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kedra5
Think Less, Live More
Member since 7/11 3544 total posts
Name:
Kedra
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Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Looking to take DS before DD arrives in April.
Whats the difference? Is one better than the other?
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Posted 1/24/18 2:14 PM  |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
I went 2 years, so Kalahari is different now. When I compared the 2, Kalahari was more expensive and in my opinion, for an older age. DS was going to be 5 and I felt Great Wolf was better suited for him. He had a great time and asks daily to go back, 2 years later.
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| Posted 1/24/18 2:24 PM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
I've heard that opposite regarding the age skew for kids. I haven't been to either but we booked Kalahari for the end of March. We got a great deal. My kids are 7 and 2.5.
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| Posted 1/24/18 2:42 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
I haven't been to Great Wolf but I have been to Kalahari. Its newer than Great Wolf. Its very clean. There was lots to do there for all ages. I have been to H2O and the one by Lake George, and those are geared towards littler kids. Kalahari has really fun rides for everyone, a swim up bar, sports bar area, cabanas, indoor/outdoor hot tub. We really liked it there.
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| Posted 1/24/18 2:54 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by FirstMate
I haven't been to Great Wolf but I have been to Kalahari. Its newer than Great Wolf. Its very clean. There was lots to do there for all ages. I have been to H2O and the one by Lake George, and those are geared towards littler kids. Kalahari has really fun rides for everyone, a swim up bar, sports bar area, cabanas, indoor/outdoor hot tub. We really liked it there.
Yes LOVED it. And there was plenty for the little ones-they have an entire area dedicated to smaller slides for them.
I enjoy going there as much, if not more, than my DD!
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| Posted 1/24/18 3:13 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17795 total posts
Name:
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Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
We haven't been to Great Wolf but, love Kalahari, especially since they have expanded.
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| Posted 1/24/18 3:21 PM |
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mommy2B3
2 boys 2 girls!!!!
Member since 7/08 3324 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
My kids range from 2-9 and I’d never go back to great wolf. Kalahari is just so much cleaner! But I do wish they had the bunk beds in the room like great wolf. My almost 2 yo and 4 yo had a blast at kalahari, we just went for my DDs 4th bday in December, can’t wait to go again when we can use the zip lines outside!
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| Posted 1/24/18 3:30 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17795 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by mommy2B3
My kids range from 2-9 and I’d never go back to great wolf. Kalahari is just so much cleaner! But I do wish they had the bunk beds in the room like great wolf. My almost 2 yo and 4 yo had a blast at kalahari, we just went for my DDs 4th bday in December, can’t wait to go again when we can use the zip lines outside!
They do have rooms with bunk beds but, their standard rooms just have 2 queen sized and a pull out.
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| Posted 1/24/18 3:48 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
We go to Great Wolf every year, and my kids love it. They really like the MagiQuest and other things they have to do in the lodge. We go with a large group each year, and everyone has a good time. We have never been to Kalahari though. I don't think Great Wolf is dirty at all..we are picky. All waterparks have a skeeve factor to them though. Great Wolf rooms do need a refurb though...add some freshening. They aren't bad...they are just getting a little worn
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| Posted 1/24/18 4:17 PM |
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mommy2B3
2 boys 2 girls!!!!
Member since 7/08 3324 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by ali120206
Posted by mommy2B3
My kids range from 2-9 and I’d never go back to great wolf. Kalahari is just so much cleaner! But I do wish they had the bunk beds in the room like great wolf. My almost 2 yo and 4 yo had a blast at kalahari, we just went for my DDs 4th bday in December, can’t wait to go again when we can use the zip lines outside!
They do have rooms with bunk beds but, their standard rooms just have 2 queen sized and a pull out.
Good to know! Maybe they were sold out when we went, bc when I asked they told me they didn’t.
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| Posted 1/24/18 4:30 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
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| Posted 1/24/18 4:31 PM |
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
I've done both within the last year - my DS was 8 for both trips.
I think the answer would depend on the ages of the kids and how adventurous they are. Kalahari is bigger, so it was easier to keep track of everyone in our group at Great Wolf. But that being said, Kalahari had more and bigger rides/play areas.
Great Wolf offers more in the way of a theme that appeals to kids, and the extras like the storytime and Magic Quest. We didn't do the Magic Quest, and my DS's was older and could take/leave story time.
For me, I much preferred Kalahari, because there were better amenities for the adults. Both times we went with a big group of families from DS's school. I liked that there was the indoor-outdoor hot tub areas, including a fun grotto with a swim up bar at Kalahari. The onsite food choices were much better at Kalahari. There were several decent options to choose from, whereas with Great Wolf, we went off site to a chain restaurant to eat.
Both trips were fun, and we all had a good time at both places.
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| Posted 1/24/18 4:34 PM |
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
That is a big part of why I prefer Kalahari. The tiny run down single bar area inside the Great Wolf waterpark wasn't cutting it for me! 
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| Posted 1/24/18 4:35 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by Christine Braun - Signature Premier Properties
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
That is a big part of why I prefer Kalahari. The tiny run down single bar area inside the Great Wolf waterpark wasn't cutting it for me!
Totally agree. Hands down Kalahari is much better than Great Wolf. Kalahari also has a great water section for the younger kids.
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| Posted 1/24/18 6:55 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
My 4 year old loved Kalahari and is begging to go back. Friends of ours love great wolf so I don’t think you could go wrong with either.
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| Posted 1/24/18 8:36 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by Christine Braun - Signature Premier Properties
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
That is a big part of why I prefer Kalahari. The tiny run down single bar area inside the Great Wolf waterpark wasn't cutting it for me!
Well, that alone makes me want to go there.
Yes... we are drinkers too so bar and good drinks equal bonus!
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| Posted 1/25/18 11:12 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by EricaAlt
Posted by Christine Braun - Signature Premier Properties
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
That is a big part of why I prefer Kalahari. The tiny run down single bar area inside the Great Wolf waterpark wasn't cutting it for me!
Well, that alone makes me want to go there.
Yes... we are drinkers too so bar and good drinks equal bonus!
The drinks are fabulous there! Pricey, but fabulous!
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| Posted 1/25/18 11:15 AM |
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Message edited 7/28/2018 9:41:51 AM.
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| Posted 1/26/18 3:14 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by LastLightGlow
After going to both I am very confused by the comparisons.
Kalahari is far and beyond superior, particularly for babies and younger kids. We stayed at Great Wolf for very cheap so I can see going there if you are in a budget. Otherwise, Kalahari is a different world IMO. Better food selections, water activities for all ages, babies to adults. A swim up bar is CLUTCH. I was completely unimpressed and confused by the hype of GWL. When my kids are older and interested in magiquest(rip off IMO) maybe we will go if they have one of those $99 standard room deals otherwise not going back ever again. Also, Kalari pools were comfortable temperature, GWL pools were cold. So cold my kids were shivering after 20 minutes, which was how long the park kept their interest. It was agony finding food. I won’t go into that mess. No good food selections. Kalahari was far superior.
What turned me off was the CONSTANT reports of bed bugs and them not doing anything about them and not handling it in the proper way.
I know ALL hotels get bed bugs, but some of the stories I read on Trip Advior reviews and other mom forums were horrifying. They way they treat their customers is terrible.
It just seems like a bit of a run down dump from the pics I saw and reviews I read.
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| Posted 1/26/18 3:22 PM |
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aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys
Member since 4/06 11426 total posts
Name:
Ali
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Kalahari!!!!
although i haven't been to GW.
my kids are 9, 6 and 3. The new steakhouse there is really good! we love it there.
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| Posted 1/26/18 6:19 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
Yes! But did you notice the swim-up bar area stinks of urine?! I swear to God those people are sitting in that section getting drunk without any thought of getting up to use the restroom! 
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| Posted 1/26/18 8:37 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by Eireann
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
Yes! But did you notice the swim-up bar area stinks of urine?! I swear to God those people are sitting in that section getting drunk without any thought of getting up to use the restroom!
Eww! I only go to the walk up bars....because kids aren't allowed in the swim up bar pools so I never get a chance to do it. Maybe that's a good thing though after reading this!
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| Posted 1/26/18 10:01 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by Eireann
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
Yes! But did you notice the swim-up bar area stinks of urine?! I swear to God those people are sitting in that section getting drunk without any thought of getting up to use the restroom!
I saw this at Camelback...people just sitting for hours at the swim up bar. So gross
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| Posted 1/26/18 10:17 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Kalahari vs. Great Wolf
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Eireann
Posted by NervousNell
Oh and i know this is terrible but I LOVE the huge boozy drinks they serve in the waterpark in Kalahari. In the big ass plastic goblet that if you bring back you get a refill for $10 cheaper. The ones with like 6 shots in them.
I actually look forward to going for those alone!
Yeah, I'm a bit of a lush....
Yes! But did you notice the swim-up bar area stinks of urine?! I swear to God those people are sitting in that section getting drunk without any thought of getting up to use the restroom!
I saw this at Camelback...people just sitting for hours at the swim up bar. So gross
I am still trying to wrap my brain around grown adults urinating in a public pool and sitting in it while they chug down cocktails.
I've heard it all now...I'm done!
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| Posted 1/26/18 11:12 PM |
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