We made a return trip to Atlantis after about a ten-year hiatus … I had not begun writing this blog during our earlier visits, so really, this like a first transcribed visit.
First, a couple remarks about the time of year to visit Atlantis. October is off season due to Hurricane Season and children’s school schedules. We have timeshare credits with HarborSide, their villa complex, co-owned and managed by Westin. In the past, we traded into these villas in March with difficulty. We had no problems in October and the credits needed were far less. The bigger issue, for me, was the threat of having to dodge a storm. The Atlantic has been very active this year, but the storms stayed out to sea to the East… Lucky us, but bad for Bermuda !!
A couple comments about the weather … It was basically broken. Highs in the mid 80s and lows just five degrees less. Very humid. But since people come primarily for the water activities, this made all the pool and slide hopping very comfortable. The water temps were about the same as the air temps.
I have always thought of Atlantis as “DisneyWorld on Water !!” Anything you would want to do in the water is available at Atlantis: pools, spa treatments, swimming with dolphins, rays, or sharks, water slides, lazy rivers, aquariums, behind the scenes options, and pictures with dolphins, scuba options, real beaches, and fishing. The resort requires four days to comfortably do everything. I love the water, so this is a must-do trip for me. This visit was prompted by my younger grandchild, Cassidy, who swims like a fish and has wanted to visit for years !!
Which one below is Cassidy ??
The resort has a series of high rise lodging options. The one pictured above is the original: Two towers connected by a bridge” comprised of multiple bedrooms, your own chef, and access to everything, for about 23K per night (ten years ago). I couldn’t find current rates, but if you have to ask the price …
Atlantis oozes money. If you stay in the HarborSide condos, you can walk around the harbor which usually contains megayachts. which cruise over from Fort Lauderdale on a regular basis. My elder daughter actually got into a discussion with a Captain of a smaller, two million dollar boat that was probably exiled to a remote corner of the harbor. The bigger yachts come with staffs of eight or more who are usually cleaning something … They are a sight to see, and spend thousands to dock here.
Then there is the casino … No lever rats here. I don’t even want to know what the minimum bets are. It is the only casino I’ve ever seen that transports you in from aquariums.
Which finally brings me to the premier attraction: the waterslides. Forgive me for my lack of pictures, as I didn’t bring camera devices on these rides. The best known, and you’ve probably seen them, are two that stream down the face of a Mayan Pyramid … The slide is called, “the leap of faith” which is very high speed and becomes a plexiglass tube that transports you, safely, through a shark tank at the end. The ride is so fast that you don’t really experience the sharks … that is more for the people watching the sliders !! If you want the full experience, take the inner tube option instead … it transports you down in the dark before coming out in a longer, more horizontal tube, that allows a slow transport out with the sharks swimming around your tube for a wonderful experience.
Finally, a blast from the past and present … Our older granddaughter was very young during our prior trip. It just so happened that her friend from home was visiting at the same time … which prompted this iconic photo:
She was on a college touring trip with her father this week, so her Aunt and Grandfather recreated the photo with less flexibility.
But our grandchildren were well represented and as happy with the visit !!
The Adventures of Barry Brink 