Atlantis Aquaventure sold out! Has anyone used Comfort Suites?

[TgrFans]

My delima: We're first time cruisers on the Dream this June! 75 days prior to our departure, I went on-line to book the Atlantis Aquaventure (the only excursion my 2 DDs were interested in) and they are sold out! I called DCL - they advised me to check back (maybe someone would cancel).

I found a few old threads about booking a room at the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island. Booking a one night stay (for 4) comes with 4 passes for the Atlantis waterpark (and is actually cheaper). But before i do, I want to ask anyone out there that has done this....


1) What are my options to get from the dock to the Comfort Suites hotel? Taxi (are they safe in Nassau)? I imagine Comfort Suites doesn't offer a shuttle

2) When I make the reservation, do I just go ahead and tell them that we do not plan on staying the night, and we just want to check in and check out at the same time?

3) Do the Atlantis passes (given to us by Comfort Suites) include access to everything the DCL passes offer?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[gotdbltrbl]

We did this back in 2007. It worked great for us, we got a taxi at port and it took us right to the Comfort Suites. I checked in, went over to Atlantis and showed them our room key if I remember correctly, and they gave us our wrist bands and towels. We enjoyed our day, went back to CS, dropped our key into the "check-out" basket, found a taxi out front and went back to the ship. I didn't mention we were not staying, I don't know why but I didn't feel comfortable doing that, although I think they knew since we had a lack of luggage! I have heard that it is not guarenteed to get a band from Atlantis if they are really booked, but we didn't have that problem. And it was a lot cheaper then the excursion. I think that if you can't get the wrist band, you can still walk around and use the beach, but you need the bands for the pools. I think. Hope this helps! Have fun!!!

 

[missycj96]

In 2005 I stayed at the comfort suites for 4 nights. It was as if we were staying at the atlantis. we got the same bracelets to use the facilities. It is a great option. It is easyto get a cab from port. plus you will have a room if you want a place to rest or shower.

 

[mississaugamom]

We just went to Comfort Suites on March 14 with no issues. Taxis are plentiful at the dock ($4 per person each way) and we were able to check in and out at the same time, saving us from having to go back after our day at Atlantis.

Whether you're staying or not, you will pay the surcharges for everyone over 12 ... $12.95 per person energy surcharge and $5 per person housekeeping fee.

You take your receipt from Comfort Suites to the Aquaventure desk at Atlantis where each person gets their wristband for the day. You need to buy your own lunch, but we found a very reasonably priced walk-up counter near the pool with refillable drinks. Not cheap, but certainly less expensive than $169 per person for the Disney excursion!

Good luck ~ if you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[brucechase]

To see how well all this worked, read my trip report in my signature. It will tell you everything that you need to know.

 

[catzle]

We did this last year. We loved it. We took a taxi over to Comfort Suites. It is $4 a person. We just gave $20 bill for the 4 of us. You check in and out at the same time tell them you are just getting it for the wrist band to the Atlantis. You then walk through the back of the hotel and out across the street is the Atlantis. Very easy and short walk. You find a booth where you trade in for your wrist bands and your off. When your ready go back through the Atlantis and grab a taxi back another $4 a person. It went off without a hitch we had a great day and it cost us minimal money compared to what Disney charges!

 

[TgrFans]

Thanks! Even with all the fees/taxes at Comfort Suites, paying for a taxi both ways and lunch, I still end up saving $200 (versus DCL's excursion prices). This may have been a blessing in disguise!

 

[catzle]

We got lucky last year and booked through 1800hotels and we got a room for $188 with everything/all taxes included for 4 of us! This year no such luck but for $251 with comfort its still cheaper then disney. Disney would cost us $600.

 

[kittyscrap1]

wow...I just check for July and it's $300 plus for one night. You all have a great deal. Actually $403.75 with all the fees..plus $40 for the cab...hmmmm...

 

[TitanBrett]

Thanks! Even with all the fees/taxes at Comfort Suites, paying for a taxi both ways and lunch, I still end up saving $200 (versus DCL's excursion prices). This may have been a blessing in disguise!

Another benefit is you get more time at the park, not a lot but at least 20 minutes. You can just get off the boat, grab a cab, check-in/check-out at CS, then head over to Atlantis.

The DCL aquaventure they round everyone up, put you on buses, then they take you on a "tour" of Atlantis before you get to the pools/slides/Beach. The tour mainly consists of showing you the Casino and Shops.

 

[lar32]

I know the price can vary greatly. we did this in Nov. 08 and paid $250 including all taxes plus I got a gift certificate from AMEX for using that cc. This year we are traveling over memorial weekend and our room is close to $400 with all the taxes. We'll be over once you add on the surcharges you pay at the desk but it's still cheaper than Disney. We'll have a lunch packed for us on the ship and will be good to go!

 

[nursebeth03]

lar32: Did you have lunch made for you last time? Just wondering how that worked for you? My DH thinks I'm nuts, I told him I'm going to bring a few small bags of chips, granola bars, fruit snacks...whatever and have room service deliver some sandwiches and cookies early in the morning and I'll double ziplock bag them with ice in a small 6 pk size soft side cooler (I'll hide it in my big beach bag). I don't mind drinking the water on board so I'll just bring a 12 pk of water on board so each of us can put a few in our beach bag for Atlantis! We'll eat at Cabanas for breakfast and eat our own lunch...wholla more money in my pocket

 

[shelleyr25]

I have been thinking of doing the same thing for our day in Nassau...I have a quick question though...I assume you have to book the hotel night for the amount of people that you need wristbands for...meaning..book for family of 4 and get 4 wristbands at the Atlantis...is this correct???

 

[nursebeth03]

I recently booked our room at CS...the max amount of people you can have in any room is 4. I put in for 2 people and it's the same price as 4 people!!! I need all 4, but if I had an odd number or didn't need all 4 I'd be searching the DIS threads to see if anyone wanted to share

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

You can also book the Atlantis Aquaventure through Majestic Tours Bahamas. The cost is 120.00 per adult and 80.00 per child. We just did this for our cruise next week. We pick up the tickets in the Atlantis Coral Towers. This is also good for those that need one extra ticket.


Enjoy!
Crystal

 

[Kevinimedic]

Thankyou all for the info about this hotel and passes. I just called the hotel directly and spoke with the front desk staff member. She says that this practice is accepted by the hotel and a great way to save money. We were originally not going to do the aquaventure because of cost. Now we are doing it for $15 more than the beach day. I still need to find a way to get 2 more passes for May 2 though.(It doesnt make much sense for 2 adults to get the room because the room costs $330)

 

[brucechase]

I still need to find a way to get 2 more passes for May 2 though.(It doesnt make much sense for 2 adults to get the room because the room costs $330)

Go to your meet thread and see if there is anyone else doing this that doesn't have a full room and split the cost with them.

or see previous post - this looks like a good way too>

You can also book the Atlantis Aquaventure through Majestic Tours Bahamas. The cost is 120.00 per adult and 80.00 per child. We just did this for our cruise next week. We pick up the tickets in the Atlantis Coral Towers. This is also good for those that need one extra ticket.


Enjoy!
Crystal

 

[lar32]

Nursebeth,
We didn't have lunches made but our dining room staff told us we should have requested to have lunches made for us when we told them about our day and how expensive the food was and that I basically starved myself because I couldn't bare to spend so much on the food. On our last couple cruises we sailed concierge and they told us there was no problem having some sandwiches made! Now I just have to figure a way to smuggle our 4 year old in since she makes 5 and only 4 are allowed per room...

 

[kittyscrap1]

that I basically starved myself because I couldn't bare to spend so much on the food. .

I'm so not meaning this in a bad way...but I chuckled as I'm the same way yet we are all on Disney instead of another less expensive cruise..hahah! Glad to hear I'm not the only one...I won't even let my kids spend in the gift shops...it's like..THIS IS your gift.

 

[goofyfamily]

Bump.