Anyone been to Kalahari Waterpark in Wisconsin? About This Page:

[WEDway Guy]

I was interested to hear what people had to say about this apparently huge indoor water park? My family is considering the possibility of going there over New Year's weekend to visit with my sisters and their families. Apparently, we can get a giant suite that would fit all 12 of us. This could be fun or tortuous...yet to be decided.

Anyway, I was more interested in finding out about the water park itself. Is it nice? Is it strange with the whole thing being indoors? Does is smell all musty/stuffy? Is it good for little ones (1 and 3.5 yrs old)? Stuff like that. All opinions are welcome!

[luvnwdwgal]

I've never been to one, but they are building one right now about 10 minutes away from us!

[loobyoxlip]

Hi Jeff. Is this in Wisconsin Dells? I have a friend whose entire family has a little reunion every winter and stays in a suite (although I think they stay at the Great Bear (or wolf?) Lodge) I've looked at pictures of some of the indoor parks there and they look fabulous, especially for little ones.

[dizPlanner]

We stayed at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells in June 2002. We enjoyed it. We just had a regular room. They have both an indoor and outdoor water park, although I imagine the outdoor part will be closed when you will be there. The indoor park had a small wave pool, a lazy river than went around the wave pool, 2 or 3 of body/tube slides (they were fast and one was really dark), a family raft slide, a play area for little kids and another play area for older kids. The hotel itself was nice, comparable to Disney.

Originally we were going to go to Noah's Ark too, but since my son broke his arm on the way there, we didn't. But between the indoor and outdoor water parks, we didn't miss it. Being in the hotel, it was easy to go down for an hour or two and then do something else - or do it after doing something else.

You will have fun.

Karen

[wiscava]

Hi Jeff,
We live about 40 min from Wisc. Dells. We stayed at the Kalahari back in March. Quite an experience. It definately is the mother of all indoor waterpark hotels - hands down. It was really fun. We have a 2yr and 5yr old. The water was warm and they have a large interactive (2 stories) area for kids. It is quite splashy and sprays alot. I don't like all the random spraying and stuff, but my son liked it. They do have an awesome lazy river that opens up into a wave pool which is really fun. You are even able to use your own inflatable water rings for kids if you want(kind that goes around their tummy - Walmart sells them for something like .99). That worked better for my son, 'cuz the hotel ones are to big for him. This way he could do it himself. The river is only 2 -3 feet deep. I also liked the waterslides. We spent most of our time doing the river - it was so fun. From what I remember, when we walked in the lobby,they had 2 baby tigers that you could get your picture taken with. A foodcourt with a sub sandwich place, a restaurant. Also a candy counter in the lobby with dipped strawberries, chocolates, etc. for sale. I also remember seeing a pottery room that you could make/paint a piece of pottery. As soon as they run another special, we are going to go again. The indoor water parks don't smell musty or anything. Just your typical pool smell (chlorine).

We have also been to the Wilderness Lodge which is fun. Except the water there is cold for us. We prefer warm "bath" type temps. My friend who also goes there says the water is cold, so it's not just us. They do have a fabulous interactive dry playland. It's like a giant McDonalds - except adults can easily fit in the tubes. There are "air" blaster guns that kids and adults can shoot using soft nerf-like balls. You can go around and collect them and either shoot them or put them into interactive things - like a tree stump that when you press the button shoots all the balls up in the air. The playland is 3 stories high. We've actually stayed at the Wilderness just to do the dry playland and not even swim.

Our ultimate favorite indoor waterpark is Treasure Island/Family Land. It's definately not as glamorous as the others, but the water is warm and it is quite economical for us. They are one of the only hotels to accept the Entertainment card. We can get a family suite w/2 bedrooms, fireplace, etc for only $79/night (6 passes included) and a regular 2 Queen bed for $35/night (4 passes)with the entertainment card (that's 50% discount during off season). They have an interactive play area for the kids - a pirate ship with a couple of waterslides that even my daughter loves to go on. We always end up coming back to this hotel. Maybe it'll snow when you are there - it's so awesome to have it snowing and look outside while you are in your swimsuit swimming. Hope this helps.

[WEDway Guy]

Thanks so much everyone for your responses. I grew up on Lake Michigan (Cudahy) but moved away almost (wow!) 20 years ago now. I kind of miss the area. I have a sister who lives just south of Madison and she's the one organizing all this.

As for Kalahari, it sounds like there's plenty of stuff to do for adults and the little ones. Now if we don't all (all 12 of us)kill each other after being in the same room for 3 days everything should be great.

Big thanks to Karen and wiscava for the detailed descriptions and opinions.