The Wilderness at Wisconsin Dells

[mnrose]

Okay, I revisited this idea- I don't really want to go clear over to Wilderness on the Lake, but Glacier Canyon has a 3 bedroom deluxe that might work perfectly. It has a double queen room, which is the sleeping arrangement she wanted for her family, on on side, and a king bedroom and bunkbed room on the other side, which is the sleeping arrangement I wanted for my family. Plus a full kitchen, dining, living, and bathroom in the center. For $250/family as opposed to $220/family for regular rooms. I pitched the idea by email a little bit ago, we'll see what she says.

Also sent her a link to this thread so she can read all the great information you guys have to offer! Thanks for the help!

This is definitely the way to go. The 2Queen room is EXACTLY the same as what you would rent separately in Glacier Canyon as "just a room." It has a lockable door between it and the 2 BR deluxe condo at Glacier Canyon. So, for the extra money, you pick up a kitchen and living area, which will enable you to save quite a bit of money on things like breakfasts and snacks. The one thing Wilderness has is VERY expensive food at it's restaurants and snack bars. And, they will end up with all the privacy they would want by simply locking out the condo (if they want).

We stayed in this type of unit with my SIL once, and it was not an issue at all as far as privacy is concerned.

Also, it's probably worth at least a check to see if there are any Wyndham timeshares listed for that time in glacier canyon. We got a timeshare off ebay for mid Feb (admittedly not peak season), and got a 4BR Presidential unit (super deluxe, super huge...4 Br, with each BR having a private bath) for $495 for 4 nights and 5 days...less than $125 per family (4 moms and kids shared the expense). It was a ridiculously cheap getaway.

 

[jme829]

We literally were just there last week (mon, tues, wed) and we had a BLAST!!!!!!

My kids enjoyed it better than Kalahari it seemed there was just a little bit more to do. We got a good rate ($120) a night.

We didnt use the shuttle once, I seriously don't get why people can't do the 5-10 minute walk through the resort to get places , yes it is pretty sprawled out but the walking was a nice way to see what all is around the resort, and the exercise was much needed after being cooped up inside all winter. I just don't see a need for a shuttle at a hotel. But to each their own on that front I guess.

The waterparks were clean and lots of variety. THe only issue with them is that the food is outrageously overpriced, but there is a SuperWalmart about a mile away on the same road, so we just went and bought stuff for breakfast and lunch and ate in the room. We ate dinner offsite except for one night we did do the buffet at the hotel...It was a little pricy, but very good and a huge variety.... and to a pp...yes the kids were free and adults were $20 .

We had a room in the back along the woods, so we had total privacy . The room was decent (we had 2 queens and a sleeper sofa, fridge, micro 2 tv's) although the bathroom was a little small but we spent most of the time in the waterparks so no big deal for us.

We are definitely going back next spring break.

 

[jme829]

SIL's family and ours are planning on Wisconsin Dells over 4th of July weekend (I know...busy but works with the schedules). We were all set to reserve at Great Wolf Lodge, then SIL leaves a message last night to check out Glacier Canyon Lodge (part of The Wilderness Lodge).

Wilderness looks cool as well, more things to do, but I realize not all of them are included in your stay- and it doesn't tell you how much they are. It also seems really spread out. But I like the log theming and that it's on the lake.

She thought the Glacier Canyon part was cheaper but that's not what I was finding.

Anyway, any thoughts on Wilderness vs. Great Wolf? Kids are 11, 8, 7, and 4 and my kids (11 and 8) are not terrific swimmers. 7 year old boy is really into Nerf type guns so would probably love the ball play place at Wilderness (that costs extra).

OP..my younger too are the same ages as your kids and if you are talking about the playhouse thing, there was no charge for that...the only things you have to pay for are the arcade games, minigolf, laser tag and the pottery thing. The play area was free and my kids really liked it! The waterparks also have lots of "water" cannons, the dump buckets (that dump large amounts of water)..etc...There really isn't a "NEED" to be able to swim...even the wave pool has inner tubes (if you can get one, hang onto it ..!) and the water is only deep out near the wall where the waves start, and only then whne the waves come out. My kids are nonswimmers too, and the were fine going about halfway out without me. Other than that, most of the slides use inner tubes/rafts except for a couple body slides that empty into very shallow water.


Oh and there is a convenience type store down near the wild west water park, that is actually quite a bit cheaper than the water park food stands. The same carton of cereal that was sold at the waterpark for $3.75 was only $1.49 in the shop (right in the hotel, so I'm not sure why the huge discrepancy in price??) so maybe stop in there for snacks.


One thing that is very nice is that you can charge EVERYTHING to your room. Even the snow cones at the waterdome. So you won't have to carry cash or credit cards to the waterparks. They'll just add it to your final bill and charge it to your credit card on file at checkout (they'll put a bill outside your door and if you're ok with the total, just leave your keys by the phone and you're good to go.

Also you can swim before and after check out, so you can come in early get your wristbands and head for the water until check in, then stay until close on the day you check out.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We literally were just there last week (mon, tues, wed) and we had a BLAST!!!!!!

My kids enjoyed it better than Kalahari it seemed there was just a little bit more to do. We got a good rate ($120) a night.

We didnt use the shuttle once, I seriously don't get why people can't do the 5-10 minute walk through the resort to get places , yes it is pretty sprawled out but the walking was a nice way to see what all is around the resort, and the exercise was much needed after being cooped up inside all winter. I just don't see a need for a shuttle at a hotel. But to each their own on that front I guess.

We have taken the shuttle because we hate walking 15 minutes soaking wet. I always feel cold, squishy and naked.

 

[jme829]

We literally were just there last week (mon, tues, wed) and we had a BLAST!!!!!!

My kids enjoyed it better than Kalahari it seemed there was just a little bit more to do. We got a good rate ($120) a night.

We didnt use the shuttle once, I seriously don't get why people can't do the 5-10 minute walk through the resort to get places , yes it is pretty sprawled out but the walking was a nice way to see what all is around the resort, and the exercise was much needed after being cooped up inside all winter. I just don't see a need for a shuttle at a hotel. But to each their own on that front I guess.

We have taken the shuttle because we hate walking 15 minutes soaking wet. I always feel cold, squishy and naked.

LOL...some of the girls I work with were saying that too, but we didn't experience that either...we would dry off before we left the parks, throw on some clothes and walked back to our room..it was actually warm through the hotel.

I bought a cheap set at Walmart (danskin yoga pants for 9 bucks and a matching jacket for 11 and their $2 flip flops) specifically for using after swimming, I just threw it on over my suit after I dried off and it worked perfectly.

I wonder if people realize that you don't have to walk outside? You can go through the whole resort (including to Glacier Canyon) via walkways inside? Are people walking outside wet? Or just in their swimsuits? If that's the case, then yeah I can see why you'd want a ride, but otherwise I still just don't get it?

FTR...I"m not trying to give you a hard time..lol...I seriously just can't figure out the logic.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

[/B]
LOL...some of the girls I work with were saying that too, but we didn't experience that either...we would dry off before we left the parks, throw on some clothes and walked back to our room..it was actually warm through the hotel.

I bought a cheap set at Walmart (danskin yoga pants for 9 bucks and a matching jacket for 11 and their $2 flip flops) specifically for using after swimming, I just threw it on over my suit after I dried off and it worked perfectly.

I wonder if people realize that you don't have to walk outside? You can go through the whole resort (including to Glacier Canyon) via walkways inside? Are people walking outside wet? Or just in their swimsuits? If that's the case, then yeah I can see why you'd want a ride, but otherwise I still just don't get it?

FTR...I"m not trying to give you a hard time..lol...I seriously just can't figure out the logic.

Well, I might also just be lazy.........LOL. I think next time, we will throw on some clothes first. Oh, and I know you aren't giving me a hard time.

 

[MickeyMickey]

Okay, I revisited this idea- I don't really want to go clear over to Wilderness on the Lake, but Glacier Canyon has a 3 bedroom deluxe that might work perfectly. It has a double queen room, which is the sleeping arrangement she wanted for her family, on on side, and a king bedroom and bunkbed room on the other side, which is the sleeping arrangement I wanted for my family. Plus a full kitchen, dining, living, and bathroom in the center. For $250/family as opposed to $220/family for regular rooms. I pitched the idea by email a little bit ago, we'll see what she says.

Also sent her a link to this thread so she can read all the great information you guys have to offer! Thanks for the help!

I think you will be very happy with that , once you get a condo you will never want to go back. Oddly enough if the price is the same we prefer Wilderness on the Lake over Glacier Canyon especially in the summer. We love the infinity pool, and actually like that it is a little secluded. Also the units are quite a bit larger at the lake, and we have had great luck with the shuttles. Don't get me wrong though, we love Glacier Canyon too, just be sure to request a unit overlooking the outdoor waterpark not the parking lot!

 

[jme829]

Well, I might also just be lazy.........LOL. I think next time, we will throw on some clothes first. Oh, and I know you aren't giving me a hard time.

Haha Oh I know lazy... I snagged me one of those low beach chairs, plopped at the edge of the wave pool and sat there contentedly in the sun for 3 hours.....my dh was ticked because I wasn't going in the water, but I was perfectly content sitting there doing nothing...lol. That waterdome is awesome, I don't think I really got a tan or anything, but just to be soaking up the sun indoors was great!


Slightly OT, but when we were there, there was a girl who was very pregnant (8 months at least I would guess) wearing a string biking, which in itself was fine..if she has the confidence, I say go for it.,! , but, she was hitting the wave pool in the FULL wave blast, not just wading but going all the way out and jumping into the waves....I wouldn't think that would be safe, not so much that the water itself would do any harm, but you get so tossed around out there, that I was worried she would get kicked or slammed in the stomach by somebody....it's fun out there, but it's not for the meek!!

 

[MinMouse]

We stay at the Wilderness 4-6 times a year, and love it. We always stay in the condos. Either at Glacier Canyon or Wilderness on the lake. I can't tell you how much I love both of these. They are both almost new, and the hotel is much older so the room would be much nicer at Glacier Canyon.

Glacier Canyon is split into two distinct sections. Wyndham Glacier Canyon (timeshares) and Wilderness Glacier Canyon. The buildings are all together, they actually connect and you would not know the difference if you didn't know Wyndham is there. In fact both check in desks are in the same lobby right accross from each other. Wilderness Glacier Canyon has the two queen rooms, and 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units. Wyndham Glacier Canyon has 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units. Both are nice, the condos have slightly different layouts between the two. I have stayed in the 2 and 3 bedroom at Wilderness and the 2, 3 and 4 bedroom at Wyndham (renting through an owner at a much cheaper price than you could ever get through the Wilderness).

If you stay at Glacier Canyon, request a unit overlooking the Waterpark as half the rooms overlook the parking lot. At Wilderness on the lake all the rooms have a view of the lake, pretty cool.

So where did you do the rental from the private owner? Ebay?