Atlantis open to public?
 

Hi
The Atlantis hotel told me we cannot tour it without purchasing a Day Pass or Tour.
But don't people walk through it daily without a charge? I realize you can't use the pool, beach, or waterslide without a Day Pass, but what about just walking around & looking at the property? They told me Guards check for room keys.

Yes, you can just walk around the property without a charge. We went in the casino for a bite to eat, and then walked around the outside grounds.

We even got down into the 'dig' or whatever they call it since it was late in the day and there was no one at the booth where you bought the passes.

Wow, cruisin_tigger was lucky, usually there are hotel security people outside, or at the doors leading to the aquarium part checking for room keys or wristbands. The Atlantis will gladly let anyone into the casino and take your money or let you eat at one of their restaurants but to walk around the grounds outside you are supposed to purchase a pass,unless you're staying there or at the Comfort Suites across the street.

There are no day passes for the pool complex and waterslides. If you are not a registered guest with a wrist band, you can no how, no way enter the pool areas.

You do have to pay an admission fee to see The Dig, unless you have some luck like CT. But as JN says, of course you can walk into a lobby, or go to the casino or a restaurant.

We went to the Bahams in 9-2003 and stayed at Sandals. We took a cab from Sandals to Atlantis for a day trip. We walked in the front doors and looked around the hotel, gift shops, resturants and casino with no problem. The doors leading outside to the Aquarium areas and pools were guarded better than Ft. Knox. No way getting around those guards without the proper wrist band. We went ahead and purchased bands for the Aquarium and dig for $25.00 p/p. IMHO not worth the money. Maybe half of that. We just got back for the Houston Aquarium, which was much nicer (not as expansive, but nicer) with an outside ride area for only $16.00 p/p, so didn't seem worth it to us.

After that we stopped for bottled water in one of the deli restuarants. A small 8oz bottle was $5.00. Made us appreciate the AI at Sandals.

There are no "day passes" for the pool area. You either have to be a registered guest or purchase a room across the street at Comfort Suites (lots of cruise ship passengers do that).

Wow, guess I lucked out with getting into Atlantis. We were there in July 2003 and I swear I remember reading somewhere that you could walk around the grounds without a problem but did need to pay the $25 to see the dig, which is why we didn't think anything of walking outside. But knowing we had to pay the $25 to see the Dig, we did take advantage when we noticed nobody watching the entrance. :) Is that something that changed in just a few months - since KVR said they needed to pay to see everything. Weird.

Anyway, after all that, agree its not worth paying the $25.

the staff who check wristbands finish work around 5pm,usually after that time you can walk around the grounds and the dig for free.

We stayed at the Atlantis and had to show our wristbands day and night even to go up to our room. You will not be able to walk around freely. I found them checking around every corner.