BEST way to EXPERIENCE ATLANTIS? Best Rates on RESORTS while there?

[dreamflight99]

I've read so many different things on this board about the BEST way to experience all of ATLANTIS while in Naussau. I know there is a TAXI available for $5 to ferry us over to the Resort. What do we do from there? Should we plan ahead and RENT a room from Atlantis or a neighboring property? Choice/Westin? Any and ALL help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks...

 

[DVC California]

Hi DF99 -

You've been so helpful to others on the Swan/Dolphin thread that I hope to return the favor with what little I know about the Atlantis.

I know there is a TAXI available for $5 to ferry us over to the Resort.

Yes, taxis are widely available. As you disembark the ship, you will take a short walk along the piers and exit out onto a public area. As you turn right, you will pass the hair-braiding stalls, and beyond that is the "taxi stand".

I put parenthesis around that because there was really no organization to it. Drivers would walk up to everyone and ask if they needed a ride. When he/she filled up their car/van, off they went. You sometimes had to wait a few minutes, because they wouldn't leave without a full car. The fare to Atlantis, last April, was $4/person with an additional $1 per car for bridge toll. There is no toll on th return.

What do we do from there?

The Atlantis is a full resort with a large casino. If you gamble, there are a variety of slot machines and table games. There are also many shops and restaurants to choose from.

There is a very interesting aquarium that can be done as a walking tour. If you are not a guest of the hotel, this can be purchased separately for $25.00/person.

The best part of the resort is the pool area. The best way to describe it is to imagine a something in between Storm-Along Bay (Beach Club) and Typhoon Lagoon. There are numerous pools, waterslides, and even a lazy river. There is no wave pool because the ocean is right beyond the pools! One waterslide actually takes you through a shark tank via a clear transparent tube. Guest ID's are required.

Should we plan ahead and RENT a room from Atlantis or a neighboring property? Choice/Westin?

It depends. If you plan on using the pools AND doing the Aquarium tour, it probably is worth getting room. Full access to ALL resort amenities are granted to Atlantis hotel guests, as well as the guests of the Comfort Suites and the Harborside timeshare (run by Starwood!).

Here are some links to the Atlantis and surrounding hotels:

Atlantis

Comfort Suites - Paradise Island

Harborside Resort.com

I'm not sure if you can use SPG points at Harborside. If you find out let us know!


HTH, Steve

 

[DisneyPoly]

Hi dreamflight99 ... I'm bumping you up because I want to know too! We went last year in May and chose the Atlantis Beach day excursion. There were 15 of us, 6 adults, 9 children. My only complaint was that the trip from the ship to Atlantis was quite a hike. We opted to taking a limo back to the ship from the hotel, well worth the money.

This time I would like to rent a room so that the kids can enjoy the pools.

Let's hope someone responds.

 

[disneylover5]

We are just back from the Wonder and we tried to rent a day room at the Atlantis. It has gone up 1/1/03 they say. They were confused about taxes, but when it was all said and done my family of 5 was $250 for the day room. This does not included any meals. Too pricy for us we went back and sat by the Goofy pool and had a wonderful day.

 

[DisOrBust]

My question with the "day rates" fpor any of the hotels ...Do you have to wait until 3pmto check in and use the facilities or can you check in early??

 

[dreamflight99]

I'M SO GLAD YOU HAVE FOUND ME! It's so nice seeing friendly faces over here on the Cruise forum board (I love reading all these boards!).

DVC California (STEVE!) ...WOW, thank you~thank you~thank you!!! I have printed this thread/page and will keep the post as a bible while there. We went on the 7-eve Western (Magic) last summer, and now are going in the opposite direction! We took the Big Red Boat (years ago~1993) which docked at Naussau...but Atlantis was only in the IMAGE stage! LOL. Now, we are determined to go and have a GREAT time visiting this resort. We like the slots, but can play these in nearby Vegas. We definitely want to do the pools/beach and aquarium at Atlantis. I'm calling the Timeshare GURU, (ancient chinese secret...LOL), and will obtain the price. I believe he told me he could get me a beautiful room there for less than $90! I'll let you know if this is true. Your info is Awesome! Thanks again...(also thanks for the kind words about me on the S/D thread~ ). TTFN....moi!

DisneyPoly...Hello! I'll also let you know about the starwood prop., and the price for renting.

Disneylover5...so sorry for the trouble with the day room at Atlantis. I have reviewed the reservation site for the Choice hotel, and can assure you the cost is much less. I wish you would have known more prior to your trip. I've read so many mixed reviews and confusing information regarding this matter. Disney should offer a DAY ROOM package as an excursion!

What are the DAY RATES for the use of the pools? Hello DisOrBust! I have never heard of the 3 pm time thing, and would love to know how long the ship is in port at Naussau as well. Initially, we were told it docked at 5 am, and departed at 2 am. Now, it docks at 9 am, and departs at 10 pm! These changes make me dizzzzzy!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Rate for a one BR Villa is $350.00! Ouch! I know I've seen much better than this...somewhere I recall seeing the rate for a day-stay at $99.00. I still have to call the SPG Guru, as this rate came directly from the resort. They are not affiliated in the SPG program, other than if you purchase you receive a LOT of Starpoints, and also may accumulate and use Starpoints when an owner.

I HOPE someone else has some perspective to offer here...please? Otherwise, I'll have to spend DAYS sifting through these threads searching for the one I recall with the $99 rate! I only wish the search mode was working (PETE?).

Thanks again, for all the assistance with this query!

 

[DisOrBust]

Are you sure the 99 rate wasen't for the Comfort Suites??

I am in the process of emailing Atlantis and seeing what they have to say. Can't hurt to ask right?

I'll lrt you know what transpires.....

 

[Wishing on a star]

Atlantis will not even acknowledge that they offer day rooms.... But, from recent posts, it seems that they are now $200.00 plus taxes and fees!!! I was Okay with the $150.00 rate, but this is getting a little hard to swallow for just one day, a few hours.....

So, I have been searching for rates for the Comfort Suites. I found one site with a rate for our cruise date at $166.00. and with less taxes and fees. I had wanted to do the day-rate directly at Atlantis, but now this is an option!

Okay, my question is this... Exactly how much additional walking is there involved? I searched and searched for a good map. And the only one I found was from a fishing-charter site!!! It looks like it is not too far... but is on the complete other side of Atlantis from where the Mayan pools and slides, Cove beach, etc... are?

Can anyone help? How far is it? Where can I find a good map?

Thanks!

 

[Hygiene99]

our Atlantis story , since it was our third time to nassau and Bil said that he loved the beach day excursion to atlantis that disney offered we decided to head over to atlantis to see what we could see..... taxi 5 bucks each and then we went in and started doing our own self guided tour.... not knowing where we could go and see soon we ran into an atlantis employee who asked to resort ids we said we where not stayying at the resort and asked where we should go to get tickets to enjoy the area he was not allowing us to go into ....... any ways we inquired at desk to see how much and said forget it . and went off in another
direction,,, still not knowing where we could and could not go
and before we knew it we where down on the Beach
where bil was enjoying his disney excursion ........
since we not really dressed for the beach we looked around for a while more and the we toured some Aqurium areas that went over u as u walked threw a tunnel.... saw a few water slides and pools and then decided to spend $20.00 each at the casino
soon it was gone... and so where we after looking threw some shops we decided to take water taxi back to the ship...............
we had done it ....................... Atlantis yea was nice
been there done that peter