Great Wolf Lodge vs Holiday Inn Express Dells Waterpark
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Great Wolf Lodge | Holiday Inn Express Dells Waterpark |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Great Wolf Lodge
- wave pool
- lazy river
- cabana rentals
- gift shop
- splash pad
- Arcade
- birthday party packages
- group rates
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Great Wolf Lodge
Wisconsin
Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells combines a massive indoor water park with a full resort experience, making it perfect for families who want to make a real vacation out of their water park visit. The 79,000-square-foot water park stays a comfortable 82 degrees year-round, so you can enjoy the slides and pools even when there's snow on the ground outside. The multi-level play structure is where most families with younger kids spend their time - it's got smaller slides, water buckets, and plenty of interactive features that keep little ones busy for hours. For bigger thrills, the body slides and tube slides deliver without being too intense for most kids. The lazy river here is solid, and the wave pool creates just enough action to be fun without feeling overwhelming. What really sets Great Wolf Lodge apart is everything beyond the water park. The themed suites make kids feel like they're staying somewhere special, and activities like MagiQuest (a wand-based scavenger hunt throughout the hotel) keep families entertained even when they're dried off. The arcade is huge, and there are crafts, story time, and other organized activities throughout the day. Food options are better than typical water park fare, though expect to pay resort prices. The place gets absolutely packed on weekends and holidays, so if you can swing a weekday visit, do it. Book your suite well in advance, especially for peak times. Pro tip: the water park gets crazy busy right after lunch, so hit the bigger slides…
Read the full Great Wolf Lodge guide →Holiday Inn Express Dells Waterpark
Wisconsin
The Holiday Inn Express Dells Waterpark gives you a solid indoor water park experience without the chaos and sky-high prices of the mega-resorts in Wisconsin Dells. This hotel-attached park keeps things manageable with a good mix of slides, a decent-sized pool area, and enough space for families to spread out without feeling cramped. The slides here aren't going to break any records, but they're fun enough to keep kids (and adults) coming back for more rounds. You'll find a few tube slides and body slides that provide just the right amount of thrill for younger kids and families who want excitement without the terror. The pool area is spacious enough for actual swimming, which is something you can't always count on at hotel water parks. There's also a hot tub that actually stays hot and clean, which parents will appreciate after chasing kids around all day. The kids' area has smaller slides and interactive water features that work well for toddlers and early elementary kids. What I like about this place is that it doesn't try to be something it's not. You won't find massive wave pools or four-story slide towers, but you also won't deal with hour-long lines or resort fees that make your wallet weep. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly without being overwhelming. Since it's attached to the Holiday Inn Express, you get easy access from your room, and the facility stays open exclusively for hotel guests during certain hours, which means fewer crowds. The space feels…
Read the full Holiday Inn Express Dells Waterpark guide →