OT - ATL Aquarium Advise

[sconnell]

Ok, so I hate that the only place that I can get great advise is here! lol. Anyone take their kiddos to the Aquarium in ATL? Perhaps on the way to WDW, to keep it a little on topic. My SIL and I are going on July 3rd with our kiddos. My DD6 & DS3 and her DD3. We are in town visiting family for the holiday weekend. My DH will be in S.Africa and her's has to work. So, we're on our own.
We bought the premium tix. 10:30 time, but I don't have any clue what that means... Is that our show time? Do we still have to go reserve our show time when we get there? Is that our arrival time? Are we stuck to that time or can we get there earlier?
I downloaded the coloring pages off of their site and I pulled the info about the animals from their site too. Made a little info/coloring book for the kids.
Does anyone have any great DIS style advise for me?

 

[bas71873]

Bumping....I'd like to know too. I've been trying to figure out a way to have to go through ATL so we can visit

 

[3disAddicts]

No, you cannot enter at an earlier time. Not sure how they enforce it, since we always purchase thru AAA and are not restricted by this rule. But you will have to go thru a security check, and stopped for a souvie photo session, so be aware this will take a little while depending on crowd levels. But it is such a beautiful place, so enjoy!!!! We've been 2x, and it's taken anywhere from 2-4 hours to see everything.

 

[Princess Roo]

I'm not sure of the answer to your specific question, but I think that is the time you are allowed to enter. Unless it has changed, you purchase tickets that have an entry time on them. If so, I would call to check if you can change it to an earlier time. The aquarium is very crowded on weekends and I imagine even more so 4th of July weekend. Just like Disney, it is less crowded right when it opens and gets crazier as the morning progresses. If you get there when it isn't crowded, you can see everything in ~3 hours (this is with a toddler who loves animals, but doesn't want to read every explanation). If it's busier, you need to wait at the viewing areas to be able to get up to see things. Also similar to Disney, they have stroller parking areas and you can't bring the stroller into all the exhibits.

I think it would be a great diversion to split up the drive down to Disney.

 

[my3sons77]

We were there in March of 07. Got there on a weekend, don't recall us having a particular time that we could go in. We went through security, took our picture and went on in.

The place is AMAZING! Absolutely amazing. Have a great time!

 

[sconnell]

I know it'll likely be busy. I can handle it. IDK about SIL. lol. I'm hoping that Thursday will be slightly less busy than Friday the 4th or the Sat after... I hope some people will be at work! lol. I think I'll call and talk to someone tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the encouragment. All I can find on the net is from opening and people talking about how it's not worth it. lol.

 

[tadamom]

It is a great place to see but like another has said it will get busier as the days goes on. Their is stroller parking but if you can go without it, don't bother with it.

Also, the aquarium has it's own parking deck that is covered next to it but there is other parking surrounding it that cost less but is not covered.

Have fun!

 

[NJtoATL]

The 10:30 time you were given was your appointment time to enter. If you want to do the IMAX theatre it is extra unless you purchased an admission ticket that includes that. The place will be crowded it is always crowded. I've been a few times. I'm a teacher and I go on field trips there. You will have fun though.

 

[skw444]

We've been several times for school field trips and my company even did a team outing there one day. The 10:30 time is the time that you are allowed to enter. To help with the crowds, they do the timed entry. Since you purchased the premium tickets, the 3D show is included. You may still have to go reserve your show time though, but the cost of the show will be free.

 

[FIREFLY01]

THAT IS THE TIME YOU CAN ENTER THE aquarium. it does take accouple hours to go through , there was a place in ther to grab a bite to eat too!

the weekedays will be crowded because of all the summer camps doing field trips!!

It is definitly worth going to though! you also might want to try the Atlanta zoo, and stone mountain- at night they have a laser and firework show there, there is a ton of stuff to do there all day also!!!

 

[Tinkermommy]

The aquarium is amazing and it will be crowded. They won't let you take a stroller into some of the areas, so you will have to park it if you take one.

Some things we love to do:
- the touch tank where you can touch a shark or stingray
- see the jellyfish
- get up close with the penguins (the kids ususally have to wait in line but there is a plexiglass dome that you can stick your head in and be in the exhibit with the penguins
- my DD loves the play area
- my favorite things are the seadragons. they are not a huge exhibit, but they are to coolest looking creatures! Almost like moving plants.

Have fun!

 

[kadesha]

We don't live far from there and were at the aquarium a few days ago. Be warned, it is VERY crowded and the food is VERY expensive and not that great! A lot of the displays your kids probably won't get to see because they will be so crowded. My kids waited for over 30 minutes to get to touch a starfish, and then were rushed away. Our favorite part was the walk through tunnel and the wall that was nothing but aquairum. It was ok but we did not think it was worth the price and will not return. We did, however, really enjoy the World of Coca Cola right across the street!

 

[okeydokey]

We went Christmas week last year and it was crowded but we really enjoyed it. We are a stop and look family. It seems that most others were walk on byers. When we walked up to each new area or glass window it was 3 people deep, but most people just wander through and don't really stop to look for too long. Within just a few minutes of waiting we were right up at the glass. We would sit or crouch at the glass so people could see behind us and then we sat and enjoyed the exhibit. Don't get too doscouraged if it seems really packed, your patience will pay off. By the end of the day it was really thinning out and we went back to see a few places again. The beluga whales and giant tunnel area were our favorites. I would say we spent 6 hours.

 

[starbox]

I'd also say - depending on your tolerance for toting stuff around - I always have my kids wear swimsuits under their clothes and walk across the street to Centennial Olympic Park to let them play in the fountains after we visit the aquarium. http://www.centennialpark.com/events/fountain.html


If you want a cool lunch spot - you can very easily walk to the Peachtree Plaza and eat in the Sun Dial (a revolving restaurant atop the skyscraper) - lunch is not unreasonably priced and they have a kids menu.

With 10:30 tickets, I'd probably give my kids a good breakfast and late snack - then do a late lunch 1:30ish and then let the go crazy in the fountains afterwards.

 

[sconnell]

Thanks, starbox! I'm not sure what our plans are for the rest of the day. I'm really just along for the ride! lol. We're visiting my DH's family with his father and Sister and her DD3. I know we'll be eating dinner with everybody and we're early eaters. We'll probably have a big late breakfast and snacks in the car.
But those are great ideas! I'll have to mention that...

 

[atlnewf]

You can always go (or call) early and see if they'll let you in early. Summer hours start at 8a and it's been pretty dead first thing in the morning. Starting around 11 the lunch crowd starts coming in and it starts getting busy. If they won't let you in early, you can swing in to the World of Coke which opens at 9.

ashley

 

[wife5080]

One of the best stops we made on our way to Disney a few weeks ago was the aquarium. We participated in a family sleep over and got to see the aquarium without the crowds. We were even lucky enough to sleep in the tunnel with the whale sharks swimming overhead all night.

 

[mommyof2chicks]

We live in a suburb of Atlanta and have been to the aquarium a couple of times. It is a huge place and the kids will have a blast!! It is very unique considering some other aquariums and can get very crowded as the day progresses. As for the eatery, it is very over-priced and you can never find seating anywhere. I would pack a lunch and let your kids eat after you left the aquarium. The fountains at Centennial Park are alot of fun! Also, the new World of Coke is supposed to be amazing! You get to test different coke from all around the world!! Hope you have fun!!