Phoenix in August? Why Not? - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

nevada · 08-22-2011, 04:29 AM

Yes, I got a deal. It was an II Getaway, $490 for a week in a Marriott 2 bdrm villa. August is their slow season for obvious reasons. Phoenix is within driving range of Reno...saving even more bucks. Hubby needed a break from work. We are 'sacrificing' our trip back east this summer. We go most years to see extended family. Since we both come from large families, it's extremely extended. But it's expensive to fly 4 across the continent, and since we're going to the world in December, we decided to skip the trip back east this summer. Besides, it's never really a 'vacation' more like an 'oblication.' I'm sure those of you with extended families know what I mean...anywho.

Mapquest said 12 hours, we made the drive in 10 1/2. Love those long flat, desert highways. It didn't even feel like 90 mph. But enough blah, blah, blah. Here are the highlights in picture form:

Day 1 we spent settling in, swimming and relaxing.

Waterfall in one of the pools.

View from our balcony.

nevada · 08-22-2011, 04:46 AM

Day 2, The Arizona Science Museum. We had a blast!

Give Mom a giant Sudoku and she'll keep busy for hours...

Bed of Nails! Yikes!

Electronic Voice Enhancing. Too fun!

Day 3, Musical Instrument Museum.

French Horn Player

Flute Player

Piano Player

Day 4, The Grand Canyon

Hubby and I honeymooned here 17 years ago. That trip we walked to the bottom and back in one day. This trip we just walked along the rim. As has been said before, neither words nor pictures can do it justice.

Funny story, a couple of 20 somethings were out on an unrailed cliff messing around. The lady behind us said to her husband, 'Give me the camera. I want to get a picture of these idiots before they plunge to their deaths.'

nevada · 08-22-2011, 04:54 AM

Day 5, Old Town Scottsdale

That night, there was a sand storm, 1000 foot wall of sand coming toward us from every direction! Once it had obscured our horizon, the temperature dropped a good 20 degrees, and the wind blew wildly. It was intense. I've never experienced anything like that.

This was after the wall of sand had obscured the mountains, but before it was on top of us.

nevada · 08-22-2011, 05:04 AM

Day 6, The Phoenix Zoo

The monkey house was neat. We were actually in the house with 18 squirrel monkies that played in the trees overhead.

This gibbon was particularly interested in my son. I think it was the red shirt.

We cooked in and ate out, went to a cook out with a cowboy. But our best meal was Veneto Trattoria, seafood risotto, grilled sausage and grilled polenta, shrimp ravioli, really tasty and the service was perfect. It reminded me of a little neighborhood restaurant in New York, fancy, but not stuffy, classic not trendy. A very fine meal.

Day 7, we drove home...really fast!

Jay324 · 08-22-2011, 05:30 AM

Wow Linda...Great Trip and Great Pictures.

Really happy you had such a nice summer family trip. The 2 bedroom for that price can't be beat.

Also great to see one of my waiting for ROFR buddies living it up.

Hope you and your family have some more great times while the countdown to your next Disneyworld trip continues.

Jay

Brian5581 · 08-22-2011, 02:29 PM

Great report and pictures, Linda. Thanks for taking the time.

08-22-2011, 04:29 AM	#1
nevada Two Bedroom Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Reno Posts: 800	Phoenix in August? Why Not? Yes, I got a deal. It was an II Getaway, $490 for a week in a Marriott 2 bdrm villa. August is their slow season for obvious reasons. Phoenix is within driving range of Reno...saving even more bucks. Hubby needed a break from work. We are 'sacrificing' our trip back east this summer. We go most years to see extended family. Since we both come from large families, it's extremely extended. But it's expensive to fly 4 across the continent, and since we're going to the world in December, we decided to skip the trip back east this summer. Besides, it's never really a 'vacation' more like an 'oblication.' I'm sure those of you with extended families know what I mean...anywho. Mapquest said 12 hours, we made the drive in 10 1/2. Love those long flat, desert highways. It didn't even feel like 90 mph. But enough blah, blah, blah. Here are the highlights in picture form: Day 1 we spent settling in, swimming and relaxing. Waterfall in one of the pools. View from our balcony. __________________ Linda New Years 2012 Trip Report Disneyland 2013 Trip Report

08-22-2011, 04:46 AM	#2
nevada Two Bedroom Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Reno Posts: 800	Day 2, The Arizona Science Museum. We had a blast! Give Mom a giant Sudoku and she'll keep busy for hours... Bed of Nails! Yikes! Electronic Voice Enhancing. Too fun! Day 3, Musical Instrument Museum. French Horn Player Flute Player Piano Player Day 4, The Grand Canyon Hubby and I honeymooned here 17 years ago. That trip we walked to the bottom and back in one day. This trip we just walked along the rim. As has been said before, neither words nor pictures can do it justice. Funny story, a couple of 20 somethings were out on an unrailed cliff messing around. The lady behind us said to her husband, 'Give me the camera. I want to get a picture of these idiots before they plunge to their deaths.' __________________ Linda New Years 2012 Trip Report Disneyland 2013 Trip Report

08-22-2011, 04:54 AM	#3
nevada Two Bedroom Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Reno Posts: 800	Day 5, Old Town Scottsdale That night, there was a sand storm, 1000 foot wall of sand coming toward us from every direction! Once it had obscured our horizon, the temperature dropped a good 20 degrees, and the wind blew wildly. It was intense. I've never experienced anything like that. This was after the wall of sand had obscured the mountains, but before it was on top of us. __________________ Linda New Years 2012 Trip Report Disneyland 2013 Trip Report

08-22-2011, 05:04 AM	#4
nevada Two Bedroom Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Reno Posts: 800	Day 6, The Phoenix Zoo The monkey house was neat. We were actually in the house with 18 squirrel monkies that played in the trees overhead. This gibbon was particularly interested in my son. I think it was the red shirt. We cooked in and ate out, went to a cook out with a cowboy. But our best meal was Veneto Trattoria, seafood risotto, grilled sausage and grilled polenta, shrimp ravioli, really tasty and the service was perfect. It reminded me of a little neighborhood restaurant in New York, fancy, but not stuffy, classic not trendy. A very fine meal. Day 7, we drove home...really fast! __________________ Linda New Years 2012 Trip Report Disneyland 2013 Trip Report

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08-22-2011, 05:30 AM	#5
Jay324 Grand Villa Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 1,285	Wow Linda...Great Trip and Great Pictures. Really happy you had such a nice summer family trip. The 2 bedroom for that price can't be beat. Also great to see one of my waiting for ROFR buddies living it up. Hope you and your family have some more great times while the countdown to your next Disneyworld trip continues. Jay

08-22-2011, 02:29 PM	#6
Brian5581 Add-on Aficionado Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 15,265	Great report and pictures, Linda. Thanks for taking the time.