How good is the Atlantis Aquaventure excursion?

[laurawdw]

We are considering the Atlantis Aquaventure excursion. Has anyone done this and what was your opinion? It looks pricey. Is this the best way to see the Atlantis waterparks when cruising on DCL? Or should we try to contact Atlantis or some other excursion company for an alternative excursion?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Laura

 

[buzzcrazy]

we went last August on the Magic and I wish we stayed on the ship. We waited an hour for the transfer from the port to Atlantis which significantly cut into our time spent there. It's crowded because all the ships are docked.

the next time we are there we will spend the day on the ship and maybe get off to explore the town shops if that.

just a thought

 

[aimeebd]

We went to Atlantis for the day off our Disney Cruise last year. It is a great place but so not worth the money for one day. Lines are very long for the best attractions. You are on the shuttle/bus forever and then you have to do alot of walking just to get to the waterpark.

We are choosing to stay on the ship this year.

 

[scootch]

We went thru Comfort Suites( just do a search on disboards of CS or Comfort suites). I paid $250 (with all fees) for 3 of us... took a $4 taxi over and back. We went the week before Easter and also in November and did not have any issues with lines. We LOVED it.. and can't wait to go back!! I take my girls without hubby so I just found another family going and we shared a taxi over together so I would feel safer. We came back to the ship on our own though, no problems.

 

[Lisa Lisa]

From what I've gathered on the Disboards, people seem to enjoy Atlantis, but not the cost or the rigamarole involved in the DCL excursion. Like the PP, we decided to book a room at the Comfort Suites instead of paying for the DCL excursion. Rates vary depending on the time of year, but we were able to get a AAA rate of $143.10 for our date in November. The taxes are high and there is an energy surcharge, but we will still save money by doing it this way. If you have 3 or 4 people in your family, you will save even more. All guests booked at Comfort Suites get wristbands that provide full access to the pools, waterslides, etc. at Atlantis. And as an additional benefit, you can simply get off the ship and take a cab over.

 

[caribbeandreaming]

We did the Atlantis excursion last year on our Dream cruise. I would recommend doing what others suggested - renting a room at the Comfort Suites and taking a taxi over. It took forever and a day to get over there from the ship. We had to wait in line to check in at the Walt Disney Theatre and then had to wait again to get transportation over to Atlantis (it was a pretty short drive though - maybe 10 minutes?). Atlantis was beyond crowded and the lines were outrageous for the popular attractions. It also took us over an hour to eat lunch with our free voucher because of lines.

I was glad we got to go to Atlantis b/c it was a cool place. I just regret paying so much money for it to only be there about 5-6 hours with the majority of that time spent waiting in lines.

If you take a taxi over, you can get there ahead of others and hopefully do the rides you want to do before everyone else gets there. Plus it will be significantly cheaper if you have multiple people.

So bottom line - it is a great place but don't do it through Disney. It's not worth the money.

 

[closetmickey]

It appears that the DREAM is the only boat docked on the day we are going to be there (8/26). Will that ease the crowds at all?

 

[caribbeandreaming]

It appears that the DREAM is the only boat docked on the day we are going to be there (8/26). Will that ease the crowds at all?

I'm sure it would. I think there were 5 or 6 other ships in port the same day as us. Lucky you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are DGPs, and have booked Atlantis Aquaventure for the entire family, 7 of us twice & we would do it again in a heartbeat. All of us, ages 7 to 67 had a great time. The water opportunities are extensive and the Dig aquarium is wonderfully done. The lunch was OK.

DH only wants to do excursions with the cruise line we are on. We've known people who missed the boat, not something he ever wants to deal with.

We have also done a dolphin experience at Blue Lagoon together, it was lots of fun too!

Bobbi

 

[Presley]

My son and I did that excursion in Feb. 2011. I was very glad that I went because Atlantis was on my bucket list. We probably wouldn't go again. Nassau it too sketchy for me and the bus driver from the port to Atlantis drove very fast and crazy and was honking at all the other vehicles.

Atlantis itself was fun and we didn't have long lines. My son felt like it was a one and done type of thing, though and he is the waterbug of the family. The lunch was greasy and I didn't eat mine. It came with a can of soda. If I went there again, I'd rather buy decent food and skip the free lunch.

Overall, I'm glad we went, but I heard the Aquaduck had no lines (it did all the other times). So, next time, we would stay on the ship.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

We have done the Atlantis Aquaventure. Yes, it was a lot of money, but it was worth it in our opinion. We enjoyed the lazy river and thought that alone was worth the price of admission.

There is a lot to see and do and it is very enjoyable, but only you can decide if it is worth it for you.

We have also walked around down town and we were not overly impressed. We felt that it was all the same shops and that it wasn't very clean. We have also done the sea lion excursion at Blue Lagoon and enjoyed that just as much.

 

[scootch]

It appears that the DREAM is the only boat docked on the day we are going to be there (8/26). Will that ease the crowds at all?

For sure.. We went the week leading up to Easter and I expected it to be packed. There were 2 other ships in port, but we did not have any issue with crowds at all.

 

[sunshineNJ]

I am thinking about booking Comfort Suites for Aquaventure since we will have 3 people it will probably be worth it. We are going on the cruise8/18. So you take a cab to CS and then you can get your wrist bands right away? Are there taxis always waiting when you dock and to go back to the ship and how much are the taxis? Thanks

 

[scootch]

I am thinking about booking Comfort Suites for Aquaventure since we will have 3 people it will probably be worth it. We are going on the cruise8/18. So you take a cab to CS and then you can get your wrist bands right away? Are there taxis always waiting when you dock and to go back to the ship and how much are the taxis? Thanks

Taxi was $4 for each person. Once they asked for $1 for toll on way over, the next time we did it, they did not although I offered it to the driver. When you are done, just go to the main lobby at Atlantis and they have people out there who will get you a taxi, but there were several just waiting when we went both times. LOVE It!!

 

[mom2jcg]

I am thinking about booking Comfort Suites for Aquaventure since we will have 3 people it will probably be worth it. We are going on the cruise8/18. So you take a cab to CS and then you can get your wrist bands right away? Are there taxis always waiting when you dock and to go back to the ship and how much are the taxis? Thanks

As PP said, taxis are right outside, we rode over with 3 other families. You check in at CS and check out at the same time. They give you a voucher that you take to a desk at the Atlantis in exchange for a wristband. Super easy, and we got there before the DCL people.

 

[NEmel]

Has anyone done the sea lion excursion alone with the aqua adventure? My boys won't go on the big water slides, but thinking the lazy river and more tame slide might be fun.