Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW *July 2013 Trip Report Link*

[natebenma]

Wow - those pictures are amazing! It just looks like the most perfect place to go snorkeling. Well, except for all th algae blasting!

Ugh - I am so torn as to what to do in Nassau. I think I need two days there.

Thank you!

Snorkeling in the Ruins was an awesome experience! I'm really glad we did it.

The manta rays are seriously cool creatures.

But to be perfectly honest, I enjoy snorkeling "in the wild" even more. The water is much shallower, the fish are closer and more colorful, and there is the excitement of not knowing what you might see around the next coral head or behind a sea fan.

Lot less expensive, too!

Your comment about Nassau made me smile. Most of the comments I have read recently about Nassau have been about it not being a great place to visit. You are the first one to say you need more time there!



I'll be interested in hearing what you do decide to do there.

Atlantis just looks beautiful!!! It's on my wish list and every more so after seeing such gorgeous pictures!
The only reason I continue to pay for photopass is so we have pictures of the whole family together!!!

Amanda

I hope your family does make it to Atlantis someday. The kids may be a bit young still. Not that there isn't a lot for them to do, but I think to get the most for your money, you want to be able enjoy most of the features of the waterpark.

I use photopass for the very same reason!

 

[natebenma]

Beaches at Atlantis


In addition to the amazing aquariums and incredible waterpark, the Atlantis resort also boasts some beautiful beaches. I have already described Paradise Lagoon, a very calm beach area with swimming, snorkeling and watersports.

Paradise Lagoon



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On the far end of the waterpark is Cove Beach, a picturesque horseshoe shaped cove. Ben and I did some snorkeling but other than that, we didnt spend much time there.

Here are a couple of pictures taken from the top of the Power Tower, including a poor stitching attempt:

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East of the Waterpark is Atlantis Beach. This is where you could find activities like jetskiing and parasailing and local vendors' stalls.


These pictures were taken from the Power Tower

On our arrival day, the waves were really big and rough. And fun!

Later in the week, the water had calmed down a bit.

Next up: Marina Village
.

 

[DrMomof3]

It's 25F today with snow on the ground. Your pictures are literally making me drool.

Amanda

 

[mickeystoontown]

Man, oh man, what I wouldn't give to be lazing on those beaches today! The pictures are amazing!

 

[MEK]

I am so itching for a warm weather vacation right now and those pictures certainly didn't help my craving. Gorgeous. Can't think of a more beautiful spot to be in right now!

 

[natebenma]

I hope these pictures helped to take everyone away from winter for a minute or two! I have two more updates on this report to go- the Marina Village, which is a quaint little shopping area and our Tour of Nassau. I want to finish this up in the next couple of weeks, before we go away for February vacation.



We are headed to the Barcelo resort in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico. It will be our third trip to this resort which is about an hour south of Cancun and 30 minutes north of Tulum.

It's 25F today with snow on the ground. Your pictures are literally making me drool.

Amanda

We had snow yesterday. Didn't amount to anything and we don't currently have any snow cover, but we may have a few flakes on Wednesday.

Snow is a four-letter word!

So is sand, but I like that one much better!

Man, oh man, what I wouldn't give to be lazing on those beaches today! The pictures are amazing!

Me, too!!!

Although I would prefer to be somewhere a little further south. We visited Atlantis in Feb 2009, and it was on the cool side. Very similar weather to Florida.

Still wouldn't turn down the opportunity to be there, though!

I am so itching for a warm weather vacation right now and those pictures certainly didn't help my craving. Gorgeous. Can't think of a more beautiful spot to be in right now!

The promise of a tropical getaway really helps us to get through winter!

I just love everything about the beach! The sounds, the smells, beautiful blue-green water, sand, waves. There is no better mood enhancer than gazing at the ocean

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hi Dee,

We had a productive yet exhausting weekend! We looked all day on Sat. and we really didn't love any of them, except an overpriced 2 BR w/ a 2 car garage that we didn't need.
On Sun. it was a little more promising, we saw a couple that we would've made an offer on but then saw the one we wanted. It was the last one we saw and we made an offer within an hour. They counter-offered while we were enroute to MA so DH called the next morning. We gave another offer back and they accepted it. Phew!!!

We had a great weekend and I got my Disney fix as well. We ate at Il Mulino in the Swan Fri. night after getting off the plane, walked on the BW and had a drink at Jellyrolls.

Sat. night we celebrated the new job at Narcoossees and watched wishes while eating dessert It was fantastic!!!

 

[natebenma]

Hi Dee,

We had a productive yet exhausting weekend! We looked all day on Sat. and we really didn't love any of them, except an overpriced 2 BR w/ a 2 car garage that we didn't need.
On Sun. it was a little more promising, we saw a couple that we would've made an offer on but then saw the one we wanted. It was the last one we saw and we made an offer within an hour. They counter-offered while we were enroute to MA so DH called the next morning. We gave another offer back and they accepted it. Phew!!!

We had a great weekend and I got my Disney fix as well. We ate at Il Mulino in the Swan Fri. night after getting off the plane, walked on the BW and had a drink at Jellyrolls.

Sat. night we celebrated the new job at Narcoossees and watched wishes while eating dessert It was fantastic!!!

Thanks for keeping us updated on everything.

What a relief that you found a place!

Your Disney weekend sounds absolutely lovely!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Thanks for keeping us updated on everything.

What a relief that you found a place!

Your Disney weekend sounds absolutely lovely!

Thanks!!!

We are excited. I am driving down with DH next Fri. so he doesn't have to drive down alone (he needs his car for work).

I'll stay for a couple of days and fly home alone

 

[jenseib]

I wish I was at one of those today!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I looked at your pics again today. I wish I were there right now especially with the storm we are supposed to get Friday.

Not looking forward to that at all!!

The local channel is saying a foot, and weather channel is saying 3-6. I wish they'd get it right. Don't they communicate w/ each other??? Lol

 

[natebenma]

I wish I was at one of those today!!!

Me, too!!! Or tomorrow. OK, anytime, really!

Thanks!!!

We are excited. I am driving down with DH next Fri. so he doesn't have to drive down alone (he needs his car for work).

I'll stay for a couple of days and fly home alone

Next week, right? Not tomorrow?

I looked at your pics again today. I wish I were there right now especially with the storm we are supposed to get Friday.

Not looking forward to that at all!!

The local channel is saying a foot, and weather channel is saying 3-6. I wish they'd get it right. Don't they communicate w/ each other??? Lol

Looks like we are going to be whacked with:

Two Feet of Snow

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Me, too!!! Or tomorrow. OK, anytime, really!



Next week, right? Not tomorrow?

Looks like we are going to be whacked with:

Two Feet of Snow

Yes next week the 15th.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Any news on your possible summer trip???

 

[natebenma]

Any news on your possible summer trip???

Not yet. We have priced a few options, but so far everything is just slightly north of our comfort zone.

 

[natebenma]

Marina Village

In between the Comfort Suites and the start of the Atlantis buildings is Marina Village.

The Marina Village at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas is an open-air marketplace with three main plazas that are designed to resemble a "quaint" Bahamian settlement. The 65,000 square foot development has five restaurants, 21 retail outlets and a collection of carts that showcase the artistry of The Bahamas.

One night each week, there is a free Junkanoo parade celebration featuring people dressed up in beautiful Carnivale costumes. I missed seeing this in 2009, but this year I was determined to see it. It couldn’t be more convenient- just a few steps from our hotel.

So, how was the parade, you ask?

I don’t know!!! I forgot about it. We were in our room at 9 PM and I started to hear bangs, like fireworks and realized what it was. Dang!

And apparently, I don’t have many pictures of the lovely pastel shops, either. So for anyone who is interested, here is the link to the Marina Village site:


Marina Village


These are the pictures I do have:

Here’s Ben (in 2009) walking barefoot along the stone path in the street. We called it the foot massage.

And then, as you get closer to Atlantis, you see the gorgeous marina.

Here are some pictures from 2009:

And pictures of marina from this trip:

All week, the yacht Solemates was docked at the marina. We speculated about who the owner might be. I thought maybe the owner of a shoe company like of Reebok or Nike or Adidas.

But it turns out I was wrong. It is just a yacht for hire.


Solemates

Anyone want to chip in for a week or two?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Just got all caught up over here

LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE PICS

 

[MEK]

Wow - I saw a Yacht like that in Hilton Head. It's amazing to see something like that up close.

Marina Village looks so pretty. So is this accessible to anyone? You know I am still trying to build up my itinerary for October!

 

[JanetMom]

I don't know everything! Like I still haven't figured out how to remove the space in the email address I have posted for the CL IPO on the FAQ. And don't think for one minute that my "friends" over there let me forget it!

Marina Village

One night each week, there is a free Junkanoo parade celebration featuring people dressed up in beautiful Carnivale costumes. I missed seeing this in 2009, but this year I was determined to see it. It couldn’t be more convenient- just a few steps from our hotel.

So, how was the parade, you ask?

I don’t know!!! I forgot about it. We were in our room at 9 PM and I started to hear bangs, like fireworks and realized what it was. Dang!

I could see myself doing the same thing. So annoying to forget, but by 9 pm on some vacation days, it is just time to be too lazy to care.

Loved all your recent pictures. Paradise indeed! They were nice to look at on a snowy winter day.

And finally.... yes! I'm up for a share of the Solemate.

 

[natebenma]

I'm beginning to suspect that you know EVERYTHING!

Amanda

Thanks for the comments. Made me smile. I don't know everything! And don't think for one minute that my "friends" over there let me forget it!

And it's not just my friends that won't let me forget it.

Just got all caught up over here

LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE PICS

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed them.

Wow - I saw a Yacht like that in Hilton Head. It's amazing to see something like that up close.

Marina Village looks so pretty. So is this accessible to anyone? You know I am still trying to build up my itinerary for October!

Must be nice to have that kind of money!!! Never saw anyone on the ship. Maybe they were staying at the $25K a night room at Atlantis!

Yes, Marina Village was pretty. And it is accessible even if you are not staying at Atlantis. There are several restaurants (Johnny Rockets, Bimini Road- Caribbean, Carmines- Italian, a steakhouse and one other but I can't think of what it is right now)

The shopping is a bit more upscale (and pricey) from the places in downtown Nassau.

Have you ever tried snorkeling, Mary Ellen? Would your group consider doing that through an organized tour? I'm sure they have them through the ship, and Flying Cloud is one of the ones that goes out from the Paradise Island dock. There is Stuart Coves also- one of the stops they snorkel and dive with sharks- but it might take too much time if your port time is short.

I could see myself doing the same thing. So annoying to forget, but by 9 pm on some vacation days, it is just time to be too lazy to care.

Loved all your recent pictures. Paradise indeed! They were nice to look at on a snowy winter day.

And finally.... yes! I'm up for a share of the Solemate.

OK! We just need to get, say a few hundred friends or so to help out on the rental fee.