Wisconsin Dells for Budget Thrill Seekers
Experience Family Fun in the Midwest U.S. for Less Money
Mar 31, 2009
Situated half-way between Chicago and Minneapolis-St.Paul on the I-90/94 corridor, Wisconsin Dells, or “The Dells” as it is known to locals, has been a popular vacation destination for over 150 years.
Thousands of people vacation there every summer, enjoying its multitude of waterparks, rollercoasters, mini-golf and more.
Get Wet in Wisconsin Dells
The area is known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World” and with good reason.
First, it is home to Noah’s Ark, the world’s largest outdoor waterpark, featuring huge wave pools, endless rivers, special children’s areas with a Spongebob 4D dive-in theater, and a mind-boggling 49 waterslides. An all-day pass for 2009 will cost $34.99, which is a deal for all there is to do. However, vacationers can not only find savings by purchasing tickets online at the Noah’s Ark website, but there are also discounts to be had by purchasing an annual pass, normally priced at $99.99, in advance.
Not wet enough? Try nearby Mt. Olympus, which features both an indoor and outdoor waterpark area with over fifty slides, lazy rivers and a wave pool. The 2009 day pass ($39.99) and three different season passes ($79-$120) are great deals, since they include an outdoor theme park, too. Those strapped for cash can also enjoy just the indoor waterpark area for less than $20 for a whole day.
And while the above two waterparks feature the latest technology in their water thrills, don’t overlook the more basic waterslides and wet offerings of Riverview Park & Waterworld, where a combo day pass is less than $20 a person. Save more with coupons available online.
There are also indoor and outdoor waterparks at many of the area’s most popular resorts, such as Great Wolf Lodge, the Wilderness Resort, Chula Vista and the Kalahari Resort. While it may cost more to stay at these properties, factoring in the included admissions to these waterparks can offer great savings for families overall.
Dry Thrills in The Dells
Thrill rides for all ages are also present at Mt. Olympus, home to several wooden rollercoasters, including Hades, which takes riders underneath the expansive parking lot. These are included in the passes as mentioned above, making it an all-day great deal for those who want their thrills wet and dry.
Family ride fans will also enjoy Riverview Park’s offerings, which offer more traditional amusement park offerings like tilt-a-whirls and go-karts, all included in the previously mentioned combo day pass, making the savings even greater.
New for 2009, the Kalahari opened an indoor theme park with a Ferris wheel, go-karts, rock climbing walls and more. When it’s too cold to enjoy the outdoor rides at other parks, the $30 day pass ($20 for resort guests) can be a real bargain for families.
For alternative thrills, try out the attractions at Extreme World, which offers everything from a bungee jump and a skycoaster to an unattached, controlled freefall called Terminal Velocity that is the ultimate in heart-pounding adventure. Pricing starts at $20 for the first ticket, but subsequent rides are usually offered at discounts up to 50% off.
Wisconsin Glitz and Glamour
About five minutes south of Wisconsin Dells is Ho Chunk Casino, a Native American-owned casino that is home to everything from penny slots and video poker to table games and bingo tournaments.
And for those needing more relaxing thrills, in addition to several resort day spas at locations like Great Wolf Lodge, The Dells’ twin city of Lake Delton is home to the award-winning destination spa resort Sundara. Half-day and full-day packages offer the best discounts.
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