Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Reviews

The water parks are not that fun, the wave pool is a joke, very small. The hotel rooms are nice

Rules, regulations, and policies. Severe staff shortage. I've been to the KALAHARI about 30 times over the past 8 to 10 years. I use to give it five stars, but terribly disappointed the last few time. The rules, regulations, and policies run this place. I desperately needed a medication sold out of the gift shop and they were closed and refused to have a manager or security just get it. No drinks allowed throughout the resort except the bars and staff are like little Nazi's enforcing every rule, policy, and regulation possible. They use to make the large drinks be anything you want, but now new rules dictate large drink refills to only be the very limited menu selection. Five years ago, everyone had those huge drinks. Management, if you're reading this, just look at your liquore sales relevant to capacity and compare it within the context of longevity with respects to the long term customer. Any new buzz or fad will pass. And the Kalahari success is getting to their heads a lot. Can't even leave the water park with one of the 28 dollar huge drinks. Can't even sit in the hot tub with a bloody the next morning. A bartender told me today that they can no longer make the large bloody Mary's in the big glass because it was costing the resort to much money, so instead I got a little plastic cup for $11 for a bloody with one pickle and two olives. Kids couldn't even take gummy multi-vitamin in the water park- no outside food strictly enforced to the point of taking vitamins. My elderly parents are on a special diet and they made them walk out of the park to have their special diet snacks even though we spent about 15 dollars per person in food among a very large group. On Sunday afternoon, I spent almost $300 for lunch in the water park. My elderly parents were asked to leave for eating celery sticks due to their special diet for medical conditions. I understand the "no outside food" concept, but it's not like we were having a major 10 course meal for anything. They base rental of private cabanas off occupancy and even though the conference took up more than half the resort among people who wouldn't step foot in the waterpark, private cabanas cost $700 for the day and they all sat empty. I said I'd pay $400 and once again - policies, regulations, and rules and they said no. All strictly enforced to the max with no flexibility. Also, can never find staff when needed. The Waterpark severely understaffed. Theme park understaffed. 30 min to get wristbands and I gave up in the amusement park. Hardly any customers at the Waterpark, but yet longer than necessary lines because lack of staff. I waited over 20 min for a drink multiple times and spent a lot less than I would have. The Kalahari could have gotten a lot more money out of me. A lot more. But I became frustrated by all the new rules and lack of flexibility that I just drank water the entire time the next day. The biggest problem I have is that you can't enjoy the resort during the slow time because the staff shortage is so extreme that you'll wait in line just as long for anything as compared to busy times. You may get a good deal during slow times, but lack of staff makes up for it. My advise to management is to get a little lighter on the enforcement or rules and provide adequate staff during slow times. I don't see the value of coming during the school day or missing work anymore. You can still have policies in place while maintaining a certain level of flexibility, such as allowing elderly individuals on a special diet to eat small snacks at the Waterpark of they have medical documentation. Provide a full staff even when it's slow. I hate having to look for employees because it's so slow. And please do something about those huge drinks. It cost a lot and why do you care of someone just wants a large jack and coke or bloody in it. Encourage comsumption of the large drink. Sell private cabanas in a way that actually sells out every day. Inflexible rules, Insurance regulations, policies and procedures run this place - not people.

This place allows me to enjoy the events and my free time all in one building!

Everything is Top Notch. Great time with many things to do for all members of the family

Very clean and nice people working there will be back not crowded at all

Cabins were wonderful, water park was crowded, but the kids absolutely loved it.

The waterpark was very enjoyable food and drinks were way over priced very expensive for a family

Great water park for the family. Lots to do. Had a private hot tub bar for the adults. Private cabanas available so you don t have to fight for a table or worry about your stuff.

Rooms were great, clean, kitchen had all you needed. Sky walk made it easy to get to the water park without going outside

This was our first visit at the resort and it was amazing! Although, nothing else on our trip went to plan, the actual stay was absolutely wonderful!

TOM FOOLERY is great fun for the family! A bit too costly but entertaining.

We had a blast. The kids ages we're 4-13. Fun for all ages. Water slides were enjoying by the adults too.

Fantastic resort and a good place to host an event or convention. Only thing that was an issue was how early the bars closed, nothing seemed to be open after 10 or 11. Water park is great, theme park is good enough for being indoors. Avoid the brew pub, definitely check out the VR experience at the Arena. Overall a great experience excluding the odd bar situation.

Kalahari is one of the best Vacations we've had we would love to do this next year.

Great visit was pleasantly surprised by the room size! I do however wish all of the lazy river had been open. All in all had a great experience and my foreign exchange students did as well!

Great rooms with great amenities. Went here for a work conference and had a great time. The food options are vast and delicious. The rooms are clean. The beds are comfortable.

We had a great time, rooms were clean, park was a lot of fun

I loved the buffet and the water park. The hot tub outside was amazing!

My family had so much fun this weekend, definitely will be back!

Great place for work conference. My room was very clean and comfortable.

A great variety of water attractions for all ages as well as an arcade (Tom Foolerys). The rooms were decent.

We booked lated and they only had the Desert Rooms which stinks. We were trying to get the two family rooms on the first floor, but unfortunately they were booked...which was understandable. Avoid the Desert Rooms...they are older and have musty smell. Overall our family had a great time. One star was taken off for the stinky room.

We here for a convention. Awesome staff! Cant wait to come back with family!

Kalahari Resort has expanded to the point of large events. I'm impressed by it's size and versatile use!

Go to the GREAT WOLF !!

Reservation staff , counter staff and water park manager are complete and utterly incompetent idiots .

Bathrooms are filthy as well

Lastly if your children are under 48 they must wear a life jacket from the second they enter the water park .

Love it! Spacious rooms. Great food options. Amazing water parks and theme park. Wonderful atmosphere. Once you check in you won't want to leave.

Was at the Kalahari for the daisho con convention very nice hotel

Very fun place to go for adults and kids. Love the jacuzzi bar. :)

A lot to do. Wide variety from arcade games, bowling, water parks, convention center, and nice rooms. Great place to entertain kids, but the cost can add up quick as rooms are expensive and other attractions offered are pricey as well. I'd give it 5 stars but there is concern over their environmental impact.

Nice indoor water park. There was a good variety of slides for all comfort levels, from nervous mom to adventurous 7 year old and 2 year old.

For me, the value came because we stayed at the hotel and also did the water park.

We will absolutely go again.

Fantastic place. It is not a resort it is a get away. Very nice for couples families and friends. Unforgettable experience. Worth every penny.

Awesome place! Family friendly. Must go see for everyone!

Great for a day or for a stay! Space to have a lot of fun and time to relax. All ages happy here!

Great place. Staff waa very nice. Waterpark is a ton of fun

Great resort, clean and many activities for kids in addition to the indoor and outdoor water park.

I came because I got a really good deal on Groupon. Its the off season so it isn't crowded which is really nice.

The hotel room beds were AWFUL. The mattresses were super cheap and falling into the middles. The bathtub drain was totally blocked and wouldn't drain. Just terrible accommodations. The worst sleep ever.

Loved it. It was my first time here. I have been to others before and for some reason found this better. Much cleaner rooms, water and safety was the top priority. Would definitely come again. Only short coming was the room service taking unusually longer to deliver food.

Lots of fun to be had. Lazy river is a little too shallow and slow. Most water slides are enclosed so very dark in the tubes. Full amusement park besides the water slides. Games, rides, bowling, rope course and climbing wall. Something for everyone.

The drinks were very good, the steak fajita wrap was amazing. The atmosphere and employees were quite satisfactory as well, but the nachos we ordered were only okay. The toppings were very sparse, and it was a to go order, so it couldn't be rectified.

Good variety of things to do. Pokemoning there is great. I enjoyed it very much. The power went out for awhile. That was weird. We got food at the sweet hut. Service there was good. The indoor theme park looks cool. The fire alarm in the conference center area went off which was weird.

It was a cold cold day to be at a water park. The lines were short and quick. The downside would be the price.

They placed a hold on my room and were supposed to refund me the hold money then charge me for my room prices well they let the hold money and room charges go through...the mattress on sleeper sofa the springs were coming out we couldn't hardly use it and we needed the space called front desk and they offered a blanket :( we most likely wont ge back there

I've been coming once or twice a year for the passed 8 years. I love it every time. Kids have a blast. Parents, you get to make time alone because there's so much for the kids to do.

My room was supposed to have jets in the tub which I never got my room we paid for until my next day after pools closed and we had the balcony room which was nice but if they did our reservation right they would of got a 5. They were supposed to change our room today and its 6 PM and they said we would be notified to move 1st. 6pm and we were tired than we moved and didnt even use the jet tub. Just was let down for my room. The pools and ducks were awesome.

My two boys love Kalahari Resort every spring break we go. I cannot recommend it enough

We really had great time. The water park was big and very clean. We stayed in desert room and it was very big than I expected. Great place for family getaway.

Love the indoor pools during the cold months and outdoors during the summer months . My husband and I go at least once a week during the summer months and twice a month during the cold months and we have been doing this for 3years faithfully. I do have to say it would nice to receive a free pass for consistently returning to Kalahari and enjoying the pools and the food and the drinks!!! KATHY AND RUSS KASSULKE, 3108 FOREST RUN WAY,MADISON WIS. 53704

Think I had more fun than most of the kids! I'll be back again for sure!

Its ok I was more annoyed they didnt have any activites for the kids in the morning like wilderness. We complained about our room upgrade no glasses, no coffee, manager was suppose to call and never did. They sent up a goodie bag full of stale treats. Pool was ok but the lazy river was closed and the surf experience was down. The wave pool had way to many empty tubes in the water to enjoy it.

Amazing place to stay for a week. Our family had fun!

This place is kept pretty clean! Great place to spend quality family time and let the kids have some fun. The outdoor pools are heated which is plus for visiting the Dell's. I've been here when there's a lot of people, but still the pools were not overcrowded or too long of lines for the rides. There is a ton of things to do at the indoor amusement park/arcade, rides, lazer tag, climbing wall, ropes course, mini golf and go carts, I suggest buying the amusement park wristbands to do all of that stuff. There are also a ton of games to play to win tickets for prizes. They also have 4 or 5 restaurants and a few other snack bars. I highly recommend Kangaroo Marketplace Buffet, something for everyone and all the food was wonderful and fresh! All the food we had from all the different restaurants was great too! I do feel that this place is too expensive and recommend that you wait for one of the many deals they have, join the email group though their website and follow them on Facebook to find a cheaper rate. 2 nights is plenty of time to spend here, especially if you get there before check in or stay after check out. We had a lot of fun and laughs during our stay.

Took my family here for the first time. We've frequented Great Wolf Lodge in the past. Kalahari blows that out of the water (no pun intended). Every single thing from the moment we checked in to the day we checked out was simply stellar. The accommodations, the water park, the arcade and amusement park, the restaurants, the breakfast buffet, the customer service, even our experience with lost and found. Every single thing was simply excellent. This is the only water park I'm taking my family to from here on out.

This is a very fun and friendly place to stay. I love the water park rides that are fun and fast and also lazy. There is a water bar and drinks in the water park. Also if you play Pokemon go free WI first and a pokemon stop next all rooms. Lots of restaurantsto eat at, a theater and a theme park. Lots of fun. The rooms are always clean as well. Love Kalahari!

We spent two nights at the resort !! Omg Truly amazing. I loved it so much

Love this place. Need better package deals for longer stay.

Staying at Kalahari Resorts Wisconsin Dells was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had, the room I stayed in was clean, comfortable and relaxing with a great location , customer service was outstanding, everyone was so welcoming and lovely, I was always greeted with a smile. The food was amazing, Double Cut charcoal grill/ Liquor bar has a great warm atmosphere and the greatest service and attention. The indoor water park was beyond my expectations, I loved it, a great experience, I'm coming back next summer.

love the kalahari, during the holidays Santa comes to visit, free cookies everyday, just wish it was more affordable, so we go on days when there is a special, look up don white block site for this.

Clean room. Somewhat outdated amenities. Awesome Waterpark.

We love it here! The lobby is awesome, the rooms are always clean, and the amusement parks are great. Also loved the giant blended drinks! The indoor/outdoor hot tub was awesome, especially when it was snowing. We have enjoyed ourselves every time we've stayed!Only (weird) complaint is that the indoor waterpark is strangely lit... Very ugly florescent and bright. Gives it a very cold, abrasive feeling. Other than that, A+!

Been here at least 5 year in a row on an annual occasion, never have been disappointed.

Very nice convention center facilities, though the whole complex is a bit confusing to navigate.

Very nice place. Staff really friendly. Lots of rides for the whole family. Never waited in line for more than 5 min.

There was a creepy clown costume in our closet at the cabin.

It was great everyone was kind and they gave me a bonus

There is construction going on in the conference center, so temperatures were variable. The food at Ivory Coast was very good!

We attended as a day pass visitor. It was clean, non crowded, and all the staff was helpful!

The worst experience I've ever had in 80+ visits to the Dells.

One employee told me they are so understaffed, that they are forced to work from 10am to midnight. There are rides shut down because of a lack of employees to man them. Employees are being pulled out of departments like accounting and sales to help work these 14 hour shifts because they can't find people to work for the wages they pay. Almost every employee was saying "I just want to go home," and while some of these people are GREAT, others are passing their anger on to customers by running rides intentionally slow. An hour-long wait for the worst Go Karts in existence, because the employees didn't even want to work.

While in the swim-up bar, I was frustrated by a group of teens who were underage, and boasting about making their own drinks and carrying them in. And yet, when I bought my kids kiddie-cocktails, the "security" yelled at them simply for coming to pool side to get them from me.

At 4pm on my second day (check in time), I told the front desk at The Sands that I no longer wanted to stay here, and would like to cancel the rest of my stay. I was told that since it was 4pm, they would offer me half of the day's cost back.... even though a long line of people behind me were complaining that their rooms were not ready. During the phone call to a manager, the desk attendant had to repeat 3 times "he's right here in front of me".... so I can only imagine the things that were being said about me. I was told a manager could come talk to me, but it may take an hour, and there was "no way" I'd be getting anything more than a half-day refund.

Perhaps worst of all, when I complained about how over-worked and burned-out the employees are, the manager on the other end of the phone told the attendee to ask "Is it the older workers who are complaining?" So, it's not hard to draw the conclusion here. The young workers have horrible attitudes, and yet the older workers are automatically assumed to be the problem.

Simply put, the Kalahari has become too big to care. They offer deals to pack the place, but do not staff it to match... and from reading some of the other reviews, this seems to be the rule, not the exception to it. Worst of all, the horrible attitudes around this place seem to infect everyone, because very few people here are having a good time.

Mount Olympus is killing the Dells by assimilating all of the cheap hotels, and Kalahari has become an uncaring oligarchy. Truly awful, and giant waste of money.