Kalahari in Sandusky Ohio

[turning40withMickey]

Any of you budgeteers got moneysaving tips for Kalahari? I got a good room rate, and am taking five kids. Now I need to save a few bucks on the food which I am sure is expensive.

Anyone have some tips? THe website says no outside food or snacks can be brought into any "public" areas of the resort. (we can snack in the room, but they will want some "real" food, too!)

 

[tcp_dpm]

There are TONS of restaurants in the Sandusky area. All major chains,etc.

Everything from Friendly's, fast food, Damon's, etc.

Out of curiosity, where did you get the good room rates?

 

[JackJack08]

We always take a bag with sammies and snacks to the pool area. Never had a problem at all! But I agree, there are tons of places to eat just up the street!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We went there a couple of summers ago - the food on site was expensive and not very good. Bring your own food and drinks for lunch, breakfast and snacks (rooms have fridges and microwaves). Really, it's not such a huge deal to leave the waterpark for a lunch break in your room.

We ate at Olive Garden down the road for dinner one night and the price was about the same as what we paid for some greasy hot dogs and fries at the Kalahari snack bar for lunch. Learned my lesson.

We did, however, order pizza at the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dell's - it was actually pretty tasty and not badly priced ... you could bring a couple of 2 liters of soda and order pizza for dinner.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When you leave Kalahari make a right turn. About 500 feet before the first traffic light you come to, on the left side of the road is a place called Danny Boys. They have wonderful food. Pizza/Pasta and good prices.

A few miles up the road is a Walmart and Meyers where you can pick up snack foods so you don't have to haul them from PA with you. There are many many many restaruants in the area so you won't go hungry.

Have fun.

 

[Pembo]

Another vote for driving north on Rt 250 and finding one of a many restaurants or fast food places.

That said, my kids loved having ice cream there and they said the pizza wasn't bad. (We got it free with our room rate).

 

[singnring]

I have gone to both Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky (we live nearby).
Both places have Mini fridge and MW in the rooms and they are fairly spacious rooms unless you are in one of the most basic rooms.

DD11 is in competitive gymnastics and our home meet is held at Kalahari, so last season we had to be there 4 days during the meet.

Most of the moms made meals ahead of time and then used the MW to heat them up.

Chili, casseroles, homemade soups are some of the best options.
There's also the MW'able stuff you can buy at the store.

As PP said, there is a Super Walmart and a Meijer store right up the road, both of which have deli/bakery areas where you can get hot foods ready-made.

Tons of restaurants in the area, as it is a tourist spot due to Cedar Point being right there. Anything from Olive Garden to Taco Bell. There is a Ryan's buffet there which is nice because everyone can find something at a buffet.

We took snacks into the pool areas; no one ever said anything. But the rule is in place, so they could stop you if they wanted to.

Be creative. There's always ways to save money on food!

 

[mafibisha]

Any of you budgeteers got moneysaving tips for Kalahari? I got a good room rate, and am taking five kids. Now I need to save a few bucks on the food which I am sure is expensive.

Anyone have some tips? THe website says no outside food or snacks can be brought into any "public" areas of the resort. (we can snack in the room, but they will want some "real" food, too!)

I don't really have any advice sorry, but could you please tell us (or me LOL) where you found the cute icons on your signature of Mickey / Minnie that represent your family? They're super cute!

(Have fun at the water park! )

 

[turning40withMickey]

.

Out of curiosity, where did you get the good room rates?

Lucked into it on their website. They were having "Beat the Clock" specials, which upgraded you to a two bedroom African Queen for 129 (one night price), and they are also offering some $99 rates (hut room for four). Just worked out that our free days matched up with a great rate!

The two bedroom African Queen has a sleeper sofa, too, in the living area so you can have up to 8 in the room (pay 20 more for guest 7 and 8)

 

[turning40withMickey]

We always take a bag with sammies and snacks to the pool area. Never had a problem at all! !

We took snacks into the pool areas; no one ever said anything. But the rule is in place, so they could stop you if they wanted to.

!

I wondered how strict they were on this. We have gone to Splash Lagoon in Erie many times and always take a tote bag of snacks in, never been an issue at all.

I would just like to take some pretzels and fruit in to tide the kids over until a real meal, so it sounds like that won't be an issue.

 

[turning40withMickey]

I don't really have any advice sorry, but could you please tell us (or me LOL) where you found the cute icons on your signature of Mickey / Minnie that represent your family? They're super cute!

(Have fun at the water park! )

Thanks! A DISer made them for me. I will search back and see if I have an old PM with her name for you!

 

[turning40withMickey]

When you leave Kalahari make a right turn. About 500 feet before the first traffic light you come to, on the left side of the road is a place called Danny Boys. They have wonderful food. Pizza/Pasta and good prices.

A few miles up the road is a Walmart and Meyers where you can pick up snack foods so you don't have to haul them from PA with you. There are many many many restaruants in the area so you won't go hungry.

Have fun.

Thanks, Shelly! I appreciate a rave review from a local. Pizza is always a favorite with the kids!
We have a Fire Mountain (same as Ryans) nearby so the kids will probably want to go there, too, they love the buffet.
We are going to maximize our waterpark time, arrive at noon and stay after checkout until they kick us out, so we will be eating several meals in the area.

 

[turning40withMickey]

Do they sell those water tubes called Big Squirts? Splash Lagoon has several refills stations in their waterpark. (I really just want to know if we should bring ours)

Do they have tables throughout or just lounge chairs? Any suggestions on a place to drop all of our stuff and call it the meeting area where the kids have to check in every so often? I am sure they will all take off in five different directions and need a "home" spot to come back to.

I hear a yes for Dippin Dots in the waterpark....they love those and at the outrageous prices they are a big treat.

Is the arcade close to the waterpark area?



any other hints or suggestions welcomed!

 

[singnring]

We are going to maximize our waterpark time, arrive at noon and stay after checkout until they kick us out, so we will be eating several meals in the area.

You can stay till they close on the day of check-out, so, lots of time to play!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The arcade is on the same level as the water park and is located just outside the water park entrance. There are several tables through out the water park as well as lounge chairs.

Not sure about the Big Squirt thing maybe someone else can help.

 

[turning40withMickey]

Oh, yeah.... breakfast ISN'T included
so I will probably send DH out for a donut run in the morning..
I am guessing he will have some choices (or at least Walmart)
sounds like there are many restaurants nearby. Thanks everyone!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

For donuts they do carry Krispy Creme donuts in the coffee area in the lobby so you may not have to send DH out for them. If that is the only thing you splurg on it should not break the bank. Or bring a box of Dolly Madison with you.
Now you are making me hungry!

When are you going?

 

[lailah]

There are many, many fast food and sit down restaurants down the road! McDonalds, Fazoli's, Olive Garden, Ryans, Chili's, Paneras (for bagels in the a.m.) Burger King, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers... so you can pretty much choose anything you are hungry for! We go every Christmas Day to spend one nite. (nobody's there, but that's a secret! After we open our gifts, have the big breakfast, clean up..then we're off! We love it and do it every year.

 

[turning40withMickey]

When are you going?

Veteran's Day!

 

[JackJack08]

I wondered how strict they were on this. We have gone to Splash Lagoon in Erie many times and always take a tote bag of snacks in, never been an issue at all.

I would just like to take some pretzels and fruit in to tide the kids over until a real meal, so it sounds like that won't be an issue.

It has never been an issue at all. There are many staff members cleaning and refreshing towels etc...and we have never tried hiding anything. We just always make sure to never bring glass items and always clean up after ourselves. Have fun....it is a blast!!