Discovery Cove v. Atlantis (Bahamas)

[bas71873]

Wondering if anyone has done the dolphin encounter at both and can compare them for me. I'm planning a birthday blowout for the summer of 2013and have DC on my list, but I'm curious about the Atlantis Resort dolphin swim and how that compares.

TIA!

 

[claryche]

I would love to know the answer to this too.

 

[smillerguy]

Never been to DC but did go to Atlantis last spring break and we loved it. it was easy to get to. We only did the shallow water dolphin thing because my DD is 6. My ds8 and dd6 LOVED Atlantis. Their favorite part ws the dolphins. Next was the Sea Lions the waterpark, and searching for beachglass on the beach. Have considered going to DC too.

 

[disneymegs]

I would suggest Discovery Cove. For a birthday celebration, it's the best. I took my boyfriend for his birthday in March and suprised him with the 89 dollar birthday package, which consisted of a free picture, tshirt, bag, picture frame, and a buoy that said "happy birthday" that the dolphin carried in its mouth to him during out dolphin encounter. It's great with the aviary, stingray pool, and reef for snorkeling. The Atlantis is a gorgeous resort, but very expensive. Unless you're prepared to spend thousands of dollars to stay there, go to Discovery Cove. If you want a multiple day celebration, choose Atlantis, but do the dolphin swim or encounter or sea lion encounter at Blue Lagoon Island. There is a ferry across the street that takes you there and back. It's a beautiful lagoon and it's been there for a long time, so they're great at what they do. The Atlantis dolphin program is fairly new. dolphinencounters.com

 

[bas71873]

I would suggest Discovery Cove. For a birthday celebration, it's the best. I took my boyfriend for his birthday in March and suprised him with the 89 dollar birthday package, which consisted of a free picture, tshirt, bag, picture frame, and a buoy that said "happy birthday" that the dolphin carried in its mouth to him during out dolphin encounter. It's great with the aviary, stingray pool, and reef for snorkeling. The Atlantis is a gorgeous resort, but very expensive. Unless you're prepared to spend thousands of dollars to stay there, go to Discovery Cove. If you want a multiple day celebration, choose Atlantis, but do the dolphin swim or encounter or sea lion encounter at Blue Lagoon Island. There is a ferry across the street that takes you there and back. It's a beautiful lagoon and it's been there for a long time, so they're great at what they do. The Atlantis dolphin program is fairly new. dolphinencounters.com

Thanks disneymegs! I have heard that the Atlantis is beautiful, but very expensive, especially in the food dept. and I'm not sure DD is old enough yet to appreciate that kind of vacay. I've had a few friends do the Atlantis dolphin thing, but it was part of cruise that stopped there.

I think I'll stick with my original plan of planning an Orlando birthday blowout in the summer of 2013 celebrating my 40th and DD's 10th....WDW, DC and Universal.....gotta start saving, like YESTERDAY

 

[claryche]

Yes, thanks Disneymegs. I didn't know that about the birthday celebration. I will have to plan on that for my DS. I'm just waiting until he turns 6 or maybe 7.

 

[disneymegs]

It really is nice! They wrote his name on it and he got to keep it. At the end of the encounter, they said they needed someone's help with the next thing and picked him to come up to the dolphin and point it to the other side of the pool. The dolphin grabbed it and brought it back under water so he didnt see it until the dolphin popped up! It was a lot of fun. The great thing about DC is that it's all inclusive and the food is very good. The facilities are so clean too. Atlantis is an awesome place, I just came back from there two weeks ago, but I'd save that for an 18th birthday. The casino is huge and the gambling age in the Bahamas is 18, as well as the drinking age.

 

[floridaminnie]

I second DC.... I was extremely impressed with the park and everything from the moment we arrived to when we left. They also do not cram people in, so you can relax.

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

We have been to Atlantis and the place to really fun as far as the water slides, pools, etc. I really don't think it is a good comparison to a one day adventure at Discovery cove. Atlantis is pricey as another poster stated.

 

[andrews_dad]

Haborside Atlantis is the way to go. Rent a full condo from a current timeshare owner at www.redweek.com. Most weeks could be had for $1200-1400, including all taxes and cleaaning fees. It is part of the resort, free shuttles every 5 min to other towers, beaches, casino, and pools. Have your cabbie stop at the grocery on the ride to your condo. Food at groicery more expensive that your USA grocery, but stiill much better than Atlantis food charges (literally $8 PER SLICE of pizza and $14 for a deli sandwich at Murry's on site). We do Atlantis and Diz every year. Both are great! Pools, slides, aquarium, beaches, casino, Atlantis is GREAT!