Home > Aquarium coverage > Fish Tank > Archives > 2005 > November > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTickets as rare as fish inside
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s easy to get into the Georgia Aquarium as long as you are Matt Lauer or a whale shark.
But if you are one of the many metro Atlanta residents who tried to buy a ticket on Tuesday you already know that getting a ticket is no swim in the park.
I know. I tried it myself. My bosses, facing a flood of e-mail and telephone calls complaining of the difficulties of buying tickets online or by telephone, asked me to check things out.
I started, like most of you, with the Web site: www.georgiaaquarium.org.
I was greeted by a stalled site and the unwelcome news that it was “experiencing a high volume of traffic.”
OK. That made sense. So I tried again. This time I actually got to the part of the site that offers to sell tickets. I hit the enter key. After a couple of moments of grinding, the Web site had more bad news for me:
“An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current Web address.”
Don’t you hate it when that happens?
In an attempt to be helpful, the Web site said I should “review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated.”
I try not to review stack traces when I’m in a bad mood. And I was. So I decided it might be easier just to telephone for tickets.
I dialed 411 to get the number. The automated software couldn’t decipher my Southern accent when I said “Georgia Aquarium.” But soon I was transferred to an operator who speaks my language.
Armed with the number, I call.
I had already been warned by an editor that many of our readers reached one of those maddening menus only to be disconnected before being able to place a ticket order.
Those are the lucky ones. I never reached a menu. Instead, the phone rang and rang. But there was no answer.
Aquariums have been unlucky for me since I was in the second grade and my guppies died.
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Ken Clark
November 23, 2005 08:37 AM | Link to this
There’s something fishy about all this aquarium hoopla. I wouldn’t go near those crowds for a billion bucks.
By Andrew
November 23, 2005 08:54 AM | Link to this
Get it? Fishy?!
By Ben
November 23, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this
Ken, good. stay in your cabin in rural montana and keep working on your manifesto. the rest of us will enjoy the aquarium as well as interacting with other people who also are excited abouts its opening.
By K G Brown
November 23, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this
Congrats! While saving money and WAITING to get in - come up to Chattanooga and see our lovely Aquarium. It’s affordable and a nice drive. Other attractions near and also not overly expensive.
By Rich
November 23, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this
It would have helped if the’d made it clear that all the tickets were reserved (i.e., this applied to everyone, not just the season pass people during pre-opening) and put something on the web that helped people figure out what was sold out. Customer service never seems tobe a value here.
By ATL4Life
November 23, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this
That’s the reason we got our aquarium so we don’t have to see boring TN attractions such as Lookout Mountain (which is in GA, not TN), Ruby Falls or your IMAX theater. Why would I come all the way to TN to eat at TGIFridays. Maybe when I go to get some carpet in Dalton, I may trek over to the country to see your little aquarium. But for now, weep because the tourist dollars you have taken from Ga. for years can stay at home.
By Robbie
November 23, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this
How come the “Worlds Largest” seems so small?
Also, Did anyone conider how people might ingress/egress? Walking through the garage where cars are trying to come and go is crazy. Why is the elevator at the far end of the garage. Not enough design consideration was given for stroller/wheelchairs.
By Jonathan
November 23, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this
Your article was funny and made me smile. Thanks. If you get more information on an easy way to purchase tickets please keep us informed. The invitation to visit Chattanooga sounds a little fishy to me!! How can I save money driving to Chattanooga when gas is $2.00 per gallon? Forget Chattanooga (been there, done that, got a tee-shirt) support the hometown team “The Atlanta Fish”.
By Charles
November 23, 2005 11:00 AM | Link to this
Be careful when you use the parking garage. It is a minimum of $8 and they charge whatever bill you hand them with no change or receipt! Then they tell you to complain to the private parking company.
By karen
November 23, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this
I am one of the lucky ones - - I got tickets for Friday. I can’t wait to go and take my family. We are so thrilled.
By Erik Marks
November 23, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this
We bought our season passes weeks ago and went this Monday and Tuesday. Have you people been living under a rock? Why would you try to buy tickets this late in the game? Here is my review of the facility:
Overall the exhibits themselves were OUTSTANDING. My 2 year old loved it. My wife and I were awestruck - especially at the whale and shark exhibits. I’m glad to see Atlanta get another attraction that puts us on par with other international cities. However there are some kinks in the basic design of the facility that need to be worked out:
The should be a direct entrance from the parking garage to the facility itself. That was a long cold walk in the rain on Monday.
Parking was too expensive ($8), and it took 40 minutes for us to exit the parking garage on Tuesday.
There we not enough bathrooms. The bathrooms they did have were too small and only had one changing station. Many parents (including us) had to change their children on the bathroom floor.
There are a lot of staircases, especially in the atrium area, which makes it difficult to travel with strollers, wheelchairs and food trays.
Unlike everyone else in Atlanta (Botanical Gardens, Children’s Museum, Zoo, Fernback, etc.), the acqaurium doesn’t send you your season pass in the mail. Instead we had to wait in another hour long line to get our picture ID made.
By Erik
November 23, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this
We bought our season passes weeks ago and went this Monday and Tuesday. Have you people been living under a rock? Why would you try to buy tickets this late in the game? Here is my review of the facility:
Overall the exhibits themselves were OUTSTANDING. My 2 year old loved it. My wife and I were awestruck - especially at the whale and shark exhibits. I’m glad to see Atlanta get another attraction that puts us on par with other international cities. However there are some kinks in the basic design of the facility that need to be worked out:
The should be a direct entrance from the parking garage to the facility itself. That was a long cold walk in the rain on Monday.
Parking was too expensive ($8), and it took 40 minutes for us to exit the parking garage on Tuesday.
There we not enough bathrooms. The bathrooms they did have were too small and only had one changing station. Many parents (including us) had to change their children on the bathroom floor.
There are a lot of staircases, especially in the atrium area, which makes it difficult to travel with strollers, wheelchairs and food trays.
Unlike everyone else in Atlanta (Botanical Gardens, Children’s Museum, Zoo, Fernback, etc.), the acqaurium doesn’t send you your season pass in the mail. Instead we had to wait in another hour long line to get our picture ID made.
By -gandhi-
November 23, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this
Aqua-torture begins in Atlanta. Enjoy watching the cute fish swim around the large bright tanks before heading to the cafeteria and devouring their cousins. Fantastic….
By Susan
November 23, 2005 12:01 PM | Link to this
The Aquarium is fabulous. The staff were friendly, helpful and very knowledgable. We found that the crowds flowed and it never seemed crowded. What a marvelous asset to they city. Very user friendly even with strollers. The problem with the strollers were the drivers of the strollers. Seems they think because they have a stroller they have the right away no matter who they run over or into.
By Marty Beck
November 23, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this
Where can I purchase tickets for December 2005 ??
Thank you.
By Raj
November 23, 2005 01:30 PM | Link to this
Now going to the web-site this is what you get Thank you for your interest in the Georgia Aquarium. Currently, we are in the process of updating and moving the website to another server. This process may take a few hours, so we greatly appreciate your patience, while the site is down.
If you would like to speak to someone in our Call Center, please call 404-581-4444.
Again, thank you for your patience
I guess its better to wait a few weeks to visit the Aquarium.
By tngirl
November 23, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this
ATL4Life, before you start telling people where Lookout Mountain is you might want to actually look at a map. It is a very long mountain that is geographically situated in three states: Alabama, Georgia, and, yes, Tennessee. And, in case you’re wondering, no one in Chattanooga is concerned about the Georgia aquarium taking their tourists. There is a reason that Chattanooga has been known as the Scenic City of the South since long before the aquarium was built. Atlanta is not a place that people flock to to go on vacation. People don’t want to deal with the traffic and parking headaches on their well earned vacation. The new aquarium will not change that.
By Leanne
November 23, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this
I purchased an annual pass in October and went to the aquarium yesterday. It was crowded, and strollers the size of SUVs were a particular problem. Parking was easier in a $2.25 pay lot a block away. And by the time I arrived, the line for ID cards was down to a very reasonable 15 or 20 minutes.
The facility and exhibits are breathtaking and a huge asset to our city. The crowds will thin out after the holiday season, and I look forward to going again and again.
A big “Thank You” to Mr. Marcus and the folks who dedicated themselves to creating our Georgia Aquarium.
By Monica
November 23, 2005 02:46 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing, the complaints about the Aquarium. People complaining about a $8.00 parking fee after spending an outrageous entrance fee. The $60.00 door fee is so far out of my budget, even Santa can’t give my family of five tickets!
The Aquarium is one Atlanta site that won’t be on our list of things to do!
By StevieJ
November 23, 2005 03:12 PM | Link to this
Why is it so expensive to go anyway? The ajc reported that the thing opened debt free. How much does fish food cost nowadays?
By Salena
November 23, 2005 03:24 PM | Link to this
The prices of the Aquarium to get in is a little steap, but compaired to other events in the ATL they seem to be about right. A family of 4 would spend about the same at the Braves game of Falcons game. Six Flags for a family of 4 is even higher, I don’t hear people complaining about that; and yet Six Flags does a healthy business every year. At least the aquarium is also an educational exhibit as well as entertainment.
I do wish that the aquarium would make family passes available at a reasonable rate. Most families don’t $100 + dollars to spend for one afternoon of enjoyment. I have a family of 4 and by the time I purchase the tickets, parking, food, and of course souviners for my kids that is what it will run at least.
I believe the Aquarium is a wonderful addition to our city and great opportunities to learn about creatures that we may not get to see otherwise. Just wished it was a bit less to go. I will be an annual pass holder for years to come and hope prices are kept in line.
Thanks Mr. Marcus for giving the city of Atlanta is wonderful Christmas present early. You are a wonderful man. thanks.
By 48
November 29, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this
WEIRD! Are you people really complaining??? First of all I pay 8 dollars A DAY to park at my job. Do you people not live in the city? Thats actually not bad for parking. Its 15 to 20 bucks for parking at a concert in this town.Six Flags(I belive)charges 10 FOR THEIR OWN LOT! The ticket prices for the aquarium are “market value” for an aquarium of this nature, or for that matter, any sort of attraction. Not enough restrooms? C’mon! Opening day handled some 14,000 people. There couldve been 20 restrooms and they wouldve been packed. Been to a Braves game and had to pee fellas? “Too many stairs, too much this, not enough that”! Blah blah blah. Im surprised someone hasnt complined that there was too much water!?! Quit yer cryin’! Its an amazing thing. Thank you Mr Marcus and all Atlanta donors for giving us this! As far as Chattanooga goes…well… Im not gonna touch that with a 10ft pole. And will someone tell PETA to shut the hell up?
By Princess
November 30, 2005 09:05 AM | Link to this
Wow. I’m originally from California and the aquarium there only charges $19 for adults and $11 for children. With the prices of the aquarium here and me being a single parent, looks like I won’t get to the this one. I’m shocked at the ticket prices.