I remember it like it was yesterday. I was thinking ahead like I do most of the time about what we should do for my daughter’s birthday. Okay, I’m lying, I was in no way thinking ahead of what to do for my daughter’s birthday.
Let’s start this story over:
One morning while getting ready for work I happened to hear the news program that was on at the time mention America’s largest indoor waterpark was opening up in the Poconos. It doesn’t take much to pique my interests so when I heard “America’s largest” that’s all it took to sell me.
Of course, I didn’t immediately go online and book the tickets. Why would a busy mom of 3 do that? It took me a couple of months to make my final decision. Which went a little something like this, “Oh my goodness! Summer’s birthday is next week! I have to book that place I said I wanted to go to in the Poconos.
How to get the best rates at Kalahari Resort Poconos.
Our family has been going to Kalahari, Poconos every year since they opened in 2015 and we love it.
I’ve found to get the best rates and deals you should sign up for their newsletter. They are constantly sending emails with promotions they have. There have been times when I go directly to the website to book our rooms and then I remember I could save money by looking at the emails they sent, you’ll find savings.
Can you bring food?
When we are packing up our car to head to Kalahari, we stop at our local grocery store to pick up drinks and snacks to have in our room once we get there. Something about being on vacation keeps children hungry, so we found bringing snacks is very helpful.
Each room at Kalahari has a minifridge and a microwave.
Cabanas at Kalahari .
If you can, I would suggest renting a cabana. There are times when the park can get pretty crowded and having a cabana is like having your own oasis. We usually get a cabana if we are going to be there over the weekend. They’re pretty good to have so we don’t have to go all of the way up to the room to give the kids a break.
The Cabana comes with a TV, mini-refrigerator, a safe, big towels, food and drink service, and couches. Some of them even have a hot tub.
Do not wait until you get to the resort to book the cabanas because they may be all sold out.
Click here for a direct link to all types of cabanas at Kalahari Resort Poconos.
Is the food affordable at Kalahari?
Since our kids love pizza so much, we usually order the $20 pizza Kalahari along with wings and fries. In the past, the only option was the $40 pizza which was wasteful to our family because we never finished the rest of the pizza even after taking it to our rooms.
There are about 11 different types of restaurants in Kalahari so you’re guaranteed to find something you love. Last Bite is a dessert place we love to visit before going up to our room for the night.
I’ve noticed over the years that Kalahari listens to the customer’s suggestions, maybe we can start rallying for a soul food restaurant there. 😉
Will my kids be knocked over by older kids in the water?
There are so many fun sections in the water park that are great and age-appropriate. Every age group has its section so you don’t have to worry about children that are too big knocking over your child. The lifeguards are pretty good at enforcing that rule.
As parents, we tend to sit on the sidelines and watch our kids. My advice to you to make the most out of this trip is to join in the fun. Get on the water rides, slide down the slides, play basketball in the pool with your kids, and absolutely go under the waterfalls in the lazy river. I dare you.
Ps. Try the surfboard too. That ride will have you laughing the whole trip.
Are there things for the adults to do?
If you want to be a killjoy like my other half, just kidding, but not really. You can always go to the swim-up bar. There’s also this cool hot tub I call the hot springs located to the left of the wave pool. It’s a large hot tub that’s part indoors and outdoors. You have to try it, especially in the wintertime.
Other activities besides the waterpark.
Once you are all done with the waterpark and after you go up to the room to change. Come downstairs and enjoy the arcade. They have so many arcade games that the children love to play, along with other activities like mini-bowling, mini-golf, laser tag, the escape room and so much more.
The best part about the arcade is that it stays open late. I believe it’s open until midnight, that’s longer than most adults can stay up.
Rooms at Kalahari.
We’ve stayed in a couple of different styles of rooms but the best one of them all so far has been the room with the bunk beds. My children are at the age where they like to pick out their hotel rooms. They like that room because they get to have a tv in the room, something they are not allowed to do at home. (It’s a long story)
How long should we stay at Kalahari?
An overnight stay is long enough to stay at the waterpark, especially when you have smaller children. We usually get there before the 4 pm check-in time to take advantage of the early access to the waterpark. Kalahari allows guests with reservations to enter the water park before check-in.
We also go back to the waterpark the next day after checking out to get a little more play time before it’s time to go home. Kalahari has showers and changing rooms in the water park so my family utilize this amenity before it’s time to hit the road.
As always,
Thank you again for coming along on this journey with my family and me. If there’s any place you feel my family would enjoy visiting, please tell us in the comments below. You can also put any questions in the comments if there are any questions I have not answered about Kalahari Resort Poconos.
If you are interest in other great activities for the whole family to enjoy, click the this link.
