Atlantis seems as fun, maybe more fun, than Disney (am I allowed to say this?!)
Atlantis is the same general kind of fun, but can also be *relaxing*. Crowds are not the same type of issue at Atlantis, and your not constantly moving from one queue to the next. You can sit on the beach, play in the pools, and float for hours in the rivers if you like. Its a huge place, but its not overwhelming like Disney can often feel.
In the meantime, trying to understand the lay of the land, We are dvc members and used to Boardwalk and bay lake, our "home" resorts, and generally book 1bds. We did try the poly a few months ago, and although a studio wasn't ideal, it was manageable bc it was so big. I also loved the location and resort, even more than BLT! We hated AKL bc of the lack of convenient transportation options to the parks (I know that doesn't bother some people but we were miserable with waiting for the bus for EVERYTHING-- thus our home resorts are walkable to the parks).
Based on this information, which Atlantis hotel would you recommend? Would you say we would like harbor side?
Transportation is really not an issue. Harborside runs shuttles that take you over to and from the lobbies of the Atlantis hotel towers, and from there you go to the pools/ride/beach areas. The shuttles run in a pretty constant loop, and you usually are just sitting alone or with two or three other families going back and forth. On the rare occasions when there are too many people for a shuttle, the driver will be back in less than 10 minutes, or they'll re direct one of the other shuttle for a one-time trip.
And you don't have to always take a shuttle....you can walk form Harborside to the rest of Atlantis through the Marina and/or Marina Village.
Overall, you walk a lot at Atlantis no matter where you stay. The Royal Towers is the most central, but you still have a lot of walking to do. And the walking is not boring walking, but along the beach, through the hotel lobbies and public areas, or in the Marina Village shopping and dining area. Atlantis also has shuttles that take you around the lobbies and shopping/dining area, but they are more of a energy saver than time saver, as the distances involved are not that great.
Please note we are very budget conscious, as we are on a restricted income for a few more years (hubby in training for his profession, and I had to quit a reasonable job to relocate to that training program which happens to be in the middle of nowhere... Sigh). However, despite our limited cash flow for the next few years, I'm very much a hotel snob and we can splurge for life's little luxuries.
Decision one: Timeshare/condo unit or regular hotel room. If you want a bedroom separate from a living/kitchen area, then your choices are Harborside and the Reef. Reef is luxury condos - a step or two above DVC.
Harborside is nice timeshares - quite similar to DVC, though not as themed, but similar overall condition (I own at BLT). No studios at Harborside, and all the units have washer dryer and more of a kitchenette than a full kitchen (but with a dishwasher and full size freezer fridge combo).
Timeshare/condo type units are good on a budget because you can eat-in breakfast and prepare a other meals in your unit as well, if you like.
If you'd prefer a hotel room, then the more you pay the more luxurious you get. Comfort Suites in not exactly luxurious, but its clean and well maintained, and includes free breakfast, so its a good idea for a budget. The picture of the rooms in Atlantis other towers are accurate. The Coral and Beach towers are older buildings, but the rooms are well maintained and have been frequently renovated. They're nicer than Disney moderates, but maybe not quite a deluxe.
