New Meal Plan at Atlantis (Bahamas)?

Question

We are bringing our 3 children (ages 6, 4, and 1) to Atlantis in July. We are staying at the Harborside. There was a new meal plan that was released and for $49/adult (plus gratuity), you can eat at Marketplace, Water's Edge, Great Hall of Waters, and Bimini. In addition, kids 6 and under eat free. Originally, we were planning on just eating a few meals out and were going to buy a ton of groceries to stock our fridge, however this new meal plan intrigues me. Are prices at the grocery store so astronomical that we should look into doing this meal plan? Excluding drinks, we could eat at Atlantis (big breakfast and dinner) for $120/day ($840/week) for the entire family. I would imagine that we would spend probably $300 at the grocery store and then would still eat some meals out. Of course, we will be bringing some boxed snacks with us in a suitcase. What are your thoughts (for those who have been there)?

Answer 1

The meal plan is a great deal, and all those restaurants in the $49 plan are excellent (you can see Bimini Roads menu online to get an idea of prices.)  You do have to buy that plan for every day of your stay, which really limits where you can eat because there is so much to choose from.  

For example - a sandwich at Murray's deli is about $17, but it's huge - my husband and I split the meals there.  They do have kids meals that cost less.  There is a pizza place right next store that is very good.  Across the street there's a Quizno's - so you can get just about everything.  Johnny Rockets is great too - meals are huge and can be split if you want.  

Groceries are expensive.  We typically pack an entire suitcase full of food - bagels, breakfast bars, packaged oatmeal, small jelly's, etc...snack food for everyone and even bottles of water from Target.   We really only buy soda at the grocery store...anything else we eat gets packed.  Milk is about $6 a gallon, and there is no grocery store within walking distance of the resort that you will want to shop for fresh type food.

Have a great trip!

Answer 2

I would say to go for the meal plan. Not only is the rest of Paradise Island expensive, but the fact that you and your family can walk off the beach and order a meal without having to cook or do anything would be a plus and make it really feel like you all were on a vacation!! If you are a breakfast family a buffet is great (which both breakfast places are) and will satisfy everyone. Plus if you were planning on NOT getting the dining plan and wanted to eat breakfast and dinner at these restaurants you would be spending considerably more. (breakfast buffet is about $30ish dollars for an adult!) I would say take the time off from your everyday cooking and relax!