Would you pay more or drive further - Great Wolf or Kalahari?

[Dancemom03]

Here we go again, another last minute brainstorm as DH's vacation weeks migrate faster than the snow geese flying past us. Somebody say it aint so... now we're looking at dates before the end of the month!

With no time to prepare, I checked rates at Great Wolf in Williamsburg VA and Kalahari Resort (our new favorite) in Sandusky OH.
GW is 379+ for 2 nights > The Kalahari is 269+ for same dates.
OH is a 6-7 hr drive - VA is 3-5 hrs depending on I-95 traffic (ewww)
I'm thinking we could drive the day before and possibly stay somehwere less expensive in the area of either.

So, in true budget board fashion, I need opinions...
Would you drive further and pay tolls to save $120 for two days or would you pay more and drive a bit less? We've never been to GW but looked at the lobby in OH and weren't very impressed.

Has anybody stayed at both resorts to offer a comparision perhaps? Any codes for either out there right now? TIA

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

IMHO, the Kalahari is the BEST indoor waterpark/resort we have ever been to. Keep in mind I live in WI, and the two resorts are practically across the street from each other, and they may look a bit different than the ones in Ohio.
The Kalahari has a great surf area, and a roller coaster water ride that my kids enjoy. There is also what we call the "toilet bowl" slide which is awesome. I think this resort just has alot more to offer than the Great Wolf.

 

[Anne34]

I tend to agree. The Kalahari is much better than Great Wolf. It also depends on your kids ages. Will they handle 2 more hours in the car ok? Will they be ok with bigger slides -- some have height restrictions.

Have fun -- haven't been to the one in the Dells for a couple years and we really have fun there!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Kalahari is a great indoor waterpark. We were just there this past summer. But we are a 3 hour drive from Sandusky. I don't think its worth a 6-7 hour drive.

When we visited Kalahari this past summer, there were alot of issues. Not enough life guards, rude and not so attentive lifeguards and employees in general, long waits to check-in and out. Plus there were attractions that were't open at times. Some slides were closed as the lifeguards were rotated.

We have never been to GWL in Williamsburg but have been to the one near Cincinnati. We love it there also. IMOP, the customer service and lifeguards were much better and more attentive. Though this can change from resort and even from visit to visit.

And with Sandusky you have to remember this is in the snow belt. There is alot more snow there then in other parts of Ohio and the mid-west. Could be iffy anytime during the winter months.

Good Luck

 

[BLLB]

I certainly agree with previous poster regarding Ohio weather in the Sandusky area. Also, I think it really depends on the ages of your kids. We have been to both.

I think Great Wolf is better if your kids are younger (under 7?). The pool area is, in my opinion, easier to keep an eye on the kids.

Kalahari is great if your kids are good swimmers and a little bit older. The layout is not as easy to keep an eye on the kids.

Not sure if this is what you asked for.

 

[Dancemom03]

Thanks for all the input. That's exactly what I was hoping for...
Think OH could get snow if we went Thanksgiving week or the week after? It could be a miserable drive if the roads are icy but I'd like to take along DD19 and her BF too for the trip I'm thinking.
I even considered doing the return drive the long way to NYC for a night or two, then back home. Of course, GWL in the Poconos would be perfect for that but the prices are another $200-400 higher in PA than in VA. I'd have to find a code for sure.

I did notice in July that the staff at kalahari was less than helpful and enthusiastic but the resort was new enough for us that it wasn't a big deal that time. If we'd been staying longer I'm sure it would have been though. Plus, we'd just driven from WI and the big amer girl sale so the stop to relax was absolutely wonderful for us last summer and about halway between here and WI. I know we'll do the Kalahari again - probably in both directions - next summer when we do the girls trip to WI for the AG sale.

If I'm reading correctly, GWL's water area is smaller than Kalahari?
What about the other activities - is there pottery/crafts or the big play slide like in Kalahari's arcade area maybe?
We especially liked the animals at Kalahari and other activity options.
If you weren't swimming, would your elem. school kids be bored? Would older teens be easily bored in the water area? There's still a lazy river at GWL for us older folks, right?

 

[CarrieR]

KALAHARI!!!

Although I haven't done GWL, I've done other indoor waterparks, (Ft Rapids & Coco Key in/near Columbus OH,) and IMO Kalahari is so, so worth every penny. (And this is coming from a SERIOUS tightwad on travel stuff!) I went on a (grown-up) girls' weekend, but was really sad I couldn't take my daycare kids. (I have none of my own as of yet.) I don't think they'd be bored... but they're mostly preschool aged.

If you were talking a 1hr drive vs 8 hours, maybe a different story -- but since you're already talking a decent drive, I think adding a couple of hours is WELL worth it.

BTW... did you look at the online packages/specials on the Kalahari page? They have some awesome deals going right now -- or at least when I looked a few days ago. (As low as $149/night, second night free, free suite upgrade!)

Good luck and have fun -- I'm jealous!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Thanks for all the input. That's exactly what I was hoping for...
Think OH could get snow if we went Thanksgiving week or the week after? It could be a miserable drive if the roads are icy but I'd like to take along DD19 and her BF too for the trip I'm thinking.
I even considered doing the return drive the long way to NYC for a night or two, then back home. Of course, GWL in the Poconos would be perfect for that but the prices are another $200-400 higher in PA than in VA. I'd have to find a code for sure.

I did notice in July that the staff at kalahari was less than helpful and enthusiastic but the resort was new enough for us that it wasn't a big deal that time. If we'd been staying longer I'm sure it would have been though. Plus, we'd just driven from WI and the big amer girl sale so the stop to relax was absolutely wonderful for us last summer and about halway between here and WI. I know we'll do the Kalahari again - probably in both directions - next summer when we do the girls trip to WI for the AG sale.

If I'm reading correctly, GWL's water area is smaller than Kalahari?
What about the other activities - is there pottery/crafts or the big play slide like in Kalahari's arcade area maybe?
We especially liked the animals at Kalahari and other activity options.
If you weren't swimming, would your elem. school kids be bored? Would older teens be easily bored in the water area? There's still a lazy river at GWL for us older folks, right?

I'm not sure about the GWL in Williamsburg. You need to check the website or call the hotel directly. I know the GWL in Mason Ohio is definetly not the same as the GWL in Sandusky. Some are bigger then others with more activities going on. I know Mason has the indoor soft play area and I actually liked their kids craft place better at GWL then Kalahari. No baby tigers at GWL.

As far as the snow goes, you never know. The area near Sandusky gets lots of lake effect snow from lake Erie. We could get no snow here as the areas near Lake Erie get pounded. Can't predict that.

 

[RPrincess]

I live near Cleveland which is about 45-60 minutes away from Sandusky and the Kalahari. I would highly suggest the Kalahari as it is the largest waterpark for your money. The rooms are wonderful, they remind us a little like Animal Kingdom. I have never been to TGW because we feel we get our monies worth at the Kalahari. We have already been there 3 times this year. Once in May, Aug and Oct.
Summer months are very busy for Sandusky because of Cedar Point. We stayed one night at the Kalahari and the next day we did CP. Every area was opened and maintained with life guards.
In Oct. all the college kids go back to school so the life guards are limited however they may close certain areas for a few hours at a time until life guards are available. The wave pool is always open and the slides. The lazy river was closed until 3 p.m.
Also the weekends are more crowded than the weekdays. So if you can go from Sunday thru Thursday it is less crowded and you generally can get a better rate. Like the other poster said check under the SPECIALS on the web site.
I hope this helps, if I can help to answer any all questions please ask.

 

[amez]

Kalahari!!! I live less then ten minutes from the Kalahari in Sandusky, oh. We love it--my kids are 17, 9, 6 and 5. There is something for everyone. Their rooms are beautiful and there are other things to do when the waterpark wears you out.--pottery painting, huge arcade, indoor mini golf, bowling, huge dry play area etc.

We are going a week in Feb--gotta love the slow season!!

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I have heard great things about Kalahari. But I can say that this report
has concerned me,http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/07/19/front/doc4882a2983eb4c030483944.txt
I do review state inspections and we are very lucky in Ohio to have a team that takes ride inspections very seriously. We have never done this waterpark, but have done a few others in the state. I think the size of it and trying to keep track of 4 kids has also kept me from checking it any further.
I would also be one who was careful of the weather in Northern Ohio this time of year. If you do not want to deal with the snow I would definitely plan on going the other direction.

 

[tinan]

We have stayed at both Kalahari and Great Wolf in Sandusky. Personally, there is no question in the choice. We will take Kalahari any day!!! The way I like to describe it is that Great Wolf is geared more towards the younger families (infants - 7ish) and Kalahari is geared more towards older kids. Did you check the specials section on Kalahari's website? Thats usually where I look for any deals besides here.