CORRECTING and REPLACING Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells Announces $85 Million Indoor Waterpark Expansion

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 10, 2025--

Please replace the release dated January 9, 2025 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250109105161/en/

The updated release reads: 

KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS IN WISCONSIN DELLS ANNOUNCES $85 MILLION INDOOR WATERPARK EXPANSION

A 75,000-square-foot glass-enclosed, open-air waterpark with a retractable roof, expected to open in Fall 2026

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is reinforcing its title of America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks with an exciting $85 million, 75,000-square-foot indoor waterpark expansion at its Wisconsin Dells resort. Construction is now underway, with the expanded portion of the waterpark slated to open in fall 2026.

The highly anticipated glass-enclosed, open-air waterpark with a retractable roof introduces three exciting new water slides: the Wild Wildebeest and Green Python, both six-person raft slides, and the Cheetah Mat Racers, a four-lane racing slide. Guests will enjoy an array of other new attractions as well, including the Lost Lagoon Spa Pool, the Watering Hole Pool with zero-depth entry and tanning ledges, the Coral Cove Kiddie Slide Pool, and The Grotto adult swim-up bar.

"Kalahari could not be more excited to announce this indoor waterpark expansion in the Wisconsin Dells, the Waterpark Capital of the World," said Todd Nelson, CEO, owner, and founder of Kalahari Resorts. “With new slides, pools, a swim-up bar, spas, and more, there's something for every member of the family to enjoy!”

Todd and Shari Nelson, both born and raised in the Wisconsin Dells, have always had a passion for waterparks. After a family trip to Africa, Todd was inspired by the concept of Ubuntu – the African philosophy of “togetherness” that emphasizes a universal bond of sharing and connection. This idea led the Nelsons to open the first Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells in 2000.

“My wife and I opened the first Kalahari Resorts in the Dells 24 years ago, and it’s been an incredible journey,” said Nelson. “Kalahari is so much more than a waterpark - It’s a place where families can come together. After two and a half decades of creating memories here in Wisconsin Dells, we’re excited to expand our offerings and invite even more families to experience the spirit of togetherness.”

In addition to the new waterpark attractions, guests will enjoy a 40’ wide big-screen TV display, additional food and beverage options, and enhanced seating and comfort options, including new cabanas and whirlpool cabanas.

The new indoor waterpark is one of several new amenities and renovations Kalahari has added in recently. Other additions include 237 new rooms, a renovated Spa Kalahari, an all-new splash pad and dry playground, an expansive lobby renovation, and two additional dining options: Sortino’s Italian Kitchen and Cinco Niños, a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar.

For more information, please visit the Kalahari Resorts media site at kalaharimedia.com.

About Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, Round Rock, Texas, and opening soon in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deliver a beyond-expectations waterpark resort and conference experience all under one roof. The African-inspired Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family, are home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks. Todd and Shari Nelson, the founders of Kalahari Resorts, were honored with an induction into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023. All Kalahari Resorts feature well-appointed guest rooms and suites, the full-service Spa Kalahari, a fun-filled family entertainment center, on-site signature restaurants, unique retail shops and a state-of-the-art convention center. For more information, members of the media are encouraged to visit kalaharimedia.com.

Location of new indoor waterpark expansion of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Wisconsin Dells. Courtesy of AP.

Rendering of interior view of new indoor waterpark expansion of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Wisconsin Dells. (Photo: Business Wire)

Rendering of exterior view of new indoor waterpark expansion of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Wisconsin Dells. (Photo: Business Wire)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Francisco Alvarez homered twice and rookie Nolan McLean retired his first 15 batters as the New York Mets snapped a three-game skid Friday night with a 10-3 rout of the San Francisco Giants.

Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien each had three of New York's season-high 15 hits after the Mets totaled only three runs in their previous three games. Mark Vientos reached base safely four times, but slugger Juan Soto exited early with right calf tightness.

Soto will have imaging done Saturday, manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Semien launched his first homer for the Mets and drove in three runs. Bichette opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first.

McLean (1-0) took a perfect game into the sixth before walking Harrison Bader and Patrick Bailey to begin the inning. Jerar Encarnacion flied out to right field, but Willy Adames doubled to right-center to bring home Bader and end McLean’s night.

The right-hander was charged with two runs (one earned). He struck out four. Four relievers combined to finish a five-hitter.

Run-scoring singles by Bichette and Semien off Tyler Mahle (0-2) gave the Mets a 2-0 lead in the first.

Semien drilled a two-run homer to center off Mahle in the fourth. One out later, Alvarez also took Mahle deep to center.

Alvarez led off the Mets’ three-run seventh with a homer to left off JT Brubaker, giving the catcher three home runs this season and six career multihomer games.

Soto singled in the first and appeared to slow up while running from first to third on Bichette’s RBI single. He was forced out at home when Brett Baty grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and Tyrone Taylor replaced Soto in left field for the bottom of the inning.

The 27-year-old Soto has hit safely in all eight games this season. He's in the second season of a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets. He had 43 homers and 105 RBIs last season.

Mets RHP Clay Holmes (1-0) faces Giants RHP Landen Roupp on Saturday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, April 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and pitcher Luis García (40) celebrate after the team's victory over the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Mets' Marcus Semien, center, celebrates with Carson Benge, left, after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, April 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez (4) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, April 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)