Need a quick Michigan getaway

[beckybowler]

Hello friends,

I have read the DIS for years and now I would like to contribute and un-lurk. I am looking for a weekend getaway for my family- hubby, son 11 and daughter 8. I was thinking Double JJ (for waterpark and tubing) or Great Wolf Lodge. I am around the Lansing area so Double is way closer but is more expensive? Any deals or ways to save? I already signed up for emails on both sights.....

I really don't want to drop a $1000 over a weekend getaway.

Thanks so much

Becky

 

[CrazyforBuzz&Woody]

What about Frankenmuth? Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark or Bavarian Inn Water park.

I've never been to either but worth the call or check out their webpages for info.

 

[cjnix29]

Have you thought about Boyne? They have a waterpark, plus you could go tubing, ice skating, etc. We were there over new years.

 

[beckybowler]

I will check out Zehnders website right now. I did check out Boyne but it is not available for our checkin date of a Saturday.

 

[thevidas]

We went to the Holiday Inn Express with a water park in GR last weekend and while it's no Great Wolf it was fun. It's much much cheaper - about $100 a night. It would have been better for us if our kids were a little older as ours are too small for the waterslide but too big for the kiddie pool.

It's not big enough to spend the whole day in the water park (at least not for us) but we like to explore new areas so we played for a few hours, explored GR for a few hours then back to the pool.

I hear that Craigs Cruisers is a lot of fun but we didn't go there this time.

(We are also from Lansing area)

 

[mjhd]

I'm not a big fan of Double JJ. We did enjoy Zehnders Splash Village. Have not been to Great Wolf Lodge.

You could come to GR - the Holiday Inn Express is fine and I think there's a Ramada with the water slide at 28th St and Beltline. Depending on the age of your kids, there's lots to do downtown - Children's Museum, the Princess Di exhibit, TLC is shooting Ice Brigade with a HUGE chess set carved out of ice in Rosa Parks Circle, new restaurant Twisted Rooster is delicious for dinner, and lots more! Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[tenaseewalker]

Hey Becky,

I Just thought I'd say a quick "Hello". We could be neighbors. I live about 20 minutes from Lansing in Pleasant Lake. I Hope you find someplace nice to go for a weekend get away.

Gail

 

[hinodis]

We just went to Frankenmuth for 3 days about 2 weeks ago. Had a great time. We just love the famous chicken dinner. It is not the best food we have ever had but the atmosphere and all that food....its great. I love the shops downstairs at Zehnder's. The bakery is amazing. If your looking for budget accommodations try the springhill suites. They are right in town and you can walk to everything. We enjoy the walk even though it is freezing cold this time of year. We spent over 3 hours in Bronners and it felt like one!

 

[micheleq]

What about Chicago? I don't know how far it is from Lansing, I know it's about five hours from Detroit, but I bet you can get great hotel deals! Check out the Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, Magnificent Mile shopping...

 

[beckybowler]

What I am looking to get out of the weekend away:

Time for the kids to swim, run around and play. We don't care to shop for the weekend or anything like that. Just a good time. Swimming is mandatory and maybe outside play time but that is a maybe.

I have dietary restrictions (Celiac) so I have to be careful where I go when we eat out. I notice that Zehnders does show a Celiac/gluten free menu-that is a plus.

For those who have been to Double JJ, Great Wolf or Zehnders-is it all day fun for the water parks or outdoor activities?

Thanks for the warm welcome by everyone. That is awesome.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

Becky, here is something I thought of in GR....

We took the kids to the Spring Hill Suites GR Airport.

They have a deal for $129 or so that included a Craig's Cruisers package. You get a few video game tokens, 1 activity each (laser tag, go-carts, etc.) and pizza buffet-that might not be great for you with the dietary issues, though...
Anyway, this package can be found under promotions. They have a nice pool, and the hotel was very clean when we went last year.

You could check if there is a Griffins game that weekend. Our kids love going there, too.

The public museum has the "Bodies Revealed" exhibit going on if you have anyone who would be in to seeing plasticized humans

Anyway, just a couple closer, potentially cheaper thoughts for you

 

[SydandPaige'sMom]

I would recommend this over GWL

http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My kids would pick kalahari over great wolf. It is an all day water park for us. Great wolf was better when they were younger.

We love frankenmuth too.

 

[beckybowler]

Crap, now I like Kalahari!

Is there a way to get a discount on a Saturday night stay there? The rooms look kinda expensive.

OR

Can you stay at a hotel near Kalahari and get a day pass?

Sandusky would be a little over 3 hours drive but I would do that with an overnight.

 

[hinodis]

We were at Kalahari last weekend. The day pass was @ $40. It is a very nice place. The only problem last weekend was the zip coater was down. It is way better then GWL. It can be pricey. Watch for the last minute specials. We got a room and pizza and pop for $199 last weekend and I got it 2 days before we left. I think it was a beat the clock special. I personally liked Frankenmuth better but if you want to spend a couple of days in a water park the Kalahari is definitely the place to be!!

 

[jldixon62]

What I am looking to get out of the weekend away:

Time for the kids to swim, run around and play. We don't care to shop for the weekend or anything like that. Just a good time. Swimming is mandatory and maybe outside play time but that is a maybe.

I have dietary restrictions (Celiac) so I have to be careful where I go when we eat out. I notice that Zehnders does show a Celiac/gluten free menu-that is a plus.

For those who have been to Double JJ, Great Wolf or Zehnders-is it all day fun for the water parks or outdoor activities?

Thanks for the warm welcome by everyone. That is awesome.

We went to the Great Wolf for Christmas and it was all day waterpark fun for my grandchildren ages 3 - 8. They also really enjoyed the arcade and storytime at the clocktower each night. For downtime I brought my projector and laptop and showed cartoons on the wall in our room. My age group is easy to please.

I live in Chicago so my preference is Wilderness Lodge or Kalahari, WI because they have condos with kitchens. But, my grandkids are in Grand Rapids and Detroit so we'll try Double JJ on our next adventure, they have some cabins with kitchens.

 

[tiggeriffic44]

I would recommend this over GWL

http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/

For the water park Yes, kalahari is much better. (we are talking about both GWL and Kala in Sandusky, right?) I think GWL had more free out of the water stuff for da kids to do. Kalahari has LOTS of cool stuff to do, but they will bleed you if your not careful. Customer service was way better at Kalahari.

My wife is gluten free too. I don't recall either being very non-guleten friendly but we have learned to be assertive. Pack your Gluten free snacks.

Kalahari is out of walking distance for most things, GWL you can easily walk to the (cheaper than the stuff in the hotel) steak n Shake.