Opening the most important indoor waterpark in the USA throughout 2020, within the midst of a worldwide pandemic, appeared like a loopy concept. However now that the pandemic is over, Kalahari is one in every of my favourite locations for a fast mini-vacation. And since it’s indoors, you possibly can go to in nearly any season.
We love Kalahari for therefore many causes:
It’s Indoor. Meaning you possibly can take pleasure in it, regardless of the climate, always of 12 months!
It’s Shut. Positioned in Spherical Rock, TX, Kalahari is simply a 1.5-hour drive away from San Antonio. This implies you possibly can sleep in and nonetheless arrive at an honest time to take pleasure in a couple of hours of enjoyable in your check-in day!
It’s a Resort/Resort. One factor I dread about going to a waterpark or seaside is all of the stuff I’ve to haul with me — towels, toys, floaties, adjustments of garments, sunscreen, umbrellas, and many others. As Kalahari is a resort, you possibly can return to loosen up in your room after a protracted day of enjoyable, even in your swimsuit!
It’s cashless and cardless. At Kalahari, your wristband is every little thing— money, bank card, and door key. So that you should not have to fret about carrying money round or digging out your pocket or purse to seek out your door key. Professional Tip: Not all wristbands must be charging bands. It’s possible you’ll need to disable the charging/cost perform in your children’ wristbands in order that they don’t shock you with a hefty invoice later (i.e., arcades, video games, and many others.).
With over 223,000 sq. toes of area, there may be limitless enjoyable at Kalahari. Between waterparks, arcades, wonderful eating, spa, and personal cabanas, you might be on the path to get pampered, excited, thrilled and relaxed all on the similar time — you probably have the funds. Don’t be discouraged; there are nonetheless loads of methods to be sure you make as a lot of a splash and have enjoyable with out breaking the financial institution. From what to carry, how lengthy to remain, and what to eat, we’ll share some methods we used to maintain our journey extra reasonably priced for our household.
Go Off-Season or on Weekdays
Like most journey locations, low season and weekdays sometimes have extra discounted pricing. Bear in mind, the vast majority of the enjoyable at Kalahari is indoors, the place it’s all the time round 84°F. Many of the greater tube slides are all indoors, so thrill-seekers received’t miss out even when the outside waterpark is closed. Once we first began going to Kalahari, it was sometimes in the course of the fall and winter. We even went on Christmas Eve when it was under 40°F outdoors! For those who like scorching tubs, you understand what a deal with it’s to take pleasure in them in the course of the chilly climate. One other good thing about going throughout quieter occasions is that the strains might be shorter for the rides!
How Lengthy Ought to We Keep?
We sometimes keep between 1 and a couple of nights, relying on what we need to do. One perk about Kalahari is that whereas the official check-in time isn’t till 4 p.m, you possibly can benefit from the waterpark from as early as midday in your check-in day. On the day you take a look at, you possibly can keep till they shut — even after you take a look at (check-out time is at 11 a.m.) With Kalahari being a brief drive away, you don’t have to fret about catching a flight or enduring a protracted drive dwelling, which provides nearly a WHOLE additional day of enjoyable on the resort. Professional Tip: Pack a separate pool bag, so you possibly can comfortably depart your baggage within the automotive when you benefit from the waterpark after check-out.
It’s price mentioning that Kalahari affords a day cross. These could be considerably cheaper, particularly in the course of the busy seasons. And contemplating the space, they’re completely possible.
Is Tom Foolery’s Value It?
Tom Foolery’s Journey Park is an arcade that leads into the indoor waterpark. It has over 250 arcade video games, ropes programs, climbing partitions, impediment programs, rides, and many others. It’s a ton of dry-time enjoyable, and my children actually loved it after we bought a Tom Foolery’s add-on throughout our keep. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t recommend including it on until you’re staying multiple night time. In fact, you possibly can pack moist and dry enjoyable time on the identical day, however we wish to hold them separate. Staying two nights permits us to dedicate our check-out day to the dry day and luxuriate in Tom Foolery absolutely with out having to haul a pool bag to vary garments. Apart from, with a lot to do on the waterpark, it’s laborious to pack every little thing in to sooner or later.
You should purchase the cross as an add-on while you e book your reservation — there are good offers to contemplate if you happen to plan to make the most of the arcades. Be conscious of your youngsters’s age, nonetheless — typically, it’s cheaper to buy separate wristbands, particularly you probably have a younger little one.
Professional Tip: You’ll stroll by way of Tom Foolery’s to get to the waterpark, as a result of there is no such thing as a means round it. So if you happen to resolve NOT so as to add it to your journey, its higher to speak that along with your youngsters to keep away from any sudden meltdowns.
The place & What to Eat?
There are various nice eating places at Kalahari to make sure you don’t go down the slide on an empty abdomen — be sure you head over to their web site to see all of the choices on provide. Nonetheless, due to its comfort, on-site eating can get costly. One of many extra economical choices on the resort is getting an entire super-sized pizza to share. The pizza is yummy and enormous sufficient to supply nearly two meals for a household of 4. The refillable memento cups are additionally nice choices for having fun with some cool drinks all through your keep. Don’t throw these animal/coconut cups away on the finish of your keep — they don’t expire, so you possibly can carry them again to the resort subsequent time you go to.
Another choice is to carry your individual meals. It is very important keep in mind that NO OUTSIDE FOOD IS ALLOWED IN THE WATERPARK. Nonetheless, as you might be in a resort, you possibly can simply take pleasure in a fast chew in your room or at a picnic desk outdoors the waterpark. Every room has a small fridge and a microwave that can assist you hold meals recent or heat. H-E-B, Walmart, and Sam’s Membership are additionally a brief drive away if you happen to ever must seize one thing from the shop.
For those who like BBQs, know that the legendary Salt Lick BBQ is actually throughout from Kalahari. One time, we loved a family-style BBQ feast for lunch on our check-in day and loved the leftovers throughout our keep. Throughout our latest visits, we selected to have our dinner there after a protracted day of enjoyable on our check-out day.
What to Pack: Towels, Floaties, Pool Toys?
Towels and life vests are plentiful on the waterpark, so there is no such thing as a must pack these until your loved ones has particular preferences. Remember that towels are for “rental.” You could return them earlier than you allow the waterpark to keep away from any fees. With the gang, pool toys are in all probability not the perfect concept for the waterpark, as they will get misplaced simply. Professional Tip: It’s a quick stroll from the waterpark to your resort room, and it may possibly get chilly. We all the time carry a hoodie/gown for the little ones to maintain them heat.
The place to Discover Offers & Different Actions?
Like each theme park and resort, you possibly can join their publication to obtain updates and low cost affords. There may be additionally a Fb group known as Kalahari Spherical Rock Resort Ideas and Methods, the place previous guests share their experiences and ideas, and journey brokers share their unique low cost affords.
There could also be particular occasions and actions across the resort in the course of the holidays, conferences, and festivals. You possibly can verify their web site for upcoming occasions. On an everyday day, the resort hosts many enjoyable every day actions, together with character meets, arts and crafts, and extra. So, whereas on the resort, don’t neglect to take a look at the every day exercise schedule.
Younger Youngsters, S’mores, Cabanas, and Extra!
When you have little children, Kalahari additionally has an enormous space for the little ones to splash round in. Two huge firepits within the courtyard are open and lit year-round. So carry your chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows, and sticks to take pleasure in some cozy campfire s’mores! There are many seating areas and tables across the waterpark, however the lounge chairs by the wave pool get stuffed up FAST. The cabanas look wonderful! Along with concierge service, some are even geared up with a scorching tub and TV. Reservations are required if you wish to safe a cabana earlier than arrival. Since they arrive with varied facilities and are situated at completely different spots throughout the waterpark, verify on their web site to see which one you want to e book. One factor to notice is that because the waterpark is indoors, it may possibly get too loud for some individuals’s liking. Final however not least, keep in mind to carry waterproof cellphone instances if you happen to plan to take many photos within the water!
There may be a lot to do and discover at Kalahari, one in every of our household’s favorites. For individuals who have been, what different ideas do you have got?
