Skywalk (again) /Grand Canyon drive

I know there was discussion about the Skywalk a few years ago but has anyone actually visited and been on it since it opened? We're back to Vegas in July with Dragonbaby's best friend in tow, and would like to take DB and BF to the Canyon (DB declined the trip last year preferring to loll by the pool and shop).Mr DL and I have done the trip previously (by helicopter) so were thinking of driving ourselves this time. I don't know how realistic this is - driving time estimates seem to vary hugely from 2-5 - 5 hours [:?].We don't neccessarily have to go on the Skywalk but I'd quite like to see it.Are there any other bits of the Canyon reasonably accessible from Vegas (by car) that will give the girls a taste of the enormity of the place and some good views.
The other option would be to go to Bryce but again driving time estimates are wildly differing.
Thanks
DL

[preiffer]

Biggest problem is that the skywalk is on the west rim. The south rim is the GOOD bit (with a single road leading up into it). The west rim, hmmmmm...... [n]

[Scrooge]

As Mr P says the skywalk is one the west rim which while good it is nowhere as breath taking as the south rim.

Vegas to south rim is about 4 hrs (depending on how you drive and the weather), figure 3-4 hours there and you are looking at a long day.

I just did a quick search on google (vegas - west rim) I seriously advise you to do the same, no personal items (cameras Inc. And 15 minutes max) for $75 does not sound that great a deal to me.

[Neil]

We did a helicopter trip whilst we were in Vegas and it flew close to the skywalk and I must say I would have been mighty p*ssed off if we had driven 3+ or so hours for it, it looked very poor and as Scrooge says you can't even take a camera on it[n]

[Darren Wheeler]

Most reviews appear to be on the same line.

Big rip-off.

we drove it a couple of years ago from vegas to skywalk - averaging 90mph!! and stopping for lunch at the Dam it took a good 3 1/2 hours of intensive driving - I would also strongly advise a really good TOMTOM as the roads are literally in the middle of nowhere - also watch your petrol level as there aren;t many fuel stations around (although there is one right by the canyon)
when we got there the prices where horendous and as someone pointed out above you can't even take your own camera!!
if you really want to see the canyon, get a helicopter from LV itself and pay the fortune or go to the south rim but allow 2 days of hard driving (1 there, 1 back) and stay overnight. (oh and avoid the 'route 66')