Atlantis with young kids?

[Jim6122]

We've been to Naussau several times and it's not a favorite port. We were thinking of staying on the ship this time and enjoying low crowds on deck. That being said, in all of our trips to Naussau, we've never been to Atlantis.

My question is this: For those of you seasoned Atlantis visitors, is it worth the $$ (and time) to go with young children? We have two DS's (ages 4 and 12 months). Is Aquaventure like a waterpark? I'm assuming there are height requirements so even DS4 probably isn't big enough for most of the slides. I've heard the lazy river isn't so "lazy" so would DS12months be able to ride along on a tube with me or DH safely? What else is there to do? Personally, I would rather enjoy the adult pool with DH onboard rather than sit at the beach (we'll be doing that the next day at CC), but we also don't want to miss Atlantis again if it's really worth it.

If you think it's worth it, which package would you recommend for us?

Thanks!
Tonya

 

[3princessMommy]

We did the Atlantis Beach day tour and I think I would have much preferred to stay on board. The aquarium was neat, but we had two strollers and 5 kids under 6. We had to walk to a far beach (down four flights of stairs!!!) where we were supposed to be given a towel and a beach chair. Well, we got the towel (minus a couple of holes ) and DH and DF had to hike across the beach to get beach chairs. They were free, but if you wanted an umbrella, that was $30 - oh and cash only please - even though we had been told specifically not to bring cash because Atlantis was a cashless resort . Yeah right! By the time we got settled, I was exhausted and the kids were cranky. Plus the food was another long hike away.

Next time we're staying on board and sleeping in!!!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't think you would / could / should take a baby on the lazy river and it probably also has a 48" height requirement just like the slides. It is not lazy at all and it's called "The Current" and it is very swift...it has 4' waves! They DO have a nice water play area for younger children tho (I saw the "Splashers" area & thought it looked quite nice for little kids). I think Atlantis is worth it if you can book a room at the Comfort Suites next door for a FRACTION of the price of what DCL charges...although I think DCL does offer several different Atlantis packages. I just know that they charge a small FORTUNE for the Aquaventure part...I don't know how much they charge to just be able to use the pools....and if that includes ALL the pools...

http://www.atlantis.com/water/kidspools.aspx

 

[cruisinmama06]

Yes Atlantis is worth it! We've been there with our kids (starting them at age 2) 3 times in the past 2 years. And we still haven't done everything yet.

Let me work through some of the misconceptions though

The term - "Aquaventure" is for the NEW ride (just went in last year) and the height requirement IS 48". That new tubes rapid is NOT a lazy river. So no, the kids could not go on that.

Atlantis is made up of a bunch of different pool areas, water slides, and water features.

There are many shallow pool areas with things like floating lobsters, spraying water, bucket drops.

And the original Lazy River is just that - A Lazy River wrapping around the grounds. I just put my youngest on my stomach and we float around in the tube. The only problem you'll have with that is getting in and out, it will take someone to hold your tube for you. There is no height restriction on the lazy river.

I saw the post about the stairs - and this happened to me the first time too. Do NOT take the water taxi over to Atlantis. Go into the port building and get in line for a taxi to Atlantis ($4 pp). They will drop you off at the front door.

Also, the cheapest way to do Atlantis with young children is to book a room at Atlantis or at Comfort Suites next door (also allows access to all of the pools/slides/beach at ATlantis)

Do not pay for a cruise tour. And do not pay for "daypasses" because it will be a higher cost.

I've gotten rooms at Atlantis for as low as $159. The highest I have ever paid is $240. But divided by 4, that's still only $60 per person. I've never had to go over to comfort suites.

Here are some of our pictures...

 

[nenner1]

Here is a link to my Atlantis Segment with pictures:

Aquaventure!

IMVHO I am not so sure it would be your best choice of excursion with kiddos that young. Most of the attractions (well, ALL of the slides-not counting the teens tiny baby ones that empty into the Mayan Temple pool-new AND OLD are 48" and taller) are for the school-age set and older). They do have a nice kiddie pool splash area that your DS4 will love and probably the 12/mo also...but it is the same kind of thing they have at all the water parks in the US (things to climb on, small slides, spraying jets, the bucket that drops water, etc.) There are also some small slides in the regular pool, and lots of shallow areas but it is a VERY expensive sojourn and to get your moneys worth (and maybe to really be able to enjoy it to its' fullest) Its probably best to wait a few years.

That having been said have you checked out the Dolphin Encounter???

HTH!

 

[cruisinmama06]

IMVHO I am not so sure it would be your best choice of excursion with kiddos that young.

My 4 year old would disagree with you. But that's ok...lol. Atlantis is one of her fav place on earth. She calls it HER pink hotel...lol.

When we do the dolphin encounters - it is more per person than Atlantis.

Now I wouldn't recomend the beach only or the "Dig Tour" packages. When we go to Atlantis the kids want to be in the pools.

That's why I said getting braclets from CS or Atlantis itself as a hotel guest is the best option.

 

[nenner1]

My 4 year old would disagree with you. But that's ok...lol. Atlantis is one of her fav place on earth. She calls it HER pink hotel...lol.

Oh yes, I can tell by your pics!!

My recommendation was mostly based on having the 12m/o along also.
Of course I'm taking a 4 mo on a cruise next month and I'm sure not planning on letting her slow me down, lol!

 

[cruisinmama06]

Oh yes, I can tell by your pics!!

My recommendation was mostly based on having the 12m/o along also.
Of course I'm taking a 4 mo on a cruise next month and I'm sure not planning on letting her slow me down, lol!

Yes but in those pics, she was 24 months (2)...lol. The one where she is going down the water slide, she was 2. A crazy child, but still a young one.

Now, she doesn't wear floaties when we go to Atlantis because she "wants to sink" That kid gives me gray hair.

 

[TCB in FLA]

DS#2 is too small for the slides as well -- and we've got beaches and a big water park near home. Is there enough to see at Atlantis without doing the beaches/water park? My MIL says she and a friend had plenty to see without paying for the Dig, a tour, etc. -- what do you all think?

 

[cruisinmama06]

DS#2 is too small for the slides as well -- and we've got beaches and a big water park near home. Is there enough to see at Atlantis without doing the beaches/water park? My MIL says she and a friend had plenty to see without paying for the Dig, a tour, etc. -- what do you all think?

No, I would have to say if you take the dig, aquarium, slides and beach out of the equation, the only thing left to see is the Casino, hotel and shops.

You need a braclet to get anywhere else on the Atlantis grounds.

Since you are from Florida are beaches completly out of the question?

One place that is VERY family friendly and the price is nice - The Wydham Cable Beach sells a "Day Pass" to cruise guests for just $15. And I recently talked to them to confirm that they are still offering this pass. You can get it at the front desk.

The day pass gives you access to the beach, pools and pool facilities (so you can have restroom access for the kids)

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/NASBS/main.wnt

 

[TCB in FLA]

No, I would have to say if you take the dig, aquarium, slides and beach out of the equation, the only thing left to see is the Casino, hotel and shops.

You need a braclet to get anywhere else on the Atlantis grounds.

Since you are from Florida are beaches completly out of the question?

One place that is VERY family friendly and the price is nice - The Wydham Cable Beach sells a "Day Pass" to cruise guests for just $15. And I recently talked to them to confirm that they are still offering this pass. You can get it at the front desk.

The day pass gives you access to the beach, pools and pool facilities (so you can have restroom access for the kids)

http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/NASBS/main.wnt

With a beautiful beach 15 minutes away from home, Castaway Cay is enough beachtime for us during a vacation. I think MIL actually went on a tour of the Dig during her non-Disney cruise but she doesn't "remember it that way." Since she is going to be cruising with us, I want to get the facts in order before we all go over there only to be disappointed.