Atlantis/Comfort Suites Day Pass Questions

[vossjemi]

Our Disney Wonder Cruise isn't until 9/18/05, but I'm fairly certain we want to go to Atlantis. The DCL excursion doesn't include use of the pools/slides, and I've read some threads on the Dis Boards that people have booked either through Atlantis or Comfort Suites for the day to get use of everything. So, we'll probably do one or the other.

 

To get an idea of price, I ckd this year's cost 9/20/04, which was:

 

Comfort Suites $148.50 +taxes

Atlantis $215 + 7.25per adult + taxes

 

(not bad considering the Disney excursion would be $210 for our family of 4 w/out use of pools/slides)

 

If we decide to do a day pass at either Atlantis or Comfort Suites, I have some questions I hope someone can answer.

 

The main reason we'd pay extra and do a pass through Atlantis instead of Comfort Suites is the idea we'd have a room to use during the day. Our kids will be 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 at the time we go, and may get tired and need a nap. Voilah, room. Plus we'll be in port from 9:30am until 11pm, so we could literally stay ALL day and eat dinner there too. So, for my first question:

 

1)How early will Atlantis let you ck in? If we're there by 10:30 am, can we ck in and use their premesis right away? Will we get a room right away? How did you book...online or by telephone to ensure they knew you were a cruise ship passenger?

 

2)If we have weather problems and don't port at Nassau (since we're going during hurricane season), will either place still charge? I'm thinking both had 48 hour or so cancellation policies? And, what if the captain changed itinerary due to weather and we were able to make it last sea day, would they honor reservation for the actual day we ported regardless of reservation date?

 

3)Due to above risk, will either place let you just show up and get a room? Or, do you absolutely have to have a reservation? I mean even if they are out of rooms, and all we want is the capability to use the full amenities, do they even need to have an available room? Can't I just ck in and out immediately and get our wristbands?

 

4)Has anyone stayed and eaten dinner at the Atlantis? Any recommendations?

 

5)Will children 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 be able to use the waterslides? I read somewhere on Atlantis' website about a 48 inch height requirement. Is that even if riding down the slide with the parent?

 

6)What is the quickest/cheapest way to get to either Atlantis or Comfort Suites? Taxi/ferry? Cost? How long do each take? And, how often does the ferry go?

 

7)I also read something on Atlantis' website that the motorized water sports were independent contractors so Atlantis had no liability. We might like to take a waverunner for a spin. Are there vendors on the beach or on Atlantis property? Do you have to make a reservation for that or can you just show up? What is approximate cost?

 

Any suggestions/info would be greatly appreciated!:D

[marilynbn]

I can answer some of your questions by just telling you what I did this past Jan.

 

We booked a room at the Comfort Suites which is literally just steps away from the Atlantis and a lot cheaper. We got there by taxi from the pier which was a van that carried 8-10 people at $5 per person. I was told ahead of time that the ferry takes longer and they fill it to such capacity that it is a bit scary. We checked in at hotel easily put our change of clothes etc. in the room and walked across the street to the Atlantis. At one of the towel cabanas you show your hotel receipt and you get your wristband and towel. The pools were great as well as the beach. There is a great water tube slide where you ride through a glass enclosure and fish and shark swim around you, very cool. We didn't do the dig site as after water play and such we had to get back to the ship by 4 or 5 I think it was. It is definately worth the money to get use of all of the facilities. This is a big hotel/resort and I would love to stay there for several days sometime. After we played at Atlantis we went to Comfort suites, took showers, changed and went back to pier to do some shopping before getting back on the ship. I would definately do the Comfort Suites again since I think it is probably even more convenient since the Atlantis Hotel is so big and spread out that you might have to do some real walking to go from your room to pool area, even with elevator assistance. Have a great time! Marilyn

[vossjemi]

Thanks marilyn. I was wondering how close comfort suites was to know if it was possible to actually use the room there. did you book online or call? Did you book direct w/comfort suites or through a TA? I'm curious how you were able to ck in a room prior to their standard ck in time of 3 or so. I was thinking they'd ck you in and out w/no probs if you didn't actually want a room, just the wristband/amenities. But, if you do want a room, they don't make you wait? Just curious. Thanks.

[marilynbn]

Vossjemi, We had no problem checking in right away it was probably around 9 or 10am I think. I think you can use the room easily for a nap if you have until 11pm to get back to the ship. The Comfort Suites has a direct little path to the Atlantis, 5 min. or less to walk to. Just ask them to give you a room that is easily accessible to this path. People do this there all the time. I called the Comfort Suites directly. You ususally get a better deal than using an 800 number. No I did not use a TA because I am one ! :) Marilyn

[vossjemi]

Thanks again marilyn. So, if i'm understanding you right, you can get a better deal calling their long distance # than the 800 #? I'd never heard of that before. Thanks for the tip.

[Flintstone]

I must agree that CS is the way to go if you truly want to experience Atlantis!! We checked in like at 9:30 or so and it was no problem. My first booking was online with an "internet users" rate ($175). Then, some great advise from these boards told me to call for an "LGOLD" rate ($136). CS reps over the phone were happy to change me to the lower rate. Then a couple weeks before we left, I noticed on the internet that the price had dropped to $112. I called CS again and they honored my ressie with the $112. What an incredible bargain for a family of 4!! Altantis is INCREDIBLE! Spending all that $$ thru the ship for their tour just isn't enough!

 

We never did tell them that we were off a ship and just checked out when we were ready to head back.

 

For a little added savings...we brought sandwiches and snacks from the boat and kept them in the fridge in the room. Atlantis is EXPENSIVE...but worth it!!

[vossjemi]

Thanks Flintstone! What time of year did you go to get that rate? We will be there sept 05. Do you think CS charges cruiseship passengers a different price than someone who just books a room? do you think you got it any cheaper by not mentioning you were on a cruise ship? I guess I'd just be a little worried that they wouldn't let me ck in until 3 or 4 the standard ck in times if I didn't make sure they knew I wanted a day pass room for Atlantis?

[Flintstone]

I did a quick internet search for you for Sept 5, 2 adults, 2 children and the rate came back at $148.50 (before taxes). It was also the same rate for just 2 adults...but went up to $208 with 4 adults. Even for 2 adults, it is comparable to the ships prices...but thru them you don't get full use of Atlantis. We were there on Halloween last year and headed back to the ship around 3-4 so the kids could particiapte in the Halloween activities on board. What a mistake. They were definately enjoying themselves more at Atlantis and I think if we were to do it again, I wouldn't head back til about 9! Its just an incredible place. I guess if you just want to pay to tour the aquarium...it is pretty cool....but definately NOT worth the $$$ the ship charges. The highlight is the pool areas!

 

IMHO, $148 is a reasonable price...but if it drops before you leave...they will give you the lower rate with a simple phone call to Choice Hotels 800 #. They were great to deal with.

 

If anyone would like to check it out...go to http://www.choicehotels.com. When entering in your info...put "Paradise Island" for the city and "Bahamas" for the country.

 

I'm not sure if they give you a better rate if they DON'T know your with the ship. Only way to find out would be to call them and get a price informing them of the ship. Then if its higher...say "no thanks" and book via internet. I would be interested to know if there's a difference.

 

We had absolutley NO trouble getting a room when we got there, but if yours is not ready til later, they will give you your passes for Atlantis at check in. You could drop your stuff off with them and head over to explore or swim for a while and then come back and get your room.

 

As soon as you get off the ship, there are shuttle vans for $4-5 per person to take you over. Then when we checked out of CS, walked right out front to a waiting cab (about same price) to take us back.

 

Only problem we had was that no one seems to know where to exchange your CS paperwork to wristbands at Atlantis. DO NOT let them send you to the casino. Its done at a towl hut out by the pools. I swear we walked around for an hour trying to get these wristbands and was sent every which way. Security is at every walkway to the pools and they DO check for the wristbands.

 

Sorry this is soooo long...but can you tell I'm a CS/Atlantis cheerleader!!! It was the highlight of our trip!

[vossjemi]

Thanks so much for the info Flintstone!!! We'll have 2 adults/2 kids so the 148 amount would apply! That is a great deal in my book. Our ship will be in port until 11pm, so we thought we'd literally hang out at Atlantis all day. Our kids will be 3 and 5 when we go so might need a nap late afternoon. Then, we'd go back to room & while they napped, I'd shower/clean up. Then, perhaps after they woke up is when we'd really do the Atlantis exploring of the aquarium/dig, etc... and wait til 9 like you suggested before going back to ship. Do you know if the inside stuff (aquariums/dig, etc...) is open say after 5pm? I guess I'm trying to figure out how to maximize the day. Water fun during the day prior to nap, and once we're all cleaned up, do the inside DRY stuff.

 

Also, what was your cancellation policy? I guess I just worry with going in sept & all that if we miss the stop due to a hurricane, I'd have to pay CS anyway. Do you know?

[Flintstone]

Boy...I'd have to pull out the old papers...but I'm thinking the Digs closed like at 5 or 6...but again..I'm not sure (anyone?). Our game plan was to do the Aquarium (Digs) first as we were there 9:30 am or so and then we hit the pools. We took our 5 & 7 yo grandchildren with us. With your ages, they will not be able to use the big slides as they do have an "enforced" 48" height requirement. Don't know if they'll let you do it "with" an adult as we didn't try. There was another smaller slide that was down for maintenance so I don't know what the rules were there. The problem we had with our kids was that once they got into a pool...they couldn't believe we could find another, better one! There's just so much to choose from!! Since we left early...we honestly could not cover the entire place .... IT IS HUGE! Plan on a lot of walking and perhaps a stroller for the 3 yo. The only one who needed a nap was DH...and he accomplished that in a wonderful covered lounge chair while the kids and I took full advantage of the "lazy river"!!

 

I believe there was a 48 hr cancellation policy. We were still in hurricane season, too, and had planned to cancel if there was any major tropical storm brewing in the area. We were willing to take the chance! If was worth it!! $145 for a family of 4....How could you possibly beat it!!!

[vossjemi]

If the kiddos can't do the big slide, I'm sure DH & I will take turns doing it!:p TeeHee. Makes me feel like a kid again!:D I've heard there are enough pools, slides, lazy river type things to thrill them. They just love being in the water. Not to mention we could go to the beach as well. How long did the Aquarium/Dig take?

[Flintstone]

Our family sounds like yours!! It was ALL about the water. DH's only mission was to find a shady spot to lay...look out at the ocean....with a drink in his hand! The kids and I were ALL about the water! Digs is impressive...but we only spent about an hour and then hit the water. Can you believe we never made it to the major slide area. You could see it in the distance and appeared to be about a mile walk!! We were just sooo content in what I think they call they North Pool area (closest to CS and the casino) that we never left. So much to do in so little time!!

Oh well....no regrets...just will plan on DH and I returning to CS and spending a few days at Atlantis to cover it all!!

I hope you enjoy your adventure as much as we did!!!

[bbindenver]

Thank you so much. I am taking my mother on a cruise to celebrate her 60th bday and wanted to take her to Atlantis and thought I was thwarted, until I found this website and all of you with your ever so helpful information.

 

Our cruise isn't until December 9th, but I love to prepare and have always wanted to stay and play at Atlantis. Now, you've given me the information I need to do just that. YEAH! :)

[vossjemi]

Someone also told me about www.smarterliving.com. Scroll to the bottom of the screen for discounts. Click on see all discounts. Click on hotel deals, click and then go into choice hotels link....when you book select the significant organization discount, and voilah, there is a 20% discount!:D

[parmus]

We stayed at Atlantis last November, and it was packed there. Definitely the Comfort Suites is the place to stay to access the facilities. We arrived at noon, and they wouldn't let us check in early. I don't think they had rooms available. There were a ton of people standing around. If Atlantis puts you in one of their hotels further out, you could literally be walking quite a distance to all the great pools, slides, etc.

 

The Dig is really cool. Since we were staying there, we would walk over at different times during the day just to get out of the heat. There are so many alcoves to view. For some reason, I thought it was open later than 5 or 6 cuz I thought we would go down after dinner sometimes. If I remember correctly, the pools close about 5 or 6. I think to get the adults to dinner and over to the casino to gamble. The grounds are great to walk at night. Also, there is a great area to walk under that is away from the dig with sharks all over the place. Make sure you take the kids to that. We really just stumbled on it cuz we were staying in the main hotel and it was away from that some.

[jnnifer01]

How many people will the Comfort Suites let you book per room? We have 3 adults and 2 children. Will we have to get 2 rooms just to use the pool?

[Flintstone]

CS is strict on 4 wristbands per room. Only way would be to get 2 rooms and that kind of defeats the cost savings. Unless one of the adults would be content to stay in the casino the whole time and not use the pools :rolleyes: Deb

[momofmeg]

We just booked it this weekend for Sept. 20. We did it online and it was $178 plus 12% tax for 3 people. Hubby called them direct as some suggested to see if we could get a better price and it was $220 for 3 people plus the tax so it is cheaper to book it online.

 

In our case it was 3 adults as our daughter is 20. The website said anyone 16 and over was at adult prices. Also anyone 12 and over was charged "half price" so only under 12 is free with 2 adults.

[cruislovin]

momofmeg,

 

Did you try smarterliving.com? They offer a 20% discount on Choice Hotels.

[momofmeg]

momofmeg,

 

Did you try smarterliving.com? They offer a 20% discount on Choice Hotels.

 

That is where we went. We had got the information from here where to go. Hubby checked it again but it is still the same price. I guess the price goes up and down by availability or something.

[momofmeg]

We just booked it this weekend for Sept. 20. We did it online and it was $178 plus 12% tax for 3 people. Hubby called them direct as some suggested to see if we could get a better price and it was $220 for 3 people plus the tax so it is cheaper to book it online.

 

In our case it was 3 adults as our daughter is 20. The website said anyone 16 and over was at adult prices. Also anyone 12 and over was charged "half price" so only under 12 is free with 2 adults.

 

Now I am hearing Jeanne will hit Nassau around Sept. 20. do you guys think I should cancel?

[vossjemi]

You've got what 48 hours to cancel? I'd probably wait til real close to that before deciding. I'd dbl ck w/disney to see if the port is going to be bypassed or substituted. If it is going to hit there, disney won't go there, so you might as well cancel. If its all still up in the air, i'd probably cancel anyway. Bottom line is if weather is ok and you end up at nassau, i saw other posters saying they either called from the ship to comfort suites or just showed up and got a room no problem. With all these hurricane warnings, i bet they are not fully booked and you could get a room on short notice if the weather turns out ok.

[sandy54321]

We are cruising on the Wonder 9/30/04. A month or so ago I got a letter from DCL telling us that our itinerary had changed in that we will have to be back on the ship at 7 pm on our Nassau day. Has anyone else gotten this notification? We had been thinking about taking a room so we could do all the water features but now it seems too short a day. Anyway, these storms make any itinerary seem tentative. I'll be happy just to get on the ship and go in circles. We live right near CC and were glad to see the Wonder back in port last Sunday.

[cruislovin]

Yes, we are sailing in November and we got the same letter. I think it is for sailings from September through February, or something like that. The ship gets in port early morning so there is still lots of time to go to Atlantis.

[momofmeg]

You've got what 48 hours to cancel? I'd probably wait til real close to that before deciding. I'd dbl ck w/disney to see if the port is going to be bypassed or substituted. If it is going to hit there, disney won't go there, so you might as well cancel. If its all still up in the air, i'd probably cancel anyway. Bottom line is if weather is ok and you end up at nassau, i saw other posters saying they either called from the ship to comfort suites or just showed up and got a room no problem. With all these hurricane warnings, i bet they are not fully booked and you could get a room on short notice if the weather turns out ok.

 

What we decided if it is still iffy tonight (Fri) we will go ahead and cancel and then if we stilll go there hubby will just pay the extra bucks for the internet on the ship and book again-that is better then losing $200. Also I am thinking possibly Monday may end up our "sea day" and we will hit Nassau on Wed. instead if the storm is not as bad-just makes sense they would not dock there while a storm is hitting. We leave tomorrow morning to drive down to Pt. Can.

 

We will call Disney tonight before we cancel and see what they say.

 

That water park does sound great and we really want to do it. What I am wondering is it as nice as White Water-for those of you that have been to the water park in Atlanta, GA-that is a super water park-I know we went to another water park in Orlando years ago as it was part of a pass for Universal Studios and Sea World and it was not even half as nice as White Water-even though it was "free" I would had preferred to do another day at Disney as we were used to a much nicer water park here at home in Atlanta.

 

Hubby is excited about the water park because of the one tube you can go through and see sharks. Is that really neat? I am thinking it may be similiar to that thing at Epcot Center that you walk through. I would just like to hear some of your experiences about that.