Aquatopia offers a great selection of activities for tweens & younger teens, both inside & outside! Wet bar, fridge, microwaveIMPRESSED with the upkeep.WATERPARK - The place is absolutely huge. Likewise the lobby is magnificent! Advice: you can't come to a place like this and complain about how much things cost. Lifeguard. At that point, it was unmistakably the smell of cat urine. CHECK IN/ROOM - We checked in with Kassi atWe visited Kalahari in the Pocono Mountains for a last minute trip with our two girls, ages 8 and 9. The lobby is big but not massive like it is at Kalahari! (GWL = Great Wolf Lodge & K = Kalahari). Here is some guidance to help you decide on which Poconos water park would be best for your family vacation, based on our experience at all 3 resorts: => Great Wolf Lodge: Great Wolf Lodge is the BEST indoor water park & resort for a very kid-centric experience from top to bottom. We say this because Aquatopia has the most activities (rock wall, laser tag, escape room, etc) at its resort that will likely appeal to pre-teens and early teens. There was a nice variety of the treats and each of the kids was able to find something appealing to them. Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine has one adults-only hot tub. When I checked out on the 25th I asked for a receipt, and the amount I was charged was correct ($390.10) When I received my credit card statement on December 9th I noticed that what I was charged from Aquatopia/Camelback was $25 higher than it should have been. Kalahari even has a five bedroom suite that can have a maximum of 22 guests. Let's talk about the Royal Hospitality Suite at Kalahari Pocono. There isnt any story that goes along with any of the characters as far as we were able to discern. There were a few things that we liked about the expansion. Castaway has the wave pool, but the Kalahari has a great lazy river. A 14-inch pie was 8 slices, 2 toppings $21. There was also a buffet which was closed but other little caf options for grab and go type food, a coffee bar, ice cream stand, bakery.they forgot nothing!We felt like we needed more than one night so we asked to extend our stay another night and we were given a great rate to stay in our upgraded room so we jumped on the deal. 111 Things to Do in the Adirondacks & Upstate New York! In particular, it felt narrow. Not only are the room prices significantly cheaper during the week for all 3 waterparks but the resorts are a lot less crowded as well! Huge rate difference! Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. I look forward to hearing back from you. Although I am admittedly not a big fan of buffets, we figured it would be easy for everyone to find something they liked. We have not yet patronized any of these establishments. The larger of the two play areas also includes a splash table for babies. I went back into our pictures and corrected the post with the actual picture of the Great Wolf Lodge bathroom. Thank you for taking the time to comment! @Kelly We ate dinner off-site so I cant really compare the food fairly. We inquired about an potential upgrade and they granted us a special price to upgrade to an African Queen Suite which had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms - perfect to provide privacy with 2 girls! Aquatopiais somewhere right in-between Kalahari & Great Wolf Lodge by almost every measure! Guestrooms at Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky Oh offer furnished balconies and separate sitting and sleeping areas. We stored our bags with the assistance of bell staff and we went downstairs to check out the facilities.We had to go through a large (and very noisy) arcade to get to the turnstiles to the waterpark. Which Poconos waterpark do you like best? Compare salary information for Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. We figured that we'd have a good dinner to make up for it.After another 90 minutes or so, we decided to check out the room. Subject: Great Wolf vs. Kalahari vs. Camelback vs. Massanutten. With that being said it does appear that the ropes course and zip lines are something that we may try in the future. It was unpleasant to see and to step on. Im not sure when we will make it back there since we have a lot of other travel plans. Right away we were looking for and expecting a wonderful customer service experience, and Kalahari did not disappoint. I look forward to connecting with you. Looking up to the roofline Aquatopia does feel more open and expansive since it is more of a sweeping semi-circle in shape. It's small enough to feel cozy but large enough to feel like you are actually at a hotel. Kalahari was definitely newer and nicer but also more expensive. We had no real negatives about Great Wolf but in all honesty, Kalahari Resort surpasses them on almost all levels, but to no fault of Great Wolf. There was one dedicated dessert/pastry kiosk located off the main lobby nestled in there with the souvenir shop. This time we were on the third floor and had a balcony. Kalahari Resort has an African safari theme. Your encounters with the lack of cleanliness in the room and waterpark was certainly not up to our standards, so I am interested in hearing more about it. Here is a quick breakdown of the outdoor activities offered at each resort: Kalahari: Monkey climb ropes course, zip lines and mini golf. Swim Up BARS - An absolutely genius idea! For the volume of people passing through it ( to check-in, check out, shop at the shops and access the activities) it feels a little small and congested. Great Wolf Lodge recently renovated their suites to a more updated style and clean look. Wilderness,Kalahari or Great Wolf? I'm displeased to hear of the strange odor in your room and that we were not able to correct this situation while you were staying with us. Kids are going to want to explore all areas of this place and we find it frustrating reading reviews about those complaining about how expensive everything is. Speaking of loud There is usually a dance party in the evening which we found to be extremely loud! You never even need to leave the lodge, with tons of activities for kids, onsite dining, shopping opportunities, and more. Find not only one but TWO Great Wolf Lodge water parks in Ohio. Although the room was designated for up to 6 people it felt like we were on top of each other at times. We went to all three water parks in the Poconos (Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari & Aquatopia) to find out which one is the BEST water park. Kalahari is absolutely immense! 2.) We show middle class folks (like us) how they can leverage their good credit score to finally take that long-awaited trip. We were also advised that we would receive a text message when our room was ready. Kalahari vs Great Wolf Lodge is often a topic debated by indoor water park visitors. We ended up eating most of the fries and onions rings, while discarding the rest. Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Chip Williamson All Rights Reserved. Thanks! Well manicured and landscaped lawns.We arrived in the main lobby on Sunday 7/2 a little after 1:00 p.m. Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari & Camelbacks Aquatopia resort are all located in the Poconos and are VERY close to each other! Management thanks you for your suggestions and for noting how well-trained our associates are! Great Wolf Lodges water park continues their wildlife theme. The other kids and I voted for Great Wolf Lodge. There are a number of other activities available at the lodge. Apart from those issues, I appreciate the detailed comparison. Kalahari vs Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Comparison - Kalahari Resort Poconos Top Flight Family 113K subscribers Subscribe 2.9K 310K views 3 years ago Are you trying to decide between. Winner: Tie Water Park Both resorts have huge water parks that include a wave pool, lazy river, splash areas and of course water slides. Finally, we did have a rather poor experience one morning ordering from the Cafe & Bar (AKA, Mountain Market, World Bazaar Coffee Shop). Kalahari features a number of signature sit-down restaurants (Sortinos Italian Kitchen (Italian food), B-Lux Grill & Bar (Burgers & Shakes), Double Cut (Steakhouse). Part of the joy of Great Wolf Lodge is its size. However, if our kids were younger, Great Wolf Lodge would be more manageable due to its smaller size and its mascots that appeal to younger kids. Our suite was located on the same level as the entrance to the water park which was below the main level. For example when booking your accommodations you can select a themed suite, such as the KidCabin Suite which we did. We were really looking forward into the expansion since we really loved how great Kalahari was the first two times we visited. Virtual reality, tons of games, golf, bowling - this place though of everything. > Reserve the Desert or Hut Room, Sunday - Friday through June 30, 2006 at Kalahari Resort - Sandusky, Ohio for $99 for up to 4 guests! On our previous visit a couple of years ago we felt the place was showing some wear and tear. However, there were at least 6 employees assisting at the registration desk and the line moved relatively quickly. It had its own TV and was adorned with a lot of cute character images. Kalahari Resort Market Cost The overnight costs for both of these resorts can vary widely throughout the year. Great Wolf Lodge is better for younger kids, IMHO (ages 2-12, maybe); there are more self-contained areas for easier supervision, whereas Kalahari is better for slightly older kids (maybe 5-15,). I prefer Great Wolf by a long shot. The wolf mascots host a nightly dance party and pj story time. Ax throwing, ropes course, zip line, off-road Segway tours through the forest & switchback UTV tour. Confusingly enough she was allowed to go on the small kids slides that were inside the waterpark. Burger and fries for $12, other sandwiches $12-$15.not excessive. We were told that the elevator was on the convention center side, which was not really convenient for her. This seems to be an archaeology /exploration theme that they incorporate to water park. It has a transparent Texlon roof that lets in natural sunlight while providing protection against the suns harmful UV rays. Thankfully, we didnt have a 2+ hour line to check-in. Our 2-year-old who would have nothing to do with a life jacket was able to play in the toddler splash park and wave pool as long as Melani or I was right with her. When we go to one of the three water parks in the Poconos we are usually going for water park & swimming fun so other activities are not our primary focus. After learning about the aspects of both of these resort, which one will your family choose? Kalahari has a lot of complaints on Google about 2+ hour check in times and no housekeeping. That said, I wouldnt pay triple the price for Kalahari. There were not lights on both sides of the queen beds which made night-time reading hard for the person on the side with no light. We visited Kalahari in the Pocono Mountains for a last minute trip with our two girls, ages 8 and 9. Most times I find that the pictures or decorations in a motel/hotel really dont add anything to the experience. > *Valid exclusively for past guests of Kalahari Resort - Sandusky, Ohio. Sincerely, Otherwise, she and the others had a very good time.Kalahari was worth the trip. It is disappointing to hear that you did not have as great of an experience this time around compared to your first two. The side-lite mirror was a nice feature that we enjoyed. But, my kids are little fish who love swimming, and they cant get enough of this type of resort. Seriously, I'm not being dramatic. At times Kalahari actually felt a littletoo bigfor us. Great Wolf Lodge also has activities that vary with the timing of your stay. The water park @ Kalahari is HUGE. Many months later (due to COVID) we stayed at Camelbacks Aquatopia. My family has stayed in themed rooms at both resorts. Would have been nice to have them inside as well.The waterpark overall was phenomenal - huge and definitely accommodates young and old. We have been to the Williamsburg Virginia location where there was one but there is not one @ the Poconos location. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Expect to spend money on food, games, etc. The indoor waterpark is open all year with various slides, play areas, a wave pool, and even a four-story interactive treehouse. Its a tough call. * > Please call 1-877-KALAHARI (525-2427) and request booking code O1107. We have patronized several of these places, if not all and the kids highly recommend them! Kalahari is amaizing! It is the smallest of the 3 indoor water parks in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. Magic wands are needed for this game, and there is a fee to activate them for a certain period of time. Both resorts have huge water parks that include a wave pool, lazy river, splash areas and of course water slides. Fortunately we only live about 2 hours away. However, each locations water parks and amenities vary. The place is ENORMOUS and although it's extremely busy and pretty crowded most of the time, there is plenty of seating in the waterpark. Yes there were two night stands on either side of the bed in the master suite. I hope you and your family have a wonderful stay! There are also many more food choices. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Second, certain areas of the waterpark, especially the hot tubs, the wave pool and small kids areas were overcrowded. It doesnt extend to the guest rooms and amenities. Kalahari also has crafts, escape room, mini golf, mini bowling, and arcade. There are currently 4 locations for the chain with the Poconos location being its largest facility. Shooting Range (tourist favorite) is closer to Great Wolf. We are happy to report that there were two night stands with our queen bed! However, having fewer food venue choices and adult amenities limits your stay to a very kid-centric experience. It is especially better for younger kids ones who dont want or need a life jacket! Some of the profit from any sale may merely make it intoourpocket instead of Jeff Bezos'! In November 2020, a competitor to GWL opened in Texas. I'm going to breakdown each part of the resort that we visited and give you the key points:CHECK IN/ROOM - We checked in with Kassi at 12 noon and were happy to hear our room was ready. The splash park area of the water park devoted to smaller children (toddlers Penguin Play Bay) is very weak compared to Kalahari and somewhat awkwardly placed on a second tier of the waterpark close to some steps going down. If you are looking for more of a balance between kid activities and adult luxuries Kalahari has a wider range of offerings that will appeal to both adults and children. https://www.theparenthoodadventures.com/waterpark-comparison-chart-kalahari-aquatopia-great-wolf-lodge/. EXPECT IT and you will have a great time. Great Wolf Lodge has an outdoor ropes course and indoor arcade. The town is also beyond tacky. Kalahari is the biggest of the 3 water parks and has a wider range of offerings that will appeal to both adults & children. Throughout the day those areas were also closed several times for about 15 min at a time for cleaning since the kids were pooping and vomiting in the water. There are quite a few activities to engage in @ Kalahari. LOVED the concept - didn't like the fact that they were not full bars - they only made a few specialty drinks and offered beer and wine. (Remember that Kalahari is actually a desert in southern Africa.) (If we wanted to watch tv, we could go to our room.) You can also see the water park from the windows on this side and from the Cafe & Bar. We love knowing that our attractions were fun for both the children and adults in your family! If your brand of parenting involves stiff drinks, Kalahari is much more liquor focused, with bartenders and full drinks. Have you been to both Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resort? Click here to go to the Aquatopia Poconos Indoor Water Park website. Great Wolf Lodge was nearly as inexpensive during the week as Aquatopia ($249 vs $238), and the cheapest on Saturday night. Great Wolf and Kalahari were about $289--same dates, same room type. A night at either place costs a small fortune, and the food is over-priced and mediocre. Copyright 2023 The Parenthood Adventures! Thank you for reading & for your comment / question! Hi there! It had a large walk-in area that had a sink and kitchenette. Our suite @ Kalahari was HUGE! 111 Things to Do in the Adirondacks & Upstate New York! We stayed from Tuesday through Thursday during July. The water is warm, but not too hot. We stayed from Tuesday through Thursday during July.Let me start by saying that we have visited the Great Wolf Lodge location in Fitchburg, MA on 2 separate occasions and had enjoyable visits each time. However, there seemed to be a noticeable amount of debris at the bottom of the pool which seemed to a combination of plastic and dirt. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The outdoor small kids area with slides was a nice addition to the park however my daughter who is 53" tall was not allowed to go on them. Yes it is HUGE but it is also laid out well and serves as a destination itself within the resort. One of Kalahari's Kiddie Areas Splash Lagoon . The overnight costs for both of these resorts can vary widely throughout the year. The toddler splash park area is very big at Kalahari with a lot of water-table type attractions and activities for the little ones. My daughter walks with a medical device. Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Water Park Toddler Play Kalahari has the most toddler slides by far when comparing the three resorts. The rides for the kids are great, it is an entired water playground for toddlers with amazing water slides! Keep reading our Poconos water park guide & comparison to find out! Most of the activities (at all of the resorts) are priced a la carte. For our Wednesday June 26th, 2019 stay @ Kalahari the cost of our room was $249.99 with taxes & fees amounting to $66.09, bringing the total to $316.08. Two of my kids are begging to go back to Kalahari. If youre looking for other vacation ideas check out our Family Travel Tips for Niagara Falls! This was one of the few exceptions! Advice: you can't come to a place like this and complain about how much things cost. Check there and compare prices with their website to find the lowest prices for your stay. We had no real negatives about Great Wolf but in all honesty, Kalahari Resort surpasses them on almost all levels, but to no fault of Great Wolf. Thanks for your review! Camelbacks Aquatopiaseems to strike a particularly good balance for children in the 10 + age group. I was wondering what your experiences have been with that. Imagine what it takes to run this place?!? Top Educational & Inspirational YouTube Channels for Families 2022, Waterpark Comparison Chart: Kalahari, Aquatopia & Great Wolf Lodge. Im pleased to hear that you enjoyed the various sections of the waterpark. You used the same bathroom photo for both resorts. We ordered a burrito, nachos grande, chicken fingers, fries and onion rings from a predictable and acceptable selection of menu items. The best indoor water park will depend on your family, age of your kids and what you are looking for in a resort experience. During our long walk to the room (the opposite end of the facility), he was VERY professional, engaging and helpful. It was nicely decorated and efficiently arranged. The fact that Aquatopia ALSO has an outdoor water park (Camelbeach) and its night-time illumination make it unique. Thats theming! One is about 13 minutes long and is about Brinley Bears fun day and the other is about 8 minutes long and is about the origin of Great Wolf Lodge. Thank you for your support! Our obstinate 2-year-old was NOT able to enjoy ANY of these activities / attractions, or even the wave pool due to the fact that she refused to wear a life jacket which Kalahari required children under 4 feet in height to wear at all times when in any water. However, it was not a perfect experience in that the air conditioner vented right out onto the one end of the balcony. We had a cabin themed room for this stay (KidCabin Suite) and the kids enjoyed it more than I had expected! Although our room was not yet ready (official check-in is at 4:00), we received our bracelets to use the waterpark downstairs and we were advised that we could store our luggage in an adjacent locked storage area. This was because: 1) We are a family of 6 and eating out is not usually relaxing or enjoyable! The cabin was towards the front of the room and was semi-private for the kids. Not quite as good as the one @ Kalahari but better than you will find at Great Wolf Lodge. As I mentioned above when we go to Kalahari (or Great Wolf Lodge, for that matter)- we are going for some water and swimming fun. We were on the bottom level and we had a small patio walk out area next to the ropes course. Camelbacks Aquatopia had the greatest variation in price for a room being slightly cheaper during the week AND the most expensive on the weekend. Poconos Waterparks: How to Get the Best Deals at Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari & Aquatopia! 2 of themone outside by the immense outdoor pool and one heated one inside. The Poconos location has 401 rooms and each wing of the lodge has 4 floors. Multiple-Room Suites TheParenthoodAdventures.comis owned & operated byChip Williamsonwho is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that enables websites like this to earn advertising fees from Amazon.com. An unpleasant smell hit us as soon as we opened the door, although I couldn't quite place it, at least not until we stepped further into the suite. Berrellis Italian Chophouse wasnt really an option for us as this restaurant is physically located in a different building from where we were staying & where the indoor water park is located. Blessed father of 4 wonderful children & trophy husband to 1 lovely wife. 16 years ago Save I'm pricing a stay for a Christmas gift and Wilderness is about $100 less per night ($165). really? Sopleaseclick on a link or two if you wish tosupport us& and our endeavors here. On a subsequent trip (after COVID) we also visited Camelbacks Aquatopia. The room was very clean and up-to-date. This is probably the one area that Aquatopia beats both Great Wolf Lodge & Kalahari. I know that camelback has a swim up bar at its resort but I have never been to the other two. This happened before on our previous visits but given the number of people this time, they kept closing the areas for cleaning constantly. Billing Issue: I did have a billing issue with Aquatopia / Camelback. We had no real negatives about Great Wolf but in all honesty, Kalahari Resort surpasses them on almost all levels, but to no fault of Great Wolf. We did still struggle with the menu & felt that it was very limited in that we found it difficult to find healthier options for our family.
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