Wisconsin anyone???

[CopperWife]

Another vote for Moose Jaw! We make it our first stop whenever we go to the Dells. We love their nacho appetizer and my DH loves their beer

Paul Bunyun's is delicious, but I do believe that they are a seasonal restaurant, so you might want to call first

Have a great trip

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

you guys are amazing ..........I was kinda regretting the idea of going but I had already invited others (they live in MI) and did not want to flake. Plus summer we are super booked. Well I am now researching and getting so excited to go not to mention it is sooo soon so I guess that is good.

Thank you for all the great places and restaurant ideas.

 

[malibuconlee]

One thing you'll need to remember about the Wilderness is that you may have to take a shuttle bus to get to some of the Waterparks, which will involve at least a brief time outside, walking to the shuttle. My in-laws live in WI, so we've done the Wilderness and Kalahari. I would think Kalahari might be better when it's so cold outside b/c there is just one large waterpark, rather than four smaller ones like Wilderness has. No shuttles to deal with. If you're set in stone on Wilderness, I would definitely pack some layers that you'll be able to throw over your suits for the shuttle buses.

If you are in the main hotel or the one section off to the side the Glacier Canyon Lodge it is all connected. Cubby's Cove is the only indoor park of the 4 indoor that aren't connected to the hotel. We didn't go outside at all on Sunday when we were there recently and we visited all 3 parks. Actually we didn't want to deal with the shuttle so we skipped Cubbys again this trip. It can be a lot of walking, but you don't have to venture outside in the cold. If you are in the cabin or condos you will have to take the shuttle tho.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

If you are in the main hotel or the one section off to the side the Glacier Canyon Lodge it is all connected. Cubby's Cove is the only indoor park of the 4 indoor that aren't connected to the hotel. We didn't go outside at all on Sunday when we were there recently and we visited all 3 parks. Actually we didn't want to deal with the shuttle so we skipped Cubbys again this trip. It can be a lot of walking, but you don't have to venture outside in the cold. If you are in the cabin or condos you will have to take the shuttle tho.

thanks. That is what I remembered when we went last time we took the shuttle for an outdoor park we will be in the hotel and do not mind walking at all.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

malibuconlee do you remember price range for the polk a dot pots??? I know my DD will love it.

 

[tloveswdw]

malibuconlee do you remember price range for the polk a dot pots??? I know my DD will love it.

I think 7-20, most about $12? If memory serves right.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

I think 7-20, most about $12? If memory serves right.

perfect thanks

 

[manning]

The Wilderness is amazing! The ONLY thing I didn't like is it is SO big. My son got distracted one time as we were heading back to our room and he got lost. The hotel responded quickly though and my son was smart enough to go up to a security guard when he knew he was lost. They brought him right up to our room and checked back with us later to make sure everyone was ok. He had just turned 9 but still one of the scariest days of my life!!

Anyway, restaurants!

Moose Jaw Pizza and Brewing Co is one of our favorites. It is kid friendly and have a lot more options than just pizza.

Buffalo Phil's Pizza and Grill. Another kid friendly place that has tables where your food is delivered via an electric train. Their burgers are really good here. It is also attached to an indoor amusement center with rides and play areas.

Paul Bunyan's cook Shanty has a great breakfast that is served family style. The adults cost is a little pricey but they kids pay by their age I believe..so if you have a 3 yr old, he is $3.00. They are only open during the season, but it looks like they opened last year on March 15th, so that would be perfect timing for you guys.

It's been awhile since I have eaten at House of Embers, but it was pretty good when we did eat there.

If you are looking for an adult only place...The Fields at the Wilderness is a great steakhouse but VERY expensive (well, at least by my standards it is). My husband and I ate there for our anniversary one year and spent well over $100 on just the two of us.

The restaurant at the Wilderness also had a great breakfast buffet and kids eat free there too.

You'll have to come back in the summer sometime. That's when the Dells are a lot more fun. The boat rides themselves are incredible with the sights and the history of the area.

And the fall for the colors.

 

[daughtersrus]

If you're looking to save some money, there are two radio stations that sell discounts to some attractions and restaurants. One is WBIG in Aurora and the other is WRMN in Schaumburg. They have been around long before groupon.

If you go to their website search the "shoppers guide" under Wisconsin Dells. They often sell the same things but sometimes the prices are different. Inventory changes often so keep checking back if it's something you might be interested in. Most of the time the prices are lower if you call in during a radio show but the online prices are still pretty good.

My DH and DD loved Tommy Bartlett Exploritory.

Moose Jaw is good. The beer bread is a favorite of ours. They have coupons in the phone books.

If you go to the outlet mall, pick up one of the Dells tourist books first. They can be found everywhere. In the ad for the mall, they will be a coupon or a code to text. Show it at customer service and they will give you a coupon book for free.

If you're looking for chocolate go to the Cow Pie store just down the road across from the casino. It's MUCH cheaper than any of the stores in town but they close early.

We go to the Dells area about 6-7 times/year when we're at the lake house.

Have a fun time!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Our favorite place to eat in the Dells is The Cheese Factory restaurant. It is all vegetarian, but they have amazing grilled cheese, beer cheese soup, quesadillas, salads, etc. It is a soda fountain too with homemade desserts. DH and I joke that it is run by aliens because all of the staff are always so friendly and sweet...unlike you see anywhere else!

A gem of the Dells is The Big Sky Drive-in Movie Theater. It is about a 10 minute drive, clean, great food, family run with great double features each night. Google them to see if they are open when you go. It is a can't miss for us!

Marley's is now in a huge new location and has great food with an island atmosphere. It is across from the Wilderness and a bit down (next to Grand Marquis. Moose Jaw is good, as is the food at Knuckleheads (by the outlet mall). Plus you can have your food delivered to you by train there-kind of cool for the kids.

My DH researched the Dells history in college and we spent a lot of time there interviewing locals, etc. We go at least once a year now with kids. So much fun!

 

[malibuconlee]

malibuconlee do you remember price range for the polk a dot pots??? I know my DD will love it.

There are small things that are cheaper, but I'd say most are int eh $15-20 range. THe big serving platters you can paint go all the way up to around $60, but you wont' want to cart that back on the plane!

The prices are all marked on the bottom in pencil that burns off during firing.

 

[robinb]

If you go to the outlet mall, pick up one of the Dells tourist books first. They can be found everywhere. In the ad for the mall, they will be a coupon or a code to text. Show it at customer service and they will give you a coupon book for free.

That reminds me ... the outlet mall has a Disney Store .

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

That reminds me ... the outlet mall has a Disney Store .

I love this comment

 

[Aidan's Mommy]

That reminds me ... the outlet mall has a Disney Store .

It's not just a Disney Store, it's a Disney Outlet Store. They have a lot of stuff that the regular stores do not have.

 

[daughtersrus]

It's not just a Disney Store, it's a Disney Outlet Store. They have a lot of stuff that the regular stores do not have.

There's usually a coupon in the book from customer service.

 

[OhMari]

I live a good hour away from The Dells. The town has probably 2000 people and almost very resort, restaurant is family owned, meaning, the actual families that own a restaurant or resort live in The Dells. The last ten years, a few chain restaurants started showing up. So imagine the 2000 people that live in WI Dells having jobs and trying to find people to help work at their businesses. Summer months are fine, because you have college kids and imports that come from other countries to work. This is why many businesses and restaurants are closed in the winter. During the winter months, resorts are open and a few restaurants, but service can be slow because of lack of help. Does it stop us from goings winter, no, but we take meals along with us and rent out the condos at The Wilderness so we can use a kitchen.

Also if you want to experience snow, most of the ski hills are open yet in March. there is a ski hill at Christmas Mountain and Cascade Mountain, which is on the way to WI Dells on I94.

 

[seasheller]

We are Wisconsin residents currently in Florida for the winter. Last year we went home in April and survived three snow storms after we got there. I was amazed at some of the comments saying winter coats may not be necessary in March. Remember these are Wisconsin residents responding!

One year we watched the weather channel while in Florida. It was 40 degrees in Orlando and they showed people were walking around bundled up in coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc. It was also 40 degrees in Minneapolis that day and they showed people running around in shorts and T-shirts!

 

[lilaurora]

There's usually a coupon in the book from customer service.

If you are a AAA member, the coupon book is free and you can get another one each day.

 

[kingcrab]

yikes, wrong time of the year to be heading north. ;-)

a couple food rec's:

one of the better burgers around - Monks on the main drag downtown:

http://www.monksbarandgrill.com/history

Del-Bar, one of the older spots in town, great happy hour. drinks and food.:

http://www.del-bar.com/

 

[JanaDee]

If you don't have Culvers where you live, it is a must-stop. One of our favorites, and we can get it pretty much any time we want.