Anyone been to Atlantis?

[Hidden_Mickey]

DH is taking me to "the Carribean" for my 40th. As the official family vacay planner I get to choose the island and resort. OMG! I can't decide! I've heard good things about Aruba and several of the Bahamian islands. All I want is a beach with white sand and blue water. DH would like a casino, but it's not absolutely necessary. Some activitites for the kids (9 and 12) would be nice. I've heard good things about Atlantis, but also that it is insanely expensive Is it worth the $? It looks like they have a "value" resort (Harborside) that you can take a shuttle to the main resort to. How much of a pain is that? I see kids are free at the more expensive resort so maybe the higher price but free kids resort (with no shuttle) would equal what we would spend for four at the less expensive resort and be more convenient? The water park sounds great. Is there a UG for the Caribbean? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know but here are the tripadvisor reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ise_Island_New_Providence_Island_Bahamas.html

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Oh my... the reviews are good and the official site is making me drool! I think it might be a winner!

 

[WDWBarb]

I went to Atlantis about 6-7 years ago (oh my, how time flies!). It had a wonderful time! It was beautiful and elegant and I had a great 3-day weekend there. I really enjoyed "The Dig" (do they still call it that?) and the pools and water slides.

I don't know that I'd have enjoyed myself so much if my DD had come with me - she might have been a little bit bored after a day or so. I also remember it being quite crowded. The beach was jam-packed (but still absolutely gorgeous!).

I'd really love to spend another weekend there. And yes, it was quite expensive! Thankfully, I was on a company trip and not on my own dime.

 

[bumbershoot]

In case you want to play at Atlantis but don't absolutely need to *stay* there, there's a lower end place right nearby, and having a reservation there gives you access to the good stuff at Atlantis. I think it's something like Day's Inn or similar...if you look at cruise message boards (like cruisecritic) and search around for that destination you can find out more about it. Most people there are just getting a reservation in name only, and check in and check out at the same time JUST to get the access card...but it might be a viable place to actually *stay*, if the price is beyond you but you want the fun stuff of Atlantis.

 

[Jeanne B]

My favorite island in the Caribbean is St John in the Virgin Islands, I've done two land vacations there and it's nothing but beautiful beaches and beautiful water and I love that it's so easy to island hop (to St Thomas as well as some of the British Virgin Islands) but I'm sure your kids would love Atlantis, the waterpark is a lot of fun, especially since they expanded it and added more slides and the "rapid" river ride.

In case you want to play at Atlantis but don't absolutely need to *stay* there, there's a lower end place right nearby, and having a reservation there gives you access to the good stuff at Atlantis. I think it's something like Day's Inn or similar...if you look at cruise message boards (like cruisecritic) and search around for that destination you can find out more about it. Most people there are just getting a reservation in name only, and check in and check out at the same time JUST to get the access card...but it might be a viable place to actually *stay*, if the price is beyond you but you want the fun stuff of Atlantis.

It's the Comfort Suites...I booked a room there during a cruise stop and also did a 2-night post cruise stay there a few years ago, much cheaper than Atlantis, it's nothing fancy but it's clean, all rooms have fridges if I recall and they have a free continental breakfast every morning, last I knew there was a Subway right across the street as well as a sit down restaurant but I can't think of the name. There's also information about the CS right here on the cruise boards.

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[chloe770]

I love Atlantis. We've been twice. Once for our honeymoon and once with DS when he was 2. I would look into the Beach Tower if you are looking to save some money instead of Harborside. It would probably be much more conventant. I also would reccommend getting the meal plans. The food there by far is your biggest expense. As far as the resort itself goes, they definitely have alot to dofor the whole family. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Yes, I did see the Comfort Suites and it sounds good but I have to do some pricing research now. I got some books from the library yesterday about both the Bahamas and Caribbean. Honestly, Aruba looks boring. At least on Paradise Island we can go to the Bacardi factory for a tour and to the Pirate museum (DH loves POTC!). I think we have a winner!

 

[GJM]

We stayed at Comfort Suites, it was fine, we slept there and changed. We were at Atlantis all day and night. Food is very expensive.

I have also been to Aruba and love it - had the best food, the nicest people and great beach.

Why not go on a cruise, then you will stop at a couple of islands. Plenty for your kids to do on a cruise also.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Yeah, we did a 4 day cruise on the Big Red Boat for our honeymoon, I think it was bought by Disney and turned into DCL. We stopped at a couple of places in the Bahamas, one of which was Nassau, and I loved it. We only had a half day at the beach though, and I always said I wanted to go back and stay on an island, so that's why we are going. I just want to go in the blue water and drink some rum and relax. DD11 wants to do the dolphin experience.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Yeah, we did a 4 day cruise on the Big Red Boat for our honeymoon, I think it was bought by Disney and turned into DCL. We stopped at a couple of places in the Bahamas, one of which was Nassau, and I loved it. We only had a half day at the beach though, and I always said I wanted to go back and stay on an island, so that's why we are going. I just want to go in the blue water and drink some rum and relax. DD11 wants to do the dolphin experience.

The Big Red boat is NOT Disney Cruise Lines, and Cruising has come a VERY VERY VERY VERYYYYY long way since that time.

A bit of advice on the Atlantis. They are giving some great deals right now because its Hurricane Season. That is why the rates are so awesome, if you don't mind a little rain every single day and the possibility of a hurricane that by all means go.

Also the prices are very high and it is a very Deluxe and Upscale property. They have a huge Casino and their land is huge. I was there in March and was shocked at how much more it has grown, I swear it will have its own airport at some point.

So I would hate for you to get there and then be dissapointed, I have not heard that there is a Bacardi factory in the Bahamas. The Bacardi Factory is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Personally with the kids I would say go to Aruba, no rain and it is outside the Hurricane belt. The Riu Palace is all inclusive and really fantastic. The Hyatt is also great and I know they have some awesome water slides for the kids. They have 200 restaurants there and something for everyone so you don't always have to do an all inclusive.

Used to work for Liberty Travel but got laid off in Nov. "08" that is why I know what I am talking about. Good Luck to you and Happy Birthday!!

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

We want to go in February, so no hurricane worries there!

Well the Bahamas book I got said there was a Bacardi tour. That won't make or break my decision though.

I wasn't impressed with the cruise. It was OK but I really just wanted to stay in one spot and go to the beach. Being out on the water kinda freaked me out (Titanic ) I'm not sure what happened to the BRB but DCL definitely took over their niche. Our cruise was part of a WDW package, like DCL offers now.

Anyway, I'm still researching. Any and all info is appreciated.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

If you are looking to travel during Presidents week, I do wish you alot of luck. I don't think they are going to be offering the kids stay for free deal at that time (IF that is the timeframe you are traveling in) Dec. 21 thru April 30th is High Season for Caribbean and Mexico travel. That week is one of THE most travelled weeks of the year and you will find the Atlantis very crowded and also VERY expensive. The airfare alone is probably at least $500 per person if not more than that. Unless you live in Florida then its probably less.

Your best bet would be to do an all inclusive in Mexico, that is going to be the least expensive or Punta Cana/La Romana they have some great Family All Inclusives there with lots of activities for everyone and the cost would be less.

 

[Darcy03231]

I haven't stayed there, but a good friend took his three kids for their school break one year and they had a blast! He did say that it was really expensive (he can afford to go just about anywhere he wants). He spent approximately $10,000 for the four of them for the week. They did do a lot of extra things (jet ski rentals, swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling trip, etc.).

 

[Mom21]

Personally with the kids I would say go to Aruba, no rain and it is outside the Hurricane belt. The Riu Palace is all inclusive and really fantastic.

My sister and I stayed at Riu Palace in April. Fabulous is all I can say. The people are the nicest of any all-inclusive at which I have stayed.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

My sister and I stayed at Riu Palace in April. Fabulous is all I can say. The people are the nicest of any all-inclusive at which I have stayed.

Riu is an excellent resort chain and the one in Aruba is really quite fabulous. They needed a more affordable All Inclusive and this one is just amazing.

So glad you liked it as much as I did!!

 

[despina]

Went in July 2007, 4 adults and 5 kids from ages 4-12.
The kids liked it better than Disneyworld.
There are activities for the kids. You can leave them at Discovery kids zone for a fee...for day or evening, example movie night. They have casinos for you hubby. The water rides are just as fun for adults as kids.
We stayed at Harborside. We had a kitchen,2 bedrooms, balcony. You can go to the market with a taxi or take the shuttle that harborside offers and go grocery shopping for cereal, milk etc.
This will save on eating out for every meal.
Harborside shuttle service to Atlantis is very easy, and runs frequently. You will have no problem with transportation back and forth.
Also if you want to rent at Harborside, you can rent from an owner (timeshare). Check out Redweek.com or Tugs2.com, cyber rental.com, we got a great rate from an owner at Redweek.com for Harborside. Good Luck

 

[MineMail]

Yeah, we did a 4 day cruise on the Big Red Boat for our honeymoon, I think it was bought by Disney and turned into DCL.

That was our honeymoon trip too, followed by my first visit to WDW! We have all these silly pictures of Pluto "kissing" me on the ship, lol. Were you on the Oceanic? My MIL was a travel agent, so we went first class with a balcony and private deck off our suite. No portholes to be seen! That was the best of all our cruises: the service, the food, and the excursions were all reasonably priced and well-run. Plus, it didn't take hours and hours to disembark. Cruising has gone downhill since the Big Red Boat sailed into the sunset.

The demise of the Disney cruise on the Big Red Boat was more interesting than a simple buy-out. Disney has a history of doing "joint ventures" for a while then starting their own venture and taking over their former partner's market. Disney did the same thing in radio: they played nice with Radio AAHS (which was awesome), then launched Radio Disney in the best markets. But I digress.

We love the Bahamas - we've been there many times. We've been to Atlantis three times and it's nice, but really expensive. The waterpark is a separate admission and you can get day passes if you don't stay there. The aquariums are great, but if you're just looking for sun and beach, it's a distraction, lol. Our whole family preferred the beaches on Paradise Island to the Atlantis beaches but Atlantis' theming, aquariums and water park were a hit with the kids. The only drawback to staying offsite is that the day pass doesn't include use of the pools, which you can look at but the kids can't use. That didn't go over too well - made us feel a little bit left out, considering the cruise line had contracted for the excursion.

One note: don't take the ferry to the resort. The ferries look like old PT boats from McHale's Navy and we actually had to abandon 'ship' two years ago because of a mechanical failure. It was faster and more convenient to take a taxi, even with the additional cost.

We took a long cruise recently and one of the stops was Grand Turks. It was beautiful and pristine, even nicer than Paradise Island. We can't wait to go back again. If you're looking for sun and surf, I would choose Grand Turks.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

OK, here's my next question.... Somebody told me February will be too cold, that April break will be better. So I checked and our spring break is the last week in March. Will we freeze our butts off? I want to go to the beach! What is the water temperature in March? I heard the weather is similar to Florida, which I know can be iffy. HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP! I'm am so undecided! Our other option was Aruba, which is supposed to be warmer year round, but I had pretty much decided on Atlantis. What do you guys think?