Wisconsin Dells???

[SaraJayne]

We will probably be having a staycation this year because we are going on the Dream and to WDW in 2011.
We have stayed at the Polynesian. If you sign up for their newsletter you get deals. The rooms are a bit outdated but we had a good time there. There are things to do indoor and outdoors there.
The Hojo has 3 pools but not much else to do there. It's more for younger kids.
We thought the Kalahari was overpriced. The indoor waterpark is much smaller than it appears on tv. The outside area was very crowded. Also we got a "Sand" room which is the farthest building away from the pools.
Best Western has good rates but only a single pool. Some of the places like HoJo offer passes to Noah's Ark for staying there.
Paul Bunyans is a MUST when staying in the Dells. The hibachi restaurant was also very good. We have eaten at the sea food buffet and thought that was good as well. I also love to go and look at the shops at downtown Dells.
There is a outlet mall that has a Disney outlet in it. I think the mall is called Tangier Outlet. And there was a pizza place right in the parking lot that has a big gaming complex in it with rides. (sorry the name escapes me)
I agree with the PP's that Mc Donald's is overpriced. You will find the same thing at all the chain restaurants.

Knuckleheads.

Check out The Flamingo Hotel. It's right next to Noah's Ark and I think it includes passes to Noah's Ark in your room rate.

http://www.dellsflamingo.com/

We've stayed there in the past and yes, it's a bit outdated, but it was within our budget at the time and we still had a great time.

ETA: The Flamingo Hotel includes 2 passes to Noah's Ark for every night you stay.

Day passes to Noah's Ark (per Noah's Ark website) are $34.50 for adults and $30.66 for children.

 

[rapmarks]

a lot of the less expensive hotels include either tickets to Noah's Ark or to Mt. Olympus.
There is a Dells Fun Card with two for one for the ducks, Boat Rides, Circus World Museum, Crane Foundation, etc. also has food two for one's on it. Last night on the news the owner of Mount Olympus was interviewed and he has come out with a card that gives 33% off at 22 attractions. I don't know if the card is free or a charge. The Dells fun Card is $10. We live in the Dells, so don't stay in hotels.
Culver's is no longer in downtown Dells, it is almost ready to open at its new location across fromt he Walgreen's near the Taco Bell.

 

[clh2]

If you are looking to do a day ftrip from the dells - There is a Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Phenomonal museum of the old circus wagons. In the summer, there are many things going on all day!

If you would be in Madison on a Saturday - the Farmer's market is "must-do". It is right by the capital building. (And - I second all the suggestions from a PP.) My family LOVES to go hang out in Madison.

To the OP - it looks like your kiddos are 8 and 4. The Great Wolf is wonderful for that age range of kids. The wilderness is great for older kids IMO, but the place is HUGE. IMHO - while the wave pools at the wilderness are fun for my daughter (now 16) I don't know if I would have wanted her in them when she was 8, and certainly not when she was 4. I also would not have wanted her on the cyclone or other rides at 4 and 8.

Now for restaurants, we always like Mr. Pancake for breakfast at least once when we are there. Never been to Paul Bunyan...strikes me that it is a buffet, and I am not a big fan of buffets in general.

Another idea in the dells - there is still an outdoor movie theater in the area. Just something that might be fun one of the nights when you are there - if the movies are good! I think it is called "Big Sky Drive-In"

 

[Poohbug]

One thing to avoid is eating at the water parks. Those snack bars are more expensive than Disney. Take your own snacks and just go to a sit down restaurant to eat-it will be cheaper and much better food.

 

[budbeerlady]

If you are looking to do a day ftrip from the dells - There is a Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Phenomonal museum of the old circus wagons. In the summer, there are many things going on all day!


To the OP - it looks like your kiddos are 8 and 4. The Great Wolf is wonderful for that age range of kids. The wilderness is great for older kids IMO, but the place is HUGE. IMHO - while the wave pools at the wilderness are fun for my daughter (now 16) I don't know if I would have wanted her in them when she was 8, and certainly not when she was 4. I also would not have wanted her on the cyclone or other rides at 4 and 8.

I was going to suggest Circus World, my parents took our family when I was 9. It was very cool and IF I can ever get Dh to road trip I want to take DD to it.

Also fun for adults is the HO-Chuck casino right there by the dells. DMIL and I always spend the night there on the way up to Minn. I am not a big gambler but its a nice place to sleep and spend a roll of quarters.

 

[BrettAZ]

I think i saw a water park in the Dells once...im sure of it!

 

[daughtersrus]

Culver's is no longer in downtown Dells, it is almost ready to open at its new location across fromt he Walgreen's near the Taco Bell.

Really? When did it close? We were up at the lake house a few weeks ago I swear that it was open. The only reason that I remember is that the flavor of the day was one of my favorites (Raspberries and cream). We're heading up this weekend but I doubt that we'll go through town to get to 13 because of the crowds/traffic. Instead, we'll probably head up to HH.

I would think that business will not be nearly as good down by Walgreens. They definitely will loose the crowd that walks around town.

 

[JMD1979]

We have been to The Dells the past 2 summers. It is a blast! The first year we stayed at the Copa Cabana despite the bad reviews. It was majorly outdated but not that bad. Perfect for what we had money to spend on. They just added a great indoor kiddie waterpark which my girls then 4 & 2 loved! I was not crowded at all as I think a lot of people stay at the nicer hotels. We pretty much owned the place and hardly ever left.

Last year we purchaced the Wisconsin Dells Coupon book. It had a coupon for stay one night get one night free at Chula Vista. There was nothing that said you could only use one coupon so we ended up buying two books and used both coupons so our room ended up being crazy affordable. This place was beautiful! Large indoor water park as well as a decent size outdoor park. Our favorite by far was the wave pool a little small but perfect for what we needed!

Jeana

 

[SaraJayne]

If you are looking to do a day ftrip from the dells - There is a Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Phenomonal museum of the old circus wagons. In the summer, there are many things going on all day!

If you would be in Madison on a Saturday - the Farmer's market is "must-do". It is right by the capital building. (And - I second all the suggestions from a PP.) My family LOVES to go hang out in Madison.

To the OP - it looks like your kiddos are 8 and 4. The Great Wolf is wonderful for that age range of kids. The wilderness is great for older kids IMO, but the place is HUGE. IMHO - while the wave pools at the wilderness are fun for my daughter (now 16) I don't know if I would have wanted her in them when she was 8, and certainly not when she was 4. I also would not have wanted her on the cyclone or other rides at 4 and 8.

Now for restaurants, we always like Mr. Pancake for breakfast at least once when we are there. Never been to Paul Bunyan...strikes me that it is a buffet, and I am not a big fan of buffets in general.

Another idea in the dells - there is still an outdoor movie theater in the area. Just something that might be fun one of the nights when you are there - if the movies are good! I think it is called "Big Sky Drive-In"

Paul Bunyan is not a buffet. Everything is served family style at your table.

 

[rapmarks]

there is a family restaurant in the old culver's building. the owner decided to move, but I agree, I don't think the new location is as good as the old one.

I drove past Wintergreen Hotel today and I noticed a sign saying stay two nights, third night is free. Also said free mt Olympus tickets included in stay. Also, the Dells Fun Card owner also has a Dells Lodging Card with two for ones.

If I were new to the Dells, I would do the Ducks, do the upper Dells boat tour with the walking stops, go to Circus World Museum, maybe do the Jet boats on the lower Dells. and of course a water park or Mount Olympus. You might also want to see Devil's Lake State Park.

 

[jgates]

North Freedom train ride can be very interesting - especially for boys! Just thought of that when I was reading thru the other items.

http://www.midcontinent.org/

There are also some Indian Mounds along one of the smaller roads outside of Baraboo. Not super exciting for most kids, but I had to go back & find them again myself a few years ago as I remembered going there when I was little.

http://www.wisconsinstories.org/2001season/native/nj_journey.html

If driving up from Madison it's a nice side trip to take the ferry across the Wisconsin River at Merrimac. It is actually part of the Wisconsin State Highway system.

http://www.tn.merrimac.wi.gov/ferry.htm