Vacation plans: help with Dells (Howard, Wisconsin Dells: waterpark, hotels, gardens)

[Hoosier]

We're planning a trip to the Dells this summer and I need help. We went last summer and had a blast at the Great Wolf Lodge. However I made the mistake of inviting extended family this summer. Thus, they've overrun our original plans and now they're staying at the Howard Johnson's in the Dells. It would be awkward for us to not stay there with them so I was wondering if anyone has any input/advice on that hotel or area of Dells.

In addition, we only spent time at the waterpark hotel and not in the Dells attractions. What would be fun for kids 8 and 4? Any ideas and input would be greatly appreciated!!

[Manhattan-ite]

You know they closed The Wonder Spot?? My favorite spot in the Dells! Too bad...

[dreamhunter65]

All the waterparks and such in Dells should find alot to do..will PM a link to check out.The Ducks are great fun for all.

[ihatefonddulac]

I've been going to the Dells since I was a kid and now go at least twice a year with my own kids. Storybook Gardens is fun for small children, not so much for older kids although they've added a wild animal attraction there. There are a couple of amusement parks, Riverworld I think one is called. Also the Mount Olympus thing is a bunch of go-cart tracks, carnival rides and rollercoasters. Every summer, we go to Noah's Ark which, of course, is another waterpark but not a hotel waterpark. My kids range in age from 17 down to 7 and they all enjoy Robot World. We took the older two when they were your kids' ages to Robot World, and they really loved it. We tried to take them at that age to the Tommy Bartlett waterski show. That didn't go over too well. Now that they are older, they enjoy it. They have a magic show that I have never been to that might be of interest to your kids. Also, we've been wanting to check out Wizard Quest which is in downtown Dells. We haven't made it there yet, because my kids are big on the waterparks, but that looks pretty interesting. The Ducks is fun for kids, too.

I don't know too much about the Howard Johnson hotel. Sorry. We usually stay at one of the waterpark hotels (Polynesian, Wilderness, Treasure Island, etc.)

[LML]

I add my support to taking everyone on the Ducks....a must do for summer in the Dells. Also, there is a place there that features robots and outerspace. I can't remember the name but it is right downtown and my grandson loved it when he was younger.

[Drover]

Tommy Bartlett's Robot World and Exploratory.

Tommy Bartlett almost single-handedly made Wisconsin Dells/Lake Delton what it is today. I still haven't decided whether to hate him or love him for it. Something tells me that when I have kids and I need to find something to entertain them for the summer, it'll be the latter.