wisconsin dells activities advice

[dmank]

Hi,
My parents traded their timeshare this year for a place in the Dells the first week of June. They are going along with me and me 3 kids (8, 6, 3). DH will stay home to work.

Planning to probably do a couple of water (or theme parks). Any suggestions for the best ones? My older two really like the fast coasters and moderate slides.

We have a zoo membership and I saw that the Crane Foundation is about 10 miles away - my DS3 will probably enjoy that.

Any advice for other things to do? Any advice for coupons?

thanks much!

 

[eduk8r26]

Noah' Ark is probably the biggest and most well-known. Kalahari Resort has an indoor and outdoor waterpark. There are tons of theme parks and go-kart tracks around.

 

[MickeyMickey]

What timeshare are you staying at. We will be there June 4-11 at Wyndham Glacier Canyon at the Wilderness.

Consider looking on Ebay for the Dells Season Opener cards. We get them at our local radio stations, but it is worth it to buy them. Make sure you look closely as there are 4 different versions of the cards. They have all kinds of free stuff or stuff for $3 for June only. Boat rides, miniature golf, Water parks, tommy bartlett show, etc. Also get 10% off at most restaurants at the Dells. We literally save hundreds of dollars with these, a great deal.

This is what we like, and the kids I go with are 3-9

1) For outdoor or indoor water parks we like Wilderness but you have to be staying there. If you are staying somewhere without a waterpark try Mount Olympus or Noah's Ark, they are both included in the coupons above.
2) For Theme park the kids love Mt. Olympus theme park. They have roller coasters, tons of go carts etc. You can upgrade to include the outdoor theme park for $10 with the season opener card.
3) For mini golf we like Pirates Cove
4) We also like knuckleheads for indoor rides and bowling
5) The Tommy Bartlett show is a must do once - also on the season opener cards
6) The ducks, lower and upper dells boat ride and Jet boats can be fun especially if free with the cards.

Make sure you eat at Moose Jaw, our favorite!

 

[clh2]

Wisconsin is having an exceptionally cool spring this year. I don't even think it will get into the 50's today.

So - my guess is unless some sort of a heatwave rolls through, you might want to look at which waterpark hotels let you get day passes. There is a Kalahari which might be better than the Great Wolf Lodge if your kids are more adventurous, and it sounds like they are. GWL is nice, however, IMHO - seems geared more for smaller kids.

You aren't that far from Baraboo, and there is an awesome circus museum in that town. They have many old-fashioned circus wagons there, along with a circus-type atmosphere.

If you are in to hiking and a little bit of nature - Devils Rock State Park is not too far either.

And - while I don't totally know my way around southwestern Wisconsin - some of the attractions that my be interesting while you are getting to the dells area are Cave of the Mounds and House on the Rock.

 

[McKelly]

I agree with everything that MickeyMickey said, as far as the highlights of the WI Dells. My kids also enjoying eating at Paul Bunyan (we do breakfast) and if you are looking for something budget, behind Pirate's Cove mini-golf there is a family area with a large playground, a bouncing pillow, a non motorized scooter track and some trampoline basketball things. It is very reasonable and most often not crowded, especially in the evening, because I don't know if anybody realizes it's back there.

Your kids might also enjoy Circus World Museum in Baraboo, which is not too far from the Dells.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We always stay at the Kalahari each summer. We also love to go to Canyon Creek horseback riding stables. It is just down the street from the Kalahari.
There is ziplining at the Wilderness now. It looks really cool.

 

[dmank]

I appreciate all the advice everyone!! I was able to get some of those season opener cards too, which is a great deal.

The timeshare we are staying at is Mirror Lake Tamarack. Leave in 9 days now!!

THanks again for the great suggestions.