Atlantis Dolphin Encounter or Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter?

[tylerandalexsmom]

Trying to decide between the Atlantis Dolphin Encounter or the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter (and then some beach time, and/or time in the Atlantis "digs" area) Which is better?

 

[Fab5Family]

We have also been debating between the two. For our group of 7 we would have 5 who want to do the encounter and then 2 who would just do the observer (my hubby and my dad).

In comparing the two, the Atlantis would be $250 more -- so I am trying to figure out how much more we get for that money. Here are the differences that I can tell from the description on DCL's site, but I would love to hear more from anyone who has done either:

1. Neither excursion includes food, but the Atlantis one includes soft drinks or bottled water at the dolphin center (but I do not believe anywhere else on the property).
   
2. It's a bus ride to Atlantis or a boat ride Blue Lagoon. I believe the busses run more frequently than the boats as far as return time options.
   
3. And then, of course, there is the Dig at Atlantis versus beach time at Blue Lagoon. I know that my dad and husband would probably also enjoy some time at the casino at Atlantis -- but I can't really calculate that in as "included" when I am trying to justify the price difference, just nice that they would have that option available.

Again, this is just what I can tell from reading the descriptions and would love to hear from those who have done these excursions. Anyone?

 

[SAGE]

I did the Blue Lagoon Encounter and it was great.
I found a Bahamas thread on CC & read numerous reviews/recommendations.
The majority said Blue Lagoon was a far nicer experience, so I went with that.
Glad I did.

 

[Cowgirlroy]

My fiance and I did the Dolphin Encounter at BLue Lagoon. There is a deck area that for those not willing to swim with the dolphins can watch from. The trainers were nice and we had a great time. I would say though that you get to interact with the more then on the Altantis based on Altantis description. At Blue Lagoon we fed them, dance with them, got kisses, kissed back, they splashed us and took us for a ride by pushing their noses against our feet. They put in small groups too. We had about ten in ours. They keep families together. But I think ten is the biggest they go. There is a beach area that you can hang out at after. We didn't cause our day at Nassau it rained. Didn't mind it when swimming with the dolphins we were wet already but you cant enjoy a beach the same. The boat ride is a little long, it stops at Altantis on your way out there. That is the only stop, but they let you know how often it is running. By the time we swam with them, went to the shop to get/wait for our photos the boat was back with minutes to spare. Hope this helps. Enjoy whichever you decide on.

 

[disney 2010]

We loved Blue lagoon. The boat ride over was beautiful and the dolphin swim was great. We left at 10 ish and there were three return times for the boats returning to the ship 1:30 2:30 and 4. By the time we finished the swim and viewed our photos it was 1:30 and we chose to return to the ship. I suspect the other return times were convenient depending on what you wanted to do with the rest of your day.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

All the comments I've seen (here and elsewhere) have come from people who went on the Blue Lagoon encounter (and compared to the Atlantis encounter description, but no one's actually been on the Atlantis encounter). Has anyone out there been on the Atlantis encounter who could comment first hand?