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Indoor Water Park
Admission to the 125,000-square-foot water park -- one of the area's largest -- is including in room rates based on the number of beds. If you have two queens, you'll have four passes, but can purchase two more at $20 each if you have kids or family members using the sofa sleepers.
Preschoolers, toddlers and even older kids gather at the two-story Safari Adventure with its nine slides, tunnels and interactive toys. The Victoria Falls raft ride is tame enough for little ones, too. School-aged kids will clamor for the thrills of the Master Blaster water coaster or the Rippling Rhino, a three-person tube slide that's a more exciting family option than the raft ride. There are several other tube and body slides, as well.
Pre-teens and teens love the 40-mph zip of Tanzanian Twister, a slide that shoots riders into the swirl of a giant funnel before being shot out the bottom. Also popular is the FlowRider, the nation's first indoor stand-up surf ride with simulates five-foot rides. Guests can bodysurf or register for stand-up surfing lessons.
The park includes many of the standard water park features, including a wave pool, lazy river, basketball and activity pool and five whirlpool spas scattered throughout the park.
There are concessions and a snack bar at the park, a place to order pizza, and a bar.
If you are in a larger family group and have a few little ones or grandparents who want a little privacy at the water park, cabana rentals scattered throughout the water park are a popular option. They seat several people with cushioned chaise lounges, a flat-screen TV, refrigerators and a break from the hustle-bustle. The new Grand Cabana has a private hot tub, two TVs and accommodates up to 19 people. Outside food and drink is not allowed in the park or the cabanas.
The water park sells some day passes for non-guests during quieter times of the year.
Outdoor Water Park
One of the biggest thrills at the 77,000-square-foot outdoor water park, opened seasonally, is the new two-lane Extreme Rush racing slide that brings out the competitive streak of siblings or parent-child duos. It's a headfirst on-a-mat plunge through 420 feet of rolls and drops. There's also a raft ride, tube slides, lazy river and the Swahili Swirl that shoots riders from flume to vortex before dropping into a pool below.
Toddlers and preschoolers head to the 6,000-square-foot interactive play area. The SplashDown Safari incorporates geysers, jets, cannons, wheels and a giant splash bucket with monkeys, tigers, lions, zebras and snakes.
Guests can rent a private bungalow area (much like the indoor cabanas) for a more pampered experience and privacy Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Indoor Theme Park
The resort's best drive-by sight is seeing the six-story illuminated Ferris wheel as it spins at night. It's the visual anchor of the 110,000-square-foot indoor theme park. While the Ferris wheel calls out to kids of all sizes, most of its attractions offer more speed or thrills generally geared toward kids 6 and up, like a two-story go-cart track, a Sky Trail Ropes Course (great for dare-devils and kids not afraid of heights), laser tag battle arena, 24 bowling, mini golf and climbing walls. But little ones can also enjoy the African-themed merry-go-round or the indoor playground.
Adventurous, active families will tackle the climbing walls and ropes course, which isn't for the faint-hearted but a good esteem builder for pre-teens and older. Laser tag and mini-golf are other good options for families wanting to play together and without the longer lines at the go-cart track.
Admission to the indoor theme park is an additional fee ranging from $9.95 for kids under six, $19.95 for resort guests, and $24.95 per day for non-resort guests. You also can pay for rides individually.
Spa Packages
As a family resort, Kalahari's spa welcomes children, an usual feature for a resort. The jungle theme continues into the spa with leopard and animal prints in the decor, which is a peaceful sanctuary from water parks. Specials for children include Little Princess package with 90-minute manicure, pedicure, hairstyle and tiara, plus make-up and goody bag for girls 2 to 8. There also are Little Lady packages for 'tweens and one for teens.
Outside the children's programs, the spa feels decidedly grown up and smells deliciously fragrant. Among the most popular services are manicures, hot-stone massages, couples treatments and Moor mud wraps.
Cookie Decorating
One of the biggest hits for complimentary activities is chance to glob rainbow-bright frosting and sprinkles onto cookies shaped like elephants, lions and hippos. It's often scheduled around check-in, making it a popular way to kick off a stay.
Camp Kalahari
This kids' activity area on the far side of the indoor theme park is popular with preschoolers and grade-school kids who like do-it-yourself souvenirs such as picture frames, necklaces and seasonal crafts, usually less than $5. Parents or guardians are required to stay with kids 12 and under. Guests also can check out board games for free.
Pottery Pizzazz
Also popular for the ultimate in hands-on souvenirs is the resort's on paint your own pottery studio, located right on the premises. (Have you ever heard of such an amenity?) The pottery is not included with the stay and will cost additional fees.
Desert Star Cinema
For more traditional family outings, Kalahari's on-site movie theater provides 15 theaters with the biggest and newest movies.
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