Wisconsin Dells Indoor Water Parks

Winters can be long in the upper Midwest. Agonizingly long, especially if you have children in the house. After months of watching the icicles drip outside your window, you are ready for some time in the sun.

Enter the water parks at the Wisconsin Dells. You'll get the same sunshine as the outdoors, but indoors it's a balmy 80 degrees and the water is fine.

The attractions at the Dells have been around for years, and are an oasis for the traveler seeking water-related fun. The Dells area is completely different with the seasons. During the summer months, tourist attractions are plentiful, including magic shows, mini-golf, bumper cars, and outdoor water parks. During the winter months, people flock to the indoor water parks.

Our family has sampled a number of the parks over the years, and have experienced everything from great service to vacations that left us wanting more.

Kalihari Resort is our hands-down favorite. On every visit, both the rooms and the park have been very clean. Our first visit included an upgrade to a Queen Suite, which impressed us with its kitchenette and fireplace. An on-site restaurant includes a view of the water park, and offers top-notch food. During all of our visits, baby tigers were displayed in the lobby area, available for professional photographs. The candy shop, including huge candied applies, is a favorite for the kids. The water park rides are good quality, with a wonderful wave pool and lazy river. The water park is housed in one giant area, so you can keep track of kids fairly easily.

Great Wolf Lodge is number two on our list of great water parks. We secured a rate under $200 for one night, which included water park admission for four, lodging, dinner that evening, and breakfast in the morning. The rooms were not exceptional, but were clean and well-managed. The two main water park areas are separated, but easy to navigate.

Wilderness Lodge has been around for a number of years, and is starting to show its age. The rooms are somewhat shabby, but the staff is almost always seen with a smile. The resort's layout is mismanaged, especially for the winter months. There are three water park areas, and you must traverse long stretches of hotel hallways to get to each one so you don't have to travel outside. There are an excellent variety of rides, for all ages. The wave pools are large, and plenty of food areas are found in each area.

If you don't like crowds, it's best to visit any resort during the week. If you're concerned about taking the kids out of school, aim for a school vacation day that doesn't coincide with other schools in the area. Resorts always have on-line specials, so it's a great idea to check out their websites.

No matter which park you visit, enjoy your time in the warm water.