Kalahari vs. Great Wolf Lodge – Where Should You Go?

Planning a family getaway and torn between Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts? Both offer massive indoor waterparks, arcades, and activities for all ages – but they each bring something different to the table. In this side-by-side comparison, we break down everything from the rooms and rides to the dining options and overall value to help you decide which resort is the best fit for your next family adventure.

Video at the bottom of this page!

GREAT WOLF LODGE

Entrance & Check-in

Walking into Great Wolf Lodge feels like stepping into a cozy woodland lodge tucked away from the hustle of everyday life. The warm lighting and rustic theming immediately create a welcoming, homey atmosphere that sets the tone for your entire stay. Recently, they’ve improved the check-in process by relocating the lines away from the main entrance area. This not only speeds things up but also opens up more communal space for families to relax, explore, and take in the charm of the grand lobby. Great Wolf also has incredibly outgoing and friendly staff.

Rooms

The rooms at Great Wolf Lodge are designed with families in mind, and the theming is a big part of the fun. Many suites feature a private bunk room for the kids, styled to look like a cozy log cabin. This separate space gives kids their own fun corner to unwind while still keeping everyone close. The entire room is clean, spacious, and thoughtfully laid out with comfortable beds.

Great Wolf Lodge has an app you can download with a helper named Willow. You can text any questions or needs, like more towels, straight to her and the staff will reply and bring you anything you need.

Waterpark

The indoor waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge is HUGE, bright and open due to the large windows and skylights that flood the space with natural light. The water playground area is perfect for younger kids. This area has slides for older kids and adults too. The wave pool is a great spot to take a break from all the stairs. One of the best features is how easy it is to see the entire park from almost anywhere.

The waterpark caters to all thrill levels. For adrenaline seekers, attractions like the Coyote Cannon – a 40-foot drop into a spinning vortex – and the Double Barrel Drop with its twists and 450-degree spins offer high-speed excitement. Families can enjoy the Hydro Plunge, a water coaster combining the thrills of a roller coaster with water park fun, and the River Canyon Run, a family tube slide suitable for all ages. Younger guests aren’t left out, with areas like Whooping Hollow and Cub Paw Pool designed specifically for toddlers and little ones.

Arcade

The arcade at Great Wolf Lodge is packed with games for all ages, from classic claw machines to high-energy racing and shooting games. It’s a fun spot for some dry time between waterpark sessions or a way to wind down at night.

Dining

Great Wolf Lodge offers a a few food options. On our visit, the breakfast buffet was a big disappointment: overpriced, underwhelming, and definitely not worth the cost. There is a newer sit-down restaurant inside the resort that we haven’t tried yet, so that may be a better option for families looking for a full meal. But our favorite food discovery wasn’t in the lodge at all – it was just across the street. Bagel ‘N’ Go is a hidden gem with homemade bagels, real eggs, fresh-baked goods, great coffee, and a cozy local vibe that completely outshines the resort breakfast. The Pizza shop at Great Wolf was the only food we really enjoyed and it’s open late which is great after a long day at the park. There is also a Dunkin’ Donuts for your morning coffee.

Unique Family Activities

One of the things that truly sets Great Wolf Lodge apart is the lineup of morning and nighttime activities that bring families together beyond the waterpark. Kids can start their day with fun, low-key events like yoga or morning stretches, and wind down in the evening with a dance party in the lobby and storytime in pajamas. MagiQuest adds an extra layer of adventure, letting kids explore the lodge with a magic wand to complete quests and unlock secrets. These moments create memories that turn a fun getaway into something truly special.

Shops

The shops at Great Wolf Lodge add to the fun, especially for kids. There’s a Build-A-Bear where you can create your own custom Great Wolf Lodge bear, and the souvenir shop is packed with candy, plushies, and themed gear to remember your trip. There is also a swim shop located in the waterpark for all your swimming needs.

More Activities

Beyond the waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge is packed other activities. Kids can dig for treasures at the gemstone mining station, play a round of glow-in-the-dark mini golf, or try their hand at mini bowling that’s just the right size for little ones. There’s also a challenging mirror maze that’s great for a quick adventure.

Pricing

We paid $230 a night for the kid’s suite at Great Wolf Lodge.

KALAHARI

Entrance & Check-in

Walking into Kalahari Resorts feels more like stepping into a mall than a themed lodge. The entrance is grand and spacious, with lots of shops. While there’s not much in terms of immersive theming, there is a large, eye-catching fireplace surrounded by animal statues. Check-in is done through kiosks, which are fast and efficient, but lack personal touch.

Rooms

The rooms at Kalahari are clean and comfortable, but they feel more like a standard hotel than a themed resort. It’s a nice place to unwind after a busy day, just without the extra flair or whimsy that younger guests might get excited about.

Waterpark

The waterpark at Kalahari is massive and packed with thrill rides, offering more high-speed slides and extreme attractions than Great Wolf Lodge. The family tube rides are a highlight – fast, fun, and perfect for groups. However, the overall atmosphere feels darker and more industrial, with limited natural light and a warehouse-like vibe in many areas. While the locker room is clean and spacious, the bathrooms throughout the park are noticeably run down, and the showers only have cold water, which is a rough way to end a waterpark day. There also isn’t a lot of great views like you get with Great Wolf. The Racer slides were intense and lots of fun. My husband even caught some air! There is a huge playground with waterslides for kids – some for toddlers and some for older children and adults. These are the perfect intensity for kids to work up courage for the bigger slides.

Kalahari also has a Flow Rider. You have to schedule a time and pay a fee to ride.

Arcade

The arcade at Kalahari is huge and packed with entertainment for all ages. It features an impressive variety of games, plus extras like mini bowling, a 7D motion theater, bumper cars, escape rooms, and more.

Dining

Dining at Kalahari is one of the resort’s standout features, with a mix of high-end restaurants and plenty of counter service options to suit every taste. We ate at Sortino’s, the Italian restaurant, and it was a fantastic experience – large portions and truly delicious food. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down dinner, the variety and quality of dining here is top notch.

Shops

Kalahari offers a diverse shopping experience. They have Build-A-Bear Workshop, including exclusive Kalahari characters. Marrakesh Market provides a variety of souvenirs and gifts. If you need swimwear or accessories the Indigo Swimwear & Accessories shop has all your swimming needs. Additionally, the Kalahari Outpost offers a fun selection of toys, plushies, apparel, and candy.

Pricing

We paid $300 a night for the double queen room at Kalahari.

COMPARISON

Rooms – Great Wolf Lodge had more affordable, themed rooms. Both Kalahari and Great Wolf have clean, comfortable rooms.

Rides – Kalahari has more thrilling rides. A thrill seeker would still love Great Wolf Lodge but might find Kalahari more appealing. Kalahari’s kids playground is better than Great Wolf’s.

Dining – Kalahari knocks it out of the park with their high end restaurants and counter service options.

Atmosphere – Great Wolf Lodge absolutely rocks with their theming and atmosphere. The theming is immersive. With a cozy resort, themed rooms, the natural lighting of the water park, the friendly staff, and the family morning and nighttime activities keep you in that vacation feel.

Value – If you are looking to spend less money for a great time, Great Wolf Lodge will not let you down.