OT - Kalahari, Sandusky & Splash Lagoon, Erie

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I noticed in replies to another post that many people have made the trek to Kalahari in Sandusky, OH. I am very interested in your expanded thoughts on the resort, as we are considering this as a vacation destination for July 2010.

We are die-hard fans of the Niagara Falls Great Wolf Lodge. For anyone who has been to both, how would they compare?

Any good shopping opportunities nearby?

How is the on-site restaurants? How convenient is it to eat off-site?

My son and his friend will be 14 by next summer. We've been to Great Wolf multiple times, and just wondering if this would be a good change. Its an 8 hour drive for us, though......so I guess I'm trying to determine if its worth it to go that much farther!

Another possibility for us would be Splash Lagoon in Erie. Would love your comments on this indoor waterpark as well!

Thanks again

 

[son3disfan]

there is an awesome rate right now for Kalahari on Travel zoo... I'll see if I can post the link. Unfortunately we are a family of 5, and cannot get this deal.

 

[son3disfan]

Found it..

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/640105

Check it out! Good luck.

 

[son3disfan]

WooHoo! just wanted to post that I DID!! get a room for 5!
Wow, I have been checking all morning, and nothing... then I checked for you, and there it was!!!
Good karma I guess!

 

[SandraC]

LOVE IT!

I have oodles of pics on my FACEBOOK: Sandra Glover Clarke

Check 'em out!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

WooHoo! just wanted to post that I DID!! get a room for 5!
Wow, I have been checking all morning, and nothing... then I checked for you, and there it was!!!
Good karma I guess!

Fantastic news!

The Travelzoo deal is AMAZING.....makes me wish we could go this year instead of next!!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

LOVE IT!

I have oodles of pics on my FACEBOOK: Sandra Glover Clarke

Check 'em out!

Thanks Sandra....I have sent you a friend request .

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Kalahari in Sandusky is AWESOME. Been there about 4 times. You would not be disappointed. (Only have Great Wolf in Ohio to compare it to) There are restaurants onsite but drive a few miles N (right turn out of Kalahari lot) and you will find lots of eating choices fast food and also Olive Garden, Applebees, Chilis etc. Sandusky Mall down this road, Kohls, Walmart, Pier One ETC. Very easy to navigate. Kalahari is GINORM! Plenty to do.
Have fun!!

 

[dans0202]

I have done the Kalahari twice (both prior to expansion) and GWL niagara once. I am heading back to Kalahari again next week.
We much perfer the Kalahari.
Inside they offer the best play area I have ever seen. 3 stories with only one exit to watch. - Its free
Outside the pool is superior to GWL plus there is a great area with slides that GWL does not offer.
I addition there is an outside playground as well which GWL does not offer.
As for food both have a lower end buffet but the Kalahari has a Kahunaville as well. Nothing special but its a second on site option.
We usually eat there once and then go into town once for dinner (they have a great pizza place with tons of football collectors items).
Kalahari often has great deals on standard hotel rooms. We often wait for deals and get a suite (the African room suite is our favorite, 2 rooms, 2 baths, living room and 3 tvs).
The water parks were comparable prior to expansion but now the Kalahari is twice the size, with 2 flow riders and a water roller coaster.
Re shopping there is a target in town, we often circle lake Erie coming through Detroit on the way there and on way home stop in Grove City PA and cross back at Fort Erie.
Hope this helps

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have done the Kalahari twice (both prior to expansion) and GWL niagara once. I am heading back to Kalahari again next week. We much perfer the Kalahari.

Thanks for the great review dans0202.

I think I'm convinced!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You can also go to Cedar Point amusment park while you are there. Its only about a 20 minute drive north of Kalahari. Go on Cedar Points web sit and sign up to have the coupon book sent to you. They often have buy one get one free on the starlight admission in the evenings.

Not far from Kalahari is a place called Danny Boy's they service pizza and pasta. Turn right out of Kalahari it is about 2 mile up the road on the left just before the traffic light.

 

[son3disfan]

I have done the Kalahari twice (both prior to expansion) and GWL niagara once. I am heading back to Kalahari again next week.
We much perfer the Kalahari.
Inside they offer the best play area I have ever seen. 3 stories with only one exit to watch. - Its free
Outside the pool is superior to GWL plus there is a great area with slides that GWL does not offer.
I addition there is an outside playground as well which GWL does not offer.
As for food both have a lower end buffet but the Kalahari has a Kahunaville as well. Nothing special but its a second on site option.
We usually eat there once and then go into town once for dinner (they have a great pizza place with tons of football collectors items).
Kalahari often has great deals on standard hotel rooms. We often wait for deals and get a suite (the African room suite is our favorite, 2 rooms, 2 baths, living room and 3 tvs).
The water parks were comparable prior to expansion but now the Kalahari is twice the size, with 2 flow riders and a water roller coaster.
Re shopping there is a target in town, we often circle lake Erie coming through Detroit on the way there and on way home stop in Grove City PA and cross back at Fort Erie.
Hope this helps

Great advice ...Thanks! How far is Grove City? Would love to go...and come back through Buffalo??
We'll be at Cedar point Wed/ Thursday and Kalahari Friday/ Sat.
Hope you have a great time there... we'll be the family walking around wondering where to start first!!!