Atlantis vs. Blue Lagoon excursion??

[1disneymomof2]

We are scheduled to go on our first DC, leaving on Oct. 9 on Wonder. I've been researching and reading all I can like a mad woman before we leave for FL in 3 days. My question is regarding shore excursions in Nassau. We have a 9 mo. old and a 2+ year old, which means a double stroller. I have the Atlantis Discovery excursion reserved, but now I'm thinking may be that's not the best choice. I've read that it's really non stroller friendly and one downside is that you are not allowed near the pools, which seems like a big thing to have to miss at Atlantis. So I started researching the Blue Lagoon excursion and that looks really nice and the reviews I've read are all good. Do they allow small children and infants on the boat to Blue Lagoon? Does anyone have any suggestions which might be better given my childrens ages? or is there an even better excursion or recommendation you could make?

Thank you in advance!!

Rene'
Martinez, CA
http://www.disboards.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=9#

 

[scrapperjill]

I haven't done either of the DCL excursions your asking about...but we did go to Atlantis last year on our own (when we docked in Nassau..with DCL)...I'd have to agree the "Discover Atlantis" excrusion isn't really geared towards little ones....If I'm thinking of the right one..you go throught a tour of The Dig..which is very cool...but to a little kid it could just be a big aquarium. There's also ALOT of walking. I think there are elevators availabe for wc or strollers...And like you said not being able to use the pools, slides or beach at Atlantis is a big downfall...with little ones. I think DCL does offer an excrusion to Atlantis that includes the use of their beach...it's like Atlantis beach day or something along that lines...With that one you also get admission through The Dig and I think lunch.

We looked into the Blue Lagoon...and would have seriously thought of going there if we knew we were stopping in Nassau (we were sailing on a Western cruise...but because of hurricanes last year we were rerouted and did some Eastern....so we didn't even know were were stopping in Nassau until the day or so before we did)...Anyways Blue Lagoon looked nice...and seemed like it would make a perfect beach day.

Good luck.

PS...Atlantis itself was very cool..one could spend hours just looking around the hotel and casino...but from a kids point of view...that maybe not the best way to spend the day. Oh...and there is a free beach just out back of Atlantis....but the waves can be hard (they were when we were there)...and the water gets deep FAST.

 

[tinkerbellchick52]

Atlantis was great. My sister loooved it. She was ten i was 13, my mom was in her mid 30s and my dad was late 30s. My grandparents went to! It is fun for all ages

 

[musicgirl]

We did the Blue Lagoon a few years back and really enjoyed it. If you check the excursion list it should list the age.

It is very family friendly. There is a shallow inlet that is just perfect for little ones. They rent non-motorized water craft including snorkel. We took our snorkel gear with us, but they require a vest which at the time was $5 each. The included lunch was typical picnic fare. Nothing fancy. My only complaint was the Punch, it was horrible.

There is a small but nice snorkel area. It has a very rocky entrance. However it is great for little ones as well. There is a small beach here followed by the rocks with lots of little creatures to watch.

There are hammocks and I believe some volleyball/basketball areas.

There were 2 ferry times to return, 2 and 4. We were ready by 2 (very tired from from land portion at WDW!).

Take cash. They did take pictures (at the time, $10) It was actually a very good picture.

 

[michboro]

If you want to use pools and water slides at Atlantis, you could book a room either at Atlantis or Comfort Suites. The Atlantis is pricey, but using this link: http://www.smartertravel.com/hotel/mb.php?id=1417, you could get a room at Comfort Suites (right across street from Atlantis) for around $152 a night, and still have full use of all Atlantis facilities, including aquarium and pools.

 

[scrapperjill]

Just wanted to add...with the booking a room at Comfort suites or getting a day room at Atlantis (We booked the day room and had a WONDERFUL time)...but anyway the slides have height limits...and for most of the slides our 6yo wasn't big engouh to use...If we would have known that ahead of time I'm not sure we would have done the day room at all...Of course some of the lifeguards let her slide by and use the slides...but others wouldn't. Anyway it would have been a BIG let down and a BIG waste of money to find out we couldn't use the slides and stuff due to height restrictions. And with as young as your kids are I'm not sure you'd get a whole lot out of it. But that's JMO....and I wanted you to be aware before hand that your little ones would more than likely be to small. I think the requirement is 48-50" tall.

Normally I'd say go for it...we had a super dupper day at Atlantis...and would LOVE to go back. But for our family the slides were the big hit. And there are plenty of other activites to do there...the pools, beach, water toys (floats, paddle boats) the casino , going to The Dig...like I said tons of other things. I don't know...I just wanted you to know about he height requirements.

 

[1disneymomof2]

Thanks for the info.

ScrapperJill- how much was a "day room" at Atlantis.
Reserving an overnight room at Atlantis is too pricey for our budget just to go swimming. Just curious if you remember what a day room costs?

 

[momof2disprincesses]

bumping - I'd like to know about the day room too. How do you book it? Through Atlantis' website? Do you have a link?

 

[hunter6009]

We will have a 19 month old...I would like to know about the 2 excursions mentioned with a toddler, too. Our DS will need a nap, and I'm not sure how we'd swing that with Blue Lagoon ferries leaving at 2 and 4pm. We'd have a cranky toddler on our hands by 2!

Thanks!

 

[scrapperjill]

Our day room was $150....that included taxes and all fees. The price can vary with it being higher in peak season. We went in Sept 04...and booked at Atlantis when we arrived. They won't let you pre-book a day room as they only have so many and it's a first come basis. I've heard of people calling from the dock when they arrive in Nassau and booking it then...but we first went to the "free" beach behind Atlantis...and found the waves were to hard and the water to deep for our girls...so we decided what the heck..we'd give booking a day room a chance.

At first I thought the price was to much...but after figuring out the cost of The Dig alone would have been real close to $100 for our family...the additional $50 for the use of the pools, beaches, lagoons, water toys, and slides didn't seem so bad.

In the end the $150 was WELL worth it...we had a blast. And would LOVE to go again.

I didn't check out Comfort Suites ....but from what I've heard they are right next door to Atlantis...and if you book with them you also get full use out of everything Atlantis has to offer. Quite a few people go that route to save money. Only thing with them..you have to book a nights stay (don't have to stay...just have to book that way).

 

[1disneymomof2]

Thanks for the info ScapperJill. I already checked out the Comfort Suites and the cheapest I found was $150 pre-tax.

I'm going to discuss this day-room option with my family. There are 4 of us booked on the excursion which would be $132. So it would be only $18 more for pool use. Sounds worth it to me.

Hmmmm... something else to think about now.

Rene'

 

[TheDisCruiser]

Just checking with those who have used a day room at Atlantis...Is The Dig included if you book a room?

Could someone with some Nassau experience give me a suggested itinerary for Nassau that includes the visit to Atlantis? I am travelling with a 6yo and 2yo.

Thanks,
Mike.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Our day room was $150....that included taxes and all fees. The price can vary with it being higher in peak season. We went in Sept 04...and booked at Atlantis when we arrived. They won't let you pre-book a day room as they only have so many and it's a first come basis. I've heard of people calling from the dock when they arrive in Nassau and booking it then...but we first went to the "free" beach behind Atlantis...and found the waves were to hard and the water to deep for our girls...so we decided what the heck..we'd give booking a day room a chance.

At first I thought the price was to much...but after figuring out the cost of The Dig alone would have been real close to $100 for our family...the additional $50 for the use of the pools, beaches, lagoons, water toys, and slides didn't seem so bad.

In the end the $150 was WELL worth it...we had a blast. And would LOVE to go again.

I didn't check out Comfort Suites ....but from what I've heard they are right next door to Atlantis...and if you book with them you also get full use out of everything Atlantis has to offer. Quite a few people go that route to save money. Only thing with them..you have to book a nights stay (don't have to stay...just have to book that way).

I just wanted to add that I emailed Atlantis yesterday about booking a day room in Jan. They emailed me back almost immediately and said they do not book day rooms (so what you're saying here makes sense). I almost gave up, but swimming at Atlantis is what we really want to do.

If anyone has more info about Comfort Suites, please share! I would hate to wait until the day of and find out there are no day rooms available OR they are extremely expensive!

When is peak season in Nassau? I'm assuming Jan. might be it

 

[scrapperjill]

IMO the price diffrence is WELL worth it ....you'll get SOOOO much more out of getting a day room than you would with just the excrusion.

One word of advice...either come prepaired to pay an arm and a leg for food...or plan ahead. Bring snacks, eat a big breakfast on the ship, pack a lunch (I've heard of people bringing sandwiches from room service off the ship..even chicken strips and what not) I haven't tryed it...but I've read of others who have. Anyways the food at Atlantis is spendy.


The Dig IS included in your room. By getting a day room you ARE a guest at the hotel and get EVERYTHING that the guests get...free roam of The Dig, the pools, slides, beaches, water floats (Paddle boats and large floats)...Theres a lot more...that you get...like kid activites and stuff....


As for an iternary if your planning on getting a day room...you could really spend ALL of your time at Atlantis. That's what we did...and really wished we had even longer. We never even went out to the Atlantis beach...and would have like to do the paddle boats and other floats...I also wouldn't have minded either spending more time in the Dig...or going through a second time. Another thing we would have like to have more time at was the Straw Market....We made time to go through it...but not enough time to "work deals" at the market.

 

[scrapperjill]

I also wanted to add...that they will tell you they don't do day rooms if you try to book ahead...Even when we arrived at Atlantis we went to the main front desk...and were told they don't do day rooms....but we could try a diffrent lobby (the hotel is made up of diffrent towers and each one has it's own lobby)...so we went to the next one..where we were told they didn't have any left...but we could try the other one (actually the gal behind the counter said she'd go check for us)...When she came back she had the good news. So don't give up...if your told they don't do day rooms...or there are none left..try a diffrent lobby/desk.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Thank you so much for all of your advice & encouragement.

Do you know if there is a limit to how many guests can book one day room (there will be 6 of us)? Do hotel guests wear wrist bands?

Also, what is "the dig"?

 

[hunter6009]

So how DO you book a day room at the Atlantis?

Also, do they have cribs/pack n plays for when my DS needs a nap?

Thanks!

 

[scrapperjill]

There is a limit...I think it's 4-5..We only had 4 in our group so that's all we asked for...but I have heard of others getting 5. It also may depend on how old everyone in your group is. I read not to long ago about a family that went...with one to many people (6 I think)..that the grandmother in the group...didn't care to do the slides/pools and what not...so she opted not to do it...BUT they (Atlantis) never stopped her from going down to the pool area and sitting in a lounger..I think she also walked right into the Dig with the rest of her groups....without anyone saying anyting or stopping her.

To get a day room you have to either walk into Atlantis and book one for the day...or call at the port the DAY you arrive...you CAN NOT pre-book them...they are on a first come basis. It seems kind of risky...and a iffy thing...cuz you really won't know if you'll get one until your at Nassau.