Wisconsin Dells ?

[lofsfire]

Think of taking the family to Wisconsin Dells for a few days and suggestion on what to do or where to stay etc. Wife's has to have a hotel no camp grounds (She pregnant). Cabin could work, one of my friend might bring his family also.

[jeepbob47]

stay at the kalahari

[jakester]

Check out Devil's Lake state park by Baraboo.It's really nice.

[1blue99srx600]

Wilderness is very nice too. They have cabins, condos etc.

[ilindy]

Depends on what you want to do there. We've stayed at the Wilderness in the cabin with a sizeable group - it was great but not cheap. It wasn't too bad once we split it between two families though. With all the waterparks they have, you don't need to go other places if that is what you are looking for.

The last time we went to the Dells, we stayed at the Grand Marquis. That came with tickets for the whole family to Mt. Olympus (waterpark, roller coasters, go carts). We spent 3 days there and the kids loved it. The hotel was very basic (pretty basic pool and splash area which the kids still enjoyed) but the price was such that we pretty much lodged for free with the park tickets.

Be sure to check out the Dells website as you might find some deals that will work for you. Good luck and have fun!

[swanee]

We always stay at the Great Wolf Lodge. Great bar outside. Kids can run around inside and out. Plenty of things to exhaust them and make them sleep good. Use the local number to call to get reservations (608) 253-2222, they will always give me a better rate if I tell them I prefer to make reservations directly with the property. Don't spend extra on the upgrades, upon checkin ask if they have any upgrades and if they do they will upgrade you. It has worked for me everytime, I've probably stayed there 20 times over the last 10 years. Also the beer is good and cold on tap upstairs in the Restaurant. Don't waste your money on the buffett in the morning. Go the the gas station (Sinclair) across the parking lot and pick up a box of individual cereals and some milk and grab a few bowls- breakfast for the whole family for $8.

Have also stayed at Wilderness and enjoyed, although didn't care for some of the waterparks located in different areas of the building.

Never stayed at Kalahari, their price has always been too high for me.

[cat_man_mike]

www.amazingvacationrental.com (http://www.amazingvacationrental.com) It is my brother in law's cabin in the springbrook subdivision. They have a clubhouse with a resturaunt, bar, video game room, indoor pool, outdoor pool with a snack bar, and a golf course. I am not sure of the rates or avalibility, but it is very nice. We have stayed there a couple of times.

[catcrazy]

Have heard good things about the Chula Vista also a new water park there this year.

[lookin4snow]

Take a trip up to the Edge of Dells on Friday or Saturday night. It is an adult only campground, but also has a popular bar. The owners also own Chubbies, which is across the street (you can easily skip there). Weekend evenings it is hopping, with loud pipes, smoky burn outs, horsepower and cycle stunts in the parking lot, as well as some wet t-shirts and talent from across the street stirring things up. It's fun to watch and worth the diversion up there. Lot of Harley's to see as well.

[lofsfire]

Thanks!
Just the info I was looking for. All look like great places, cat_man_mike your brother in law's cabin/ subdivision looks similar to a place I stay in the winter in Gaylord, Mi. called Beaver Creak, I really like the idea that you have a cabin and all the amenity of a hotel. Like the pool for the kids. Unfortunately he is booked at the time we are looking to go. You might want to tell him he has some conflicting info on his rates page.

swanee ~ thanks of the local number I have found that is a better way to book a room also!

lookin4snow ~ your place sound fun if the wife was not pregnant and the kids were not with us.

[snowangel03]

Wisconsin Dells also have the famous Wisconsin Duck rides. I've been to the Dells so many time, but I still love the Duck rides. The Ducks are boats with wheels so they travel on water and roads. These vehicles used to be used in World War II. Go to http://www.wisconsinducktours.com for more information.

If you like the beauty of nature you will like the tours they have to offer.

There is so much to see and do in the Dells!!! Also go to http://wisdells.com. This is a good website to see all that the area has to offer.

[jroz]

If you stay at Wilderness on the Lake, you can take a pontoon ride over to the main Wilderness Resort. The price is lower, and they are all condos. They have gas grills and gas fire pits outside. There is a small indoor and outdoor pool area, and a nice little outside bar, too. Bring your own food and save a bunch of money. We have stayed there 3 times, and go with another family. The condo slept 10 comfortably.

[lofsfire]

My wife has been to the Dells with her family as a kid a few times, but I have never been. So the Ducks are top on my list. And Devil's Lake State Park looks real nice too!

Jroz ~ that good info i will keep that in mind.

Wherever we end up, I don't just want to stay at a hotel and water park and do nothing else. We have a nice size water park 5 minutes from the our house and my in-laws have a in ground pool that the kids use daily. Deep River (http://www.deepriverwaterpark.com/) Small compared to the Dells but my kids are 6 and 3 (in Sept.) so there more than enough for them now.

Two other question, how is the sledding around the Dells in the winter. Can I take the family and leave my wife with the kids at the hotel/indoor water park when I ride? Any trail go by a certain hotel?

[lookin4snow]

I live less about 45 minutes away in the Lake Wisconsin area. We have 60 miles of trail and we groom them to perfection. I'm the President of the Yellow Thunder, the local club. When we have snow, our trails are hard to beat. Stay away from the Dells though (the City), because the trail goes down the road and sidewalk to get across the bridge. It is a mess. Same with Prairie du Sac. Otherwise, sledding toward Devil's Lake, Reedsburg and around back toward Lake Wisconsin is very nice.

A lot of the water parks are actually in Lake Delton, which is less of a mess compared to downtown. I do not know that you can ride from Great Wolf or Kalahari. But, it wouldn't be far to get to the trail.

I was at the Tommy Bartlett water ski/stage show a few weeks back and it was pretty decent. Not as great as previous years, but still good. Losing all the water in the lake last year resulted in some of the ski talent going elsewhere. Entertaining though even for your 3 and 6 year old. You might want to consider that as well.

[lofsfire]

Sounds good thanks for all the help!

[1blue99srx600]

I second lookin 4 snow, we snowmobile from the castlerock lake area, stay out of the dells. Reedsburg, Sparta, Elroy, beautiful trails when there is snow, Monroe county and all their clubs do an excellent job maintaining them.

[whitedust]

Tommy Bartlett water ski/stage needs our support. The flood & drain almost wiped TB out. TBs has done great things for show water-skiing for many yeras so our turn to pay back TB. Take in a show the night show is the best!!

[peter]

We go every year, friend and family tradition. stayed at most the waterparks. We like the wilderness the best. We normaly go in september right after labor day there is no crowed and a fraction of the price, my kids love it no lines.
The upper dells has a jet boat tour, lot of fun.

[harski]

I second lookin4snow on their trails! The Yellow Thunder club has the best trails in the winter! They are always smooth as glass! Beautiful views of the lake on the southern hillside trails.

As for the dells, we like the Wilderness for waterparks because of the variety of waterparks. It is kind of a pain to walk around to them all but we think it keeps the crowds spread out. Kahlahari(sp?) is not as great as it was when it first opened as it just seems to be getting outdated or something. Be sure to check out the Riverwalk just off of mainstreet. There is a nice view off the walkway and the food is decent at the reasturant.

Have fun!

Harski

[lofsfire]

Thanks guys, I will keep all in mind. Looks like our plans might be changing a little. Looks like we will be heading to South Carolina, have some friends that we have not seen in a few years that live by Charleston. Still making plans, the wife said she would like to go by the ocean. She was also the one that wanted to go to the Dells. But if I let her pick the summer vacation I get to pick the winter ones and I can assure you there will be not warm weather destination in the winter!

We will have to try the Dells in the winter with the kids. Who know by the time I get home today she could change her mind again!

[snowangel03]

Whitedust - you're right about Tommy Bartlett!! Great show! This is a must see for sure when you're in the area!

[lofsfire]

Just so you know, all your advice was not a waste above even thou we went to Charleston last August, because we now have a trip to the Dell's planed for the middle of April with a few friends. This should be great for the kids we have 4 family going and are rent 2 condos at The Wilderness.

So now a few other questions; Has anyone done the Duck Tours this time of year?
From their website they are run from mid March to Nov. Just wondering it if, it was worth it with the weather being cooler. Do you get wet at all? Do I need to bring extra blankets for the kids? Any other advice?

[chevyman]

Going to the Chula Vista this weekend. I'll let you know what i think Been to the wilderness and the kalahari so far. Both were great.

[bartski]

We stayed at the Chula Vista for the AWSC convention last year with 4 kids it was great the kids stayed at the waterpark and we went on the bus/poker ride. they also have condos and a golf course on site.
Bartski

[cyguy]

lofsfire -

Check out the Myrtel Beach area while you're there. If you can get in at Sea Watch it's very kid friendly and right on the beach! I believer they have like 10 pools, 7 hot tubs and 2 lazy rivers and like I said, right on the ocean. These pools are not waterslides but the kids will still love them. One of their slogans is, "Kids are King"! GREAT place for adults too...we'll be there the first week of August.

Cheers!

[lofsfire]

Going to the Chula Vista this weekend. I'll let you know what i think Been to the wilderness and the kalahari so far. Both were great.

Let me know what you think, I'm locked in to The Wilderness but would love to know what someone that has been to a few place thinks of each.


We stayed at the Chula Vista for the AWSC convention last year with 4 kids it was great the kids stayed at the waterpark and we went on the bus/poker ride. they also have condos and a golf course on site.
Bartski

Thanks for the info. Like I said above I'm locked it in to The Wilderness b/c with our group we had to book sooner than later. We have 4 family going so that it 8 Adults and 8 kids. We got two condos and it only came to $230 for the weekend per family.


lofsfire -

Check out the Myrtel Beach area while you're there. If you can get in at Sea Watch it's very kid friendly and right on the beach! I believer they have like 10 pools, 7 hot tubs and 2 lazy rivers and like I said, right on the ocean. These pools are not waterslides but the kids will still love them. One of their slogans is, "Kids are King"! GREAT place for adults too...we'll be there the first week of August.

Cheers!
I'll keep that in mind for next time but I was actually in SC last August and I'm going to the Dell this April. But I did look at the Sea Watch website and they look like that have some good deals and a real nice place!


I'm still looking for info on the Ducks
Has anyone done the Duck Tours this time of year?
From their website they are run from mid March to Nov. Is it was worth it with the weather being cooler now? Do you get wet at all? Do I need to bring extra blankets for the kids? Any other advice?

[beebird]

We've done the "Original Ducks" in late October and it was cool and breezy. Just like riding around with all the windows open in the car, Except colder. Depends on the temp. for the day but we wore thicker fall jackets and were fine. Usually just get a "mist" at water landings depending on where you sit.

[lofsfire]

We've done the "Original Ducks" in late October and it was cool and breezy. Just like riding around with all the windows open in the car, Except colder. Depends on the temp. for the day but we wore thicker fall jackets and were fine. Usually just get a "mist" at water landings depending on where you sit.

Cool thanks, The kids should not complain about that!

[mrskidoobydoobydoo]

Think of taking the family to Wisconsin Dells for a few days and suggestion on what to do or where to stay etc. Wife's has to have a hotel no camp grounds (She pregnant). Cabin could work, one of my friend might bring his family also.

chula vista is a nice resort that i dont believe was too expensive

[chevyman]

lotsfire
Had a good time at the chula vista but if i had to do it again i would go back to the wilderness. The indoor waterpark is not big enuf for the the amount of people the can hold. Dont get me wrong it is a very nice place and right on the wisonsin river but next year we are going back to the wilderness. I am sure any place you go you will have a great time. i have only been to these places in winter so dont know how good the outdoor water park are.

[jr37]

Ditto on the waterpark not being big enough at Chula Vista. We stayed there a year ago and the waterpark was packed. Just isn't that fun when it's that full. Otherwise it was a really nice place.

[lofsfire]

Hey I never did finish this post out, I have had a lot going on lately. But we stayed at the Wilderness on the Lakes and loved it back in the middle of April.

We did not make the duck rides, the kids had to much fun at the water parks. I think our group is going to try to make this a yearly thing.

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