Within the last two decades, the Pocono Mountains have added three large Poconos water park resorts to this area known for its ski runs in the winter and boat launches in the summer. A common question for these families is: Which water park resort should we choose? The answer to this question is different for each family. The information in this article might help you choose the best water park for you and your family.
Kalahari Resort in the Pocono MountainsEach resort has a water coaster, as well as a lazy river and wave pool.
Kalahari clearly has the most water slides, as it was the largest water park in North America. That title is now owned by Dreamworks water park in American Dream. Kalahari boasts about 15 large slides, which is a combination of body slides, tube slides, and raft slides.
Kalahari Mat Racer SlidesCamelback has a total of 8 large slides which include two drop slides, one that is straight down and another that twists and turns. Camelback’s water coaster is the longest indoor uphill water coaster in America. There’s also the uniquely themed Venus Slydetrap, which is a raft ride that takes you right into the trap!
Camelback Water Coaster and Venus SlydetrapGreat Wolf has five large water slides, which include a water coaster, vortex, and tandem slides.
Keep in mind that a child’s height when barefoot will determine the water slides they can ride. Check each indoor waterpark’s website for the number of slides your child can ride based on their height.
Great Wolf LodgeKalahari has the most toddler slides by far when comparing the three resorts. At Kalahari, there are two separate, toddler play areas. Each play area includes slides and swings. The larger of the two play areas also includes a splash table for babies.
One of Kalahari’s Kiddie AreasAt Camelback, there are two toddler slides on the first level of the large water play structure. There are also two small, straight slides in the toddler area. The toddler area has four swings, as well as some water spray features.
Aquatopia’s Kiddie AreaThe Great Wolf Lodge toddler play area includes four slides, two of which are curvy and fairly long. The other two are straight slides. The toddler water play area also includes small basketball hoops and some small dumping buckets.
At Great Wolf Lodge, there are daily activities for kids. In addition to MagiQuest, an interactive wand game that has children completing quests by walking around the Lodge, there’s also gem mining, an arcade, bowling, and a Build-A-Bear workshop. These activities are an additional fee to participate.
The free daily programming typically includes a night-time show, story reading, yoga, and bingo. Of course, these activities can change with the season and current health restrictions.
MagiQuest at Great WolfKalahari’s daily activity options are mostly an additional fee. When we visited, there were several craft options, a cupcake decorating contest, and t-shirt tie dying. These activities may change with the season. Kalahari also features a gigantic arcade. During the warmer months, Kalahari also has zip lines, a ropes course, and a small outdoor train for children.
Camelback has offered activities like donut decorating each morning for $3 per donut. The offered activities may change with the season. There’s also an indoor ropes course, arcade, and a plethora of activities through Camelback Mountain Adventures. Mountain Adventures has zip lines, a mountain coaster, and a tree top ropes course. These activities are open seasonally. In the winter, Camelback boasts the largest snowtubing park in the USA.
Snow tubing at CamelbackEach resort offers multi-room suites, as well as the typical two queen bed suites. Great Wolf Lodge takes their kid-centered theming to the next level, with kid cabin suites that feature bunk beds in separate areas of the room that look like little cabins or dens.
Great Wolf RoomEach resort had mini fridges with small freezers and microwaves. This allows for creativity when meal planning, as we had a few microwave meals and sandwiches. Then, we didn’t have to leave the resort to eat, or eat each meal at a resort restaurant. The bill for meals can add up quickly.
Camelback Mountain Resort RoomRoom reservation tip: Add to your reservation that you’d prefer a room close to the main lobby or the water park. The water parks tend to be on the bottom level of the resorts, which the lobbies are one floor up. For some of the large resorts, like Kalahari, it take be a very long walk to the water park
Each Poconos water park resort has their own unique decor. They each accomplish their decor and theming very well. Great Wolf, is of course, themed for wolves and the great outdoors. Kalahari is African safari themed and Camelback has a ski-lodge vibe. The Camelback water park has a snow / adventure theme.
Camelback Front LobbyAre you traveling with only toddlers? > Great Wolf or Kalahari > Would the toddlers enjoy toddler-oriented activities? > Great Wolf > Would the toddlers have more fun with a wide-variety of water slides? > Kalahari
Do you want to ski during your trip and your kids are above 42″ barefoot? > Camelback
Do you have a wide-range of ages in your party (toddlers to teens)? > Kalahari
Do your kids love video games and would like a game with different quests? > Great Wolf
Are you traveling alone with children above 42″ and would like to be able to see them in line for slides while not having to ride them yourself? > Camelback
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Massanutten Resort is an indoor waterpark that covers 56,250 sqft filled with eight slides, an adventure river with waterfalls and sprays guaranteed to get you wet, a multi-level aquatic fortress, a wave pool, hot tubs, and several play areas for younger children. The popular attraction is the FlowRider, the first (and largest) surf simulator in Virginia. If you ever want to learn how to surf, take a turn with almost 50,000 gallons of water per minute flowing out and under your surfboard. How long can you stand up in these ocean waves?
The exciting water slides are the Skyline Falls, Avalanche, Peak Splash, Melting Mogul, and Country Cooler. Step up to the entrance of the tube/slide and let gravity take you away through twists, drops, and turns before dumping you out at the end. Kids will love going down these slides one after another.
Right in the center of the waterpark is the Massanutten Meltdown, a giant fortress three levels high with water cannons, five slides, waterfalls, and a giant tipping water bucket ready to douse you at any moment. Listen for the bell! While waiting for your kids to play on the rides, soak it up in the Shenandoah Hot Springs.
Outside the water rides, there are 12 dining sites, a state-of-the-art arcade, escape rooms, golf courses, zip lining, mountain biking, and a surf shop for all those newbie surfers that started today on their visit. Massanutten Resort Indoor Waterpark provides an exciting and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. Its range of water attractions and amenities makes it a must-visit destination for anyone looking for indoor water fun in Virginia all year long.