Atlantis-Need Help :)

[sealuber]

We are planning on getting a room at the Confort Suites for June 8th as we will be on the Disney Wonder and will be there from 9:30-7:00p.m Is this enough time to do the Aqua Aventure? Also, what is the procedure to get to Atlantis from the Wonder? My son uses a wheelchair, tires easily had a physical disablility, is it a long way from the CS to the Aqua Adventure? Just trying to gauge time. He was able to use his chair in Alaska last year without a problem. He can walk if he has too, just really slow. Please advise :)

I was able to get our room booked for $280.00 with our military discount. It was $160.00 each on Disney.

Liza

[scubagirrl]

We are planning on getting a room at the Confort Suites for June 8th as we will be on the Disney Wonder and will be there from 9:30-7:00p.m Is this enough time to do the Aqua Aventure? Also, what is the procedure to get to Atlantis from the Wonder? My son uses a wheelchair, tires easily had a physical disablility, is it a long way from the CS to the Aqua Adventure? Just trying to gauge time. He was able to use his chair in Alaska last year without a problem. He can walk if he has too, just really slow. Please advise :)

I was able to get our room booked for $280.00 with our military discount. It was $160.00 each on Disney.

Liza

 

Comfort Suites is across the street from the Coral Tower entrance to Atlantis. This distance is negligible compared to the distance around the park. The grounds are HUGE and elevators are hidden in the strangest places. Get a map when you arrive. Once inside the Coral Towers, you'll have another 10 minutes or so walk to the waterpark.

 

Be aware that your $280 room can have a lot of xtra charges. $40 for extra person (based on 2 in the room). !2% tax, energy surcharges etc. They add up quickly.

[AuTiger7]

We just returned from Nassau aboard the Sensation and were in port for 22 hours. We did the comfort suites with access to atlantis for the entire day (10 am to 7 pm) with 4 adults and 2 children. Atlantis, in my opinion, is certainly not worth $160 per person and it is somewhat of a push for the cost of the comfort suites room cost.

[scubagirrl]

Atlantis, in my opinion, is certainly not worth $160 per person and it is somewhat of a push for the cost of the comfort suites room cost.

 

I have to agree with you on this.. it's just a waterpark.. back in the states you wouldn't pay more than $30 a head for an adult for this kind of thing.

 

Blizzard Beach is under $40... and it's amazing.. in comparison.

[sealuber]

Thank you for fast replies! I did look into the "extra" 40 dollars per person we don't qualify as the two extra people are 10 and 12. Even at over $300.00 + in total we are looking at under $100.00 per person which I feel is fair. Scubagirrl thanks for the advice.

This is a once in a lifetime trip that is being made possible by the Make-a-wish foundation. They cover a per diem cost but we are responsible for any extras. If anyone has any other ideas on how to make this trip magical for my family I am open to all ideas. We have never travelled outside the west coast. Hawaii, Canada parts of Mexico. Again, Thanks!

[graysladymurphy]

We have a room for one adult and three kids at CS also and hope we will only be charged the extra fees for the adult. We are going in April so I'll let you know. In my research of Blue Lagoon Island, it says that it is completely wheel chair friendly, and they offer several special accomodations for those with disabilities. This might not be a bad option if you decide not to do Atlantis.

[robsvacation]

Ok, I think Atlantis is a neat in a themepark kinda way. The "entertainment" architecture is better than vegas and the landscaping beautiful. The fish are nice...

 

...and the place is such an unbelievable poor value I felt completely violated walking out the door! I took the water taxi over, paid to get into "the Dig" and wander the grounds. I paid $8+ for one slice of pizza, the soda was extra. The $34 aquarium is small, themed like an amusement park and has zero educational value (oh look, that's how the Atlantian's dove underwa... WAIT, THERE NEVER WAS AN ATLANTIS!) The grounds are a maze and I walked 15 minutes to see a bunch of turtles in a display no better than my local zoo. The pool was $65 to get into, the waterpark was $110. $110! and they don't even give you a soda with that! Am I the only person who thinks that's completely insane!

 

Now there are people content to see the one aquarium that's free and go to the casino, and my hats off to them. And there are people who sneek in for free but stealing is stealing no matter how you look at it (and on my trip there was staff EVERYWHERE who's first job was to look for your wristband, the second was to answer questions.)

 

BOO to Atlantis! Take your kids to Orlando which is cheap in comparison. I think Atlantis is the worst value in the carribean.

 

Am I the only one?

[scubagirrl]

Ok, I think Atlantis is a neat in a themepark kinda way. The "entertainment" architecture is better than vegas and the landscaping beautiful. The fish are nice...

 

...and the place is such an unbelievable poor value I felt completely violated walking out the door! I took the water taxi over, paid to get into "the Dig" and wander the grounds. I paid $8+ for one slice of pizza, the soda was extra. The $34 aquarium is small, themed like an amusement park and has zero educational value (oh look, that's how the Atlantian's dove underwa... WAIT, THERE NEVER WAS AN ATLANTIS!) The grounds are a maze and I walked 15 minutes to see a bunch of turtles in a display no better than my local zoo. The pool was $65 to get into, the waterpark was $110. $110! and they don't even give you a soda with that! Am I the only person who thinks that's completely insane!

 

Now there are people content to see the one aquarium that's free and go to the casino, and my hats off to them. And there are people who sneek in for free but stealing is stealing no matter how you look at it (and on my trip there was staff EVERYWHERE who's first job was to look for your wristband, the second was to answer questions.)

 

BOO to Atlantis! Take your kids to Orlando which is cheap in comparison. I think Atlantis is the worst value in the carribean.

 

Am I the only one?

 

 

You got my vote. I've been asking this question for years. WHY WHY WHY... Atlantis is the biggest rip off I've seen in years..

[lvtotrvl1]

Try being a TA and explaining exactly this to clients..many people do not care to listen, and still come back and complain. If the client knows this ahead of time, and chooses to go they can have a great time..You hit the nail on the head when you say the "value of a vacation". I have visited most places that I recommend to my clients....if I walk away from the resort at the end of vacation and feel the value was not there, I need to tell my clients.

[scubagirrl]

Try being a TA and explaining exactly this to clients..many people do not care to listen, and still come back and complain. If the client knows this ahead of time, and chooses to go they can have a great time..You hit the nail on the head when you say the "value of a vacation". I have visited most places that I recommend to my clients....if I walk away from the resort at the end of vacation and feel the value was not there, I need to tell my clients.

 

I see many people each day walk away from Atlantis at the end of the day shaking their heads in dismay. (My "end of the day" take me to the ferry dock where cruisers sit waiting for the ferry).

Day after day I hear the same complaint. The kids had a great time and the parents say 'never again". Most feel ripped off in some way.. or another. $110 for a waterpark, $65 for a beach pass (when the free beach is next door). BOO BOO BOO

[Jaxsonbrownie]

Thank you for fast replies! I did look into the "extra" 40 dollars per person we don't qualify as the two extra people are 10 and 12. Even at over $300.00 + in total we are looking at under $100.00 per person which I feel is fair. Scubagirrl thanks for the advice.

This is a once in a lifetime trip that is being made possible by the Make-a-wish foundation. They cover a per diem cost but we are responsible for any extras. If anyone has any other ideas on how to make this trip magical for my family I am open to all ideas. We have never travelled outside the west coast. Hawaii, Canada parts of Mexico. Again, Thanks!

 

To tell you the truth, we have been to Atlantis 2 times.While we had a wonderful time, I would not pay those prices to go back. The Mayan tower has 4 slides on it. There is a lazy river which is nice, but again I don't think it is worth all that.And you get nothing but bothered all over at the beach to rent water toys. Or get your hair braided. I have been looking into other things to do in Nassau,as our cruise next year stops there. Here are a couple of different things to do.I hope it is o.k. to post a link to them here.

 

http://67.199.62.226/DiveBahamasMgmt.aspx?id=3&pageId=17

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147416-d149861/Nassau:New-Providence-Island:Blue.Lagoon.Island.html

 

I think those are far more worth it. I think they would be far more memorable as well.

Jax:)

[Jaxsonbrownie]

Another idea worth the money, https://secure.shoretrips.com/common/search4.asp?tcode=004410

 

Blackbeards Beach

[JNCRUISEBUMS]

You got my vote. I've been asking this question for years. WHY WHY WHY... Atlantis is the biggest rip off I've seen in years..

What if you only want to use the pools? NOT the waterpark, then, how much is it???

Thanks!

Nancie

[beach410]

YOu cant just use the pools, if you do your homework, you will find out that you can walk through the hotel, its free, you are not stealing, its like walking through any other hotel and using their casino. The digs are extra and no, I wouldnt pay just to see them. We rented a room at the Comfort Suites to obtain access to Atlantis and was able to see it all, use its pools and waterslides for a total of $260 for the 4 of us, and I thought it was well worth the money, my DH spent $6 bucks on the horses and won $60. Food is very expensive though, I fed the kids and skipped lunch, which is ok, I had a big breakfast. We all enjoyed it, we had 5 families, totalling 20 of us.

[scubagirrl]

What if you only want to use the pools? NOT the waterpark, then, how much is it???

Thanks!

Nancie

 

Here's you options at Atlantis...

Discover Atlantis Aquaventure Package:

. Adult Price: $105.00

. Children (ages 4-12) Price: $75.00

. Included: Access to the Dig and other marine habitats, beaches and water park including: slides, pools, river rapids & private lagoons

. Not included: meals

. Availability: limited based on guest occupancy; sold on first come, first serve basis

 

Discover Atlantis Beach Day Package:

. Adult Price: $55.00

. Children (ages 4-12) Price: $30.00

. Included: The Discover Atlantis Aquarium Tour, access to west beach and all marine habitats.

. Not Included: access to pools, slides and private lagoons, meals

. Availability: limited based on guest occupancy; sold on first come, first serve

 

Discover Atlantis Aquarium Tour:

. Adult Price: $32.00

. Children (ages 4-12) Price: $22.00

. Includes: access to predator lagoon, the dig, ruins lagoon

. Not included: access to beaches, pools, slides and private lagoons, meals

 

[robsvacation]

YOu cant just use the pools, if you do your homework, you will find out that you can walk through the hotel, its free, you are not stealing, its like walking through any other hotel and using their casino. The digs are extra and no, I wouldnt pay just to see them. We rented a room at the Comfort Suites to obtain access to Atlantis and was able to see it all, use its pools and waterslides for a total of $260 for the 4 of us, and I thought it was well worth the money, my DH spent $6 bucks on the horses and won $60. Food is very expensive though, I fed the kids and skipped lunch, which is ok, I had a big breakfast. We all enjoyed it, we had 5 families, totalling 20 of us.

 

I've looked into the Comfort suites option and it's gotten pretty expensive lately too, plus they sneek a lot of additional charges at checkout so you need to call to see what they'll be adding. The less expensive towers at Atlantis are sometimes cheaper these days. Just remember there are housekeeping and energy charges that are added to your bill at checkout that you can't fight.

 

I just can't tell people Atlantis is a good value, which is a very different thing from saying it's cheap. For example: I was at Discovery Cove in Orlando last year and thought it was a great value. Yes it was $300 per person, but parking was free, food was free, lockers were free, drinks were included, floats and wetsuits supplied free of charge, I got a week's admission to Seaworld for free (and for $60 more you can also get Busch Gardens Tampa and Aquatica included) They give you a brand new snorkle you get to keep, they even had perscription goggles to give out. The place is bueatiful, the staff the best of any amusement in Orlando. Soap in the change rooms was Crabtree and Evelyn, towels were included and were rolled up like in a nice hotel. The place was extremely clean, the snorkling good, the animals they brought out to see were fun, the rays were cool, the bird nea and of course the Dolphin encounter was great (although it was a little too much like a big photo op IMHO) The only thing that left a bad impression was the cost of photos with the dolphins at the end, but then there was the free photo were got of our group as you entered. Also the food also was not the greatest but it certainly was good enough. Basically you can walk into discovery cove with your id, a credit card, bathing suit and something to read and everything else is included. The place is first rate beginning to end. Basically if you can afford it, go!

 

So I have no problem spending $300 at Discovery Cove, but Atlantis gets me perturbed!

[gjsmth]

Anyone know the cost(s) of the extra charges on top of the room rate at the Comfort Suites?

[scubagirrl]

Anyone know the cost(s) of the extra charges on top of the room rate at the Comfort Suites?

 

From their website:

 

Must have one adult 21 years or older in each room.

Children under 15yrs stay free if sharing room with parents.

Children 12-15 years of age are charged a $4 per night housekeeping gratuity.

Person 16 years and older are charged as adults.

Third or fourth adult in room are charged $40 per night plus taxes and service charges per night.

Energy surcharge: $14 per adult per night.

Housekeeping gratuities: $4.50 per adult per night.

These are additional charges that are not included in the estimated total and must be paid directly at the hotel.

 

In addition, there is a 12% resort tax.. usually added to your rate when you book.

 

Comfort Suite is not the only hotel that has all these add-on charges. Most, if not all, resorts in the Nassau / Paradise Island area charge these additional fees and surcharges. Some are more "visible" than others.

[graysladymurphy]

Scubagirl, are you sure those are the current prices? Their website says the discover Atlantis tour is $35 for adults, $25 for kids. When I called them about day passes, they told me adults were $110 and kids $80. They may have raised it. I couldn't find the price for the beach break pass, but the last person that got it posted they got a meal voucher with it. Do you know if that is true? Also, does Atlantis allow vendors on their beach? Is their beach quietier and are there lifeguards? How different is it from Cabbage beach? Thanks!!

[bajathree]

I see many people each day walk away from Atlantis at the end of the day shaking their heads in dismay. (My "end of the day" take me to the ferry dock where cruisers sit waiting for the ferry).

Day after day I hear the same complaint. The kids had a great time and the parents say 'never again". Most feel ripped off in some way.. or another. $110 for a waterpark, $65 for a beach pass (when the free beach is next door). BOO BOO BOO

 

LOLOL....weren't we just talking about this this AM on TA SG....I told ya don't be counting on the cruisers like they used to...I personally outside of the "value" issue love Atlantis....but I have NEVER in my life seen such a resort that pi$$es people off and makes them nothing short of :mad:their reputation eventually will be their demise....I am sorry but I honestly believe it's a reflection right up to the top honcho...Sol Kerzner...

 

It's funny...if there was ever a nemisis to Walt Disney it's got to be Sol.

[scubagirrl]

Scubagirl, are you sure those are the current prices? Their website says the discover Atlantis tour is $35 for adults, $25 for kids. When I called them about day passes, they told me adults were $110 and kids $80. They may have raised it. I couldn't find the price for the beach break pass, but the last person that got it posted they got a meal voucher with it. Do you know if that is true? Also, does Atlantis allow vendors on their beach? Is their beach quietier and are there lifeguards? How different is it from Cabbage beach? Thanks!!

 

I've seen prices vary from time to time.. but only by a few dollars.

The Beach Break Pass only includes a voucher if you buy it onboard. but the price is, of course, higher.

 

You are right about the $110.. It's been that price for a few weeks now..

I should have changed it on my spec..

 

Thanks for pointing it out.

 

As for the beach.. Atlantis allows vendors, and there are many.. as well as plenty of jetskis and other power boats.

There are quieter beaches like the COVE and Paradise Beach, but the Beach Pass does not allow you to use those beaches, only the main beach. (which is the same beach as the Public beach (Cabbage Beach) next door to the RIU.

There are lifeguards at all hotel beaches.

Some days, I've even seen life guards at Cabbage Beach.. but I don't know what that's all about.. it's rare.. but I have seen them.

 

The only downside that I have about this stretch of beach is that it is very often rough. So the little ones really can't enjoy wading in water. It can also have a strong undertow. Great for those who love to body surf and feel the crashing waves.. but horrible for mom who's trying to keep an eye on the little ones.

[palmtre2]

HELLOOO - there are other vacationers besides, dare I say it, cruisers!!!! I just took a week long land based trip to the Atlantis in January and the family thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed on the property in a condo we rented privately, which kept costs down - ate many of our meals in, and spent just as much time off property as on. It was a very nice trip - that being said our big vacation next year is a cruise, after 2 years of land based vacations we miss it. Guess where we are headed on this cruise - Nassau, though probably not the Atlantis.

[scubagirrl]

HELLOOO - there are other vacationers besides, dare I say it, cruisers!!!! I just took a week long land based trip to the Atlantis in January and the family thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed on the property in a condo we rented privately, which kept costs down - ate many of our meals in, and spent just as much time off property as on. It was a very nice trip - that being said our big vacation next year is a cruise, after 2 years of land based vacations we miss it. Guess where we are headed on this cruise - Nassau, though probably not the Atlantis.

 

The discussion here is the fact that "cruiser" pay upward of $110 pp to go to the waterpark for a couple of hours.. and feel ripped off when all is said and done.

 

There's so much hype surrounding this property people spend hundreds more for their family to enjoy this "once in a lifetime" experience and are terribly disappointed at the end of the day.

 

Staying there is a bit different experience. Although the price of food boggles my mind, since they don't pay stamp tax on importing their food like other places do.. and still manage to charge double the price for mediocre offering.

 

Value= 0

[gina4655]

Ok, I think Atlantis is a neat in a themepark kinda way. The "entertainment" architecture is better than vegas and the landscaping beautiful. The fish are nice...

 

...and the place is such an unbelievable poor value I felt completely violated walking out the door! I took the water taxi over, paid to get into "the Dig" and wander the grounds. I paid $8+ for one slice of pizza, the soda was extra. The $34 aquarium is small, themed like an amusement park and has zero educational value (oh look, that's how the Atlantian's dove underwa... WAIT, THERE NEVER WAS AN ATLANTIS!) The grounds are a maze and I walked 15 minutes to see a bunch of turtles in a display no better than my local zoo. The pool was $65 to get into, the waterpark was $110. $110! and they don't even give you a soda with that! Am I the only person who thinks that's completely insane!

 

Now there are people content to see the one aquarium that's free and go to the casino, and my hats off to them. And there are people who sneek in for free but stealing is stealing no matter how you look at it (and on my trip there was staff EVERYWHERE who's first job was to look for your wristband, the second was to answer questions.)

 

BOO to Atlantis! Take your kids to Orlando which is cheap in comparison. I think Atlantis is the worst value in the carribean.

 

Am I the only one?

 

 

We would like to explore Nassau & Atlantis but only the grounds of Atlantis. I heard there was a free aquarium in a restuarant. Would anyone know the name of the resturant and in which tower it is in? I heard the Diggs was around $35 or so, but if not worth it as some are saying I'd like to save the extra $100.00 and maybe do lunch in the restuarant instead

[scubagirrl]

We would like to explore Nassau & Atlantis but only the grounds of Atlantis. I heard there was a free aquarium in a restuarant. Would anyone know the name of the resturant and in which tower it is in? I heard the Diggs was around $35 or so, but if not worth it as some are saying I'd like to save the extra $100.00 and maybe do lunch in the restuarant instead

 

The restaurant is closed at the moment. (Great Hall of Waters located between the casino and the Royal Towers downstairs.)

 

You can view the small part of the aquarium for free at this point, as well as the casino and lobbies. Once you try and walk outside on the grounds, you will be stopped by security.