboon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Savages.
  • jonathanz1980, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1what is the author talking about? Check out the facts before you scream. I've been there on April 5th and the admission to the skywalk was $25, meals and mis items included. Sure there are charges once you get on the reservation because the road was so bumpy so you have to get on their bus, but that didn't cost much. I went on a group tour so maybe there are discounts, but I think the cost is nowhere close to $75
  • augustwest30, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I recommend seeing the canyon by airplane. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
  • RealHyperX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3We ***** the Indians out of this Land.. I am so happy they are ***** us now. Casinos and skywalks!!

    BTW the ho-chunk casino in Wisconsin Dells has been caught 4 times not having all the aces in their poker decks. haha! funny *****!
  • narwahl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I say, it's finally time to finish off what we started 200 years ago. Prepare my rifle and steed.
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 92 of 92 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.