Imagine what it takes to run this place?!? Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. As I indicated above I should not have been charged a fee for parking since we did not leave a vehicle at the resort and were dropped off. Very spacious, a flat screen TV in each room and in main living area with fireplace. Most of the time we were at Aquatopia we ate FROM Trails End Pub & Grille. EXPECT IT and you will have a great time. I found the photos pleasing to look at and relaxing! The Kalahari Resort is well appointed, nicely decorated, and the facilities are well maintained. Choosing which resort to bring your family to can be daunting as both resorts offer very similar attractions and amenities. My son went to the prime rib carving station several times but the chef continued to serve him meat with chunks of fat on it - so he gave up. I love the theming of GWL and my kids are obsessed with Magi Quest, but the adults only things at Kalahari cant be beat! Seriously, this place is awesome! Indoor Water Park & Resort | Grapevine Resort | Great Wolf Lodge The view felt somewhat private and we really enjoyed it! 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. There is a very small / non-standard sized bowling alley, a miniature golf course, an arcade, MagiQuest, etc We have done some of the other activities in the past but only if they were included with our stay or one of the bundled package passes (Paw Pass, Pup Pass and Wolf Pass). The theming is carried throughout multiple aspects of the total experience. 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. Kalahari vs Great wolf lodge - Wisconsin Dells Forum Kalahari vs Great Wolf Lodge is often a topic debated by indoor water park visitors. Most times I find that the pictures or decorations in a motel/hotel really dont add anything to the experience. One of Kalahari's Kiddie Areas We did really like the lazy river at Aquatopia. Hopefully you can keep returning and finding even more ways to have fun with us as the kids grow. It was nicely decorated and efficiently arranged. 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. Yes there were two night stands on either side of the bed in the master suite. There are quite a few activities to engage in @ Kalahari. Kassi was terrific! After learning about the aspects of both of these resort, which one will your family choose? Hi there, I appreciate you taking the time to write a review of your most recent stay. The water park @ Kalahari is HUGE. included with your stay Waterpark Admission Waterpark admission is always free when you stay with us. (Basically a jumpy seat for adults.) The water is warm, but not too hot. CLICK HERE TO VIEW VARIOUS CREDIT CARDS AND AVAILABLE SIGN-UP BONUSES, New Private Luxury Facility Coming to DFW, Virgin Atlantic Makes it Official and More, March Transfer Bonuses: Marriott, Avianca, Virgin Red, Royal Caribbean Quietly Reduces Housekeeping to Once per Day, Hyatt Announces 2023 Hotel Category Changes, Easy: Changing AAdvantage Award flight via Twitter DM. We had no problem finding a table and chairs to rest our towels and use for eating later. Many months later (due to COVID) we stayed at Camelbacks Aquatopia. The room was nice and clean but nothing particularly memorable. Please see our partners for more details. Hello, Erika! The drive was almost exactly 100 miles for us and we arrived a few minutes after 1:00 pm. B-Lux also features 12 lanes of state-of-the-art Brunswick bowling. We stayed @ Great Wolf Lodge on a Tuesday night and then Kalahari on Wednesday night of the same week. Report inappropriate content msmejkal chicago Old Windmill Farm is located at 262 Paradise Lane in Ronks, Pennsylvania. Kalahari vs. Great Wolf : r/Poconos - reddit 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. Kalahariis the biggest of the 3 and has a wider range of offerings that will appeal to both adults & children. Kalahari was the cheapest on Friday evening - but the most expensive during the week & the second most expensive on Saturday evening. This time we were on the third floor and had a balcony. Learn how your comment data is processed. This activity requires participants to roam all over the lodge to find clues and solve a quest. Lock in the lowest price from these sites. Aquatopia made an effort to do some theme-ing with the Kartrite Quest /Adventures but this really only covers the water park and the activities for kids to the left of the lobby. Im not sure when we will make it back there since we have a lot of other travel plans. Both are great options for kids. We had a cabin themed room for this stay (KidCabin Suite) and the kids enjoyed it more than I had expected! You can reach me at PAConnect@KalahariResorts.com. Thats theming! We are happy to report that there were two night stands with our queen bed! Address: 100 Great Wolf Drive Grapevine, TX 76051 Phone: 817-488-6510 Website: greatwolf.com EXPERT TIPS BY: Ilene Jacobs Dallas Local Expert Water Parks: "Day passes can be purchased online or. Its really a question of what the individual family prefers, as far as water park size, features and resort amenities. The room @ Aquatopia that we had was a double queen suite, a pull-out sofa and a balcony. We are a family of 6 with four kids ranging in ages from 5 12 years old. Kalahari is a better choice for families with adolescents and teens, while Great Wolf Lodge is perfect for elementary-age children. 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. However, please be aware that Camelback / Aquatopia charges for general parking I think it is $12 if you are just coming to engage in one of the activities. The entire Kalahari Resort is enormous. All three resorts are really good choices for water park fun with a family. With that being said it does appear that the ropes course and zip lines are something that we may try in the future. Hence our balcony seemed to be under ground and we were looking at a high retaining wall for a view. Robert, It is in the middle in terms of the size of its indoor water park and in number of rooms at the resort. Friendly, accommodating, informative.we were very happy with the initial interaction. Hi there! Which is better for his age? It is always wonderful to receive complements on our dcor as we want our guests to have as authentic an experience as possible. Thank you for your support! Welcome to Great Wolf Lodge! They were methodical and intense, and I just didn't get that feeling with many of the lifeguard staff here. 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. You can also see the water park from the windows on this side and from the Cafe & Bar. Both Great Wolf and Kalahari have very luxurious condos that can accommodate a whole family easily. In November 2020, a competitor to GWL opened in Texas. Poconos Waterpark Comparison Guide: Kalahari versus Aquatopia & Great Wolf Lodge! Great Wolf Lodge Poconos is a staple in the region. However, Great Wolf Lodge has a higher percentage of themed rooms available at a more reasonable price. Since we are usually there for just one night we resign ourselves to it being a pizza for dinner night. We can engage in many of the other activities closer to our home (and probably at less expense). They contain a variety of aquatic activities such as water slides, swimming pools, wave pools, lazy rivers, and splash pads. And the staff was friendly. We did not rent any of the cabanas that were located throughout. Which do you prefer? Advice: you can't come to a place like this and complain about how much things cost. Also, the post was never updated to include information about Aquatopia. This seems to be an archaeology /exploration theme that they incorporate to water park. Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine has one adults-only hot tub. It is disappointing to hear that you did not have as great of an experience this time around compared to your first two. Billing Issue: I did have a billing issue with Aquatopia / Camelback. Our complaints fell on deaf ears, as we needed a certain amount of space for.our family, and the hotel informed us that there was nothing they could do. Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, TX is like Great Wolf Lodge on steroids. Better selection of local foods near Great Wolf. Kalahari Resort vs. Great Wolf Lodge - Miles For Family Both seemed to make a small room work a little better and not feel as small as it actually was. They were definitely present - but not blowing their whistle when it was needed and didn't seem as focused. WEBSTER, Texas Texas is set to add another Great Wolf Lodge location to its ranks. The shop is along Interstate 81, making it a Busy Bodies Play Cafe is an indoor play space for children who are 1 year old through 6 years old. It sounds like you were able to experience nearly every feature our resort has to offer! How does it compare to Great Wolf Lodge? So I guess you just dont need it that much. It was HORRIBLE! Finally, we did have a rather poor experience one morning ordering from the Cafe & Bar (AKA, Mountain Market, World Bazaar Coffee Shop). The Undomestic Goddess: Great Wolf Lodge vs. Gaylord Texan - Blogger The hot tub situation was disappointing. Texas Location | Kalahari Resorts - Welcome to Kalahari | Kalahari Resorts It is the smallest of the 3 indoor water parks in the Poconos, Pennsylvania. Great Wolf Lodgeis the best for younger kids because it has the most charm and does a better job of theme ing with its characters throughout the entire experience (lodging, dining & water park) compared to either Aquatopia or Kalahari. Many of these water parks are resorts, meaning they also comparison guide for all three of these resorts, Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet Carlisle, PA. For exact amenities lists, its best to view the Great Wolf Lodge or Kalahari website of the locations you are comparing. According to the contract, the family resort and water park will feature at least 400,000 square feet of lodging and entertainment space and the indoor water park will be at least 75,000 square feet. We ended loading up the car, checking out (automatically at 11:00), and then using our onsite privileges for a few more hours before going offsite at a nearby restaurant to each lunch and hitting the highway to return home.My biggest concern about the facility itself is that the elevator from the lobby to the lower level waterpark is not easily discoverable or accessible. It is a smaller resort, with plenty of employees who are prepared to work with young children. The balcony/patio was laughable. The farm is back a lane, and Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet is located at 40 Logistics Drive in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On the lower level by the entrance for the water park, there is a pizza place with some tables in the lower lobby area. You might prefer the chart we put together along with our conclusions. Within 45 minutes of our arrival, I received a text message that our room was ready, but no one was ready to take a break.Warning: You cannot bring outside food into the waterpark so if you want something to eat, you have to purchase food inside. 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. However, there were at least 6 employees assisting at the registration desk and the line moved relatively quickly. Kalahari Resort has a huge upcharge for the one type of themed room. We ordered a burrito, nachos grande, chicken fingers, fries and onion rings from a predictable and acceptable selection of menu items. This comparison guide will focus mainly on the Pocono resorts in Pennsylvania, but some of the information can be used to compare other locations of Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge. Another note worth mentioning the bathtubs @ Kalahari are huge! Kalahari vs Great wolf lodge - Wisconsin Dells Forum 10 Best Family Resorts in Texas for 2023 - Great Wolf Lodge Family Fun Kalahari Resort has Tom Foolerys, a gigantic indoor adventure park. EXPECT IT and you will have a great time. Right away we were looking for and expecting a wonderful customer service experience, and Kalahari did not disappoint. We were also advised that we would receive a text message when our room was ready. Snow Tubing in the Poconos | PA Resorts, Info & Conditions Both resorts are well-themed throughout the resort rooms and the water parks. I went back into our pictures and corrected the post with the actual picture of the Great Wolf Lodge bathroom. However, we felt $26 for chicken parm was a little steep. The main dry activity, however, is the MagiQuest interactive wand game. It is also carried through with the water park experience itself with some of the attractions incorporating the characters and /or lodge theme. All three resorts are located very close to each other in the Poconos. Kalahari is absolutely immense! (Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari & Camelbacks Aquatopia) Which is the right waterpark resort experience for your family? Great review, were leaning towards Kalahari but wanted to know about outdoor activities in the winter, could our kids go snow tubing or something related at any of these three resorts? It reminds me of Disneys Wilderness Lodge. The Poconos Great Wolf Lodge location has more kiddie water slides than the Williamsburg location. But be prepared to spend.it comes with the territory! The mountainous / hilly location complimented the overall lodge theme and it was nice to sit out there with the kids as the weather cooled in the evening. There was a microwave and mini-fridge in the room, which came in handy. Both resorts have huge water parks and other indoor activities. Kalahari is newer and more efficiently run. Klahari is themed and decorated as an African resort. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. There were a few things that we liked about the expansion. Located below the main lobby is both the entrance to the water park and the arcade. Kalahari Resort, positioned in Spherical Rock, Texas, is analogous in some ways to Nice Wolf Lodge. The clothing line in the bathroom was broken and the bed covers had an unpleasant smell. There is an indoor rock wall, laser tag, and indoor ropes course, etc. Aquatopia Snowtubing, mountain coaster (4,500 feet steel track coaster), Euro Bungee tethered bungee jump. kalahari waterpark passesmr patel neurosurgeon cardiff 27 februari, 2023 . 11 Best Small Towns to Visit in Central Upstate New York, https://www.theparenthoodadventures.com/waterpark-comparison-chart-kalahari-aquatopia-great-wolf-lodge/. Has a fun magic quest as an additional . However, it was not a perfect experience in that the air conditioner vented right out onto the one end of the balcony. I hope you and your family have a wonderful stay! Expect to spend money on food, games, etc. Life jackets are not required but are available as well as puddle jumpers. Since our last visit to Great Wolf Lodge they have established a relationship with Dunkin Donuts and there is one located on the main floor just off the right of the lobby. It felt more intimate and clean, less crowded and sufficiently staffed. There isnt any story that goes along with any of the characters as far as we were able to discern. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Check with the resort to confirm which activities are offered during the winter. When I called, the charge was removed & the service rep was polite enough but, apparently Aquatopia/Camelback fully expects there to be a parking fee added to every invoice! As the kids went ahead, employee Jeremy helped to take bags upstairs. Round Rock Source: Round the Rock With so much fun and excitement in one place, Kalahari remains a top destination for families throughout Texas. Across from that there is a small decent sized souvenir shop / store and a small dessert kiosk. Thanks for your review! Including a story time, dance time, crafts and more. Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. The Lobby is one of the things I, and everyone in my family, really liked about Kalahari! The resort recently completed a huge expansion that added 130,000 sq feet of conference facilities to the 100,000 sq feet of existing facilities. A report from KSAT sister station KPRC states that the indoor water park will break ground in 2022 in the city of Webster, just south of Houston. Clean, safe & staff so friendly! Just about everything seemed to be swimming in butter or oil, including the overcooked/overheated vegetables. Finding fun places to take your kids in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney. From our experience after visiting Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari & Camelbacks Aquatopia indoor water parks in the Poconos we felt that: Check out our comprehensive comparison chart of these three indoor water park resorts here: Waterpark Comparison Chart: Kalahari, Aquatopia & Great Wolf Lodge. bellyrubbah1 2 yr. ago Cool. Ax throwing, ropes course, zip line, off-road Segway tours through the forest & switchback UTV tour. Yes it is HUGE but it is also laid out well and serves as a destination itself within the resort. Here's Where You Should Eat Hot Dogs in Philadelphia Kalahari did a remodel on their indoor kid area about a year ago. The first thing that struck me the most was how dirty and unsanitary the waterpark was compared to before. Most of the activities (at all of the resorts) are priced a la carte. We went for the Italian the second night and the food was again wonderful. Both resorts also have bunk bed suites with small alcoves just for the kids. At times Kalahari actually felt a littletoo bigfor us. There was one dedicated dessert/pastry kiosk located off the main lobby nestled in there with the souvenir shop. It was voted the #1 indoor water park in 2015 by USA Today. Great Wolf Lodge boasts tons of activities sure to put a smile on your children's faces. Thanks to Amanda at the front desk for helping facilitate this! 2) With COVID still hanging around and the holidays right around the corner it seemed to be prudent. Sitemap, Revealed: The US Airports & Airlines With The Most Frequent Flight Delays, The Ultimate Guide to Kalahari Resort Locations in the US, The Ultimate Guide to Six Flags Locations in the US, Palm Springs Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting With Kids, Seattle Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Las Vegas Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Florida Keys Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, Myrtle Beach Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids, The Bahamas Family Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting with Kids. During our long walk to the room (the opposite end of the facility), he was VERY professional, engaging and helpful. We simply love everything about it! That said, I wouldnt pay triple the price for Kalahari. 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. (Activities vary by location). Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine is a great way to go for a weekend getaway. Wisconsin Dells, WI https://www.greatwolf.com/wisconsin-dells 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. A microwave and refrigerator are also included. Great Wolf Lodge has an outdoor ropes course and indoor arcade. Expect to spend money on food, games, etc. Unfortunately, the kids loaded up on an assortment of dessert and we went back to the room to change back into our swimwear for a last hurrah in the water.Off the lobby there are also a sweets shop, bakery, and ice cream shop, with what appears to be a nice selection of goodies.The next morning, the kids wanted to get in a few hours at the waterpark before our 11:00 checkout. So we decided to check it out and see how things had changed. I also added a note how COVID-19 has delayed our plans to stay @ Aquatopia. Whereas, the roofline @ Great Wolf Lodge is blocky. If there are any older children in your party, around 10 years and older, then they may not appreciate the kiddie theming that runs through Great Wolf Lodge. We may also participate in other affiliate programs from time-to-time and be compensated for referring traffic & business to these companies. It features the Howlin' Tornado raft ride, Coyote Cannon water tubes (with a 40-foot drop), and a tree house fort that has a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hey, thanks for the great reviews! more. Kalahari and Wilderness are kind of overwhelming. If you want averykid-centricexperience from top to bottom we would recommendGreat Wolf Lodge. The cabin was towards the front of the room and was semi-private for the kids. Camelbacks Aquatopia resort opened their indoor water park in May of 2015. One of Melani and my pet peeves with regards to hotel accommodations is when there is only one night stand for a queen bed. We are still having a debate on what it actually was. There was also only one sink in the room (as well as only one bathroom which had only a standard sized tub). Inspired parents sharing the joys & adventures of the parenthood journey! Enjoy your family vacation at one of the great indoor water park resort choices in your area! The Poconos location has 401 rooms and each wing of the lodge has 4 floors. Adventure Update # 018: My Tricycle is Very Very Fast! When you leave make sure to return the towels and swipe the wrist band again or you will be charged for the towels. Great Wolf Lodge has an especially fun indoor water park and the "under one roof" makes the stay warm and easy. Your goal is our goal. Great Wolf Lodge vs Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Indeed It's located in the Rockvale Outlets Fox Meadows Creamery has two locations, one in Ephrata, Pennsylvania and one in Leola, Pennsylvania. Kalahari Resort has an entire grotto (both indoor and outdoor) for adults with a swim-up bar. Management thanks you for your suggestions and for noting how well-trained our associates are! I' m not concerned about price, can get a deal. Some of the profit from any sale may merely make it intoourpocket instead of Jeff Bezos'! 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. Swim Up BARS - An absolutely genius idea! Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Water Park Toddler Play. Kids under the age of 6 were coming in and out with no parental supervision. Also, Outdoor pool and some small outdoor water slides (all seasonal). Just a small thing that can be easily rectified. Socks are required in order to bowl. Still it was a frustrating experience that cast a pallor over our time and experience there. The 12 Best Indoor Water Park Resorts in the U.S. for 2021 The splash park or toddler area of the water park was rather small. The hostesses and the servers were professional and pleasant. Family Fun at its best. My six year olds love the slides, and they are allowed to ride on everything at Great Wolf, but my teens get bored very quickly. Looking up to the roofline Aquatopia does feel more open and expansive since it is more of a sweeping semi-circle in shape. The larger of the two play areas also includes a splash table for babies. Recently, my family visited Kalahari Resort for the first time. Get those lifeguards a little more focused and offer more options at the bars! Can I ask how the service levels compared at the two as well as the food? Kalahari still boasts plenty of kiddie water slides, but it also has more thrilling slides for older children. It smelled like an overcrowded SPCA. Kalahari and Chula Vista - now that the "Flyin Mayan" ride is back - are also. Aquatopia offers a great selection of activities for tweens & younger teens, both inside & outside! If you would like to read a little more about our trip down to the Poconos you can do so here: Adventure Update # 018: My Tricycle is Very Very Fast! We LOVED IT!More. The Biggest Indoor Waterparks in the World - TripSavvy There are a number of other activities available at the lodge. Use Great Wolf Lodge for what it is really good at and skip the rest! I felt the prices were reasonable for this type of American Pub food. Kalahari Resort, located in Round Rock, Texas, is similar in many ways to Great Wolf Lodge. This old-school hot dog shack across from Penn Treaty Park mostly caters to truckers, hence its early-morning hours. Great Wolf Lodge has more traditional tube, body slides, and a bowl slide. (Remember that Kalahari is actually a desert in southern Africa.) This 80,000-square-foot facility is perfect for families, although the water park portion is only open to hotel guests. https://www.theparenthoodadventures.com/waterpark-comparison-chart-kalahari-aquatopia-great-wolf-lodge/ Yes My oldest daughter and wife voted for Kalahari. 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. 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. Burger and fries for $12, other sandwiches $12-$15.not excessive. It is the best themed lazy river out of the three water parks in the Poconos! really? They did a fabulous job with the design of this place. How does the resort compare to Great Wolf Lodge? The room was not only spacious, but didn't reek like cat urine. 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. It is hard to believe that Aquatopia/Camelback would actually be charging extra for the balcony /patios at this level! Each play area includes slides and swings. You enter Kalahari through a massive glass revolving carousel door and there is plenty of room for people to get where they are going whether it is to check-in, get food, get to the water park or any other number of destinations. Which is better, Kalahari or Great Wolf Lodge? - Quora The floors were full of paper, tissues, dirty towels, used dippers, used shampoo packets etc and there was no attendant in sight. Not quite as good as the one @ Kalahari but better than you will find at Great Wolf Lodge. It is a wonderful family vacation spot that offers a lot of adventure & nature! Been at least six years ago. 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. Comparison between Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge water park Kids jumping in and out, the areas are not guarded by staffsame problem as Great Wolf. GWL has excellent sales. 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. Both waterparks are easily accessible from the lobby, and the dining and shops are also centered around there. The room was clean and a good size and the 4 of us had enough room to spread out, with one person taking the full-size, pullout sofa bed. The total cost for the night would have been $415.10. My sister, who was also staying at this resort had the African Queen suite and there was PLENTY of room for all of us if they would have moved us. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews.