How to Make the Most Out of Your Visit to Kalahari Resorts

Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH is a wonderful place to create memories together with family or friends.

Use these tips to make the most out of your visit to the indoor waterpark at Kalahari Resorts.

How Many Kalahari Resorts Are There in the United States?

There are 4 Kalahari Resorts in the United States.

Kalahari Resorts are in the following locations:

• Sandusky, Ohio
• Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
• Round Rock, Texas

Your Room Options at Kalahari Resorts

I’ve stayed in several different types of rooms at Kalahari.

I would advise you to choose a room that works with the number of guests in your party. Another factor is how much time you plan on spending in your room.

We tend to spend most of our time at the waterpark which means that we don’t spend a lot of time in our rooms.

If you are traveling with more than 4 people and want to save money on meals, you might want to consider a suite that comes with a full kitchen.

Drop off your luggage at the front and then park

If you have more than one person in your group, I suggest driving up to the front to have one person go inside to check-in.

After they check you in, grab a cart for your luggage and unload your vehicle near the entrance door.

The parking lot is a good walking distance from the front and you will not want to carry everything from there.

Plan Ahead for Your Visit to Kalahari Resorts

Kalahari allows guests to use the indoor water park as early as noon on the day of their arrival but Kalahari check-in time begins at 4pm.

(You need to pre-register when you arrive to get the wristbands for the waterpark)

Guest check out at 11 am but they can use the waterpark until 3pm the day of their departure.

If you visit between April and 19-December 17 you can use the waterpark until it closes on the day of your departure.

What to Pack in Your Swimbag for Kalahari Indoor Waterpark

You can swim earlier than your afternoon check-in time.

That means that you will want to have swim bags packed separately with flip-flops, coverups, etc.

Does Kalahari Provide Towels?

Kalahari does provide towels to be used in the waterpark area. They are very small.

If you prefer to have a towel that can wrap around your whole body, I highly recommend bringing your own beach towel. 

We packed 2 beach towels for each person so that we had another option if the first was still wet the following day.

To help your towels dry fast, try using hanging them from the hangers in the closet area. Beach towels are also great for finding and covering more of your lounge chair.

I wouldn’t bother trying to save seats for your kids because they aren’t going to spend much time on them.

Take what you really need so that another person can find a chair too.

Have a Plan for Your Valuables while you Swim

I like to keep my phone close so that I can take pictures which means that I don’t want to keep it in my room, but I also don’t feel comfortable leaving it in a bag on my chair.

At the indoor waterpark, there are lockers available to use or for smaller items, you might want to try the Flex Safe by AquaVault portable safe.

I’ve used mine at two different resorts and I like that I can attach it to my lounge chair and it doesn’t take up much space.

I fit 3 cell phones and my husband’s wallet in mine and the safe doesn’t take very long to unlock. I would suggest trying it a few times before you put anything in it.

Determine a Meeting Place with your Family

Talk to your family about where you should meet if you become separated during your time at the waterpark.

It’s also good to talk to them about times to meet up if have dining plans or time constraints on your departure date.

Find a landmark that is easy to identify for younger kids.

Have a Food Plan for Your Visit to Kalahari Resorts

I’m not the type of person who is good about packing a cooler full of food for trips. I like to experience local food when I visit a destination and I don’t want to think about what everyone might want to eat.

That said, I do pack snacks and drinks to keep in the room because my kids are always hungry, especially after swimming for long periods of time.

You can’t bring your own food and drinks inside the waterpark. Don’t bother trying because you don’t want the AWKWARD moment of being asked to remove your items before entering the waterpark area.

I’ve watched it happen to people and it’s just not worth it.

The pizza inside the waterpark is a reasonable price and it saves you the hassle of having to leave and come back.

I would also suggest adding authorization to your credit card for charges so that you have the option to make purchases if you don’t have your card physically on you.

Kalahari also has several restaurants onsite ranging from fast-casual to sit-down dining. You really don’t need to leave the resort unless you want to.

A Great Offsite Dining Option

If you are looking for a great option offsite, I suggest checking out OH Taco in Sandusky.

Fantastic tacos, and sandwiches, and do not leave without trying their cinnamon chili churros served with a dark chocolate coffee sauce…churros..trust me on the churros!

Get Your Hair Wet at Kalahari Resorts Indoor Waterpark

This especially goes for all women. Trust me, I get it.

I have long hair and it’s so cold when I’m wet and takes FOREVER to dry.

But I have so much more fun with my family when I don’t care and engage in play with them.

I challenge you to take the Get your hair wet challenge. 

During our visit my boys invited me to join them to play water basketball, I was already dried off and enjoying the warmth…but those invitations have come fewer and farther between.

I ended up playing with them and I’m so glad that I did. Sometimes you just have to suck it up

Give Yourself Grace on Your Body Size

I understand that there are few people on the planet who feel like their body is swimsuit-ready…especially if you visit a waterpark in the winter, after the holidays….but here is the interesting thing about waterpark culture…..people don’t care.

They don’t care that you are not a swimsuit model.

You will see ALL shapes and sizes in just about every type of swimwear option.

The irony is that sometimes you will see someone who is of a larger stature walk with way more confidence than someone who is of a smaller build.

You’ll find that waterpark culture is forgiving and the main objective is fun with family and friends..not fitness modeling.

You can always put on a rashguard, cute coverup, or dri-fit athletic style shirt for guys if you want a little more coverage.

If you are going on the surf simulator I HIGHLY recommend throwing on something with more coverage. The wipeouts can be brutal on swimsuit placement and you probably don’t want to flash everyone in sight with a swimsuit malfunction.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

I invite you to challenge yourself to face your fears on a ride that is out of your comfort zone…whatever that looks like for you.

I was REALLY intimidated the first time that I went down the water slide that drops you into a pool of water at the end,.

It ended up being really fun and I survived.

If you have kids with you it’s important for you to help them step out of their comfort zones too. There are lots of opportunities for them to build confidence by experiencing a water ride for the first time.

I also had a fun time looking stupid on the surf simulator with my friends during a girlfriend getaway. We had lots of laughs watching each other’s attempts and wipeouts.

Stay as long as Possible

You are there to make memories so make the most out of it and maximize your time there.

If you are traveling with kids or even teenagers you will find that your car ride home is a lot quieter after a day of swimming.

Set a Budget for Your Stay at Kalahari Resorts

Have an idea of what you will be spending during your visit. Don’t forget to factor in gratuities and additional activities on-site if you plan on doing them.

Your kids will walk by an arcade as they enter the waterpark so be prepared. There is also a zip line, bowling, laser tag, Virtual reality, and safari animal park at the Sandusky, Ohio location.

I suggest looking at the website ahead of time and determining what you want to do. You can have conversations ahead of time and let your kids know what you plan on doing during your visit.

You can also give them the option to bring some of their money to use in the game room and the gift shop.

Check Out the Adult Only Hot Tub at Kalahari

Adults 21+ can enjoy a kid-free zone with a swim-up bar and indoor/outdoor hot tubs.

If you get the opportunity, I highly recommend taking some time in the outdoor hot tub.

Do Your Research

Search for a great rate at Booking.com.

Our family has really enjoyed our visits to Kalahari Resorts over the years.

Kalahari does a great job of providing fun for all ages. They also help facilitate an experience that creates wonderful memories for years to come.

Thanks again to Kalahari Resorts for hosting my visit. All opinions are my own.

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