Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Expansion

Arthur Levine, the Theme Parks editor for About.com has posted an article with the exclusive announcement for the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky.

Kalahari has already announed on it's website that it plans to build an outdoor children's water play area as well as basketball and volleyball courts, but according to Levine, Kalahari has also broken ground on a new 80,000 sq. ft. addition to it's indoor waterpark, bringing the total size to 160,00 sq. ft. and giving Kalahari Resort Sandusky the title of world's biggest indoor waterpark resort.

You can read the article at:
http://themeparks.about.com/b/a/234609.htm

I knew that Kalahari was designed so that the waterpark and hotel could both be expanded in the future, but I did not expect it to happen this fast. At the earliest, I thought they would wait for 2008 in an attempt to steal some thunder from The Coyote Falls Resort, but it looks like Kalahari jumped the gun and wanted some publicity early.

Even after Coyote Falls opens in 2008, Kalahari will remain Sandusky's largest indoor waterpark by more than 95,000 sq. ft., that is unless Cedar Fair or another company has something up their sleeve (we can only hope).

At this point, there I don't think Castaway Bay or Great Wolf Lodge can compete. Both resorts are landlocked and have nowhere to expand. It looks like Kalahari will hold it's ground as Sandusky's largest indoor waterpark resort for at least a few years to come.

In any case, the Erie County Visitors Bureau must be loving this news, not only is Sandusky home to the #1 amusement park on the planet, they will soon also have the #1 indoor waterpark resort on the planet.

I don't think CF is aiming for the biggest indoor waterpark anyway. They're main goal is to pull some extra money in for the offseason and give people another reason to come to Cedar Point and stay at their resort.

Wow, as if the place isn't big enough already!

Kalahari is a great place to stay. I was impressed with it when we stayed there for the X mas party

I just wish they would do an evening pass like Castaway Bay. That $8.95 deal is just too good to pass up, but I'd also like to give Kalahari a try if they come up with a similar special.

How does Kalahari stand next to Castaway Bay? I visited CB a year ago and had a great time. But a return trip is doubtful, waterparks just don't offer enough for me (no kids).

MrScott

Neither Great Wolf or Castaway Bay have to be the biggest in town to be successful. There's plenty of room in this market ... and more resorts are on the way.

Coyote Falls confirms plans to open area's fourth indoor waterpark

Developers hint there's a niche in Sandusky for smaller, less-pricey parks

Besides, this isn't exactly new news. Kalahari had already made the official announcement about this expansion back in April before the resort opened. They even said that the goal was to be the largest when they announced the project in April 2003. That was three months before Cedar Fair said they were even considering Castaway Bay. So, Cedar Fair knew this going in.

I am wondering how you can get a useful ROI on a small waterpark? But then again that is why I am not in the real estate business.

I was at Kalahari on the 30th and my friends and I were passing by the Park Director and Park Managers offices, which were right next to the walkway by the Cababnas, and I noticed something. The Park Manager was in his office on the phone and his door was open. Well on the wall, in plain view, was the concept art for both the indoor and outdoor park expansions. The indoor park expansion said "Summer 07" and the outdoor said "December 06"(I think that was what it said. I might have it mixed up).
And I must say that it is going to be an awsome expansion.

*** Edited 1/14/2006 5:50:31 PM UTC by TTD 120mph***

Great Wolf is opening a park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I was driving the other day and say a billboard that said Great Wolf Lodge and I thought it was wierd that they were advertising here (I assumed they were advertising the one in Sandusky). Then I looked closer and it said Opening Spring '06 in Niagara falls.

Hey in Columbus we're getting "Fort Rapids".....LOL

60,000 sq. ft. of a big waste of time and money.

Way to go, Columbus!

Why is this a big waste?

I am personally impressed with the theming of Kalahari, although the waterpark theming is very blah compared to the extensive theming at Castaway Bay.

When I visited Kalahari I found out from the waterpark employees that Ohio makes frequent inspections there. It just so happens Ohio was inpecting the day I was there. I found that to be disturbing and left. Ohio only schedules about 2-3 inspections a year. Supplemental inspections may occur on a need to see basis. Ohio generally ha the strictest ride safety program in the country.

Ohio dept of Agriculture ride safety.
http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/rides/

Personally, I already made the choice that any place Ohio doesn't have faith in, I won't have faith in. Besides my kids can't do anything in the Kalahari waterpark, though some of the employees wanted to allow me otherwise. Unfortunatly for them I beleive in the rider responsibility law.

Obviously I had a terrible expeience at Kalahari.

Ohio does not have the strictest ride saftey standards in the US... we all learned New Jersey does. ;)

Reply to above post ^^

For those who dont travel out of Columbus, it would not be a waste...but comparing it to a place like Kalahari or even Castaway Bay makes it look...well..."less than". I'm not alone in Columbus in thinking that it's a very odd move. But...who knows...perhaps it will take off. Columbus just isnt exactly a location for tourism. There is nothing here.

Well, Toledo is getting an indoor park, and there's far less here than there is in Columbus.

Kevinj said:
Columbus just isnt exactly a location for tourism. There is nothing here.

Hey, the buckeys are there and thats all you need!

I don't know if I would say Columbus is not the location for it, but the location of where it is, is a little odd to me. Not really the best area to build in. I know its right along the interstate, but thats not the best hotel. Or at least it wasnt that great 3 years ago. It just seems out of place where its at.

Castaway Bay is much more family-affordable than Kalahari, and will have no problem surviving.

Kalahari has some issues to resolve for me to return, including extremely expensive prices, poor check-in/drop-off procedures, time-consuming cashier style of renting a locker, and the hardest floor at any waterpark, indoors or outdoors. Expensive food and merchandise prices include $20 pizzas before any toppings, $19 buffet for adults, $9 child buffet, $25 stainless-steel logo'd travel mugs.

The problem I see with Kalahari is that the owner is always looking to build something "bigger", but doesn't stay around to tweak the problems like Cedar Fair does.

Kalahari's Flow Rider is excellent, but nothing in the waterpark warrants these extreme prices...not even the 'african theming' in your hotel room.

...heading to Castaway Bay at the end of February!...

*** Edited 1/16/2006 9:54:47 AM UTC by midwave***

I've been inside all three resorts, but I've never stayed at any of them. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) trying Castaway Bay next month sometime on the evening pass. That is still too good of a deal to pass up.

99er...

I agree. I live in Canal Winchester just south of the outerbelt, and I still remember driving past it the first time. I almost drove off the road as I was stunned to see the waterslides....off I-70....at an ancient Holiday Inn??? www.fortrapids.com has all their info in case someone is wondering what this place is. The thing is, we have Kings Island to our south, and CP just to our north...so I would think they will do theit best in the winter months next year. Hmm. Maybe Six Flags will turn their little water park into something someday. LOL. "Six Flags Cowlumbus"
*** Edited 1/16/2006 4:04:17 PM UTC by Kevinj***