Located on the edge of town, this resort is a five-minute drive from its closest competitor, Great Wolf Lodge (the smaller Northwoods-themed resort). This fast-growing African-themed complex will boast the largest water park in the Midwest when it expands its offerings in December 2007. It is currently operating with 80,000 sq ft of watery fun, but by Christmas 2007 it will add an additional 95,000 sq ft, more than doubling its size. Also included in this extravagant two-year-old fun palace is an indoor miniature golf course, a full-service spa, conference facilities, well-kept guest rooms, and a new tower of one- and two-bedroom condominiums that will soon be accommodating Neptunian families.
Surrounding the expansive outdoor water park,
this lively resort is comprised of a jumble of multi-story, multi-color buildings bordered by imaginative water features, lakes, ponds, waterfalls and fountains. Guests unload their bags under a wide porte cochere that is jammed with cars and screaming children at peak hours. Once inside, the mood calms down a bit, and the resort's African theme blossoms with full-scale replicas of fierce African fauna caught in action poses. Interesting geometric shapes, bold ethnic patterns and faux zebra, cheetah and leopard print fabrics add a fun air to the rambling public areas, which include three restaurants and a variety of food outlets. Mom and dad can grab a brew at the beer hut done up in rustic fashion and fitted with seating large enough to comfortably seat one large gorilla.
Dozens of slides, pools and water features are connected in often thrilling combinations that create the indoor and outdoor water parks. Active parents can also access the gym. Meeting facilities can accommodate up to 300 people, and limited business facilties are on hand. Parking is free.
Wide, brightly lighted hallways lead to the colorfully appointed accommodations, which hold plenty of whimsy in their boldly patterned fabrics, exotic wood furnishings and contemporary accents and lighting fixtures. Standard rooms are average in size, but everything is in place, including TVs, minibars, microwave ovens, phones with data ports and voice mail, Internet access for a fee, and bouncy king or paired double beds. Baths come with colorful accents, marble, good lighting and hair dryers. The one- to three-bedroom condominiums are fully equipped, with TVs in each bedroom, king beds in the master bedrooms, and most are equipped with gas fireplaces. Long walks between guest quarters and public areas are common, but there is plenty of interesting Africana to distract parents and children along the way.
Service is spotty but acceptable, though rates are comparatively high for what one gets. Still, for midwestern families, this place is closer to home than Orlando or Anaheim, and for that reason Kalahari is a big success.