Wisconsin Dells on a budget?

[Soupermom]

Can anyone make suggestions for where to stay or what to do in the Dells? Our cast will probably include two families with 3 teenagers-2 boys and a girl. We don't need fancy lodging, just clean and with a pool. A nice cabin would be great! We will be going mid-late July of this year.
Any suggestions on the following would be appreciated:
Lodging
Water parks
Hiking/exploring/adventure/caves?
antique shops
golf courses


We'll be driving up from Illinois, so anything along the way is a possibility, too.

Thanks!

 

[rapmarks]

when do you plan on going to the Dells?

There are lots of rentals at christmas Mountain on the various timeshare boards. sometimes you can get them really cheap, two bedroom units.

If you go in June, there are lots of two for one coupons out there and even free days with report cards (A or B grades) at some of the water parks and Mt. Olympus. there is a 5 day pass for $79 that gets you into everything, you just have to do it in 5 days. Also the Dells Fun Card will get you two for one at lots of attractions and restaurnat. It costs $10.

 

[Soupermom]

Oops! That would be important to know. I edited my PP...we'll be going near the end of July.
Thanks!

 

[teacup princess]

We always stay at either the Wilderness lodge or Chula Vista. They both ocassionally run $99/night specials which isn't too bad considering that includes admission to their waterpark. Sign up to be on their mailing list to get their promotions.

 

[rapmarks]

you will hae a pretty hard time getting a deal at the end of July, that is the prime season.
many hotels include Mount Olympus passes in their rates

 

[sbpebbles]

We always stay at either the Wilderness lodge or Chula Vista. They both ocassionally run $99/night specials which isn't too bad considering that includes admission to their waterpark. Sign up to be on their mailing list to get their promotions.

I have to agree with rapmarks you will be hard pressed to find $99 specials like that during the summer, let alone in July..as mentioned many of the hotels do partner with Mt Olympus and you get their tickets otherwise you can always check out like Kalahari, yes I'm a BIG fan and previous employee there lol, or Wilderness sometimes their websites have good specials if you are planning to book early enough..if you need any help please feel free to contact me, we live near there and LOVE LOVE LOVE going there and we do it on a budget too..

 

[ekatiel]

Last year at the beginning of August we were able to get two nights at the Kalahari plus passes to their indoor theme park (in addition to the waterpark that's included in your stay) for $299. If you go to their website, you can see the deals. We had a BLAST. MIL thought it was STILL too much money-- and continues to remind me of that, but really, it was the only thing the boys remember about our trip to Wisconsin to see the in-laws last year! --Katie

 

[tinkmom2]

We've stayed at the Polynesian during July. The rooms are a bit dated but ours was clean. If you subscribe to their web page they send you coupon deals. We have also stayed at the Ho Jo which is ok for little ones but not so much for the older ones. The Kalahari we found to be overpriced and we stayed in the "Sand" building which is really far from the action. Mostly all of these pages have websites you can check out. Some places offer free admission to Tommy Bartletts shows or waterpark admission as a perk.

Noah's Ark is a good water park to have fun at. Riverview is very cheap and has a few slides.

Cave of the Mounds has neat caves to explore but I believe that's a guided tour.

Golf courses. There is a minature golf downtown. The Wilderness has regular golf.

 

[MarthaJr.]

I would recommend subscribing to http://dells.com
I get emails from them frequently with the latest bargains. There is a lot of good information on that site including a price list of the area attractions.

If it is at all possible to change your trip to the beginning of June. They always have really good deals on hotel rooms at that time. The temperature can be iffy at that time, but you could save a lot on hotel expenses.

We've stayed at Kalahari, Chula Vista, Polynesian and all have nice indoor/outdoor waterpark facilities--so maybe weather not such a big factor. I would say Kalahari is best for your teenagers. You can actually attempt surfing there.

Lots of nice condos and cabins in the area--just look at the listings on the dells.com site for links.

Good luck and have fun planning your trip!

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

I second the dells.com website - you can sign up for their newsletter and sometimes get coupons. We did a family reunion last May in the Dells. I got a good deal on 2 bedroom suites at the Coba Cabana. It's right across the street from the Tommy Barlett water ski show. You got free tickets to the show with the room plus a few other freebies/coupons. Go for a ride on the Wisconsin Ducks, it's always a favorite of our family.

 

[tazdeb]

About a 1/2 hour drive south of the dells is Devils Lake State park. This is a great place to hike and reminds me of a mini Lake Tahoe. Also since your kids are old enough to be on there own for a few hours, there is the Ho-Chunk (5 min south) casino which is a nice place to spend some adult time. For a great burger eat at Monks downtown (not the one by the Wilderness Lodge). Mt Olympus is the place to go as it is a water park (wave pool, slides, lazy river, etc...) theme park with over 7 roller coasters (one was rated in the top 10 wooden roller coasters in the country) and great go cart tracks all included in one price. Last year if you bought one day admitsion you got the next day free. Wisconsin Dells is the waterpark capital of the world so every hotel has a themed area. The big three (Wilderness, Kalahari, and Great Wolf Lodge) have multiple indoor and outdoor parks. However they charge a premium for this. Since you are going during July anyway I would stay at one of the smaller places and do Mt Olympus 1 and 1/2 days and then do Devils Lake 1/2 day then do "downtown" with the Ducks/upper dells boat tour the last day. There is so much to see in the dells that much like disney it takes some planning. Also like disney it can be quite expensive. The Dells.com website has an attraction book you can buy which cost about $80 per person but includes tickets to most of the most popular attractions. Send away for the free visitor guide, do some reserch and have fun.

 

[jennyf2]

We go to the Dells every year with a bunch of family members (approx 20). We rotate every year--1 year we stay at a resort, next year we stay at a motel (usually the Mayflower-which includes Mt Olympus tickets for each night you stay).

I think we spend more at the dells than I do is DISNEY..But its close & we have a BLAST!!!! You can get more info at wisdells.com. We also buy the Dells coupon book ($20) & save quite a bit by using the B1G1..

Have fun

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone for the great information...keep it coming!

We cannot go in June because we will be in school until the 4th and I begin classes (Master's program) on the 11th. We'll have to go after I finish classes in early-mid July.

I grew up in Northern Illinois and forgot all about Devil's lake! I've been there before camping, many times. Do they have cabins there by chance? That would be a great place to stay for a day or two.

I've requested some written materials from the Dells and AAA, so I'll see what they have to say.

Thanks again!

 

[rapmarks]

I live in the Dells from May thru oct . I really do not have firsthand knowledge of lodging except 22 years ago when we had our house built.

I do not recommend the Dells coupon book for $20. There are fewer bogo's every year and more 10% offs. I like the Dells Fun Card, which is all two for ones. about 32 two for ones on the card between rewstaurants and attractions for $10. I think the Ducks and the Boat trip allow you to use for up to 4 or 6. The same owner has put out a 2 for one lodging card, but I don't know what the restrictions would be.

If you are interested in golf: Christmas Mountain, Wilderness, Trappers Turn, the course at Chula Vista, Baraboo CC, and Reedsburg CC. you will find some weekday deals and two for ones but not at Wilderness or Trappers Turn - pricey courses.
Devil's Lake a good day trip as is House on the Rock.

 

[Jajone]

Have you considered camping? They some beautiful campgrounds with pools and lake access. We also have stayed at the Flamingo. We got 2 free Noah's Ark tickets for each night we stayed last year and it is right next door to Noah's Ark (you can walk there into a back entrance). The Flamingo is a no frills hotel, but has an indoor and outdoor pool.

 

[hildarumpole]

We've stayed at the Meadowbrook Resort and really enjoyed it. They have a hotel and cabins. It's nice, because it has everything you need without being so big. Some of the resorts are so large, you feel like you're on a major hike to get from your room to the pool. They have indoor and outdoor pools, game room, plus have family movie nights with free popcorn and a nightly campfire with marshmallow roasting. They also offer packages where you can get tickets to the Kalahari waterpark and other things. Rates can vary a lot at the Dells, depending upon how the summer is going. You can check it out at www.meadowbrookresort.com .

 

[snoodledoo]

Which Dells waterpark would be best for younger kids (8 & 11)?

 

[briarrose]

Another hike to do is Parfrey's glen. It's close to Devil's lake. The rangers at Devil's lake should be able to give you directions. 2007 we stayed at the Kalahari because we got a good rate and it had the largest indoor waterpark, which ended up for us a good thing because it rained almost the whole 4 days there. We did get to do Devil's Lake and Parfrey's glen one morning before the torrential rains started up again.

 

[rapmarks]

Another hike to do is Parfrey's glen. It's close to Devil's lake. The rangers at Devil's lake should be able to give you directions. 2007 we stayed at the Kalahari because we got a good rate and it had the largest indoor waterpark, which ended up for us a good thing because it rained almost the whole 4 days there. We did get to do Devil's Lake and Parfrey's glen one morning before the torrential rains started up again.

the boardwalk at Parfrey's Glen was washed out in the June 2008 floods. you know have to hike back to see the waterfall over rough ground. it was a beautiful spot.

 

[kellia]

Sub! We are going there at the end of June, our friends have a timeshare. We have never been, so I'm interested in what there is to do there, I have no idea!