need prices for Kalahari Sandusky

[disneyfan007]

Our school had a prom there one year with dinner served and evidently the food was so bad that everyone was given passes to come back later for free use of the water park. (granted this was several years ago) If you choose not to eat there, you do have just about every chain available all up and down 250. Some non-chain places that serve decent are are Danny Boy's right down the road that has good itialian food. Matt and Chets also has good pizza.

 

[Mama Steph]

We will be heading back next month for our 6th consecutive year. We usually get the 3 room village suite with full kitchen and take a lot of our own food. We will be going for 2 nights this year, our usual, though one year we decided to stay an extra night since we were having so much fun.
I will be the dissenting voice here and say that we really enjoyed the food! The last 2 years, dh and I have left the kids in the room watching a movie and gone down for a drink and appetizers. We shared the big appetizer platter with friends last year and really liked it. We have also done the breakfast buffet when it was included in our package and were not disappointed at all. With 5 kids, it was a great way to have a big meal to fill our bellies before heading to the park.

 

[Colleen27]

We were just there for a couple nights over the Thanksgiving break. We had a bed & breakfast pacakge so I don't know the cost of the buffet, but it wasn't very good at all. And on our last morning, when the Thanksgiving break was really getting started, we were told there was a 45min wait for a table. The muffins from the bakery right next to the sitdown restaurant were much better than anything on the buffet, but next time we'll skip the breakfast-inclusive package and go back to bringing fruit & muffins or cereal for breakfast in the room.

We love Kalahari for the entertainment options, but the food just isn't very good overall. We haven't eaten at the resort since our first trip. We bring snacks and deli sandwiches for lunches and late night snacks in the room, and head north up 250 for dinners. There are a ton of good restaurants nearby that are much less expensive for better food than anything you'll find at Kalahari - basically every chain you could think of along with some independant places. We go to the same teppanyaki grill every trip; it is somewhat pricey (not as bad as Teppan Edo at WDW!) but since we don't have one around home it is part of the vacation experience.

When we were there the mini-golf area was closed for redesign. I don't know how fast they're working on it, but since it was basically a walled-off area of exposed slab at the end of Nov I wouldn't count on it being open. I guess they're putting in some sort of bowling thing too, which sounds like something we'll have to check out on our next visit.

As far as the 10yo in the treehouse, they seem to be pretty flexible about older kids if they're accompanying younger siblings and not causing problems or roughhousing. DS12 spent quite a bit of time with DD9 and DD2 in the play area, with the attendant's blessing, and he is well over 52" (he's 5'4"!)

Kids under 48" are required to wear lifejackets in the waterpark, so you might want to prepare your youngers for that so it doesn't come as a surprise. The slides that they're allowed on are built to accommodate riders in lifejackets, though, so you won't run into the Disney problem of kids who need lifejackets not being allowed on the pool slides.

 

[mfp]

Re: Temp, we found that Sandusky kept their temps in the winter much warmer than the Dells inside the waterpark. We went to Sandusky in January, so it was pretty cold, and we didn't feel like it was too cold. We went to the Dells in March (or April, I can't remember, it was a few yrs ago) and I think that it was more chilly, but the air and water. Overall, I like the sandusky one a LOT, HOWEVER, like several of us have already mentioned the food there is overpriced and tastes bad. So, either pack/make some food or eat off site. There are TONS of restaurants not that far away, finding a place to eat, really shouldn't be a problem and since the outdoor parks are all closed right now, I would not expect the area to be that busy at this time of yr compared to warmer months when cedar point is open.

Oh and DH and the kids were just at sandusky kalahari during thanksgiving and they said that the warmest water was the lazy river.

 

[mrudman]

IMO, the air temperature at Sandusky is very warm... I never felt like I was chilled at all when we went last year. Ended up walking all over in a wet bathing suit (since older dd loved the wave pool, and younger dd loved the slides).. I tend to get cold easily, and never felt uncomfortable at all.

 

[Order66]

I am sorry to jump in here but we are looking for spring break ideas.

We have been to GWL both Sandusky and Cincinnatti (Mason?) and enjoyed both (especially the Magic Quest) but looking for something new.

I thought the food was pretty good at GWL (not like WDW but still good) and it is so convenient to never leave the place.

But DS and I got cold in the indoor water park so never lasted more than 2-3 hours in there. I think they say its 84 degrees but not sure it really is. Is Kalahari any warmer? I realize they are trying to heat a glass barn in mid-winter - haha. The Cincinn GWL is much closer for us too - 2 vs 5+ hours from Indianapolis

thanks so much!

Kalahari hands down is better than GWL, at least the Sandusky locations. GWL is nice, don't get me wrong. It's smaller and easier to watch the kids when they were small. They liked the other activities like the story time too. But Kalahari is bigger and better, especially for older kids. More to do, larger slides, larger pools, larger game room, etc.... I wouldn't hesitate to recommend GWL if your kids are 6 or less, but older than that, they'd like Kalahari a whole lot better.

Last time we went it was early summer, but an unusually cool day. I was quite chilly walking outside, but the indoor park was quite warm as were the temps in the outdoor pools.

There are plenty of places to eat on 250 as well as a grocery store right behind GWL. You won't go hungry.

regards

 

[AndreaDM]

Ok, so I found out we will have a suite with a full kitchen for our 2 night stay. The second night we will be have dinner in the convention area, but the other night I wanted to make something in our suite to cut down on costs, especially if the food isn't really that great. I will also be bringing breakfast and lunch items which will be easy, but I'm stumped on what to make for dinner. It's less than 2 hours from where we live, so not a problem to bring food, but I'm just not feeling very creative. I know I could do pasta with jarred sauce and a salad, but I'm open to other suggestions! It looks like we'll have a nice big dining table so I plan to bring a bottle of wine for the adults and maybe sparkling cider for the kids and make it a "fancy" dinner lol.

 

[sbpebbles]

Ok, so I found out we will have a suite with a full kitchen for our 2 night stay. The second night we will be have dinner in the convention area, but the other night I wanted to make something in our suite to cut down on costs, especially if the food isn't really that great. I will also be bringing breakfast and lunch items which will be easy, but I'm stumped on what to make for dinner. It's less than 2 hours from where we live, so not a problem to bring food, but I'm just not feeling very creative. I know I could do pasta with jarred sauce and a salad, but I'm open to other suggestions! It looks like we'll have a nice big dining table so I plan to bring a bottle of wine for the adults and maybe sparkling cider for the kids and make it a "fancy" dinner lol.

Yes it will be a full complete kitchen and dining room..I"m sorry I don't have ideas for what to cook, when I've stayed in them we've never cooked in them..but do remember just like at home YOU are responsible for cleaning up the pots, pans and dishware..so many ppl assume that it's housekeeping's job to do that..it has a dishwasher so if you have dishwashing soap might be a good idea to bring some with..

 

[AndreaDM]

Thanks for the tip, I'll bring along a dishwasher tab. Yeah we've stayed in suites before with full kitchens and I always make sure to clean up after ourselves! DH always laughs at me whenever we stay at hotels because I'm running around throwing trash away and putting all the towels together to make less work for the maid! I just know that whenever we're on vacation it's more relaxing (for us) to eat at the beach house, etc., than to drag everyone out to a restaurant. That way the kids can stay in their bathing suites and the adults can sit and talk over some wine without feeling rushed like we often do at restaurants.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

The GWL in Sandusky is nothing like the Mason one. The Mason GWL is almost as big as Kalahari. We love the Mason GWL as well as Kalahari.

GWL in Mason is a little more lax in their waterpark rules. Such as when DD was younger she could ride on some of the bigger slides with DH. At Kalahari, most of the slides have a 42" height requirement and some are 48". At Kalahari a lifejacket is required in the wave pool and the lazy river if under 48".

When we were at Kalahari last summer, the breakfast buffet was included in our package. The kids and I thought it was pretty good. Waffles, bacon, sausage, hash browns. There used to be made to order omlettes , but I think they got rid of those.

I also think the food at Kalahari isn't that bad. The prices compare to any resort area. Yea there are many food places around the area, but I can't be bothered getting dressed getting in the car and driving to them. For our family it is just easier to eat at the waterpark. We usually bring lunchmeat , chips and snack items too.

There is a huge arcade so allow extra money for that. Our family loves Kalahari. We can' t wait to go back soon.

 

[GCV]

I absolutely love this board, and have found so much great info here.

We have booked a one night stay in a 2 room suite for next month at the Kalahari in Sandusky Ohio. We have never stayed here before. Does anyone know how much the breakfast buffet is for adults and children? Also I would like prices for the mini golf and the childrens treehouse.

I am so looking forward to going. It is supposedly authentic African, which so much reminds me of Animal Kingdom lodge and Animal Kingdom. Actually our bedroom and our family room is decorated African/Safari style, and our livingroom in rustic lodge. We have stayed at Great Wolf lodge, loved it, but a bit too young for our older boys.

Thanks so much

We stay at Kalahari resort twice a year. Once in the summer which is more money and once during the winter. I would sign up for their email deals as they are well worth it and the deals they send via email are better than what you will normally find. If you book by promo beat the clock that is also good too. if you call to book via the 800 number they will never cut you a deal. book online or via promo via email. FYI summer there is awesome. the safari, rockwall and out door pool areas are so much fun for the kids and not offered in the winter. If you are a repeat visitor I always recommend asking for upgrades upon check in as I have found them to be quite reasonable. I have heard first time visitors also getting upgrades based on availability.

In regards to the safari breakfast, it is by far the most unbelieveable breakfast we have ever had and we always get it. its alittle price at 14.99 for adults and 8.99 for children 4-12. 3 under eat free. it blows any breakfast buffet in the area or at our home that we have ever tried. its a great way for my children to also try new foods and enjoy their favorites too. they have premade mini smoothies, every egg combination I could think of, a carver section, potato section, sausage/bacon/Canadian ham... its huge... we were so blown away that I even spoke with the manager about it. the food selection is absolutely unreal, and if you don't get it you really miss out on a food experience particularly for the price.

we do greatwolf lodge twice a year as well. they take very good care of us as well. we go to Sandusky and Cincinnati. cinncinnati is bigger. if you are repeat visitor at greatwolf they totally take care of you, however the sites are individually treated, so your record visits do not carry over. if you book at Cincinnati those stays are recorded but not added to our Sandusky stays which has an effect on our perks. the experience is different. some can say younger, but my kids still love it? if it is summer time staying at great wolf for your cedar point or kings island vacations is totally the way to go if you can get a deal. it is quite a common thing amongst visitors to do.

 

[Bree]

Uh....this thread is from 2011 LOL!!!!