Kalahari Resort and Convention

The Kalahari Resort and Convention Center is a water park resort chain with locations in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; and soon Round Rock, Texas. At 220,000 square feet, the indoor water park at Kalahari’s Pocono Mountain resort is the largest in the United States, followed by the waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio at 173,000 square feet and in third place the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin property at 125,000 square feet.

Overview

The Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is named after the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa, hence the African theme at all the resorts. Located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; and soon Round Rock, Texas;[1][2] the lobbies have artificial fountains, trees, and animals that have been imported from local markets and shops in Africa. Special Africa-themed events, such as getting photographed with baby lions, are also held. Most of the water slides are named after African landmarks or animals, such as the Rippling Rhino, Wild Wildebeast, Victoria Falls, and The Smoke That Thunders. Other services at the Kalahari include restaurants, spas, gift shops, and sweet shops.

Sandusky

Opened in June 2005, the Sandusky, Ohio resort’s waterpark is 173,000 square feet (16,100 m2). It is located about 8 miles (13 km) south of Cedar Point on Milan Road (US Route 250) in Huron Township. The water park opened in May 2005 and contains a FoilTec roof system that lets in natural light, allowing people to receive a suntan at any time of year.[6] The location also features two Flow Rider surfing simulators, a variety of water slides (both indoor and outdoor), wave pool, a basketball pool, a children’s play area, an indoor/outdoor hot tub and a swim-up bar.[7][non-primary source needed]

With 884 guest rooms, suites, and condos, the hotel is the largest in the state of Ohio. Like the Wisconsin Dells resort, the Sandusky resort also has four main restaurants, as well as smaller and quicker food options throughout the lobby and waterparks. Aside from the waterparks, other indoor activities at the resort include an arcade, a spa, a fitness center, 9-hole mini golf, pottery painting, mini bowling, a 5-D Theater/Ride, and a laser tag arena. Outside there is an animal park, ropes course, zip line tour, and climbing walls.[citation needed]

In August 2006, the resort opened a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) convention center, later expanding this space to 215,000 square feet.