Which Nassau Dolphin Encounter?

[ganandem]

I know that Atlantis offers one and Blue Lagoon does also. Just wondering if I could hear reviews on both so that we can decide. Our kids are 9 and 13 if that helps in your review. I think that we are only interested in the encounter not the swim. However if you did the swim and loved it we could be easily persuaded!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

I'd like input on this too!

 

[ChristineandLiv]

I'd like input on this too!

We did the Blue Lagoon encounter. It was a lot of fun. When we got off of the ship in the morning, we took a water taxi to the other side (Is it Paradise Island where the Atlantis is?). We then walked next door, where we waited for the water taxi to take us to Blue Lagoon Island. The ride was about 15 minutes. We arrived on the island about an hour prior to our scheduled encounter, and spent that time on the beach (which was nice with lounge chairs, umbrellas, etc.). There were inflatable bouncy type houses and waterslides for kids. There was also other stores or lunch type places, but we found our lounge chairs and parked ourselves on them and did not move until the encounter.

At the time of our encounter, we went to the main building and watched an orientation video. We were then directed to the spot where our encounter would take place. It was a smallish contained spot. There were probably 4 or 5 other families there.

They started the encounter with having each family come into the tank and take a picture with the dolphin. Then they split everyone into two groups. Our group went first. We all went into the tank, and took turns rubbing, dancing with, hugging, and kissing the dolphins. They took pictures of everything. After we were done in the water, we were able to watch a video of ourselves in the water.

After we chose pictures, we enjoyed the island for another little bit, and then we boarded the water taxi again and they took us back to the port.

It was a lot of fun, though my 5 year old was a little frightened and clung to me through the whole thing.

 

[ChrisHamlen]

I did the Blue Lagoon swim last Friday. It was incredible. We had an education segment, which was great. I thought I knew a lot about Dolphins..but I learned quite a bit! Then we went down to the docks. We sat on the edge for a few minutes, more info was given.. then all 10 of us went into the water and lined up. There were 2 dolphins that did a few "swim by's" so we could rub them.. then we did a line dance.. then they pulled 2 people at a time to dance, feed, hug, and do photos with the dolphins. Once everyone had done all those pieces..we got back out of the water, sat on the dock and were taught about the foot push. You lay on your stomach in the water with your hands in front of you like Superman..then 2 dolphins come up behind you and push their noses against the bottom of your feet. All of a sudden you are standing up sailing across the lagoon. It was fast and INCREDIBLE!! I had an amazing time. It was my b-day present to myself..my family were all observers..but they got to come down fairly close to where I was and take pictures for me. Then you go watch the video, and can order that and buy photos that they take from you. We had a lite lunch, hung out on the beach for a bit and took the shuttle back to the ship. It was incredible!! Money well spent for me.. I loved being in the water with them, and the foot push!

 

[mousetravel]

My DD did the dolphin swim and I did the observer. She LOVED it. It was the favorite part of the cruise!!!

You can go to my 2009 TR for lots of details & pics. (I think it starts on page 7 of my TR)

 

[Tuliplvr]

We did the blue lagoon encounter with my kids at the time 10 and 7.. it was fantastic! I cannot say enough positive things about it. We also got some fantastic pictures.

 

[tastefullyjenn]

We did the blue lagoon encounter with my kids at the time 10 and 7.. it was fantastic! I cannot say enough positive things about it. We also got some fantastic pictures.

I agree, the Blue Lagoon was incredible! My DH and two DD (7&9) did the dolphin encounter and I did the observer.

We loved it and would return for the swim!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Has anyone done the Atlantis dolphin encounter? I only ever see people talk about Blue Lagoon. I'd love to see some pictures/comments from someone who has done Atlantis to compare!

 

[Tuliplvr]

Has anyone done the Atlantis dolphin encounter? I only ever see people talk about Blue Lagoon. I'd love to see some pictures/comments from someone who has done Atlantis to compare!

We went to Atlantis to vacation last summer and I was planning on doing the encounter there. I had posted on another travel site which encounter should I do (Atlantis vs Blue Lagoon) and hands down Blue Lagoon won. The feedback I got was Blue lagoon was a much better overall experience.. smaller group, more time with the dolphin, and LESS expensive! I'm sure if you did Atlantis it would be fun.

 

[AngelDisney]

Thanks for all the info! I will be booking the Dolphin Swim at the Blue Lagoon, and I am interested in knowing the price for the photo only package and the photo/video package. Does anyone know?

 

[Tuliplvr]

Thanks for all the info! I will be booking the Dolphin Swim at the Blue Lagoon, and I am interested in knowing the price for the photo only package and the photo/video package. Does anyone know?

Unfortunately I cannot find my receipt, but I can tell you that we bought the video, and an album package and it was very reasonable..in fact my husband wanted it all! Our pictures came out so good it became our Christmas card!

 

[disneycrazy2004]

subscribing trying to decide which one to do for our cruise in june 2012

 

[chasingthedream]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2559283

Here is the link to the thread when I asked the same question. We ultimately decided on the Blue Lagoon and loved it! Afterward we had a few drinks and relaxed on the beach there. There are inflatables in the water and on the beach for the kids and lots of hammocks and lounge chairs to enjoy. I have never been to Atlantis, so I cannot compare, but the BL day was WELL worth the money!

 

[chasingthedream]

Here are a few pictures of our encounter and the lovely beach.

 

[Anal Annie]

We opted to book the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Swim on our own back in 2008 (before DCL offered the swim...back then they only offered the Encounter). It was SOOOO worth the extra money over the Encounter. We could see them doing an Encounter next to us. It was a larger group and with the Encounter you just stand in waist deep water on a platform in the water. With the Swim the group is limited to only 10 people and you actually put on a life vest and swim in the lagoon with the dolphins. And as mentioned above, the Footpush at the end is INCREDIBLE!! Definitely one of the best experiences EVER (not just on that cruise but EVER)!! I would definitely recommend the Swim over the Encounter. I don't think you can go wrong with Blue Lagoon...

 

[disneycrazy2004]

We opted to book the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Swim on our own back in 2008 (before DCL offered the swim...back then they only offered the Encounter). It was SOOOO worth the extra money over the Encounter. We could see them doing an Encounter next to us. It was a larger group and with the Encounter you just stand in waist deep water on a platform in the water. With the Swim the group is limited to only 10 people and you actually put on a life vest and swim in the lagoon with the dolphins. And as mentioned above, the Footpush at the end is INCREDIBLE!! Definitely one of the best experiences EVER (not just on that cruise but EVER)!! I would definitely recommend the Swim over the Encounter. I don't think you can go wrong with Blue Lagoon...

How fast is the Footpush? I have a kid that is very nervous of fast speed and one that can't wait to do the Footpush...Is it really fast and have you seen kids doing the swim? Should I be nervous? My DH thinks we should do the swim and I am a bit nervous for my son...both of my kids are not great swimmers...

 

[Anal Annie]

How fast is the Footpush? I have a kid that is very nervous of fast speed and one that can't wait to do the Footpush...Is it really fast and have you seen kids doing the swim? Should I be nervous? My DH thinks we should do the swim and I am a bit nervous for my son...both of my kids are not great swimmers...

Not sure if this will work or not....here's a video on Facebook of my DS who was 11 at the time we went I think. The total length is 26 seconds - probably only about 18 of that is the actual footpush! I would definitely do the swim over the encounter.........this is such a great way to end it!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=10150191073443695

 

[herb102211]

We loved Blue Lagoon. We were there on our March trip this year and plan on going back on our May 2012 cruise too. We found it much less commercialized than Atlantis and it was cheaper. There are also a lot less people at Blue Lagoon than at Atlantis. You can use the beaches at Blue Lagoon before/after your dolphin swim, too.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Not sure if this will work or not....here's a video on Facebook of my DS who was 11 at the time we went I think. The total length is 26 seconds - probably only about 18 of that is the actual footpush! I would definitely do the swim over the encounter.........this is such a great way to end it!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=10150191073443695

Wow, Thank you so much - it looks like so much fun....were you nervous of the rock in front or do the dolphins stopped way before that! Looks like the Blue Lagoon is the way to go

 

[Doinitwell]

I have done both and much preferred the Atlantis encounter. On our recent trip we did the Atlantis encounter and we did the Blue Lagoon encounter about 4 years ago. It may have changed since then but in the Blue Lagoon encounter we had to sit on a metal bench in the water waiting to interact with the Dolphin coming off the bench to pet the Dolphin. It was somewhat of a confined area and I felt it was too short. On the Atlantis encounter there is a large man made type lake where you walk out to a point where there is a significant drop off. There are a number of groups out there interacting with different dolphins. Our group was about 8 people. We all had plenty of time to interact, pet, "kiss", "hug" and feed the dolphin. I felt rushed at the Blue Lagoon encounter, but not at Atlantis. Of course, if you also opt for the water park adventure, it is right there.

As I said, the Blue Lagoon encounter may have changed since we were there, but comparing my experiences between the two I would without hesitation choose the Atlantis encounter.