All three resorts are located very close to each other in the Poconos. It is disappointing to hear that you did not have as great of an experience this time around compared to your first two. In addition to the arcade, there are six amusement park rides, including the Screamn Centipede roller coaster with 360-degree rotating cart. Finding fun places to take your kids in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia. Thanks to Amanda at the front desk for helping facilitate this! Yes, there were some healthy options just not a very good variety. It doesnt extend to the guest rooms and amenities. Mary Claire Patton has been a journalist with KSAT 12 since 2015. I actually made the kids wear earplugs (as did I) to go to this! Generally we are there for some water park fun and that is what Great Wolf Lodge does best so that is where we spend the majority of our time. I will say we were on the 7th floor..and it was perfectly quiet. 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. From the accommodation standpoint it was a much more memorable stay! It is especially better for younger kids ones who dont want or need a life jacket! Lately we have been hitting the snack bar (Pizza Pub) down in the arcade for the burritos and then the store (Marrakesh Market) right at the edge of the lobby for some of the soups. Kassi was terrific! The Great Wolf Lodge resort in the Poconos was constructed in 2005 - and is one of roughly 19 locations for the chain. Camelback is unique in that it has both an INDOOR water park (Aquatopia, which is open year-round) and a separate OUTDOOR water park (Camelbeach) that is only open for the summer season. We ended up eating most of the fries and onions rings, while discarding the rest. If you're not up and about a 4:30 a.m., though, you can still get a. Nothing? Texas Location | Kalahari Resorts - Welcome to Kalahari | Kalahari Resorts The hostesses and the servers were professional and pleasant. We liked the water park @ Great Wolf Lodge! We were on the bottom level and we had a small patio walk out area next to the ropes course. 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. Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, TX is like Great Wolf Lodge on steroids. But, my kids are little fish who love swimming, and they cant get enough of this type of resort. 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. Ronks is southeast of Lancaster. Thank you for your support! Right away we were looking for and expecting a wonderful customer service experience, and Kalahari did not disappoint. 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. Another note worth mentioning the bathtubs @ Kalahari are huge! You might prefer the chart we put together along with our conclusions. The Ultimate Guide to Great Wolf Lodge Locations in the US Hello! Virtual reality, tons of games, golf, bowling - this place though of everything. (Basically a jumpy seat for adults.) Both resorts also have onsite dining that continues the decor. Hence our balcony seemed to be under ground and we were looking at a high retaining wall for a view. 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. We are a family of 6 with four kids ranging in ages from 5 12 years old. Thank you, again. Imagine what it takes to run this place?!? It was voted the #1 indoor water park in 2015 by USA Today. 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. The water park @ Aquatopia was nice. Activities could include yoga, character appearances, crafts, a nightly Forest Friends show, story time, and a dance party. 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. When he pulled down the Murphy's bed, dirty nastiness came down with it. If you have visited all three waterparks in the Poconos please let us know which one YOU liked best! CEO approval 75 % approve of John Murphy (Murph)'s performance 74 % approve of Todd Nelson's performance Salary satisfaction 49 % think they are paid fairly at Great Wolf Lodge 40 % This was our 3rd visit to Kalahari, the 2 previous times we stayed was before March 2017 when the resort was only half way completed. 6 Best Texas . And with new locations in Arizona and Illinois, Great Wolf Lodges are becoming easier to reach wherever . 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. Kalahari I feel would be better for the adults to have fun as well. We liked the artwork in the room. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. Poconos Waterpark Comparison Guide: Kalahari versus Aquatopia & Great Wolf Lodge! I found the photos pleasing to look at and relaxing! Kalahari features a number of signature sit-down restaurants (Sortinos Italian Kitchen (Italian food), B-Lux Grill & Bar (Burgers & Shakes), Double Cut (Steakhouse). We have been to the Williamsburg Virginia location where there was one but there is not one @ the Poconos location. She has reported on several high-profile stories during her career at KSAT and specializes in trending news and things to do around Texas and San Antonio. For our 6 and 8 year olds who have never been to an indoor waterpark, were doing GWL first and will get to the others later. Speaking of the wave pool we did find the buzzer alert to notify guests of the beginning of a wave cycle to be very harsh and not conducive to the relaxing atmosphere that should be associated with a wave pool. For just one four-year-old, I think Great Wolf is probably a better choice. Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine, Grapevine - Updated 2023 Prices - Booking.com 6 Best Poconos Resorts for Families | Family Vacation Critic LOCATION: Within the 1st floor level of Tom Foolerys Adventure Park inside B-Lux Grill & Bar. 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. The clothing line in the bathroom was broken and the bed covers had an unpleasant smell. We ordered a pizza and had it delivered to the room from the in-house Pizza Pubit was quite good and we felt reasonably priced! They were methodical and intense, and I just didn't get that feeling with many of the lifeguard staff here. Kalahari and Chula Vista - now that the "Flyin Mayan" ride is back - are also. 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. kalahari waterpark passes - tidningen.svenskkirurgi.se 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. For the price I would expect better service. You can reach me at PAConnect@KalahariResorts.com. Great Wolf Lodges water park continues their wildlife theme. 6 Best Texas Indoor Water Parks - VacationIdea It had its own TV and was adorned with a lot of cute character images. The building must be completed within three years. The 3 "kids" (ages 12-20) and I were impressed with the front of the resort. Finally, we did have a rather poor experience one morning ordering from the Cafe & Bar (AKA, Mountain Market, World Bazaar Coffee Shop). The toddler splash park area is very big at Kalahari with a lot of water-table type attractions and activities for the little ones. To alert those in the wave pool of the wave rotation starting it has a wolf howl. GWL isnt fast either, but 2+ hours to pay triple the price wouldnt work either. Looking up to the roofline Aquatopia does feel more open and expansive since it is more of a sweeping semi-circle in shape. The room was spotless. My family has enjoyed a handful of stays at the water park hotel Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas (and one visit to the GWL in Southern California). The kids really enjoyed the cabin themed suite which was adorned with a lot of cute character images. He was open to questions about the place and even offered a few suggestions. After learning about the aspects of both of these resort, which one will your family choose? There is an indoor rock wall, laser tag, and indoor ropes course, etc. Here's our overall review.Right away we were looking for and expecting a wonderful customer service experience, and Kalahari did not disappoint. 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. 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. Great Wolf Lodges water park is 80,000 square feet, but Kalaharis is over 220,000 square feet. Imagine what it takes to run this place?!? Copyright 2023 The Parenthood Adventures! Yes it is HUGE but it is also laid out well and serves as a destination itself within the resort. Kalahari vs Great wolf lodge - Wisconsin Dells Forum We liked the luggage rack near the door and the shelf over the microwave. Keep reading our Poconos water park guide & comparison to find out! Great Wolf Lodge was nearly as inexpensive during the week as Aquatopia ($249 vs $238), and the cheapest on Saturday night. Why do the adults with hearing damage always make the decisions with regards to volume level! Hopefully you can keep returning and finding even more ways to have fun with us as the kids grow. The Biggest Indoor Waterparks in the World - TripSavvy Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Recently, my family visited Kalahari Resort for the first time. There was one dedicated dessert/pastry kiosk located off the main lobby nestled in there with the souvenir shop. They did a fabulous job with the design of this place. Staff always pleasant and friendly!FOOD - There is food available in the waterpark in addition to a steakhouse and Italian restaurant. I love Great Wolf Lodge, but the water park is a little more for younger kids, while Kalahari is more for the older kids. Both are great options for kids. Just a small thing that can be easily rectified. Kalahari Resort has an African safari theme. Adventure Update # 018: My Tricycle is Very Very Fast! Kalahari Resort, located in Round Rock, Texas, is similar in many ways to Great Wolf Lodge. Would have been nice to have them inside as well.The waterpark overall was phenomenal - huge and definitely accommodates young and old. There would have been another $25 for parking but we were able to avoid this since we had relatives staying just a few miles away. At that point, it was unmistakably the smell of cat urine. For part of our stay both lazy river attractions were open and there were other times when only one was open. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your recent visit. Both resorts have themed rooms that accommodate a wide-range of family sizes from two queen rooms to much, much bigger. The wave pool alternates between wave / no wave cycles. Thank you to management for a well-trained staff and an enjoyable time! Snow tubing in PA requires no special skills or equipment and is appropriate for almost everyone. I also added a note how COVID-19 has delayed our plans to stay @ Aquatopia. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. 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). My husband was brave enough to continue exploring as I sat out on the ground level patio. This post will focus on the Leola New York City and upstate New York are close to many amazing indoor water parks. We did the empirical research so you dont have to! 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. (We missed the burritos & soups from Kalahari!). Here's our overall review.. Offers more free activities in the main lobby. Life jackets are not required but are available as well as puddle jumpers. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Swim Up BARS - An absolutely genius idea! They also enjoyed the Wiley & Friends video stories that you can find on one of the dedicated TV channels. Kalahari vs. Great Wolf - WE HAVE A WINNER!! - Tripadvisor Thankfully, we didnt have a 2+ hour line to check-in. So the water park is what we usually focus on. We did really like the lazy river at Aquatopia. It is also something that Kalahari does well . Still it was a frustrating experience that cast a pallor over our time and experience there. Winner: Kalahari Resort (especially for older kids and teens). 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. My husband and I especially like the adults-only area at Kalahari, and we dont miss the late-night stomping of kids in the hallways playing MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge (if you know, you know). There are quite a few activities to engage in @ Kalahari. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Great Wolf Resorts told KPRC in a statement, Were always looking for opportunities to introduce the Great Wolf Lodge resort experience to new audiences, and we are excited about the prospect of bringing one of our family-friendly indoor water park resorts to southeastern Texas.. And the staff was friendly. This is probably a reflection of the fact that Kalahari is really a convention center first & foremost and the water park is just one of the many amenities they offer albeit a big one! The suite had an interesting layout, but who could enjoy it when you were struggling not to vomit. (Activities vary by location). Kalaharis waterpark is the largest at 220,000 square feet & Camelbacks Aquatopia indoor waterpark is right in the middle at 125,000 square feet. This activity requires participants to roam all over the lodge to find clues and solve a quest. So these mini-vacations are a perfect and necessary thing for our family. (Remember that Kalahari is actually a desert in southern Africa.) Inspired parents sharing the joys & adventures of the parenthood journey! The splash park or toddler area of the water park was rather small. Just bundle up and head for the hillsdon't forget your gloves and boots! There are 2 lazy river type rides, the wave pool is immense, there are 2 hot tubs that are partly inside the building AND partly outside of the building with a narrow channel to traverse back and forth. Contemporary and tasteful.we give that an A+!Overall, we can't wait to return to Kalahari! Aquatopia at Camelback Lodge in Pennsylvania is 125,000 square feet. Let's talk about the Royal Hospitality Suite at Kalahari Pocono. All three resorts are really good choices for water park fun with a family. For size reference, Great Wolf Lodges water park is the smallest at about 79,000 square feet. Kalahari vs. Great Wolf : r/Poconos - reddit Kalahari Resort has Tom Foolerys, a gigantic indoor adventure park. Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine has one adults-only hot tub. Some of the profit from any sale may merely make it intoourpocket instead of Jeff Bezos'! The best Wisconsin Dells waterpark for you and your crew - OnMilwaukee We are happy to report that there were two night stands with our queen bed! We usually ordered and brought the food to our room. [2] In addition to a water park, each resort features restaurants, arcades, spas, and children's activities. B-Lux Bowling | Texas | Kalahari Resorts Kalahari vs Great Wolf Lodge is often a topic debated by indoor water park visitors. At the towel dispensary you simply swipe your wrist band and the attendant will hand you the number of towels you request. Come splash around! That makes it easy for families traveling with toddlers (and their little legs!). Kalahari was the cheapest on Friday evening - but the most expensive during the week & the second most expensive on Saturday evening. Chip Williamson All Rights Reserved. "The advent of Great Wolf Lodge represents one of the most monumental accomplishments in the City's history," Webster city officials said. Round Rock Source: Round the Rock With so much fun and excitement in one place, Kalahari remains a top destination for families throughout Texas. Church work is not for the faint of heart, and by the end of the summer church has just flat taken its toll on all of us. The fact that Aquatopia ALSO has an outdoor water park (Camelbeach) and its night-time illumination make it unique. really? Kalahari Resort, positioned in Spherical Rock, Texas, is analogous in some ways to Nice Wolf Lodge. The front desk staff was extremely professional, friendly and helpful. Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Water Park Toddler Play. We really liked the 2 water falls that were present on the lazy river. Waterpark admission included with your stay! Great Wolf Lodge has 18 locations, all of which offer indoor water parks with multi-story forts, 1,000-gallon soaker buckets, wave pools, lazy rivers, waterslides of varying heights and speeds, raft rides, whirlpools, kiddie pools and more. In particular, it felt narrow. Kalahari Resort's water park has more of everything and also includes a Flowrider, which is popular with older kids and teens. On a subsequent trip (after COVID) we also visited Camelbacks Aquatopia. Kalahari vs Great wolf lodge - Wisconsin Dells Forum Great Wolf Lodge has a woodland creature and forest theme, while Kalahari has an African theme. But we generally dont patronize too many sit down restaurants with 4 kids with ages ranging from 2-10. Im guessing the youngest of your children voted for GWL? We changed in the bathroom/changing areas, located a storage locker (for a fee), and found a table. It is the best themed lazy river out of the three water parks in the Poconos! We recently took a little trip to the Poconos and stayed one night @ Great Wolf Lodge immediately followed by a one-night stay @ Kalahari. The closet was pretty small, and the bathroom was almost as small (with the sink located next to the fridge); however, those were relatively minor inconveniences.We went to Great Karoo Buffet around 5-5:30 and was relieved to see that it wasn't that crowded. Report inappropriate content msmejkal chicago Kalahari seems to have a bit more of a selection when it comes to very large rooms. Clean, safe & staff so friendly! Seriously, this place is awesome! As I mentioned earlier with 4 kids ranging in age from 2 10 we are not very often dining in @ a restaurant. Poconos Waterparks: How to Get the Best Deals at Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari & Aquatopia! Another Wisconsin Dells question - Great Wolf vs. Kalahari vs Fortunately we only live about 2 hours away. Were going in January. The kids had a blast, and I think with some minor changes, this place will exceed 5 stars. Thank you! On the lower level by the entrance for the water park, there is a pizza place with some tables in the lower lobby area. 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! 11 Best Small Towns to Visit in Central Upstate New York, https://www.theparenthoodadventures.com/waterpark-comparison-chart-kalahari-aquatopia-great-wolf-lodge/. It is a wonderful family vacation spot that offers a lot of adventure & nature! The food was not good at all. 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. Water park access was included. Kalahariis the biggest of the 3 and has a wider range of offerings that will appeal to both adults & children. We have been to both resorts in the past but thought it would be fun to do a back-to-back comparison. Kalahari is a better choice for families with adolescents and teens, while Great Wolf Lodge is perfect for elementary-age children. 2) With COVID still hanging around and the holidays right around the corner it seemed to be prudent. In November 2020, a competitor to GWL opened in Texas. I can't honestly say that anything bit me in the room, we may have been bitten while we were sleeping, or in all the time we were forced to spend on the patio because of the smell.The resort was fine, but I'd avoid this "upgraded suite". We stayed from Tuesday through Thursday during July. Offer a family slide option which is super fun to go on as a whole family. There is also a cafe (Cafe & Bar) and a restaurant (Horizons) located right off the main lobby. My daughter walks with a medical device. We feature kid-friendly activities, a range of dining options, interactive games, an adult-friendly wine down service, and more all under one roof. The Lobby is one of the things I, and everyone in my family, really liked about Kalahari! Advice: you can't come to a place like this and complain about how much things cost. But, if or when we do return, I look forward to spending more time in that adults-only grotto. 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. The cabin was towards the front of the room and was semi-private for the kids. In my mind, Kalahari works best if you have a family with kids of different ages so each can be active. My household has loved a handful of stays on the water park lodge Nice Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas (and one go to to the GWL in Southern California). Camelback Lodge vs. Great Wolf Lodge: Which Poconos Indoor Water Park Please email me directly at PAConnect@kalahariresorts.com. In November 2020, a competitor to GWL opened in Texas. There were a total of 3 TVs one in the Family Room where the pull out bed / couch was, one in the master suite and one in the second bedroom with the two queen sized beds. I actually have a hard time believing that the square footage of the park is larger than the water park @ Great Wolf Lodge. One of the other simple theming aspects we enjoyed were the 2 Great Wolf Lodge video book stories playing on the resort TV channel. The water facilities were great and there was a nice assortment of water slides. CamelBack (Aquatopia) has 453 rooms and there are 6 floors (above ground) to the lodge. The view felt somewhat private and we really enjoyed it! 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. Blessed father of 4 wonderful children & trophy husband to 1 lovely wife. Adventure Update # 020: 10 Years and 1/2 an Inch! Right away we were looking for and expecting a wonderful customer service experience, and Kalahari did not disappoint. Both are reasonable attempts at having a meal on the healthier side. Location: 3001 Kalahari Blvd. Kalahari has the most toddler slides by far when comparing the three resorts. The short of it about the same as Great Wolf Lodge and FAR less than Kalahari! 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. After the meal there are plenty of places like the pastry shop, coffee shop or ice cream shop that have many enticing desserts for the children. No outside food or drink allowed. Kalahari and Wilderness are kind of overwhelming. 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. The KSAT 12 News Team provides a look at local, regional, statewide and national news events and the latest information on local traffic and weather issues. 2 of themone outside by the immense outdoor pool and one heated one inside. There are currently 4 locations for the chain with the Poconos location being its largest facility. Advice: you can't come to a place like this and complain about how much things cost. In the center right past the check-in area there is a large animatronic display where the nightly bedtime story (The Forest Friends Show) takes place. This 80,000-square-foot facility is perfect for families, although the water park portion is only open to hotel guests. We certainly do have a lot of different ways to entertain and excite the kids! We stayed from Tuesday through Thursday during July. The resort's mammoth 80,000-square-foot indoor waterpark has nine waterslides, six pools, and a four-story treehouse waterfort and utilizes nearly 380,000 gallons of water.Beyond the massive indoor waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge offers families daily activities and amenities on the dry side. I felt the prices were reasonable for this type of American Pub food. For the size of the main lobby, it is the same order with Great Wolf Lodges lobby being the smallest, Kalaharis main lobby being the largest and Aquatopias lobby size somewhere in the middle. Tom Foolerys also has a mirror maze, escape rooms, indoor ropes course, laser tag, rock climbing wall, XD dark ride and bowling. See our Advertiser Disclosure and Editorial Notehere. When you leave make sure to return the towels and swipe the wrist band again or you will be charged for the towels. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Ask erikas213 about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos, Ask PinkHibiscus32 about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos, Ask lljPa about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos, Royal hospitality suite not royal not hospitable, Ask kelismom14 about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos, Ask mcapellan78 about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos, Ask Pamela C about Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Poconos. A night at either place costs a small fortune, and the food is over-priced and mediocre. We recently made a trip to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to visit a water park resort but didnt know which resort we should go to so we went to all 3 of them! We also liked the master light switch in the room that made it very easy to turn off every light in the suite with one switch. This is an interactive game that has players moving throughout the Lodge on quests. Kalahari has one indoor and one outdoor area - both are huge (Kalahari's is one of the largest indoors in the US). Klahari is themed and decorated as an African resort. THERE ISNOADDITIONAL COST TO YOU if you buy something from Amazon! 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. Our suite was located on the same level as the entrance to the water park which was below the main level. We like archaeology and the lost river archaeology theme was interesting and well done. Great Wolf Lodge also has activities that vary with the timing of your stay. The theming is carried throughout multiple aspects of the total experience. How does the resort compare to Great Wolf Lodge? The only other complaint I have is that we came home with a number of bites. Great Wolf Lodge vs. Kalahari vs. CamelBack's Aquatopia! THE POCONOS