Kalahari Resorts & Conventions to Open Bookings January 12, 2026 for New Virginia Resort in Spotsylvania

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2026--

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, announced today that bookings for Kalahari Spotsylvania are officially open. The resort, currently under development in Spotsylvania, will bring Kalahari’s signature “Beyond Expectations” experience to the Commonwealth, featuring an expansive indoor and outdoor waterpark, family entertainment, dining, and meeting and convention spaces - all under one roof.

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Beginning Jan. 12, guests can book overnight stays at Kalahari Spotsylvania for arrivals beginning December 18, 2026 at www.kalahariresorts.com/virginia.

“Opening bookings is a major milestone for Kalahari Spotsylvania and a meaningful moment for our family and our entire team,” said Todd Nelson, CEO and Founder of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. “We’re excited to welcome families to Spotsylvania beginning in late 2026 and to bring the full Kalahari experience to Virginia. We can’t wait for guests to start planning their getaway and be part of what’s coming next.”

At the heart of Kalahari Spotsylvania will be a next-level indoor waterpark experience designed for every age and thrill level - from towering slide complexes to family-friendly attractions and dedicated kids’ areas.

Among the resort’s 50+ waterslide lineup are standout attractions with names like:

Younger waterpark adventurers will also have dedicated splash and play areas including:

To celebrate bookings opening, Kalahari is launching a new contest inviting fans to help name one of the signature waterslides at Kalahari Spotsylvania - giving one winner the chance to see their chosen name installed at the resort when it opens in late 2026.

Beginning today, Jan. 12, guests can submit their most creative name idea at KalahariResorts.com/Slide, where the contest entry form is available. The featured attraction is a record-breaking ride described as the longest water coaster in North America, with launch speeds up to 20 feet per second, up to 60 seconds of ride time, and more than 10 powerful blasts featuring drops and gravity-defying lifts.

There will be three winners. One grand prize winner will receive an overnight stay at a Kalahari location of their choice, along with a $100 food & beverage credit and $100 in arcade credits. Two runner-up winners will each receive four waterpark day passes to the location of their choice, plus a $50 food & beverage credit.

The contest closes Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Participants must be 18 years or older to enter, and limit one entry per person. Full terms and conditions are available on the contest landing page.

Kalahari Spotsylvania is expected to open late 2026. The $900 million resort will span 1.38 million square feet and feature approximately 900 guest suites, Virginia’s largest indoor waterpark at more than 175,000 square feet, and an expansive convention center - along with additional all-under-one-roof family dining, entertainment, and resort experiences.

The resort is being built on a 135-acre site located just off I-95 near Dominion Raceway & Entertainment in Spotsylvania - conveniently positioned for families traveling from the greater DC-Maryland-Virginia region, Richmond, and beyond.

An overnight stay at Kalahari Spotsylvania includes complimentary access to the resort’s indoor waterpark, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy two days of waterpark fun - with access on the day of check-in and continuing through waterpark closing on check-out day. Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi are also included when visiting Kalahari.

For updates and behind-the-scenes progress, follow Kalahari on social media @kalahariresorts and visit kalahariresorts.com/virginia.

ABOUT KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, founded by Todd and Shari Nelson, is home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, and offers an unmatched mix of all-under-one-roof experiences for families, vacationers, and meeting attendees. With locations in Wisconsin Dells, WI; Sandusky, OH; Pocono Mountains, PA; Round Rock, TX; and a new resort opening in 2026 in Spotsylvania, VA, each property draws inspiration from the rich culture and vibrant landscapes of Africa. Recognized by USA Today’s 10Best for Best Indoor Water Park and Best VR Water Slide, Kalahari continues to set the standard for family entertainment and hospitality. Across its growing collection of resorts, guests can expect well-appointed accommodations, signature dining, unique retail, expansive indoor and outdoor waterparks, immersive adventure parks, and state-of-the-art convention centers. Coming in 2026, Kalahari is introducing its Adventure Collection, a suite of premium lodging options. Select locations also feature full-service spas and wellness destinations, creating the ultimate all-in-one getaway. For the latest news and media resources, visit kalaharimedia.com.

Courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

Courtesy of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department said Wednesday it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, whose nationals the Trump administration has deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.

The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become “public charges” in the U.S.

The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas, who make up the vast majority of visa seekers. Demand for non-immigrant visas is expected to rise dramatically in the coming months and years due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics both of which the U.S. will host or co-host.

“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the department said in a statement. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”

President Donald Trump's administration has already severely restricted immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of dozens of countries, many of them in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The November guidance on which Wednesday's decision is based directed U.S. Embassy and consulate officials to comprehensively and thoroughly vet visa applicants to demonstrate that they will not need to rely on public benefits from the government any time after their admission in the U.S.

While federal law already required those seeking permanent residency or legal status to prove they wouldn’t be a public charge, Trump in his first term widened the range of benefit programs that could disqualify applicants, and the guidelines in the cable appear to go further in scope.

Immigrants seeking entry into the U.S. already undergo a medical exam by a physician who’s been approved by a U.S. Embassy. They are screened for communicable diseases, like tuberculosis, and asked to disclose any history of drug or alcohol use, mental health conditions or violence. They’re also required to have a number of vaccinations.

The new directive expanded those with more specific requirements. It said consular officials must consider a range of specific details about people seeking visas, including their age, health, family status, finances, education, skills and any past use of public assistance regardless of the country. It also said they should assess applicants’ English proficiency and can do so by conducting interviews in English.

Experts said at the time it could further limit who gets to enter the country at a time when the Republican administration is already tightening those rules.

The countries affected by the suspension announced on Wednesday are:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Workers fly the Cuban flag at half-mast at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune near the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in memory of Cubans who died two days before in Caracas, Venezuela during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Cubans line up for appointments at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio makes a statement to reporters while meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)