OT: Castaway Bay, Kalahari or Great Wolf Lodge

[wendylovesdisney]

I have a 4 year old girl and a 9 year old boy. We are going to one of the water parks in Sandusky, Ohio and need to make a decision on which one? Any feedback good or bad. Plus does anyone know of any specials out there for any of them? Thanks!

 

[dzone1]

Kalahari hands down. Very nice, very new. What ever you do do not go to Great Wolf. I and many others have had horrible experiences there where are cars were broken into and items were stolen. The hotel was pretty rude about the whole situation and basically told us o' well.

 

[bzzymom]

I am really glad you asked this question. We are headed to Sandusky this summer. I haven't been there in 3 or 4 years. I did not know there is a kalahari resort there. I will check in to it.

 

[kitsch4]

We just spent a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge at the end of March and had a great time! No problems at all. (I hadn't heard that they had problems like that.) I have an 8 year old and a 3 year old, and my daughter took a friend. My 3 year old liked to hang out in the kiddie pool, and the girls did all the water slides. Besides the kiddie pool, they actually had a few small slides that my 3 year old could go on. GWL had something there for all ages and swimming abilities. I would go again, though probably not for an entire weekend.

I have heard that Kalahari is awesome for older children. They are in the process of expanding to make it twice its current size.

 

[emmie4]

We have been to both Kalahari and GWL within the past 6 months (with a 4 year old daughter). We enjoyed both of them and thought both were clean and well-managed. Kalahari would definitely be more appealing to a 9 year old, I believe, and our 4 year old found plenty to keep her busy there as well. The outdoor part of Kalahari is much larger than GWL, if you are going during summer swim season.

 

[Aristomommy]

We went to Castaway Bay last summer and liked it. There was plenty to do for our then 7 year old DD. DS was tool young at 2 for most of it, but we took turns doing the other things. We did stay at the Great Wolf Lodge when it was still Great Bear and had a fun time. I think we will try Kalahari next time based on many positive comments.

 

[mnasmom3]

Haven't been to Castaway, so no opinion on that one. We enjoyed both GWL and Kalahari but preferred Kalahari. More for our older kids to enjoy there.

 

[digman6]

we just went to the kalahari by me in WI this past weekend. was very nice we go every year. kids love it more then Great Wolf .

Not sure if your room is set up or not but we stayed in what was called a "Lodge room" has a kitchenette. We made the kids breakfast pancakes at that.
its more then a regular room but it felt more "home like" to us.

Have fun!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Been to Kalahari in Sandusky and GWL in Mason.

Kalahari is great for older kids as PP indicated. Make sure your younger one will be above the height requirement for the slides, because if not there is little there to do. There is a small area for little ones and a lazy river. The staff at Kalahari thought it was safer to put my 2 yo DD down a body slide by herself, which halfway down she flipped over on her face then me ride with her. So after one go of that slide, that was enough for her and I.

She got bored very quick since she did not meet the height requirement for the slides. Most slide heights are 42"-48", under 42", basically nothing. DS (8) loved it, thought it was the greatest place since WDW.

GWL in Mason (near Kings Island) is great! DD was big enough to go on everything, except the water rollercoaster. Plus its new, just opened last December.

 

[WAHMto5]

I also say Kalahari hands down. After you go there you won't want to visit another water park

 

[lailah]

We live in Lorain (30 min from Sandusky) and we have been to all three several times. Great Wolf is good for the small children, Castaway is good for everyone, and Kalahari is beautiful but I find it leans more toward the older children and adults. Castaway has the wave pool, but the Kalahari has a great lazy river. If you are going to Cedar Point, Castaway is located right at the beginning of the causeway to CP. We like all three. The ambience at Kalahari is beautiful but tends to be a little pricey, however we still like it! We do the Castaway Bay in the winter months because they have great rates. I guess it would be your choice now.