When your family tires of the freezing weather outside, an indoor water park can make for a warm, water filled respite from the cold. Lazy rivers, indoor surfing, tube slides and splash play areas make for a fun filled trip everyone will enjoy.
>We’ve found the 6 biggest indoor water parks under one roof in the US with accommodations for big families. So pack up the kids and get ready to get wet!
1. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Sandusky, OH – 173,000 sq. ft. This water park has many different water features for kids of every age. Babies & toddlers will enjoy the shallow pools, smaller slides, and play areas. Older kids will get a thrill from the many water slides such as the bowl raft ride, Zip Coaster uphill water roller coaster water slide, Cheetah Race 4 lane mat slides, and Victoria Falls raft rides. Dining options include 9 choices of on-site restaurants, lounges and grills. Big families have many options for room types at the Kalahari. Guest suites will sleep families of six. Families of 8 will like the 2 bedroom suites and bigger families of 12 will be comfortable in a 3 bedroom suite. Large families or families on reunion will enjoy the villas which are priced for 18 but will sleep 22. The biggest accommodation available is the entertainment villa duplex which is priced for 36 but will sleep up to 44 people. Non-water activities include painting pottery, mini-golf, arcade, and arcade style bowling. Don’t miss the Kalahari’s collection of African art which is the largest in the Midwest.
2. Kalahari Resort & Conventions – Wisconsin Dells, WI – 125,000 sq ft. The Wisconsin water park not only offers great water attractions such as indoor surfing, wave pool, family raft ride, lazy river, spray structure and small child play area but an entire indoor theme park too. The indoor theme park area of family entertainment offers arcade games, laser tag, mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag and more. With seven dining options and an attached cinema, you’re family will never have to leave until you check out. Accommodations for big families are much like the Kalahari in Sandusky with option for families of 6, 7, 12, 18, 22, 36, and 44.
3. Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park – Boyne Falls, MI – 88,000 sq ft. Michigan’s biggest indoor water park features a ski chalet motif. Attractions include 5 water slides, wet climbing wall, lazy river, indoor surfing, and bowl ride. Dining options include the Snack Shack and Apres Ski Pub located inside the water park. Local activities include skiing and golf. Big families of up to 10 will enjoy the large suites at the Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa which is connected to the water park.
4. Chula Vista Resort – Wisconsin Dells, WI – 80,000 sq. ft. Decorated with a southwestern theme, this indoor water park boasts the country’s fastest indoor water coaster – The Flyan Mayan and 27 water slides. All inclusive packages are offered mid-week that include 3 buffet meals per day and unlimited beverages. Dining options include 6 restaurants and bars. Big families of six can book a junior suite with 2 queens and a sofa sleeper. Families of 8 will find the 2 bedroom condos will fit their needs, while large families of 14 will enjoy the available 3 bedroom condos.
5. Great Wolf Lodge – (4 way tie) Great Wolf Lodge has 11 lodges in the US, four locations boast over 75000 square feet each: Concord, NC – 81,000, Wisconsin Dells, WI – 80,000, Grapevine, TX – 80,000 and Pocono Mountains, PA – 79,000. A 4 story interactive treehouse is the center of each water park. Little ones will enjoy the water play areas and small slides, while bigger kids will love the Howlin’ Tornado /Double Barrel Drop funnel rides and big slides. Each location offers on-site dining. Non-water kids’ activities include MagiQuest, Scoops Kid Spa, Cub Club and Northern Lights Arcade..
6. Wilderness at the Smokies – Sevierville, TN – 66,000 sq ft. The Wild WaterDome features a five story high raft ride called the Runaway Canyon. Other water attractions include the Storm chaser, The Great Wave wavepool, indoor tube slides, and play areas. Dining options include the Hidden Trail and the Thirsty Miner restaurants. Non-water activities include an arcade and paint your own pottery. Big families of 6 can book suites in the River Lodge which is connected to the indoor water park. Large families of 10, 12, 15, and 16 will fit comfortably in the available 3 bedroom villas.
Editor’s note: Looks like we missed Waterpark of America with 75,000 sq ft. which holds the title of “Tallest Indoor Water Park in the U.S.”. Big families can find accommodations at the connected Radisson, the Family or Grand One Bedroom Suite has a king + sofa sleeper + bunk beds that sleeps 6. Thanks to Minnemom for the information!
