My wife and I are considering a vacation this summer in the Wisconsin Dells. Any suggestions as to what to do, and what you think about it would be greatly appreciated. Note- we have a 13 year old son that will be going.
Wisconsin Dells
- Thread starter Cyclonepride
- Start date
The Dells Ducks are kinda cool. Go-karts up the wazoo. Minigolf also up the wazoo. Some of the hotels (Treasure Island I believe is one) have waterparks and stuff on the premises. You need to have Moose Jaw delivered if it still exists just to see the delivery car.
I went there a few years back with my ex gf. We stayed as some hotel(sorry don't remember the name), and it was super cheap... and it was also one of the nicer places I've stayed somehow.
And since it was only spring break we only went to this indoor waterpark. It was pretty small since it was indoors, but I still had a lot of fun. Summer would be much better though!
And since it was only spring break we only went to this indoor waterpark. It was pretty small since it was indoors, but I still had a lot of fun. Summer would be much better though!
I've taken my kids the last few years and I would highly recommend the Chula Vista resort. We always stay there; it is newer and nicer than almost any other place, has great ammenities (indoor & outdoor waterparks, several restaurants, golf course, etc). It is also less expensive than many of the big name places. The waterparks aren't as huge as some of the others, but are still very nice and we always take a day or two and leave Chula Vista to visit Mount Olympus (water park & amusement park together).
To be honest, I've stayed several places in the Dells and I don't think I'll ever stay at any other place than Chula Vista in the future.
To be honest, I've stayed several places in the Dells and I don't think I'll ever stay at any other place than Chula Vista in the future.
My dad has a trade show he goes to at the Kalahari resort every year, so we've gone with a couple times to mooch off his free room. It's usually around October, so I've only used the indoor park, but it's pretty nice and has two water parks, a movie theater, go karts, etc.
You had me a bit worried at first, but then you added in the 13yr son detail at the end.
It has been years since I’ve been there, but I don’t think you’d go there UNLESS you were bringing kid(s). The Dells are very touristy (which doesn’t have to be a bad thing) and built to entertain little Johnny and Sally. I’d be surprised if many childless couples would choose this as a vacation destination. Maybe I'm wrong.
I’ve never been to The House on the Rock because so many people trash on it before we went, but I’ve since heard some people think it is worth a visit.
If your boy likes Harry Potter at all - check out this place:
Wizard Quest
It is actually pretty fun, even as an adult.
Wizard Quest
It is actually pretty fun, even as an adult.
The Ducks go by them, right? I seem to remember seeing them when we rode the Ducks anyway. We went there a long time ago with a bunch of other couples (only one had kids) and had a blast.
We've stayed here a couple of times...highly recommended, however, eat off site. Plenty of water and slides for all at the resort. Was very clean considering the size of it. Wilderness Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin Dells | www.wildernessresort.com
Suggest Wildthing jet boats...it is a water ride so dress according and only do it on a warm day...cold otherwise..a great time! The usual Duck rides of course for a lazy day. Wisconsin Dells WildThing Jet Boat
Z
Suggest Wildthing jet boats...it is a water ride so dress according and only do it on a warm day...cold otherwise..a great time! The usual Duck rides of course for a lazy day. Wisconsin Dells WildThing Jet Boat
Z
The Wilderness Lodge surpasses the Chula Vista from a waterpark standpoint. Pretty good place to spend a night too. 
They've got a pretty decent "rip line" park up there now if you're into that. Look for the billboards, they're everywhere. Best karts and coasters are at the Olympus theme park. Many good places to eat, but you have to have pizza from Moose Jaw.
Have fun! We went up as a family last year, and I'll be up there again in a few weeks for a car show.
They've got a pretty decent "rip line" park up there now if you're into that. Look for the billboards, they're everywhere. Best karts and coasters are at the Olympus theme park. Many good places to eat, but you have to have pizza from Moose Jaw.
Have fun! We went up as a family last year, and I'll be up there again in a few weeks for a car show.
Don't go to the upside down white house if it's still there. Still ****** at the wife for making me waste oodles of money on that.
Check out Mt olympus also with indoor park for bad weather. Check in at three and be ready to go to their park. Water and theme - the rollercoaster goes under the parking lot. They may also still be handing out Tommy Bartel water show tickets. Be sure to go.
Mt. Olympus Resorts | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | Toll Free 800.800.4997 |
Jet boat to upper dells; ducks to lower dells.
Mt. Olympus Resorts | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | Toll Free 800.800.4997 |
Jet boat to upper dells; ducks to lower dells.
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My wife and I take the kids there every year. We've been going for about 6 years now.
We only have stayed in the megaresorts, so that's all I can comment on. Kalahari, Great Wolf and the Wilderness.
Our favorite has been the Wilderness, because we stay in the Condos at the Glacier Canyon wing of the resort. It's a 2 bedroom condo with a kitchen. That ends up saving us a bunch of cash for Breakfast and lunch. My kids are waterpark nuts and it's tough to get them away long enough to go eat somewhere other than dinner once or twice during the week.
All the resorts are good though and have all their own charms. Kalahari has the nicest waterpark because it's huge and all connected. you dont' have to go far to get from one attraction to another. The Wilderness is a bit spread out. With slightly smaller parks located all over the place. But it's nice, because you never have to go far from you room to get to some water. Which could be the case at the Kalahari and the Great wolf. I liked the over all decor of the Great wolf, but found it's waterpark to be lacking a bit. Especially the outdoor one. The Kalahari and the Wilderness just have more as far as the waterparks go.
Go-Karts - The best over all deal we've found has been Riverview. You buy an all day pass and go all day. And that includes The waterpark as well. It has Karts specifically for kids to drive as well. My kids were driving on their own at ages 4 and 6. They had an outright blast. (can't go wrong with 13 year olds and go karts, imo)
Fine dining - we haven't done a lot, but have had good experiences at Del Bar and Ishnala supper Club. Mexicali Rose has decent mexican. Stay away from Crabby's seafood Buffet. For a quick bite sandwich or whatever, I really liked the Rivers Edge pub. Moosejaw is still there, it's a microbrewery as well as a pizza place. Pizza is OK, but the food there over all is pretty good. As well as having some decent beers. As with almost everything, the decor is northwoods lodge.
Mt. Olympus has some crazy go-kart tracks as welll as a great park over all. Can get really crowded and is a bit expensive as well.
Yes, the upside down whitehouse and capitol buildings suck.
Wizard Quest is pretty cool. Especially if into Harry potter.
Deer Park is still ther and awesome. (13 year old boy might be a little old depending. Basically, it's a deer petting zoo.)
A nice little train ride is the Riverside and Great Northern railroad just North of the Dells. (I believe it's north, I always get turned around up there becasue the highway turns and they redid some of the roads.) Anyways, it's a miniature railroad with real old steam. A nice little trip. (again, unless into trains, 13 might be a little old for this)
Mini-Golf, they are a dime a dozen really. They are all kind of good. Rivers Edge and Pirates cove are the ones we've done most.
Big thing, make your reservation and cosntantly check sites for deals. We usually book our room for around $300/night, but by the time our vacation comes, with coupons and other deals offered we usually spend around $200 - $230/night. And that is for a 2 bedroom condo. It seems every week these places change their specials and packages. So it's best to always be looking.
Well, that's all I can think of for now, if you need any specifics don't hesitate to pm me.
We only have stayed in the megaresorts, so that's all I can comment on. Kalahari, Great Wolf and the Wilderness.
Our favorite has been the Wilderness, because we stay in the Condos at the Glacier Canyon wing of the resort. It's a 2 bedroom condo with a kitchen. That ends up saving us a bunch of cash for Breakfast and lunch. My kids are waterpark nuts and it's tough to get them away long enough to go eat somewhere other than dinner once or twice during the week.
All the resorts are good though and have all their own charms. Kalahari has the nicest waterpark because it's huge and all connected. you dont' have to go far to get from one attraction to another. The Wilderness is a bit spread out. With slightly smaller parks located all over the place. But it's nice, because you never have to go far from you room to get to some water. Which could be the case at the Kalahari and the Great wolf. I liked the over all decor of the Great wolf, but found it's waterpark to be lacking a bit. Especially the outdoor one. The Kalahari and the Wilderness just have more as far as the waterparks go.
Go-Karts - The best over all deal we've found has been Riverview. You buy an all day pass and go all day. And that includes The waterpark as well. It has Karts specifically for kids to drive as well. My kids were driving on their own at ages 4 and 6. They had an outright blast. (can't go wrong with 13 year olds and go karts, imo)
Fine dining - we haven't done a lot, but have had good experiences at Del Bar and Ishnala supper Club. Mexicali Rose has decent mexican. Stay away from Crabby's seafood Buffet. For a quick bite sandwich or whatever, I really liked the Rivers Edge pub. Moosejaw is still there, it's a microbrewery as well as a pizza place. Pizza is OK, but the food there over all is pretty good. As well as having some decent beers. As with almost everything, the decor is northwoods lodge.
Mt. Olympus has some crazy go-kart tracks as welll as a great park over all. Can get really crowded and is a bit expensive as well.
Yes, the upside down whitehouse and capitol buildings suck.
Wizard Quest is pretty cool. Especially if into Harry potter.
Deer Park is still ther and awesome. (13 year old boy might be a little old depending. Basically, it's a deer petting zoo.)
A nice little train ride is the Riverside and Great Northern railroad just North of the Dells. (I believe it's north, I always get turned around up there becasue the highway turns and they redid some of the roads.) Anyways, it's a miniature railroad with real old steam. A nice little trip. (again, unless into trains, 13 might be a little old for this)
Mini-Golf, they are a dime a dozen really. They are all kind of good. Rivers Edge and Pirates cove are the ones we've done most.
Big thing, make your reservation and cosntantly check sites for deals. We usually book our room for around $300/night, but by the time our vacation comes, with coupons and other deals offered we usually spend around $200 - $230/night. And that is for a 2 bedroom condo. It seems every week these places change their specials and packages. So it's best to always be looking.
Well, that's all I can think of for now, if you need any specifics don't hesitate to pm me.
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Stop in and see Paul Bunyan for breakfast.
There is also an Indian casino down towards Baraboo which has Circus World Museum. Kalihari is higher end; Great Wolf is smaller but lots of kid activities.
Prices shopuld be 180-240 for the megas and they hand out park passes and other goodies.
Wow…Impressive recap! I will have to save this for future reference.
I do have to admit though; I did chucked a bit at this paragraph on “fine diningâ€
Is “fine dining†defined differently in Wisconsin than everyone else on the planet? I’m mean seriously; who honestly heads to a place called Crabby’s Seafood Buffett and expects white table cloths and a professional wait staff? “Boy honey, I bet they have a great wine list at this Crabby’s place I keep hearing about! “ :smile: I’d also say by definition, a microbrewery knocks itself out of the fine dining category.
Sorry…just having a little fun with ya. I'm guessing you meant "sit down" dining.
Again….very nice summary and I’m guessing much appreciated by the OP.
I do have to admit though; I did chucked a bit at this paragraph on “fine diningâ€
Is “fine dining†defined differently in Wisconsin than everyone else on the planet? I’m mean seriously; who honestly heads to a place called Crabby’s Seafood Buffett and expects white table cloths and a professional wait staff? “Boy honey, I bet they have a great wine list at this Crabby’s place I keep hearing about! “ :smile: I’d also say by definition, a microbrewery knocks itself out of the fine dining category.
Sorry…just having a little fun with ya. I'm guessing you meant "sit down" dining.
Again….very nice summary and I’m guessing much appreciated by the OP.
