Atlantis - using the Comfort Suites "trick" - it works! :)

[beaglefan]

We did this twice, worked like a charm and booked way in advance for low room rates.

One time we did go with another couple from the ship. You can buy extra wristbands in Atlantis, and they have different rates for kids and adults. Simply show the Disney cruise ID, and buy a day pass for Aquaventure (the water park) for $135 or $93 if under 12. You can even reserve ahead on their website.

The lines are no more crowded than a water park in the States. Though beware food is expensive.

The best way to spend a day with kids (young or old).

 

[remlap]

The savings works the best with exactly four people. We were two people so we found two other people on our DIS Meet thread to make it four. (now days, on that other Social media site where most of the meet up groups form).

Other tip, if you are four people, you can tell the taxi drivers out front of port you want to LEAVE NOW, and one of them will take you. They can refuse two people until they have more.

 

[Tiffani Cunningham]

The savings works the best with exactly four people. We were two people so we found two other people on our DIS Meet thread to make it four. (now days, on that other Social media site where most of the meet up groups form).

Other tip, if you are four people, you can tell the taxi drivers out front of port you want to LEAVE NOW, and one of them will take you. They can refuse two people until they have more.

We are cruising in April and doing the Comfort Suites thing as well. We are a family of 4. My biggest concern is the transportation. I have read so many things that says it’s not safe etc. What is the best/safest way do you think to get there? Did you feel safe/confident with whatever taxi was waiting at the port (as I am sure there are many). Thoughts?

 

[KSkywalker17]

We are cruising in April and doing the Comfort Suites thing as well. We are a family of 4. My biggest concern is the transportation. I have read so many things that says it’s not safe etc. What is the best/safest way do you think to get there? Did you feel safe/confident with whatever taxi was waiting at the port (as I am sure there are many). Thoughts?

We just did this last week with my family of 5 (9,5 and 1). The taxi’s are right outside the port and the port staff coordinates the ride. It’s $4 a person and they piled 13 people in our van (not the safest way to travel but very easy). It’s only a 10 minute ride and the Comfort Suites staff was very nice and accommodating (we didn’t use the room).

It’s a bit of a hassle to get the water park tickets, we were sent across the hotel to get the passes and then had to walk all the way back through the casino to get to a specific pool we liked. It’s a huge resort.

A few other Atlantis observations: it’s hard to adjust to “non DCL” service, not getting greetings or even a smile or seeming annoyed to hand over towels, stuff like that. We ate quick service (burgers and chicken fingers), they added gratuity and VAT and a modest lunch was $80. Between the room, taxi and lunch, the day pushed $500. Taxi service back to the port was just as easy. Atlantis was fun and the pools and beach were pretty quiet but we didn’t use a lot of the facility (the kids loved having a giant pool mostly to themselves).

We learned that we wouldn’t ever vacation in Atlantis and probably won’t return even for the day. We definitely had fun and enjoyed our day and I don’t regret going but when we’re in Nassau again we’ll look for another resort with a nice pool that’s much cheaper.

 

[Gentry2004]

We just did this last week with my family of 5 (9,5 and 1). The taxi’s are right outside the port and the port staff coordinates the ride. It’s $4 a person and they piled 13 people in our van (not the safest way to travel but very easy). It’s only a 10 minute ride and the Comfort Suites staff was very nice and accommodating (we didn’t use the room).

It’s a bit of a hassle to get the water park tickets, we were sent across the hotel to get the passes and then had to walk all the way back through the casino to get to a specific pool we liked. It’s a huge resort.

A few other Atlantis observations: it’s hard to adjust to “non DCL” service, not getting greetings or even a smile or seeming annoyed to hand over towels, stuff like that. We ate quick service (burgers and chicken fingers), they added gratuity and VAT and a modest lunch was $80. Between the room, taxi and lunch, the day pushed $500. Taxi service back to the port was just as easy. Atlantis was fun and the pools and beach were pretty quiet but we didn’t use a lot of the facility (the kids loved having a giant pool mostly to themselves).

We learned that we wouldn’t ever vacation in Atlantis and probably won’t return even for the day. We definitely had fun and enjoyed our day and I don’t regret going but when we’re in Nassau again we’ll look for another resort with a nice pool that’s much cheaper.

Piggybacking on this...what are some resorts you would look at? The Hilton is $100pp (with $40 resort credit but still) which seems nuts. It seems like there is no equivalent on Nassau to Magen’s Bay, which we love. We just want to lay on a beach, maybe rent a kayak and have a late lunch back on the ship. Is that even possible in Nassau?

 

[ahain]

It worked for us too, but it is clear that pricing is dependent upon the date of your "stay." We were there December 21 - 3 adults

The room rate was $322.60 + taxes/fees of $160.25 = $482.85 total (yikes!)


ETA... we only ate lunch at Atlantis - fast food at Sharkbites Express - 3 adults was $45

 

[Tiffani Cunningham]

We just did this last week with my family of 5 (9,5 and 1). The taxi’s are right outside the port and the port staff coordinates the ride. It’s $4 a person and they piled 13 people in our van (not the safest way to travel but very easy). It’s only a 10 minute ride and the Comfort Suites staff was very nice and accommodating (we didn’t use the room).

It’s a bit of a hassle to get the water park tickets, we were sent across the hotel to get the passes and then had to walk all the way back through the casino to get to a specific pool we liked. It’s a huge resort.

A few other Atlantis observations: it’s hard to adjust to “non DCL” service, not getting greetings or even a smile or seeming annoyed to hand over towels, stuff like that. We ate quick service (burgers and chicken fingers), they added gratuity and VAT and a modest lunch was $80. Between the room, taxi and lunch, the day pushed $500. Taxi service back to the port was just as easy. Atlantis was fun and the pools and beach were pretty quiet but we didn’t use a lot of the facility (the kids loved having a giant pool mostly to themselves).

We learned that we wouldn’t ever vacation in Atlantis and probably won’t return even for the day. We definitely had fun and enjoyed our day and I don’t regret going but when we’re in Nassau again we’ll look for another resort with a nice pool that’s much cheaper.

This was SUPER helpful! Thank you. Also, put my mind at ease a bit. Did you get the passes at Comfort Suites or did they send you over to Atlantis for them? We have never been there at all so we don’t have any sort of favorite. We just want to check everything out! My kids are 7 and 14. Any special suggestions for them or us?

Thanks again!!!

 

[Tiffani Cunningham]

It worked for us too, but it is clear that pricing is dependent upon the date of your "stay." We were there December 21 - 3 adults

The room rate was $322.60 + taxes/fees of $160.25 = $482.85 total (yikes!)

If I remember correctly I think our room rate is like $260 + the fees. Still cheaper than paying for 4 of us through Disney!

 

[KSkywalker17]

This was SUPER helpful! Thank you. Also, put my mind at ease a bit. Did you get the passes at Comfort Suites or did they send you over to Atlantis for them? We have never been there at all so we don’t have any sort of favorite. We just want to check everything out! My kids are 7 and 14. Any special suggestions for them or us?

Thanks again!!!

Comfort Suites gave us tickets that had to be turned in for wrist bands in Atlantis. Kind of a hassle with 3 kids and a stroller. Probably a mile walk with all the stops by the time we got set up. There were a lot of exciting water slides that we didn’t take advantage of, which lessened the value of the excursion for us. There were also a lot of fun areas for our little ones to splash around. It’s a cool place and I could see a 14 year old totally loving it.

 

[remlap]

We are cruising in April and doing the Comfort Suites thing as well. We are a family of 4. My biggest concern is the transportation. I have read so many things that says it’s not safe etc. What is the best/safest way do you think to get there? Did you feel safe/confident with whatever taxi was waiting at the port (as I am sure there are many). Thoughts?

There are lines of taxis at the port and lines of taxis at Atlantis to take you home after your funfilled day. You will be fine. I would not try to take public transit. I would also make sure you have some smaller bills to pay the driver.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

A few other Atlantis observations: it’s hard to adjust to “non DCL” service, not getting greetings or even a smile or seeming annoyed to hand over towels, stuff like that.

We learned that we wouldn’t ever vacation in Atlantis and probably won’t return even for the day. We definitely had fun and enjoyed our day and I don’t regret going but when we’re in Nassau again we’ll look for another resort with a nice pool that’s much cheaper.

Absolutely this. I had always dreamed of vacationing at Atlantis. Thank goodness we were able to visit for the day and see for ourselves that Atlantis is no longer on our travel wish list. Fun day, but definitely not a destination for us any longer.

 

[Keyser]

Just to add one more - we also did the Comfort Suites thing (family of 4) - I was worried about it ahead of time, but it turned out to be easy. Getting a taxi was easy, checkin at the CS was easy (they definitely know what you are doing, so it's not weird to ask about getting to Atlantis), walking over to Atlantis and figuring out where to go once there involved some uncertainty but wasn't hard. I was uncertain about getting a taxi back afterward, but there were taxis there when we came out. (Each way, we had a taxi just for our family of 4).

Atlantis itself is huge, and several of the slides (and especially their really long rapids-like tube ride) are pretty cool. Assuming it's a cost savings over the Disney excursion, I'd recommend doing the Comfort Suites option without hesitation.

My one MAJOR suggestion for Atlantis: plan to wear water shoes of some sort around the resort. The resort is fun, but the sidewalks are scorching hot - literally. I actually think I had a low-degree burn from the day (not just from walking barefoot on concrete). We only brought tennis shoes and after putting them in a locker we were going around barefoot the rest of the day. Getting from one pool/slide to another was a nightmare - my kids' main memory of Atlantis (whenever they see the commercials) is the hot sidewalks!

We did find the food at Atlantis to be very expensive, and as a result we bought almost none while we were there - mainly just some drinks, if I remember. I think we went to the deck quick-serve places the moment we were back on the ship. Overall it was a fun day (despite the sidwalks!) and we were glad we did it, but like some other posters, I'm not sure I'd do it a second time.

 

[wilyum]

We just did this last week with my family of 5 (9,5 and 1).

Did you have to buy an extra pass from Atlantis for one of your kids or would they let you add a 5th person (child) to the reservation?

 

[KSkywalker17]

Did you have to buy an extra pass from Atlantis for one of your kids or would they let you add a 5th person (child) to the reservation?

I didn’t but she only turns 2 next month, not sure what age they start charging.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

not sure what age they start charging.

Age 4

 

[phins_jazy]

this sounds like it would work great for our family. thanks for the details

 

[wilyum]

this sounds like it would work great for our family. thanks for the details

just booked with Expedia for next Feb for a family of 5 with free cancellation. Worked out to be $442 ($339 hotel + a $103 child day pass). Five day passes would have cost $623, for a difference of $181 or for fellow Canadians ($238).

 

[ahain]

just booked with Expedia for next Feb for a family of 5 with free cancellation. Worked out to be $442 ($339 hotel + a $103 child day pass). Five day passes would have cost $623, for a difference of $181 or for fellow Canadians ($238).

Be aware that even though you have "free cancellation," I believe that only applies if you cancel at least 5 days before your "stay." Our last cruise, the weather was looking "iffy" and I tried to cancel 3 days prior...no dice. We ended up going to Atlantis anyway (overcast & windy, but OK) and it turned out fine, but I'll be thinking about that before I book again.

 

[wilyum]

Be aware that even though you have "free cancellation," I believe that only applies if you cancel at least 5 days before your "stay." Our last cruise, the weather was looking "iffy" and I tried to cancel 3 days prior...no dice. We ended up going to Atlantis anyway (overcast & windy, but OK) and it turned out fine, but I'll be thinking about that before I book again.

yup noticed that at check out, will definitely keep it in mind. Even with rain we'd probably still go, anything would be better than -40, prob be less crowded too.

 

[stephdeputy]

just booked with Expedia for next Feb for a family of 5 with free cancellation. Worked out to be $442 ($339 hotel + a $103 child day pass). Five day passes would have cost $623, for a difference of $181 or for fellow Canadians ($238).

Did Comfort Inn allow you to add one more, or did you buy the child day pass directly from Atlantis?

Atlantis's direct day rate for a child is $103, but it says taxes and fees will be added to that, but it doesn't tell me how much they are. I was calculating $25 as I hear they're crazy high. If you went that route, is that a safe assumption?