How long to view Atlantis aquarium?

[Partridge4ever]

I'm considering taking DD7 and DD3 to the Atlantis aquarium. How long would it take to get there, see it, and get back on the ship? We're not interested in the guided tour. Also, is it worth it? They love sea life, but we go to Gatlinburg every year where they have the Ripley's Aquarium. Is there something special about this one? As I said in my last post, I'm apprehensive about leaving the ship w/o DH, but I hate to miss something exciting. We're not likely to ever be in Nassau again.

 

[Fay Ray]

The Aquarium is very cool. Our DS (9) loved it last year. I'm not sure though if you can do a self guided tour. I would call Disney and ask. It seems like it took about 3 hours from leaving the ship to getting back. You have to take a ferry type boat off the ship. Walk a 1/4 mile or so to Atlantis. Take the tour and return.

 

[joyv]

there's a thread about the Atlantis museum by MarkRG that contains a lot of information. I am also thinking about taking this tour on our own and accdg to Mark, it should take no longer than half a day. It also compares the Disney excursion versus going on your own. Good luck!

 

[WDWLVR]

I'm Mark's wife. Here's the link to the thread that joyv mentioned. We've done Atlantis on our own (without a tour) twice. We prefer it that way.

MarkRG's guide to Atlantis

 

[Partridge4ever]

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. I don't know how I missed that thread in the first place. Right now I'm leaning toward doing it.

 

[#1Mouse]

I definately suggest doing Atlantis by the MarkRG method. My DH and I had the pleasure of having MarkRG and his DW as our personal tour guides. It was nice to go at our pace, stop and look at what we wanted instead of being shuffled along at someone else's pace. We took the taxi to Atlantis and were dropped off at the door. As we drove up the hill we passed the people who had taken the water taxi walking from the point that they were dropped off. While we were touring the Dig a couple of tour groups passed us up. Ok, my Dh slowed us up because he had to take a picture of everything!!!!!!!

Correct me if I'm wrong wdwlvr, weren't be back into town by noon or shortly before? The taxi was only $4 each way per person plus a tip.

I would feel comfortable enough going alone following Markrg's directions, they are very clear.

Look's like now I will get the chance to take my family members to Atlantis in September using the MarkRG way - total cruising now is up to 11 family members going with 4 more checking work situations out. Can you tell I had a GREAT time on the Member's cruise.

 

[MarkRG]

You'll need more than 1 taxi!

Hi Gail! I see you've been busy Glad to see you're going back, you two had such a great time

Yes, it was about noon we got back to town.

The first time we did it, we were of the kind of thoughts- ok, we're in a unfamiliar foreign country, do we really want to be off by ourselves? But once you do it, you'll see how incredibly easy it really is to do. It's not that far away either. You can see it from the ship and all.

 

[WDWLVR]

Gail,

Sounds like your plans for the cruise are coming along great. I'm really happy that you are going to get to share the Disney cruise experience with so many members of your family. Sounds like you have definately been bitten by the Disney Cruise bug (and I don't mean Norwalk)

 

[#1Mouse]

Mary,

We actually had plans for 7 days in WDW and our friends asked us to do the 4 day cruise. I saw my 2 sisters and they were asking about my cruise, so I told them about it and also that we were going again in Sept. Now the 2 of them are going with us. I told my other sister and she and her DH changed their Oct cruise to be with us. I called my parents (after 3 weeks in Hawaii/Tahati, I found them yesterday at Disney World) and they said "get us a verandah and we'll be there"! Waiting to hear from my brother, niece/DH and my nephew. I hope I'm not driving Dreams Unlimited crazy with all the new additions each day

So if any of them are wanting to go to Atlantis - we have the MarkRG's Guide to Atlantis and will take them there!!!!!!