OT - Atlantis with the Kids

[WDWfor5]

Just wondering if anyone's been to Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. We're going there in January with DD 7, DS 5 and DS 3 for a week and don't know how to plan a trip that doesn't have it's own version of the DIS

It's a sales incentive that we earned and I'm a little hesitant at the thought of a week on the beach as we're not lay around and relax kind of people (which is proabably good considering the 3 kids wouldn't let us even if we wanted to ) Any thoughts, suggestions for activities, opinions of the restaurants, kids clubs or whatever are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dislifer]

I don't have much advice but I want to subscribe to this thread because I plan on going in April.
I know that there is a lot to do there. For instance swim with the dolphins, go on various 2/3 hour cruises, and of course check out ""The Dig". Have you seen the web site???? Wow!!! How about those water slides!!!!!!!!!???
I also know that it is a good idea to buy one of the dining plans as the food her is EXTREMELY expensive.

 

[carri5317]

I'm fairly new to disney but cruises i know about. We have been to Atlantis twice in the last year (by way of cruises), First time w/out kids, second time specifically to take the kids there. We have only ever gone by way of a cruise so we only had 24 hrs. on the Island. The hotel is great the kids will love the dig (aquarium with all kinds of fish and sharks) and there is a tube slide that goes through a shark tank. Google the word atlantis and check out their website- its awsome with virtual tours of everything. As far as what to do on the island, you can go to a website called cruisecritic, click on the boards and scroll down to the ports of call and click on bahamas, you'll find all kinds of info about tours, resturants, stuff to do with kids, beaches, ask anything you want, there is a girl (I forget her name) but she lives on the island and is always on the boards and will be happy to answer any questions. Have a great time, your kids will love it - Oh, the resturants inside atlantis are extremly expensive, just be prepared. Hope this helps!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

DH and I have stayed at Atlantis before we had the kids. It was amazing! There is so much to see. It is not a super busy vacation like WDW is but you will have a great time. The resort itself is huge. If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer them.

 

[alloyd1170]

Weve been to Atlantis twice (anniversary present 7/01 and biz reward trip 2/05). Both times I went I was preggo so I have yet to ride the big slides. The first trip was in July, the other in Feb. July was great. Feb it was cooler. The pools are NOT heated and there were very few people using them and the slides. The aquariums are incredible and have tons of different species of fish. Im a scuba diver and loved walking around them and the Dig.

Be forewarned of sticker shock. A long sleeve logo tee shirt went for $75. Food isnt too great and is very expensive too. Many places are buffet. I believe it was Marketplace in the Royal Tower that had the best breakfast buffet. For the better sit down places be sure to rsvp as soon as you arrive to Atlantis. They also have a movie theater (free amazingly) and a comedy show (not free).

Service is terrible too, though it was better on our second trip. The employees seem to have this I have to wait on you attitude. For the amount of money you pay and they rake in, youd think the food and service would be top notch. On our first trip I arranged and paid for a room in the cheaper tower with an ocean view. We arrived and they didnt have that type of room. They made a big deal out of upgrading us (they do this often too) to the middle tower so we again hiked all our stuff up to that room (the resort is HUGE and you will do a lot of walking) only to find we now were looking over the roof at a parking lot. Some upgrade! We hiked back and complained, and eventually we got our ocean view room, despite looking over another trash covered roof. On our second trip, they made yet another to do about being upgraded to a better room, and this time it was a nicer room in the middle tower.

The beach there was crawling with local vendors (something I dont like to see at a private resort). You have to wear a wristband that changes daily (just show your room card) to use the pool, slides, and Dig. They have people standing outside the doors to check for them. Outsiders are not allowed to use the facilities except for the casino and shops. Now last time they were adding new things (dolphin swim, waterpark, etc) so I dont know what all has been finished. They were about to finish a market area just next door which looked nice. We never left the property both trips (course we were only there for a weekend and had been to Nassau before). There is a Discovery Kids camp which looks like a lot of fun, but will cost you. They have programs where you can work alongside the marine people (feed the animals, etc) as well, but you need to rsvp well in advance. You can also arrange excursions through the beach hut near the laggoon. There is a ton of stuff to do.

You cant check into your room until 1 I think and they stick to this. There is an area where you can change into your suits and when checking out, you can also use the area to shower, etc. So if youre going to go swimming, pack your swimming suits in another bag.

I know there is a website that rates hotels (I remember posting my reviews of Atlantis). Do a search for Atlantis reviews. If you havent already, visit the Atlantis website for more info and a map. As soon as our little one is older, we plan on going back for a weekend despite the negatives about the place. Feel free to ask any questions as well. I will try to answer them!

alison

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Wow! That stinks that you had such a stinky time. We had great service at check in and I know we checked in before 1. Food was very expensive and nothing great, however we did find some places to eat at the resort that were pretty good and much less expensive. We ate at the wall of waters (surrounded by fishtanks) and the food was gross and very expensive. It was a nice atmosphere but we walked around and enjoyed it just as much without a yucky meal. We went in August and the pools were so warm that they offered no reprieve from the sun. We still had a great time. We also went on some of the slides including the one that you get to float through the shark tank! It was awesome! We are not big in the beach (sand in your bathing suit! Ewwww!!!) but we did not see any vendors at all when we went down there. The coold thing about our room is that right below us was the baby tanks for the nurse sharks! So we got to see them up close while enjoying our coffee. We stayed in the middle tower but would not hesitate to stay in any of them. It is a HUGE resort! I have also stayed on Cable Beach at the Raddisson and that was really nice also. When I went there the pools were super cold (Feb.) and we went in the ocean and it was great. The bahamas is a beautiful place.

 

[Dislifer]

alloyd1170:
we got our ocean view room, despite looking over another trash covered roof. On our second trip, they made yet another to do about being upgraded to a better room, and this time it was a nicer room in the middle tower.


You paid for an ocean view and they were going to give you a view with a trash covered roof????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

How awful and what a pain to have to complain and move...more than once!!! What advice can you give so someone can avoid this nonsense??
Thanks

 

[alloyd1170]

Ok the roof wasnt completely covered in trash. There were chairs thrown off the balconies and some trash scattered around. One cool thing-we got to watch a bad storm quickly come in and a waterspout form just off the beach.

I think the only way you can get what you want there is to complain to a manager until you get results. The higher end staff was a bit more helpful than the maids and waiters who seemed to have a chip on their shoulders. As I said before, they should be happy we are coming to their island and spending our hard earned money on crappy food and service!

Nevertheless, the place is something else once you look beyond the negatives. Its not a place Id go to on a regular basis (many go every week for the casino). Maybe if you shell out $25,000 a night with a min of 4-5 nights for the bridge suite the service would be better! What you might want to do is have someone sit with your luggage while you go check out the room. Beats having to haul it there and back if theres a problem. Or, use the bellhop but bring enough money for tips!

Check out this link for more reviews. Seems the positives are on the rise, but still a bunch of negatives: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ise_Island_New_Providence_Island_Bahamas.html

If the link doesnt work, go to Trip Advisor and search Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

alison

 

[Dislifer]

Maybe if you shell out $25,000 a night with a min of 4-5 nights for the bridge suite the service would be better! What you might want to do is have someone sit with your luggage while you go check out the room. Beats having to haul it there and back if theres a problem. Or, use the bellhop but bring enough money for tips!


Hmmmm...you think????? How many years would I have to save for that!!!

Thanks for the info and that is a good idea to have someone sit with the luggage while someone else goes to check out the room. I'll definitely have to remember to do this!

 

[alloyd1170]

For some, a lifetime or a return ticket from heaven! The bridge suite has its own staff. It better for that price! Some other ideas on prices- if I recall, a regular size, plain ole hot dog ran $7-8 (not including drink or fries). A coloring book $15 (saw the same one back home for more than half that). Its unreal, but when you figure lots of people go there to gamble, nothing is above them I suppose.

alison

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Everything in the bahamas is more expensive, not just at Atlantis. I would have to say that their food prices are about the same as Hawaii. I guess it's because they have to ship everything in. As far as the Bridge suite- well that's the only place I would ever stay while I am at Atlantis! Who needs a home to actually live in all year or food to eat? I mean - a week's vacation is certainly worth being homeless and hungry for a while. As long as I have my refillable mug I can swim on over to WDW and I will be set! Seriously though- I can't even imagine what it would be like to stay in that suite. Either way- we thought the place was great. We can't wait until the kids are a little older to take them there.

 

[WDWfor5]

Thanks for all the replies - I'm not so worried about the prices if their about the same as Hawaii (thanks for that frame of reference MouseHouse Mama) as we've been there and know what to expect. What I don't like is the feeling that I'm trapped in the resort so I'm wondering if there are places that are walking distance to get to that are not in the resort.

Also, did anyone take any of the extra trips - horseback riding, snorkeling, etc? Even with the gorgeous aquariums, slides, the dig, etc I figure my DH and I will be bored in about 2 days. I can't sit still for long and we don't gamble or drink so that won't help pass the time. I'm going to put money aside for the kids clubs especially for my DD 7 who will have more fun there and I'll put DS 5 and DS3 there for a bit if I can find something for us to do.

And yes the pictures on the website are incredible but there doesn't seem to be much to "do" so that's my problem and I figure someone must have found great stuff to do and explore.

Thanks again

 

[MichelleChell]

I did not stay at the Atlantis but stayed next door at a timeshare. We visited it though. IT is beautiful/ There is alot to do that is not there. If you go to the docks by the bridge there is a trip that takes you to swim with Dolphins and stuff. There are a few snorkel trips you can find. I am sure the Hotle can help you out.

If you want to have a VERY nice dinner. Go to CLub Land Or! It has a 4 star resturant hiddin in a hotel. Very yummy and walking distance from Atlantis.

 

[mamalle]

I was wondering too. I just got my brochure. Im thinking though just do a day trip on our next cruise. It does seen quite pricey.

 

[alloyd1170]

Cruisers be aware: in order to use the pools, slides, beach, Dig and the outside aquariums you have to have room at Atlantis or Comfort Suites (there may be one other resort that has access). Sometimes you can get a day room, but they only allow 4 people and it isnt cheap (Comfort Suites is cheaper though). The other option if you just want to tour the Dig and aquariums is to take a tour, but it runs about $25 per person.

The resort has staff posted outside the doors to the pools, on the slides, and at the entrance to the Dig. They check everyone for wristbands, which change daily. You have to show it or a room card. If you dont have one, then you will told to go back inside. You can use the restaurants (dont know why youd want to as theyre $$ and not that good), casino, and shops for no admission. Now I have read on cruisemates of some people being able to use the beach there. You could enter from another hotel and walk I suppose.

alison

 

[vellamint]

The Comfort Suites are right across the road and from what I have read it is closer than some of the Atlantis buildings. You have ALL the priviledges of staying at the Atlantis (including charging). I dont know why I am telling you all this except I had a trip ready to book last year and then one of my kids almost had to go to summer school so we couldnt go. (Gr kids) Maybe it was better anyway that we didnt go because of all the hurricanes (my nerves) but now I would need to get 6 passports.

Anyway, for anyone looking to save a bit of money....Comfort Suites....right across the street.....free breakfast in the morning.

 

[SILLYANDI]

Cruisers be aware: in order to use the pools, slides, beach, Dig and the outside aquariums you have to have room at Atlantis or Comfort Suites (there may be one other resort that has access). Sometimes you can get a day room, but they only allow 4 people and it isnt cheap (Comfort Suites is cheaper though). The other option if you just want to tour the Dig and aquariums is to take a tour, but it runs about $25 per person.

The resort has staff posted outside the doors to the pools, on the slides, and at the entrance to the Dig. They check everyone for wristbands, which change daily. You have to show it or a room card. If you dont have one, then you will told to go back inside. You can use the restaurants (dont know why youd want to as theyre $$ and not that good), casino, and shops for no admission. Now I have read on cruisemates of some people being able to use the beach there. You could enter from another hotel and walk I suppose.

alison

I just booked a room at Atlantis for our day on Nassau (we are doing the 4 day wonder cruise in Dec 06). It was $230 which is only $15 more than a room at Comfort Suites and they allow 5 to a room if one is under 5 yrs old. When you consider that most excursions run $35-50 per person,for a few hours of snorkling or touring-this is actually a pretty good deal!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

We went there as a reward for DH's company in January '04 and were able to combine it with their annual meeting, which they happened to have at Atlantis that year. We took our DD, then almost 2, and DS, then 5. The first few days the kiddies and I were on our own, since DH had to do the corporate meeting thing. Then we all got to enjoy the place together. We were there for a total of 8 days, and in all honesty had an amazing time. DS is still asking when can we go back ("Someday, honey, but Mommy wants to go back to Disney World first! LOL!)

Here's my take on what others have brought up so far...

cost...yes, expensive - Since our award didn't include meals, we were on our own. I packed breakfast bars, mini cereal bosxes, and fruit cups for our breakfasts (I also did this because the kids wake up at the crack of dawn and I'm just NOT ready to go somewhere that early to eat!). We picked up milk at a little store we found within walking distance and kept it in the fridge.

food...some was good, other just OK - The portions were big enough that we often split meals. There is an outdoor grill near the marina called The Point that had good food and the DJ let the kids take the mic - we have a cute video of DS singing the ABC's! Shark Bites was great for lunch. Johnny Rockets was fun and served decent food. I do NOT recommend the Seagrapes Circus buffet...the food and service were both horrible.

service...good and bad - We found the front desk and shop staff to be less than stellar. Room service was OK. On the other hand, the people who work in the recreation areas, the aquarium staff, and those who did the children's activities were very nice and fun to talk with, and especially the aquarium folks took lots of time answering DS's many many questions.

activities...We spent some time at the beach (don't remember too many vendors except those who braid hiar), and less at the pools (DD would have turned blue with how chilly the water was). We LOVED exploring the place - it's huge! The aquariums are amazing, and both kids enjoyed spending a lot of time checking them all out. We also did the dolphin excursion, which was wonderful. Not into gambling, so we didn't do that. Went into Nassau one day, but didn't really like it. We did take daytime naps, so that helped fill part of the day up.

OK, one more thing you have to try...Goombay!!! Anyone else tried this? Goombay is a soda that's sold in the Bahamas, and we all loved it (even the kids). I wish we had brought some home with us. For a grown-up twist, order a Goombay Smash. Yum!!

 

[rgribik]

I have looked around Atlantis twice during cruises, and we didn't need passports then. My question is: Are passports going to be required now as of Jan 07(for all ages?)? Do you think that will slow down cruising? I'm glad we took our kids(5 of them) before they all needed a passport.

Free trips anywhere are fun! Have a great time even if it isn't Disney.