Wilderness Resort-Wisconsin Dells

[CharityLynn]

Hi there! We are planning a vacation to Wilderness Resort in July, I have never been the the Dells nor an indoor waterpark resort place. So I was hoping for some advice, tips, stories, anything.

My husband saw some Waterpark show last summer and this place was on it and he's had it in his head ever since.

We never vacation in the summer, crowds are not our favorite thing to deal with but husband's work is assigning vacation days this year so we really have no choice.

TIA,

Charity

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Hi there! We are planning a vacation to Wilderness Resort in July, I have never been the the Dells nor an indoor waterpark resort place. So I was hoping for some advice, tips, stories, anything.

My husband saw some Waterpark show last summer and this place was on it and he's had it in his head ever since.

We never vacation in the summer, crowds are not our favorite thing to deal with but husband's work is assigning vacation days this year so we really have no choice.

TIA,

Charity

Hi Charity,
I live about 2 hours from the Dells, and we travel there each summer at the end of July. I've been to all the waterpark resorts.

The Wilderness is a HUGE resort. In fact, it is so big that there are free ride transfers to and from each of the waterparks within the resort. It is simply way too much to walk at times (this coming from a thin, in-shape girl who LIKES to walk). It is no fun walking endless hallways while you are dripping wet.
I prefer the Kalahari which is right across the street from the Wilderness. They have 1 large outdoor and 1 large indoor waterpark unlike the Wilderness which has several. They also have an indoor "dry" fun park with go karts and games.
It is always busy in the Dells during the summer, so get an early start to get things done, just as you would Disney. For example, there is Canyon Creek horseback riding stables across the street and it is best to get there when it opens. Horses are no fun to ride in the middle of a hot summer afternoon, and the line to get on one seems to take forever. It is a beautiful hour ride though! Not to be missed!!!

 

[Kellydelly]

Went there five years ago in December, midweek, no crowds . Stayed at the Glacier Canyon condos. LOVED the condo. Top notch, just like the pics. Yes the place is spread out, but no I would not say the average person actually needs the shuttles. We did fine and our littlest were twin 4 yr olds. Just pack a coverup or sweatshirt/sweats in your swim bag (but July shouldn't be cold anyway). I hate crowds so would never go in the summer (which I know is stupid for a waterpark!).

 

[clh2]

How old are your Kids?

Great Wolf Lodge (IMHO) is much nicer if the kiddos are younger - say 10 and under.

Kalahari and the Wilderness are great if the kids are older.

I've not been to the Kalahari - but have been to both GWL and the Wilderness. My DD (now in college) loved the Kalahari.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We stayed at GWL thee and liked it. Definitely not enough there to keep us occupied for more than a couple days, but was a nice base of operations for our stay. We really enjoyed Noah's Ark.

 

[jme829]

Love Wilderness Resort...in fact we were literally just there this week (my kids have early Spring break) from Tues-Thurs.

I can't give you much advice for summer because we only go in March during our early break so it's pretty dead then.

You can charge to your room, so you don't need to take money down to the waterparks with you....anything in the resort can be charged to your room I think.

You don't need towels, they give you cards upon check in that you trade in for towels and return the cards at check out. You can trade your towels in for fresh ones as often as you like.

Definitely take food for at least breakfast and maybe lunch.

It's pretty big, they have shuttles but we never use them. We just don't think it's much quicker by the time they load, stop at all the doors and then unload. Plus you can pop out one resort door and in another and bypass half of the walk. But a lot of people utilize them, personal preference I guess! I don't get the people who say you walk around the halls dripping wet....that's why you dry off first and use your swim coverups!

You don't need to really leave the resort, there is plenty to do right there, but the Dells has a lot of attractions, you won't be bored regardless of if you hunker down in the resort or venture into town.

We like the WR because I feel it has more options for older kids while having some good options for youngers. The waterpark over in the Glacier Canyon part is geared toward the toddler age...while older kids would like the other 3 indoor parks. While an above poster prefers Kalahari because all the waterparks are in one spot, we prefer the spread out concept of WL...spreads the crowds out more, imho (not that there is many crowds the first week of March!)

As I said we've never been in the summer so I can't offer advice as to crowd strategy and the outdoor waterparks.

Also WR doesn't allow day guests, so you don't have to worry about non-resort guests "crashing" the pools. I know Kalahari allows day guests, not sure about GWL.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Also WR doesn't allow day guests, so you don't have to worry about non-resort guests "crashing" the pools. I know Kalahari allows day guests, not sure about GWL.

GWL does not allow day guests. So, very little in the way of lines, but as a smaller resort it doesn't have as many thrill rides as the others.

 

[OhMari]

July will be busy.

You will actually be at Lake Dalton across the bridge is WI Dells. Màin St stores are an embarrassment.
There are a few exceptions, but most of the stores have over priced junk. Few bars and fudge places. Lots of restaurants, and way to many fast food places. Make sure you take a boat ride and see the Dells. The Wilderness has their own Zip Lining. Tommy Bartelt Water Show is pretty good.

 

[McKelly]

One additional thing I would add that is a plus for the Wilderness is that they have a "Duck" pick-up right at the hotel, if you would be interested in that.

http://www.wisconsinducktours.com/

 

[CharityLynn]

OK I guess I'll add more info lol We're only going for 2 days (Arrive on Wed, leave on Friday) Our kids are 10 and 13 so older. We don't plan on leaving the resort.

We rarely go on vacation in the Summer (maybe a quick middle of the week trip to Michigan Adventures/Cedar Point) so I am especially nervous about July but it was when my husband's work gave him vacation. (He used to be able to pick his vacation time) We tend to go on vacation in October so July will be interesting.

 

[CharityLynn]

One additional thing I would add that is a plus for the Wilderness is that they have a "Duck" pick-up right at the hotel, if you would be interested in that.

http://www.wisconsinducktours.com/

That looked super cool but it would cost us nearly $100, so we probably won't be doing that. But maybe some day it looks like something I'd love to do at least once.

 

[daughtersrus]

That looked super cool but it would cost us nearly $100, so we probably won't be doing that. But maybe some day it looks like something I'd love to do at least once.

There are 2 radio stations in the Chicago suburbs (Aurora and Schaumburg) that sell certificates at a discounted rate for a lot of Dell attractions. Think Groupon but they've been around for a long time. Generally, they are only good for 90 from purchase date but you can get some great deals. The offers change so if you're interested check their websites Apr-July. Last year they had some great deals on the Tommy Bartlett water show.

I'm not sure if we're allowed to post links but if you're interested, if you google "radio shopping show" with the city name, it should give you the links.

 

[McKelly]

That looked super cool but it would cost us nearly $100, so we probably won't be doing that. But maybe some day it looks like something I'd love to do at least once.

Watch the website for "specials." I think when we went the Ducks were included in the price of our stay, but that might have been in late August when the better deals come out...

 

[mnrose]

We've been three times, and all three times stayed in the Glacier Canyon condos, which are very nice. Twice we rented Presidential level condos (for ridiculously cheap prices) and they were amazing. 4BR, 4 BA, washer/dryer, full granite kitchen, two spa like baths, and two more "regular" bathrooms. We paid around $500 for 4 nights/5 days, which included water park admission for up to 10 people each day.

Someone posted above that it was "small", which it most decidedly is not. It is a HUGE place. They might have been confusing it with somewhere else. In the summer, I believe they have at least 2 outdoor parks, and the 4 indoor parks. Plus, laser tag, ropes courses, etc. Tons to do.

 

[scchristo]

I think we (my parents/sister's family/my family) have been to Wilderness 7 or 8 times? May, June, July, August, February...(And when I was young, it was our "every other year vacation").
I have my must does, BUT if you don't plan on leaving the resort...and you are concerned about crowds...
Pick the "park" you want to "do" and go when it opens (they don't all open at the same time). ESPECIALLY if you want shade. Another good tip is to "move parks" or go to them during meal times. Most families go back to their rooms (GCL) for lunch and dinner, so it's a great time to get a table (shade).
The wave pool and the outdoor pools have cabanas that are available for rent (we've never done it but it sure looks sweet when it's super hot by the wave pool and the cabanas have air conditioning)!
I don't think the mini golf on property is that great but I have been spoiled by Pirates Cove Mini Golf!
My best advice is (on property) is to take the pontoon over to Wilderness on the Lake and spend some time in the Infinity Pool (although your kids might say "Yawn").
I could go ON AND ON about the Dells - I hope this helps!

 

[McKelly]

We've been three times, and all three times stayed in the Glacier Canyon condos, which are very nice. Twice we rented Presidential level condos (for ridiculously cheap prices) and they were amazing. 4BR, 4 BA, washer/dryer, full granite kitchen, two spa like baths, and two more "regular" bathrooms. We paid around $500 for 4 nights/5 days, which included water park admission for up to 10 people each day.

Someone posted above that it was "small", which it most decidedly is not. It is a HUGE place. They might have been confusing it with somewhere else. In the summer, I believe they have at least 2 outdoor parks, and the 4 indoor parks. Plus, laser tag, ropes courses, etc. Tons to do.

I think the poster you are referring to as calling the Wilderness resort "small" is referring to Great Wolf Lodge, which is much smaller than Wilderness Resort and Kalahari. They are three different places, just so the OP is not confused.

 

[OhMari]

OK I guess I'll add more info lol We're only going for 2 days (Arrive on Wed, leave on Friday) Our kids are 10 and 13 so older. We don't plan on leaving the resort.

We rarely go on vacation in the Summer (maybe a quick middle of the week trip to Michigan Adventures/Cedar Point) so I am especially nervous about July but it was when my husband's work gave him vacation. (He used to be able to pick his vacation time) We tend to go on vacation in October so July will be interesting.

You won't even see the crowds then. We always go over on a Wednesday-Friday. Everyone comes to the Dells on a Friday and they leave on Sunday or Monday. Are you taking the Ferry across or driving over? The Ferry is really expensive, but it cuts over 4 hrs of driving time off.