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Check in
Guests can arrive as early as 1 p.m. Rooms may be available or you can get water park wristbands or head to MagiQuest. Official check-in begin at 4 p.m. and check out is at 11 a.m. Guests can take a beach bag or rent a locker to stay the rest of the day at the water park.
Discounts & deals
Always check the web site for current deals and packages that might include MagiQuest or stay-and-dine packages. If you have flexibility in your schedule, the lodge's rate calendar lets you find the most affordable times to visit.
Some deals are ongoing, such as the Heroes discount, a 20-percent savings for guests who are in the military service or serve with police, fire or emergency medical services departments.
Cribs and rollaways
Pack-and-Play cribs (complimentary) and rollaway beds (for a small fee) are first-come, first-served. There are usually enough, but if you're arriving late during a full-capacity weekend, consider taking a sleeping bag or your own portable crib.
Resort fee
The $9.99 daily resort fee covers a daily newspaper, use of the business center, Internet service and other amenities.
Packing
Don't forget to pack sunscreen, extra swimsuits, cover-ups, flip-flops, beach bag, waterproof camera, earplugs and goggles, and a plastic bag for carrying wet suits home.
The Art of Smart Timing
Families who want to avoid crowds and enjoy better rates may want to visit in early September to mid-October. April and May are also ideal times to vacation here, as the weather gets balmier, but summer crowds have yet to arrive.
Mid-October in particular is an ideal time to visit, with the month-long Howl-o-ween weekends that include nightly costume contests and trick-or-treating through the resort.
While it may not be the quietest month, guests rave about December with the Snowland decor that turns an already whimsical lobby into a full-blown North Pole. There's also a New Year's Eve party with a disc jockey.
Getting There
It's about a five-hour drive from Chicago and four hours from Detroit.
You can fly to the Cherry Capital Airport, which is served by American Eagle, Delta and United Express. There are several cabs and shuttles available, as well as seven major car rental companies.
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