National aquarium in Baltimore - The DIS Discussion Forums

sharbear · 02-13-2013, 04:15 PM

Has anyone been here? Any pointers? Any coupons available locally?

TIA

EagleScout · 02-13-2013, 04:38 PM

We have friends who rave about it, but be careful if you visit during a peak vacation time - we went during July 4th weekend a few years ago, and it was "packed" - like literally the pedestrian equivalent of "bumper to bumper" - we could never get closer than 4 deep to look at any of the exhibits, and even going from exhibit to exhibit was essentially a "shuffle".

daisyduck123 · 02-13-2013, 05:06 PM

Just took 125 first graders there last month for a field trip.

We were there on a weekday in January. The place was practically empty - we almost had it to ourselves.

In case you have little ones....just be warned that strollers are not allowed. They have stroller parking if you try to bring one in. If you have any babies with you, you will need to carry them.

They do have counter-service food but get there early. Our group of 125 students (and chaperones) could not all find seats for lunch.

sharbear · 02-13-2013, 05:13 PM

Thanks, unfortunately we are going to visit our D the last week of March. I thought maybe we could try and visit on Easter Sunday, maybe it would be less crowded :/

No young children, just adults who like aquariums.

lost*in*cyberspace · 02-13-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharbear

Thanks, unfortunately we are going to visit our D the last week of March. I thought maybe we could try and visit on Easter Sunday, maybe it would be less crowded :/

No young children, just adults who like aquariums.

It will be crowded that day. I live less than an hour's drive away, but will no longer go. The crowds when I have gone are so terrible that it's hard to see anything. If you do decide to go, get there at opening time. It will be the least crowded time of day.

DisHmsklMom · 02-13-2013, 07:30 PM

From their site:
From September 7, 2012, through March 22, 2013, admission to the National Aquarium, Baltimore, is just $12 on Fridays after 5 p.m. Last entry time is 8 p.m., and you can tour the exhibits until 9:30 p.m. Blackout dates apply. Add on a 4D Immersion Film for just $5.

I don't know if this fits your schedule, but it really was the best time to visit, often we felt like we had the place to ourselves.

lost*in*cyberspace · 02-13-2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisHmsklMom

From their site:
From September 7, 2012, through March 22, 2013, admission to the National Aquarium, Baltimore, is just $12 on Fridays after 5 p.m. Last entry time is 8 p.m., and you can tour the exhibits until 9:30 p.m. Blackout dates apply. Add on a 4D Immersion Film for just $5.

I don't know if this fits your schedule, but it really was the best time to visit, often we felt like we had the place to ourselves.

OP is going on Easter Sunday.

writersblock42 · 02-13-2013, 08:26 PM

My sister used to work there and we have been a bunch of times. The dolphin show used to be really great but I think that they stopped doing those. They care a lot about the animals and I think it caused the animals stress. They do a lot of breeding and rehabilitation of animals.
The best time to go is any day that children are in school and first thing in the morning. Be in line before it opens. Fridays after 5 are only $5. Other than that you might want to try groupon or living social.

writersblock42 · 02-13-2013, 08:27 PM

One other tip is to not tour it in order. If everyone else seems to be going in order, run to the rainforest first as they have lots of small tanks and then tour the large tank areas last when the crowds start developing.

Omalley · 02-13-2013, 08:29 PM

Look for coupons in the Wash. D.C. Entertainment Book. We used them 2 years ago, but not sure if there are blackout dates.

mcuoghi · 02-13-2013, 08:40 PM

We went on a Saturday night in July. It was empty and wonderful! We got there in time to see the last dolphin show and then we hit the rest of the aquarium as everyone else left.

daisyduck123 · 02-13-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by writersblock42

The dolphin show used to be really great but I think that they stopped doing those.

We saw the dolphin show last month.

Swimalie · 02-14-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisyduck123

We saw the dolphin show last month.

Yes, a friend of mine went yesterday on a field trip and they had the dolphin show then, too.

02-13-2013, 04:15 PM	#1
sharbear DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 1,692	National aquarium in Baltimore Has anyone been here? Any pointers? Any coupons available locally? TIA

02-13-2013, 05:06 PM	#3
daisyduck123 I just love those parmesan mashed potatoes at Chef Mickey's! I don't know how to cut & paste Disney has made my family & I "park snobs" Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 12,214	Just took 125 first graders there last month for a field trip. We were there on a weekday in January. The place was practically empty - we almost had it to ourselves. In case you have little ones....just be warned that strollers are not allowed. They have stroller parking if you try to bring one in. If you have any babies with you, you will need to carry them. They do have counter-service food but get there early. Our group of 125 students (and chaperones) could not all find seats for lunch. __________________ [CENTER]July 2012 BCV/AKV June 2011 AKV/BCV Jan. 2011 SSR July 2010 OKW/BCV/BLT July 2009 BCV/AKV Jan. 2009 CBR/SSR July 2008 AKV/BCV Dec. 2007 AKV Aug 2007 Dolphin/BCV May 2007 SSR May 2006 CBR Jan 2006 Pop CenturyMay 2005 Pop Century May 2004 Pop Century Dec 1976 Off Site

02-13-2013, 07:30 PM	#6
DisHmsklMom Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	From their site: From September 7, 2012, through March 22, 2013, admission to the National Aquarium, Baltimore, is just $12 on Fridays after 5 p.m. Last entry time is 8 p.m., and you can tour the exhibits until 9:30 p.m. Blackout dates apply. Add on a 4D Immersion Film for just $5. I don't know if this fits your schedule, but it really was the best time to visit, often we felt like we had the place to ourselves. __________________ "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. " Christopher Robin

02-13-2013, 08:26 PM	#8
writersblock42 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 584	My sister used to work there and we have been a bunch of times. The dolphin show used to be really great but I think that they stopped doing those. They care a lot about the animals and I think it caused the animals stress. They do a lot of breeding and rehabilitation of animals. The best time to go is any day that children are in school and first thing in the morning. Be in line before it opens. Fridays after 5 are only $5. Other than that you might want to try groupon or living social. __________________ On-Site 1998 Dixie Landings On-Site 2003 Movie Resort Off-Site 2005 On-Site 2007 Caribbean Beach Resort

02-13-2013, 08:27 PM	#9
writersblock42 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 584	One other tip is to not tour it in order. If everyone else seems to be going in order, run to the rainforest first as they have lots of small tanks and then tour the large tank areas last when the crowds start developing. __________________ On-Site 1998 Dixie Landings On-Site 2003 Movie Resort Off-Site 2005 On-Site 2007 Caribbean Beach Resort

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02-13-2013, 04:38 PM	#2
EagleScout Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 276	We have friends who rave about it, but be careful if you visit during a peak vacation time - we went during July 4th weekend a few years ago, and it was "packed" - like literally the pedestrian equivalent of "bumper to bumper" - we could never get closer than 4 deep to look at any of the exhibits, and even going from exhibit to exhibit was essentially a "shuffle".

02-13-2013, 05:13 PM	#4
sharbear DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 1,692	Thanks, unfortunately we are going to visit our D the last week of March. I thought maybe we could try and visit on Easter Sunday, maybe it would be less crowded :/ No young children, just adults who like aquariums.

02-13-2013, 08:29 PM	#10
Omalley Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 39	Look for coupons in the Wash. D.C. Entertainment Book. We used them 2 years ago, but not sure if there are blackout dates.

02-13-2013, 08:40 PM	#11
mcuoghi Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 50	We went on a Saturday night in July. It was empty and wonderful! We got there in time to see the last dolphin show and then we hit the rest of the aquarium as everyone else left. __________________

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