katiekate

From everything I am reading about the Atlantis is the $$$$ price of everything; especially the food. So, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to add the meal plan. (They offer two different plans.) I will be traveling with my 22 yr old daughter, my sister and her 21 yr old.... total of 4 persons. I have never added a meal plan before, so I am asking for your honest opinion of the plans. Is it convenient, easy to use, and does it cover all your food needs?

scubagirrl

Most people feel that the meal plans are not worth the money, or the effort. The budget plan is mostly buffets and deli's. The gourmet makes you big out every morning AND every nite in order for it to make sense.
You have to get the plan for every nite, and everyone in the room has to participate.
Restaurants are open on rotation, and are sometimes closed even though you have reservations. Leaving you scrambling looking for a place to eat.

Plus, they don't include drinks, or in most cases not even soft drinks, plus you pay 15% gratuity on the VALUE of your meal, not on the price of your meal plan.
Lunch is NOT included either. this isn't an all-inclusive, just a meal plan.

There may be nites that you may not feel like a huge meal, you might just want a pizza, burger or even a night out at hard rock or some local food. You'd be paying for these nites anyway.

There's so many places, both on and off the compound to enjoy.

katiekate

Thank you scubagirl. Good points well taken. I see your name quite often on Fodor's. We all appreciate your advise. We will be going first week of June for 5 nights. Already booked Sandy's taxi! Might need additional advice regarding snorkeling/dolphins etc. Or any other "fun adventure" our "20+ somethings" might enjoy.
Again thank you for your reply.

scubagirrl

Here's my list of FUN..
www.flyingcloud.info
www.stuartcove.com (subs, snorkling with sharks etc)
www.powerboatadventures.com
www.seahorsesailingadventures.com
www.dolphinencounters.com
www.boozecruisebahamas.com

there are plenty others.. but these are my top picks.

katiekate

Wow, thank you for such great suggestions. I haven't really started researching the dolphin encounter but doesn't the Atlantis offer one also? How would it compare to one you mentioned? Also, I know we are definitely interested in some serious snorkeling. Which one would fit this best?

scubagirrl

Dolphin Encounters has a better reputation than Atlantis.. and is usually cheaper. they also have a great beach on a private lagoon that you can use for free before or after your program. (closed thursday/Sundays).

here's some photos you might like.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/569019735ZTMpfa

schmerl

We have been to Atlantis both with and without the meal plan. We are not big breakfast eaters, but "forced" ourselves to eat more when on the meal plan. We also "forced" ourselves to eat an appetizer, entree and dessert on teh meal plan.
We spent less money WITOUT the plan. We brought granola bars bor breakfast. Had a nice lunch at the resort and then either ate at one of the Atlantis restuarants for dinner or ate at one of the restaurants that are not part of the resort.
A short walk down the road takes you to the Hurrican Hole Shopping Center where you can get a good inexpensive breakfast. There is also a super market where you can buy food and drinks to keep in your room.
I know that we would never get the meal plan again.

scubagirrl

Sorry to say, the hurricane Hole Shopping center was bought out by atlantis and demolished. it's now a parking lot.

there's a quizno's in the shopping mall across from Marina Village (near Anthony's). and Green Parrot is still open at Hurricane Hole Marina. www.greenparrotbar.com

Domino's delivers, so does Double Dragon Chinese. Both have very reasonable pricing.

amber822

scubagirl, as with the previous poster, I'm trying to decide on a meal plan versus none. I'll have an 11 year old who doesn't want to eat on the kids menu (although I have no idea what's offered on the kids menu), and one less than 2 who would eat for free.

In doing the math, $740 is about $185/day for food. PLUS lunches, snacks, drinks and tips.

Anyways, long story short, do you know what the buffet breakfasts and dinners run w/o the plan? And considering I do want to try some off resort dining, and nothing high end with a toddler (that hopefully is within walking distance), do you think I could NOT do the meal plan, and for example, do the breakfast buffets on site, and do some lunches and dinners both on and off the resort for the price of a mealplan or less?

girlonthego

We went 5 years ago and did the meal plan. We had a large family group and some did the gourmet and some did the regular. We were on the gourmet with two kids under 12.
I will say the food is very expensive. The breakfast buffet is huge and is all you can eat for the price. I remember thinking if I weren't on the plan, I wouldn't want to come and pay the price. But you have to eat BIG every day to warrant the plan.
The regular plan is all buffets and while we did that one night with our group, it is not really worth it.
The gourmet dinners are in their very nice restaurants and we had a good meal every night soup to nuts.
It really depends on whether you are big eaters or not. We ate our moneys worth but would consider not doing this again as we were stuffed every day. It just took the pressure off of how much does everything cost while there. Probably could go with the deli for breakfast on most days with an occasional big breakfast. Dinners were good and I would still dine in the nicer restaurants. Our kids just made the under 12 cut which saved us a huge amount of money. I can't remember what they ate. I do think they split an adult meal here and there. Of course at the buffets they ate whatever they wanted.
Things may have changed since we were there, we liked the meal plan, but like I said, it was a lot of food and I am not sure if we would do it again. You just know more of your costs up front. Oh and we are not huge drinkers so the added alchohol bill was not a big deal. Be prepared to spend some money either way.
They had a great frozen drink by the pools called a wahoo. mmmmmmm...

schmerl

Unless you are BIG eaters, I still don't feel the meal plan is worth it. The buffets are expensive, but there are other breakfast options. Unless you plan to eat a LOT just pay as you go and eat off site. Anthony's is right across the street and other places are close enough to walk also.

lmp1

hello-I was told that the drinks were included in the meal plan. Going in June. Please advise. thanks.

schmerl

When we had the gourmet meal plan drinks were not included. I don't know if things have changed.
Also remember that the tax and tip that is automatically ADDED to anything you get on the meal plan is based on the actual price the meal would have cost.

girlonthego

We never had drinks included either and we did the gourmet as well.

AmyKay

We took our son 2 years ago for his 9th birthday and our anniversary and we had a fabulous time but didn't get the meal plan. There were plenty of restaurants, which were a little pricey but also took a taxi to the market and bought the things we needed to make sandwiches, have some snacks, juice, water etc. We just did our lunches that way and had dinner out. Worked fine for us.

We also went the Dolphin Encounter, we were told by friends they were better than Atlantis and was less expensive. We had a great time there, the people were friendly and we got to spend plenty of time with the dolphins and sea lions. If you go through Dolphin Encounters plan on a full day trip. It takes that long to get to that island and back after your encounter. Have fun and good luck!!

flyaway2day

Been to Atlantis 9 times from CA & never have bought the meal plan- we do however not tend to eat 3 FULL meals per day. We go to the grocery and buy snacks, liquor, sodas, water, etc. We usually bring to pool in our bags. I must mention that we travel w/ kids now 7 & 10 who snack often. When you purchase the plans, your often standing in lines like cattle waiting to get a table. ALWAYS make your dinner reserv before getting there. Food is expensive no doubt but there is pizza, Johnny Rockets, and a few other less expensive choices to mix in w/ some of the $$$ places! We still love it there- we stay in the Reef & it's great

petmum

I will be going to the Atlantis next May. Taking my 72 year old mother because the Atlantis is a place my father (who passed away a couple of years ago) always wanted to see. Try though I have, because of feedback I've seen here and elsewhere, I've not been able to get my mother to say there's anywhere else on the planet she'd like to see. I've made the deal with her that I'd pay for the room and she can get the meals. The surprising thing about this destination choice of hers is that she is "frugal" to say the least. I'm debating on a Club level room at The Cove, that way she won't need to worry about the costs of breakfasts and can snack during the day. My "option B", which may be driven by whether my husband decides to join us, will be a suite at the Reef where we'll be able to prepare some of our breakfasts and snacks. Questions, any feedback on the Club level accomodations and services at The Cove? Also, what is the rough cost of the buffet meals (which I'm sure that's where we'll be going for our evening meals)? And how convenient is it to find a local store to stock up?