Home > Aquarium coverage > Fish Tank > Archives > 2005 > November > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDoors open to everybody
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“It’s official. It’s open!”
With those words, volunteer Bryan Shaw of Duluth welcomed the first of more than 10,000 people expected to visit the Georgia Aquarium today.
The world’s largest aquarium opened to the general public with fewer glitches than earlier in the week.
While its Web site and call center continued to respond slowly to demand for tickets, the hundreds of people who had made reservations and had lined up outside the massive fish tank well before the 9 a.m. opening had little trouble making their way inside.
Once inside, they were wowed by the massive displays.
“Daddy, look at the jellyfish,” cried Christian Jones, 4, pointing above his head. The Sandy Springs child was mesmerized by the glowing jelly fish in the dark tank while his father, Chris Jones, 32, tried to coax him to move on.
Jones, who purchased tickets online three weeks ago, said his family took MARTA and arrived at the aquarium at 8:15 a.m. He said it only took him 30 minutes to get in when the doors opened.
“I expected it to be longer,” Jones said.
Several kids immediately flocked to the touch pool, waiting for a personal encounter with stingrays and bonnethead sharks. Nicolas Reich, 4, of Duluth, eagerly kept his hand in the water until all of a sudden he felt the back of one of the sharks. “He feels, like, smooth,” the giggling child told his father, Vince Reich, 43. “He knows sharks better than his ABC’s,” the father said.
The rush to get tickets to the hottest attraction in town has been fueled by the national attention the aquarium has generated. CBS, CNN, the “Good Day Atlanta” TV show and six radio stations were broadcasting from the aquarium, today, once again inflating interest.
Aquarium spokesman Dave Santucci said the facility is fully booked through the weekend, and only those who have made reservations are getting in. Still, many people have flocked to the aquarium’s Web site and called its offices hoping to buy tickets, only to find trouble getting through.
The Web site (www.georgiaaquarium.org) and call center were still swamped early today. Officials late Tuesday increased the Web site’s bandwith twelvefold and added a subcontractor to their call center operations. Many callers, however, were getting busy signals when they dialed the call center (404-581-4000).
Shaw, one of more than 700 volunteers working at the aquarium, was just as excited about the opening as those passing through the doors.
“I just wanted to be a part of this new great addition to this city,” the BellSouth project manager said.
Staff writers Ernie Suggs and Jim Tharpe contributed to this report.
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Heather
November 23, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this
Im so excited and I cant wait to go!!!! Since today is the first day opened to the public can some one who went today tell me how the 4-D show went?
By Frank
November 23, 2005 11:35 AM | Link to this
While this will be, what I am sure, an incredible experience, I don’t see myself shelling out over $80 including parking or MARTA. This, of course, doesn’t include the drinks or food that will inevitably be purchased. Sure, Atlanta is home to some very high income families, but there are those of us who simply can’t/won’t depart with $80 to see some fish.
By Sean
November 23, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this
What a joke! Like most “happenings� in Atlanta the Powers that Be find a way to screw it up! Some old rich guys spends $200 million of his own money for the world’s largest aquarium and then they promote the hell out it so people will want to go. But, of course, Marcus et. al doesn’t spend enough on the website or build a big enough to handle the volume of people who are trying to buy tickets to go. How does one double a call center capacity to 19? Did they have a half a person in there? I hope Swanagan can count the fish better than he can count the # of people in the call center.
After 2 or 3 days of this, they cannot get enough people in there to handle the rush. They cannot expand the # of servers and bandwidth to handle this? Terrible execution - terrible!
I thought Bernie Marcus is supposed to be some marketing genius, but most people make long-standing judgements on their first impressions of a product or service. Our family really was excited to go, but after trying to get passes on the crappy website and after spending roughly 2 hours on hold only to be disconnected by the call center (3 times) - My first impressions: I am going to save my money and not go. Its not worth the effort and aggravation. I hope the aquarium closes by 2007.
By Sean
November 23, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this
As of 11:39 AM on 11/23/05. Website completly down - service unavailable.
Phone calls to the Call center are answered by a recorded line but after choosing the annual pass option the phone disconnects to a busy signal.
The aquarium sucks !!!!!! Great execution Bernie - I knew you would find a way to stick it to us!
By Barbara
November 23, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this
I happen to be a volunteer at the Aqarium and it is wonderful. Shame on you Sean for being so negative, this is a new experience for everyone working there and there will be kinks. If you do not take your kids they will be missing a great experience. On Friday there was an event and little girl looked up at her mom and said “This is the greatest place I have ever been to.” I would encourage everyone to see this wonderful gift.
By Gordon Gardner
November 23, 2005 12:03 PM | Link to this
Where in Atlata is it?
By John
November 23, 2005 12:09 PM | Link to this
I am so sick and tired of these sociopathic people (leeches) who are at their best when they complain and whine about everything.
Web site is not fast enough… (waah)
Tickets are priced too high… (waaah) I want someone else to pay for my tickets… (double waaaah)
I am one of those thousands of people who planned ahead, purchased annual passes, used the website before it was inundated by lazy-assed procrastinators, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time on Tuesday. Thank you Bernie for letting my family see the sights and sounds of an ocean that before Tuesday was only viewable on the Discover channel.
By Sean
November 23, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this
Barbara -
KINKS??? These are not kinks. The problems associated with the order system both online and telephone are major planning blunders made be people who should have known better.
But it is par for the course for Atlanta. It happens virtually every time for every type of event.
By Sean
November 23, 2005 12:14 PM | Link to this
John - perhaps it is the lazy-assed organizers of the aquarium who should have had the foresight to realize that lots of people would want to go to the largest aquarium in the world that they have been promoting for months?
Forgive us regular folks for sucumbing to their hype. So I choose to not go and complain! It is the American Way.
JOHN _ R U A Commie?
By stayOTP
November 23, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this
You don’t really want to go downtown to the Aquarium, World of Coke or Atlantic station. There is no place to park, bums every where, gangs, violent crime, sex shops, gay bars, convicted felons and all those othe bad things you suburbanites are afraid of. Please stay home or go to the Mall of Georgia instead. It’s not like we don’t need you in downtown or midtown tying up traffic in your giant SUV’s, its just that we don’t want you here.
By David
November 23, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this
Good gawd, I can’t believe the moaning on the posts above me. Thank goodness I don’t have to be around people like that. Geez. Of course there is going to be a HUGE rush on tix when it opens. And if you can’t get through just wait. Even if you DID get through on the phone/web the place is sold out until next week… wouldn’t do you any good for this week. And it’s not going to be sold out in the future. You think these first visitors are going to slip in a fish hook and eat all the fish before your family can attend?
Grow up.
By Gary B.
November 23, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this
Purchased my Annual pass several weeks ago online with no problems at all…was a very easy procedure….To all the people that are complaining that now they want to go and can’t get online to buy tix…give me a break ! Of course its gonna be difficult to get tix online now that its the first few days of its opening and the word is out how amazing the Aquarium is ! I’m sure they will have the kinks worked out of the web site and phone lines in a few days….its not like the aquarium is gonna go anywhere…. I went to the aquarium on Monday morning during my scheduled time slot and I was surprised at how smooth things went from the time I got online outside the aquarium , and how fast the line moved to get inside….Inside its just amazing…what a first class job they did on putting the aquarium together…I was blown away ! The only gripe I had was the wait once inside to actually get my annual pass….this process was like being on the GA DMV line to get your license….since they had to pull up your name on the computer, then take your pic, and then print out your annual pass card…this was nearly an hour wait….Hopefully they will have more staff and stations at this area in the future so they can speed that process up…you have 90 days to get your actual pass, and it looked like many people just gave up on waiting in the line….so If you are getting an annual pass be prepared to wait in a long line at some point during your visit if you want to get your actual pass that day( or you can do this the next time you go to the aquarium…etc)…I’m already planning my next visit back to the Aquarium..This place is gonna draw huge crowds to Atlanta and the downtown area……no question about it……Just an awesome thing for Atlanta…Thanks Bernie !!!!!!!
By Rick
November 23, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this
Why don’t all you whiners and complainers do what I did Tuesday morning. Got up at 0600 and got right on the web site and had annual passes in about 5 minutes. Get over stuff…you’re not fightning in Iraq.
By Karl
November 23, 2005 12:28 PM | Link to this
There are 2 kinds of people in the world - those that do things to help themselves and those that just complain about their lot in life. Being a member of the former - I bought my tickets weeks ago, and subsequently spent a wonderful afternoon/evening with my family enjoying this fantastic attraction. Of course it is going to be hard to get tickets to one of the most spectacular attractions in the country if you wait until the last minute. It’s understandable that you would be unhappy if you didnt have the simple foresight to buy in advance - but dont take it out on everyone else in the entire city or the owners of the aquarium! To join the “do-ers” group and leave the “complainers” for good - learn from your mistakes - dont whine about them!
By Joe
November 23, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this
I am totally with the last few blogs; Come on people, it is so unnecessary to complain about everything. BE REALISTIC!! This is the grand opening of a great WORLD attraction, so yes, it may be slow at times to buy tickets in the begining due to the demand.
The aquarium isn’t going anywhere, so sit back, relax, enjoy your holiday weekend, and quit the complaining. They have already said that the aquarium viewing times are sold out for the entire weekend, THEREFORE, chill, and try to buy them later! It’s as simple as that!! I swear, reading some of the blogs that people have about the aquarium remind me of little kids complaining about what they can’t have right now. Give me a BREAK!!
By ben
November 23, 2005 12:45 PM | Link to this
If all you complainers want to be so negative about the aquarium, then do not show your faces. That will make the hassle all the more easier for us intelligent folks who know how to plan.
A) I knew there would be a mad rush for this thing to open because I have an IQ above my shoe size. So I purchased passes and reserved my spots in mid-October.
B) If Bernie Marcus is such a moron who does not know how to market, then how come his income is 2,500 times that of the average whiner on this message board?
C) That aquarium is NOT going anywhere, folks. What is the obsession with getting in opening weekend? It will most likely be better in a few months anyway after all the glitches are worked out. If you die before you can get a chance to get in, then you have my condolences.
D) For those of you that “hope the aquarium closes down by 2007,” stop inhaling oven cleaner. That aquarium is the best thing to happen to the Atlanta economy in a VERY long time. It will offest and overcome the terrible effect the “ATL SONG” is having on the city. If you can’t understand that then you have MUCH bigger problems than getting a ticket.
By Joe
November 23, 2005 12:51 PM | Link to this
Hey Ben, Tell it like it is,,, thanks so much!!
By Aquarium Rules
November 23, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this
I think the aquarium rocks, and i haven’t even been there yet.
While the website and order lines are a total pain in the a*, this will calm down in time and we are going to have a killer attraction.
Thank you Bernie and I can’t wait to visit over and over again.
By Pleased Atlanta
November 23, 2005 01:05 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone so upset? We have to remember that having an aquarium in-town is a privelege, not a right. This isn’t something that’s owed to you. Mr. Marcus paid for it, not your tax dollars! The entrance fees are to keep it going and make improvements. You didn’t have to scream and fight over who’s going to pay for it, like most additions to this city and/or state, be grateful. As far as the people hollering about not being able to visit, oh well, last Thanksgiving you couldn’t see it and life went on. If you weren’t able to book tickets in advance, that’s not anyone’s fault, maybe not even your own. Grow up people. We’re so used to getting everything that we want, that whenever we’re faced with a difficult situation we turn into whining babies. This is like getting a free pizza then crying because it’s only lukewarm. This behavior is really sad.
By DD
November 23, 2005 01:08 PM | Link to this
This Sean character is obviously an idiot or a clinical cretin. Frankly, he sounds like somebody who needs to be on psychotropic drugs as he’s obviously deranged. Sean, please stay away from the aquarium. We don’t need creatures like you there. You’re a little scary quite frankly. Get help, fast!
By Sean
November 23, 2005 01:12 PM | Link to this
Go ahead keep drinking the KOOL AID. The aquarium is just great, its wonderful for the city. Look at all the great things it will do for the economy.
How many people are actually going to be employed by the Aquarium? Will it really attract out of town visitors who decided to come to Atlanta simply because of the Aquarium? How much money will the spend outside of the aquarium during their visit - i.e. are they staying overnight in a hotel, will they shop at one of our malls, will they eat in our restaurants?
Do you know? I don’t and until we see the actual data let’s not make the Aquarium the cure-all to the Atlanta economy. I’ll bet more people would benefit if Delta stayed in business or the GM plant stayed open!
Shut down the Aquarium!
By Teresa
November 23, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this
Thank you Bernie for the beautiful Aquarium. It’s marvelous!
To all you whiners, complainers, and protesters: Please get a life! My 4-year-old doesn’t whine as much as you guys!
By Steve
November 23, 2005 01:22 PM | Link to this
I guess the aquarium should have hired hundreds of people to staff the phones for the initial rush of people trying to get tickets to only lay them off a month later after everything calms down. You people would then be in an even bigger uproar! Stay away from the aquarium and don’t ruin the experience for me. I bought season tickets a month ago and had no problems. Visited on Monday and also had no problems. This is the best thing to happen to Atlanta in a long time.
By Yoye
November 23, 2005 01:53 PM | Link to this
The Aquarium is undoubtely a great addition to this city. It will improve the appealing of the city nationwide and will serve as a engine for in-need downtown economy. We all need to applaud these type of initiatives that put Atlanta in the right spot and tone.
On the improvement side, I believe the design of the Aquarium building could have been a bit more impressive and attractive from an architectural standpoint. Something similar to the masterpice Renzo Piano just opened at the new High.
By Midget
November 23, 2005 02:13 PM | Link to this
Sean, I’m the 1/2 person who was working at the acquarium call center. My twin brother join me yesterday. So the math is correct. If I were a violent person I would head butt your knee.
By tre'
November 23, 2005 02:31 PM | Link to this
Sean, stop crying. Go away, Atlanta does not want you here, and the fish in the aquarium don’t want you looking at them either.
By Sean
November 23, 2005 02:39 PM | Link to this
I’ve been here longer than the fish! So I’ll think I’ll stay. I just happen to disagree with everyone who thinks this is such a great thing.
I’ve seen Atlanta’s elite make poor planning decisions before. Remember the Olympics? Look at what a beating the world-wide press gave us.
I think NBC and Matt Lauer tried to make us look go then too.
Bring it on midget!
By john
November 23, 2005 03:02 PM | Link to this
The comments where people complain about the cost always provide amusement for me. Ever heard the term free market economy? If they’re charging too much for the tickets, people won’t go and the demand will drop. The demand is through the roof yet they have not followed the usual law of economics and raised the prices (that’s what happened to your gas prices recently) because they’re just trying to cover the operational costs. I’d be willing to bet that if you get in there and see what the inside is like, you’ll understand why it takes so much money to run it year round. As for the website and phones, prior to opening, there was no way for them to know exactly what the demand would be. They’re making adjustments as quickly as they can so either be patient or realize that you should have purchased your tickets weeks ago; like I did. ;)
By wesley
November 23, 2005 03:11 PM | Link to this
those people complaining, like CK Hall does in all those posts, are just trying to get attention. Why are you guys responding to them?
By Heather
November 23, 2005 03:27 PM | Link to this
Well I am happy about the aquarium. All though I was one of the people who didnt get their tickets ahead of time but it’s ok. I can wait. Like other people have said, ” It’s not like it’s going anywhere.” Never thought that haveing a new Aquarium built would bring on so much hate. All the people complaining about the price. That it’s to high for low income people. I have low income and I dont believe its to high. Nothing compared to 40 something dollars for six flags. They might lower the price down later on so be patient. If you think it’s to high and those of you who dont want to go.. DONT GO!!! No 1 is making you go. I know I’ll be there!!!!!!!
By Future Aquarium Visitor
November 23, 2005 03:33 PM | Link to this
I personally can not wait to go to the aquarium. I feel all of us ATLiens should feel priveleged to have something this wonderful in our home town. If you do not like it, then do not support it. There are enough of us to support it and keep it open.
By Sean
November 23, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this
I have made no complaints about the cost of the annual passes or ticket prices. I have plenty of money.
I think that the p**-poor execution makes all of us Atlantans look bad.
My complaining got me a phone call and an offer of an expedited pass. But I still will not go so I do not have to run into any of you people.
So suck it!
By brad
November 23, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this
Sean: It is YOU that make the Atlantans look bad with your crummy attitude. What’s up with that? My hope for you is that you will get to enjoy the aquarium some day and realize how silly you have made yourself look here. Go check it out, it really is cool. PS - telling someone to “suck it” makes you sound foolish.
By Confused
November 23, 2005 03:55 PM | Link to this
Sean if it bothers you so much why are you even on this web site? Is this not taking up your time? That’s cool that your not going. The aquarium was not built for people who dont want to go. It was built for those who do!! Your comments arent going to change anything and it definitly is not going to close the place down. Your wasting your time.
By Brad
November 23, 2005 03:58 PM | Link to this
I went to the aquarium on Monday and it was…..AWESOME We are really lucky to have leaders with the vision to pull a team together to pull off such an ambitious program. I ordered tickets early, but if you have to stand in line, it’s definitely worth the wait. Hats off to the aquarium team and business leaders who made it happen!
By Kim
November 23, 2005 04:11 PM | Link to this
*Sean is an idiot. * There always has to be some jerk who feels they have to complain regardless if they have anything to complain about or not. It’s good to know that people like him are far and few between. Don’t let him ruin your trips to the aquarium! Have fun, enjoy the wonder of it all and be thankful that you live in Atlanta. This is a great city and Bernie Marcus is a great man and we all should thank him for doing this. ( I just hope that Mr. Marcus didn’t read what Sean wrote).
By Dave
November 23, 2005 04:16 PM | Link to this
I went to the aquarium yesterday with my wife and thought it was awesome! We went right in without even waiting in line because we had printed our tickets online. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, answering any questions.
I’m surprised that there are so many people complaining about trying to get tickets. It’s like waiting a day or two before the World Series or Superbowl to buy tickets and them complaining because you can’t get any, even though you could have gotten them months in advance.
I wonder if Sean ever thought to blame the poor execution on the people who didn’t bother to spend 2 minutes online anytime before this past Monday to get tickets? That’s all the time it took to get tickets early. God forbid that anyone complaining actually blame themselves for not preparing for the opening and getting tickets early. Of course it’s the Aquariums staff’s fault because you waited until the last minute. We know it can’t be your fault that you didn’t plan ahead.
Hats off to Bernie Marcus for all his hard work in bringing this attraction to the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. I plan on going back soon.
By Dave
November 23, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this
I went to the aquarium yesterday with my wife and thought it was awesome! We went right in without even waiting in line because we had printed our tickets online. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, answering any questions.
I’m surprised that there are so many people complaining about trying to get tickets. It’s like waiting a day or two before the World Series or Superbowl to buy tickets and them complaining because you can’t get any, even though you could have gotten them months in advance.
I wonder if Sean ever thought to blame the poor execution on the people who didn’t bother to spend 2 minutes online anytime before this past Monday to get tickets? That’s all the time it took to get tickets early. God forbid that anyone complaining actually blame themselves for not preparing for the opening and getting tickets early. Of course it’s the Aquariums staff’s fault because you waited until the last minute. We know it can’t be your fault that you didn’t plan ahead.
Hats off to Bernie Marcus for all his hard work in bringing this attraction to the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. I plan on going back soon.
By Micheal
November 23, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this
Shame on all of you!! You forget that the Aquarium is a gift to Atlanta. With being a native, I knew what the rush would be like and have decided to wait a little bit longer to visit. Thank you Bernie for the most wonderful gift in the world. The people complaining must not be from Atlanta!! The Aquarium is here for a long time…so be patient!! Once again, Bernie…Thank you!!
By doesbud
November 24, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this
Mr. Sean and others need to chill out in front of the whale shark tank a while. Great therapy. Bernie’s gift more than makes up for all the sl-o-o-w Depot checkouts thru the years. :)
By marc
November 28, 2005 04:01 PM | Link to this
Sean, maybe we can feed you to one of the sharks. I doubt anyone will miss you!