Maui Sands

Pete said:
I think the resort guest business probably drops off later at night, so to drum up business, they turn it into a local hangout late at night to keep the cash flowing. Might even lower drink prices, just a guess though. But, their plan is certainly bringing in the locals.

I just wonder if the money they may make is actually high enough to want locals coming in. And Jeff is right, there's plenty of cheaper places to drink if you aren't staying at the resort.

I've been wondering if the Maui Sands water park would ever open. Going to have to give it a try on a day pass. It's a great way to spend a winter weekend afternoon.

I found that you graduate from Great Wolf to Castaway Bay to Kalahari as kids get older. We still go to CB on often for the day. As pass holders we get half off the price.

As for the bar at Kalahari, I think your are talking about the one in the Reserve Restaurant. They post that after a certain hour (maybe 10PM) it is adults only. I see no problem with that. Now the bar at the Great Karoo let us have our young teenage kids with us past midnight numerous times. That bar is fairly quiet. Nothing objectionable going on while we were there. It's a nice place where a couple of families can sit and talk after the water park closes. The adults can have a drink and the kids get something to eat from the snack bar downstairs.

I agree with Jeff too. There are plenty of other local bars in the area with cheaper prices than $3.50 for a beer. I too think it is weird that they decide to go to Kalahari and pay extra money for drinks to mingle with tourists instead of other locals at a much cheaper price. However, I've never been to Kalahari before, so I can't judge as I don't know their prices on certain days, or if they have a Happy Hour type deal during certain times of the day. I wonder how much a gin and tonic is there.

As far as Maui Sands goes it's up and coming. I will mention this to the marketing director today about the website. And if any Cedar Point Employee's see this, I bet Maui Sands is offering a discount for CP employees, as most of the business do here in Sandusky.

Now Kalahari: We always go to Kalahari with family. They have some really good restaurants and it's a fun/vacation atmosphere only a couple miles from where we live. It's a vacation close to home.

After 4pm Castaway Bays day passes are 15.00

$3.50 for a bottle Bud? I don't drink at dumps, but if it is over $2 I have a problem with it.

Castaway is $15 all the time for Platinum Pass holders.

I'm just curious as to how many indoor water parks that the Sandusky area can actually support? I know there was the big build up of the indoor water parks several years ago and I thought others were rumored to be coming in as well. How saturated is the Sandusky market? We like to go occasionally but we are not that far from Sandusky.

Depends really... if it becomes a "waterpark destination" like wisconson dells then it could hold a lot more.

I've only been to Castaway Bay and Great Wolf in the winter, but while neither one was busy, they seemed to do an OK business. Castaway was a weekend in January last year, and while there were no significant lines in the water park, there were a fair number of folks there. Great Wolf was two weeks ago, a Wednesday to Friday affair, and again wasn't sporting lines, but there were a fair number of people there.

Is Maui Sands a former Holiday Inn property? Thought I remembered seeing a HI at Route 250 and 2 with a small indoor water park on my way to Port Clinton. Don't usually pass it on my way to the CP due to getting off at Rye Beach Rd.

Maui Sands is a former Holiday Inn property.

At about the time Maui Sands originally opened, Kinzel said in an interview that they were happy with the Castaway Bay property but had no interest in expanding. They thought the market was pretty well served at that point. Not sure if anything has changed in that market since.

For the record, we were drinking Kona Blue Wave Blonde Ale at Maui Sands, and if you're a craft beer fan, this stuff is incredible. We figured we'd at least try the hawaiian beer, and I'm pretty sure I'll be stopping at that bar on my next visit just to have it again.

Sorry to bring back an old topic but did anyone else see the episode last night on Hotel Impossible? I am so glad I never stayed there!!!

Good thing for CP, they don’t have A tv show called Dorm Room Impossible. I’m pretty sure that would make Maui Sands look like a Four Seasons.

Watching the show now, wow, the owners are really pieces of work. I hope they sell the place to an organization that will take care of it. It is actually a nice property, it's a shame that they let it go like that.

I just downloaded that episode and watched it. What horrible ownership. Glad I never stayed there, and I feel terrible for those employees.

Those guys own several properties in Sandusky. Just saying.

^Got a list? Lol

I’d take that list as one of places to never step foot in.