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Sandusky evolves into an indoor waterpark wonderland
Castaway Bay's Rendezvous Run is a 35-foot high, 520-foot-long water roller coaster that propels riders uphill using water jets. The coaster shoots outside the resort’s structure in an enclosed slide and then spirals back into the complex. (Photo courtesy of Castaway Bay).
Located at 5513 Milan Road, Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark reopened under different ownership in 2012 after being closed for several years. It spans 45,000 square feet and has a wide range of water rides inside a complex that is always 84 degrees. (Photo courtesy of Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark).
SHERRY KARABIN
Special to the Legal News
Published: January 14, 2014
While many people might think of Cedar Point when they hear the name Sandusky, the city is also home to many other attractions, including several indoor “wet and wild” wonderlands that might make a lot of sense at this time of the year.
Indoor waterparks are cropping up all over the country but those who set foot in nearby Sandusky have four different ones to choose from, the newest is Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark.
Located at 5513 Milan Rd., the property reopened under different ownership in 2012 after being closed for several years. It spans 45,000 square feet and has a wide range of water rides inside a complex that is always 84 degrees.
“Our park has a Hawaiian theme,” said Jeff Phillips, assistant general manager at Maui Sands Resort & Indoor Waterpark. “Our hotel has 224 rooms and we will be opening another 80 this spring. We will also be adding some new attractions, one possibility is indoor laser tag.”
Room rates vary and can be purchased with or without a waterpark pass. Phillips said guests can also reserve rooms with outdoor access where they can avoid the waterpark altogether.
“We offer this option because we do have business travelers but most of our customers are families.
“We have locker rooms and we allow our guests to continue to use the park all day on the day they check out,” said Phillips.
The indoor waterpark features two 35 mph slides, a tube slide, bowl slide, a water walk crossing, Coconut Cove activity pool, which has a vortex pool off the side of it, and a lazy river (Kai River) that encompasses the whole park.
“Pineapple Bay and Maka Maka Treehouse are designed for younger children,” said Waterpark Manager, Mike Guggemos. “The treehouse has interactive features for the kids to tug and push on.”
There are two hot tubs, one inside and one outside, that is exclusively for adults.
“The park is designed so kids and adults can both have a great time,” said Guggemos. “One of the perks for me is testing everything out.”
He said the most popular ride is the Maui Wowie bowl slide, which spits patrons out into a pool. There are lifeguards on duty and visitors can bring in food from the hotel’s Volcano Grill.
The resort does not require waterpark guests to stay at the hotel and spectator passes are available for people who do not want to partake in the activities.
“We have been doing very well,” said Phillips. “We have about 350,000 people a year and the hotel is currently sold out all the way through May.”
For more information, log on to mauisandsresort.com.
Overnight trips have become more popular in Ohio. According to statistics from the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of TourismOhio, the state saw about a 4 percent increase in overnight leisure travel during the fourth quarter of 2012. Long before this trend took hold, Great Wolf Lodge laid the groundwork for the indoor waterpark frenzy in Sandusky, opening its 33,000-square-foot facility in 2001, the first in Ohio and the second of its now 11 properties across the United States, one of which is located in Cincinnati/Mason.
Great Wolf Lodge at 4600 Milan Rd. features Northwoods-themed suites and waterpark attractions that range from body slides and four-story enclosed tube rides to an interactive treehouse, activity pool, lazy river and jumbo whirlpools. There is also an outdoor pool area that is open during the warmer months. Details can be found at greatwolf.com/sandusky.
In 2004, Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay began the second indoor waterpark in Sandusky. Located at 2001 Cleveland Rd. W., it offers 38,000 square feet of attractions, including a 100,000-gallon indoor wave pool, three 35-foot-tall body slides, the Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse, Toddler’s Tide Pool and an 80,000-gallon activity pool. There is also Rendezvous Run, a 35-foot-high, 520-foot-long water roller coaster that propels riders uphill using water jets. The coaster shoots outside the resort’s structure in an enclosed slide and then spirals back into the complex.
Bryan Edwards, marketing programs manager for Cedar Point amusement park/resort, the parent of Castaway Bay, said the coaster drew an estimated 175,000 riders in 2012.
“We feature a Caribbean theme which is perfect any time of the year but especially now that it is winter,” said Edwards. “The hotel has 237 rooms and suites and the waterpark passes are built into the cost of the room or if you prefer you can purchase a waterpark pass and not stay at the hotel.
“Our busiest time of the year is during the holidays and around spring break but if you stay here when Cedar Point is open you get into the park a full hour before it opens to the general public. I also think it’s a good insurance policy in case the weather is bad since families can stay here and enjoy our indoor waterpark.”
The indoor waterpark does close for maintenance each year, check castawaybay.com for availability and rates.
Sandusky’s Kalahari Resorts & Conventions has the distinction of having the largest indoor waterpark in the nation. The 173,000-square-foot African-themed indoor park was unveiled in 2007 as part of the facility’s expansion
Some of its more unusual rides are the Swahili Swirl, a “behemoth bowl” where two to four guests at a time are twirled through its 60-foot diameter, the FlowRider, where people can learn to body surf, and kids safari, an interactive play area with tunnels and water toys. Other popular attractions are the Victoria Falls raft slides, the Zimbabwe Zipper uphill water roller coaster water slide, with speeds up to 40 mph and a swim up bar for adults.
The park’s Texlon transparent roof allows patrons to enjoy the sun while in the 12,000-square-foot indoor wave pool.
The resort also has a 77,000-square-foot outdoor park, complete with activity pools, hot tubs, sun deck, sand volleyball and shuffleboard courts as well as other offerings.
Privately owned by the Nelson family, Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky is located at 7000 Kalahari Dr. and has 890 rooms and suites as well as six five-bedroom entertainment villas, authentic African artifacts, furniture and artwork, restaurants, “Big Game” Arcade Room, bowling for kids and mini-golf, fitness center, spas for adults and children, salon and other amenities. Patrons can also visit the Safari Adventures Animal Park to get a look at some exotic wildlife, or the seasonal Safari Outdoor Adventure Park where guests can take a zip line tour, climb walls or participate in other activities.
Room rates vary from $139 to $399 per night depending on size and the season, and all overnight stays come with waterpark admission.
“Kalahari is a truly ‘all under one roof’ experience,” said Travis Nelson, spokesperson for Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. “Business professionals seek out Kalahari for seminars in the convention center and families can enjoy a weekend of fun in the waterpark.”
For more on the resort, visit kalahariresorts.com/ohio.