Midwest Destination:America's Premier Waterpark Resort
Are the stresses and pressures of everyday life taking their toll? Need a quick get-a-way because you can't stay away for more than a day or two? So, where do you go?
Sure the tourist season is over! But, that's the beauty of it. Less crowds. Less traffic. Less waiting in lines. Yes, some of the area amusements and restaurants are closed until next Memorial Day but if you're not into crowds and outdoor thrill rides, you'll still have a great time. And very relaxing [or exciting], whichever you choose.
Another advantage of going when the season is over is the cost of lodging is considerably less than the summer rate. And who doesn't like to save a few dollars?
Our visit was at Wilderness Waterpark Resort. It is located off exit 92 at Wisconsin Dells. In deciding which hotel to visit the following was considered - the number and size of the pools and attractions, the room and amenities, and whether the waterpark was available only to hotel guests. Also, at Wilderness Resort, even though checkin time is 4PM, you can enjoy the waterpark at 1:30PM before your room is ready and you have access to the waterparks the next day even though checkout time is at 11AM. Wilderness Resort scored well on all our requirements and exceeded our expectations.
Picture four adults, 3 sisters in their twenties, their mother, along with four little girls, ages 4, 3, 18 months and 1 year all in one room. The room had 2 queen-sized beds and a sofa bed. We added two cribs at no charge.
Then we searched for another waterpark and found the Klondike Kavern Waterpark with its "lazy river" which was one of my favorites. We used the double tubes which had a seat in one side for the little ones. It worked perfect and we raced and relaxed on the river. The Gold Mine Mountain which the lazy river winds around, is full of water dripping and spouting as well as slides.
The restaurants in Wisconsin Dells are unique and varied. We chose to buy food for the smaller meals and go out for dinner at Damons. Their atmosphere and quality are excellent. Their prices are higher than we'd like to pay on a tight budget. Since the little ones don't even eat a meal, we just decided that each of us would share our meal with them. Still our meal came to $85.
Back to the hotel room with just a wee bit tired children in tow, so we enjoyed a brief rest before heading out to Dodge 'Em City and Timberland Playhouse for some dry fun.
The night time routine was difficult at best. With four little ones who all have alightly different schedules, there was a degree of chaos. We may have to consider getting two rooms next time we take a trip together.
We were up and ready the next morning to enjoy the waterparks all over again. In the third area, the Wild West Waterpark, there is a wave pool, hot tub which also goes outside, a kiddie pool, an interactive climbing area called Ransack Ridge. Fantastic Voyage is their family raft ride. Some were for the more adventurous and definitely not for the littlest ones or those faint of heart. Jolene was the most adventurous and would try any of them. If fact, she did. If there was anything she missed, it was only that she wasn't aware of it.
The only complaint I had for our entire stay was the snack bar near the Wild West Waterpark was too expensive and when we visited the food was dried out. By expensive, I mean, yogurt which is 55 cents at the grocery store was $2.25 at the snack bar. A reasonable profit is okay but that is a bit much.
It was hard to leave but necessary to get back to family and work. But as we leave, we promise ourselves to take more mini-vacations where we can enjoy each other's company and experience new adventures.
Wisconsin Dells is located in the center of Wisconsin about 95 miles north of the Illinois / Wisconsin border.
Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort 1-800-867-WILD or
Have fun in your own backyard!
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How about one of the Waterpark Resorts at Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin?
We were eager after the two hour drive to get to the hotel and stretch our legs. Everyone wanted to go swimming. We unloaded our gear and did a quick wardrobe change. Then the eight of us went in search of the waterpark in the resort. We located Baby Bear's Fort Wilderness - a small toddler pool with another larger pool and hot tub nearby.
