Driving to Disney...Georgia Aquarium

[ArielLovesEric]

We are diving down to Disney around Thanksgiving this year. It is a 16-17 hour trip so we will be stopping somewhere for a night. I am thinking about Atlanta and taking a day to do the Georgia Aquarium. We would be there on Thanksgiving day. They are open with shorter hours that day. Just wanted to see if anyone had been there and to see if you think it is worth taking a little bit of time away from disney. We will be doing seaworld while down there. We have a 4 almost 5 year old son that LOVES animals of any kind but especially aquatic ones. Thanks for any info in advance!

 

[Pesky]

Yes! Granted I was there after hours for a small event but it was amazing. Heck, I even told DH I might jag-leg through there when we go because I think the kids would love to see it. They have multiple "touch" pools, including one with small bonnet-head sharks. They have a great beluga exhibit (apparently the belugas LOVE brides because they are all in white) and of course, an AMAZING huge tank with 4 whale sharks. I'd definitely make the stop!

 

[chall0415]

I love in GA and we love the aquarium. Great pit stop. It is amazing. Your kids will love it.

 

[Disney2013Girl]

I have been to the GA a number of times and I love it. I actually recommend it for anyone going through/to Atlanta.

 

[4kids4karen]

My husband took the kids over the summer. My daughter had a cheer camp in the area and they went after the camp mid-week. They spent less than 3-hours there which included the show. He says he was glad he went but wasn't as great as it is built up to be. For the record we have been to lots of aquariums and have been pass holders to the Florida Aquarium when the kids were younger, so we have a comparison. DD went to the cheer camp again a month later and didn't care to go back to the aquarium that trip. What both of my kids did like was the World of Coke next door, especially taste testing all the different flavors from around the world.

 

[WuvEeyore]

We loved it. I'd say it's worth it.

 

[lotrisneat]

Yes, it's definitely worth it. We went years ago right after it opened and it was wall-to-wall people. And it was STILL enjoyable.

 

[RachaelA]

We stopped on the drive home in May and the aquarium was AWESOME! Get there right when they open and get tickets for the first dolphin show.

 

[ArielLovesEric]

Thanks for the info! I think we will try and work it into the trip! I am so excited to see the place and even more excited to see the look on my son's face This will be our first Thanksgiving being away from our families but this will be a fun adventure for that day! Anymore info or tips? Thanks again!

 

[GaBelle]

Thanks for the info! I think we will try and work it into the trip! I am so excited to see the place and even more excited to see the look on my son's face This will be our first Thanksgiving being away from our families but this will be a fun adventure for that day! Anymore info or tips? Thanks again!

My only tip would be to buy tix in advance. You can purchase online.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We like it. It can get very crowded and I am not sure what the holiday will do to attendance. I would pre-purchase tickets and be there well before they open. We like the World of coke too if you need to fill a whole day. It's near by.

 

[southernprincess1]

I have a friend that had season passes to GA Aquarium. Her family went on Thanksgiving day and it was practically empty. This was 2 years ago. She said it felt like they had the place to themselves. It is a great aquarium, don't miss the dolphin show!

 

[southernprincess1]

Forgot to mention, the World of Coke is right next door to the Aquarium. It is so much fun! It tells a good history of the Coca Cola company. Very interesting and they have a great tasting area. You could definitely do both in one day.

 

[wiigirl]

I love in GA and we love the aquarium. Great pit stop. It is amazing. Your kids will love it.

 

[HopperFan]

Not sure if they are still doing it as we did this years ago, but we had Thanksgiving dinner in the ballroom (they have windows to large aquariums) that was a buffet done by Wolfgang Puck catering. It was great and made our day!

 

[ampc3]

ok I am going to be the odd one out... if you are going to seaworld, then I don't think it is worth the money to stop and go there... I don't know where you are coming from and what type of zoo you have back home... But I would suggest stopping at the Zoo instead and seeing the new baby pandas, they should be on display by then.. The zoo itself is rather small, but not that many zoos have panada No matter what you pick I am sure you will enjoy!