Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Canopy Tour

Get Your Fill of Adventure

Wholesale Pandimonium, In A Good Way That Is, In Wisconsin Dells

Every January in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., the resort community better known as “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”, there is a little tradition the local visitor bureau likes to call the official release of what’s new for the coming year.  Given everything that’s debuting in the Dells for 2012, frankly it might have been easier to chronicle what’s not new.  But, in the spirit of keeping the tradition alive, here is the rundown of new waterpark rides, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, shops and outdoor adventures for the new year.

Big Waterpark News
Starting outdoors, Noah’s Ark Waterpark, America’s Largest Waterpark, is debuting Quadzilla, a $1 million family mat racer slide that stands 47 feet tall, with lanes that run 323 feet long.  How can that be, you ask?  Because the four slides making up this ride are literally braided and twisted together, a first-of-its-kind for this community.  Riders will plunge head first on Quadzilla, reaching top speeds of just over 20 mph.  If you do the math, that’s 24 seconds from top to bottom.  The lanes start out enclosed, but as you race to the bottom, they become open lanes so you can see who’s winning in the side-by-side competition.  As you crest over vertical curves and gain even more speed toward the bottom, be prepared to experience a feeling of weightlessness.

At Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center, they’ve literally raised the roof to install two indoor Super Loop waterslides, the first of their kind in the world, the Sahara Sidewinders.  These slides stand 65 feet tall, which meant extending a section of the roof to accommodate the added height.  You’ll even be able to see the top of these slides from the interstate.  Riders will step into the slide and brace themselves as a trapdoor opens below their feet, sending them rocketing at speeds up to 25 mph.  Kalahari also installed an additional free fall slide for the really adventurous called the Screaming Hyena.  While the new slides will be a hit with tweens and teens, the toddlers have not been left out, as the resort has opened a new kid’s play zone called Tiko’s Watering Hole, with more than a dozen kiddie slides and interactive African animal figures – think grey-crowned cranes doubling as squirt guns.  A rain tree gushes water as if it’s raining for added squeals.

Heading back outside, the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is adding two new water tube-style slides, one that loops and one that jettisons riders straight down, both with trap doors to get the free fall started.  Riders can reach speeds up to 40 mph thanks to maximum G force.  Both of these behemoths will be in the Glacier Canyon Lodge section of the sprawling resort, the country’s largest combo indoor/outdoor waterpark property.

Over at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Parks, their archeological crew has “excavated” the $3 million Lost City of Atlantis, a gigantic outdoor water fortress that covers over three acres.  This new archeological find will be easy to spot at a whopping six stories tall.  Tailored for all age groups, the Lost City of Atlantis will feature a monster dump bucket and seven water slides including a bowl ride, boomerang slide, family tube slide, kids’ water slides and a geyser blasting water over 160 feet.

The new splash pad at Sherwood Forest Camping & RV Park proves waterpark fun doesn’t have to be limited to just waterpark resorts.  This zero-depth attraction is festooned with rainbow water arches, squirt cannons and geysers.

New Ways to Be Entertained
There is a really nice variety of new indoor attractions this year starting with Wild Fun Zone, located downtown Dells and offering indoor bumper cars with spinning action, 3-D black light mini golf, a laser tag arena that takes the shape of a space cave, virtual roller coaster ride and mega arcade.  Look for the huge gorilla on the top of the building to find this place.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum has added a “shrunken head alley” featuring a half-dozen actual shrunken heads.  Next door at Wizard Quest, a new character by the name of Professor Oodlesmack has been added to the quest displays.  His eccentric hobby is creating new flavors of popcorn, so naturally there is an Oodlesmack Popcorn counter attached to Wizard Quest, with more than 40 different gourmet flavors.  Plus, the Dells 4D Special FX Theater, on the same block, has two new films this year that will make you feel like you’re in the movie.

There’s just something about oversized gadgets that gets kids, and adults, engaged.  At the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory – Interactive Science Center, you can lift a 3,000 pound car off the ground using an oversized lever.  This new hands-on exhibit is located right outside of the front entrance to the Exploratory.  Head inside and you’ll find two other new exhibits – one, a musical experiment called “Dancing Sands” and the other a “Square Wheel” that actually rolls.  Side note – the Exploratory is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012.

Outdoor Recreation and Adventures

Vertical Illusions, known for its inspiring Wisconsin River kayak and rock climbing adventures, is now offering an Eco Zip Line Canopy Tour.  You’ll zip off the top of Chimney Rock, a 500-foot bluff affording 120-mile views, and then travel along 15 tree-to-tree zip lines without ever touching the ground. For winter visitors, Vertical Illusions offers a 40-foot frozen waterfall climb.

If you like zip lining, there’s a good chance you’ll also like the new adventure ropes course located inside the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort.   It’s called the Northern Lights Sky Ropes Course and it’s perched 30 feet above the mega arcade in the Wild West region of the property.  Wearing a full-body safety harness, you’ll climb your way around 42 challenges with varying degrees of difficulty.

Big Chief’s Go Karts is new, with enough uphills and downhills to make you dizzy.  A hairpin turn is thrown in for good measure.

Lost Voyage, a nighttime adventure on the Wisconsin River that takes participants on a mystifying scavenger hunt of sorts in search of a mythical (or is it?) tour boat that vanished years ago, has new chapters planned for this ongoing conspiracy mystery.  Look for clues online, in the ticket center lobby and as you enter Cold Water Canyon on foot and interact with characters you meet along the way.

For baby boomers and older, the first thing that probably comes to mind when they hear “P.T. 109” is the movie by the same name that dramatized President John F. Kennedy’s WWII experiences during which he captained a PT boat.  Now, it’s also part of the moniker for a Wisconsin River tour of the Upper Dells glacial park. The P.T. 109 Boat Patrol sightseeing excursion is narrated, drawing on both history and legend of the river, and showcases the sandstone rock formations.

Sports Report
This is just about ESPN-worthy news.  JustAgame Fieldhouse has completed a huge addition to its facility, adding two regulation high school courts that can be reconfigured to a regulation college court with seating for 2,000.  No sooner were the floorboards in place than the announcement came that JustAgame had been selected by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association as the site for the 2012 All Star Games, bringing 200 of the best Wisconsin high school players to the Dells.

Anniversaries and Reunions
The Tommy Bartlett Show is marking the 60th anniversary of its iconic water ski show with reunion performances the weekend of June 30-July 1, inviting skiers back to celebrate with the current cast of “Livin’ the Dream.”  Retro ski acts are making a comeback too, featuring the ski tricks that made the show famous the world over.  Other special events and appearances to mark the occasion will be sprinkled throughout the summer.

Both Swiss Maid Fudge and Wisconsin Dairyland Fudge are marking their 50th anniversaries with sweet specialties that will only be available for the anniversary year.

Wollersheim Winery is celebrating its 40th anniversary of being in business, although the land’s use as a vineyard dates back to the 1840s, with tours, events, displays and wine releases.  Already a national historic site, Wollersheim was also recently bestowed with an historical marker from the county’s historical society.

A Little Food, A Little Wine
Sprecher’s Restaurant & Pub of Wisconsin Dells brings to town its casual style dining, micro-brews and gourmet sodas made by its own Sprecher Brewery.  The cream soda is a must, as is the root beer.

Fawn Creek Winery has introduced two new wines.  The Kilbourn Red is a cranberry-flavored Shiraz; one dollar from the sale of every bottle is donated to the Kilbourn Volunteer Fire Department of Wisconsin Dells.  Cabin Fever is a backberry-flavored Merlot and is billed as a seasonal wine to help cure the doldrums of Wisconsin winters.

Insider Shopping Finds
Downtown has a new shopping experience in women’s apparel – it’s a boutique called Alpha Beta Karma.  This store has the feeling of a Parisian flea market meets So Ho boutique, thanks to the owners’ frequent buying trips to bring in fashion, jewelry, footwear and accessories from both east and west coast designers.

The third downtown newcomer is Thirty Below Leather, selling an ever evolving inventory of purses, gloves, hats, wallets and belts, and the best part is that every item in the store is $30 or less.

For anyone into gardening, Wisconsin Landscaping & Garden Center will lure you in with their solar gazing balls, glass bird feeders and garden art. If you’re in Wisconsin Dells on a celebration vacation and would like flowers delivered, their floral department is at your service.

RVs Welcome
Finally, Ho-Chunk Gaming – Wisconsin Dells has added a new recreational vehicle park to its complex.  It’s called Hocak Houisa Chi’ Nuk Luxury RV Park, which translates to "Ho-Chunk Parking Village."  This three-season addition has 49 spaces with amenities like Wi-Fi, water, sewer, electric, fire pits and picnic tables, along with a comfort station with showers and a guest laundry facility.

If you’re still looking for other things to do in the Dells, then you are not only ambitious but clearly a diehard fan, so have at it by logging on to the official web site, www.wisdells.com.  There you’ll find complete listings of waterparks, attractions, restaurants, retail, lodging and service choices.

Scaling New Heights

Head in the Clouds

What is it about heights that people either love or hate?

Since there isn’t enough room here for a pseudo-psychotherapy session, let’s just focus on the lovers. You know who you are. For starters, your vocabulary does not include the word “no” when it comes to opportunities for scaling, careening, flying and plunging. You’re usually the ringleader, and the first in line too.

In Wisconsin Dells, plenty of business owners like your type. In fact, maybe the our website should have a tab called “Thrill Seekers.” For now, the section on Amusement Parks and Rides will do.

Here’s a sampling of fly-me-to-the-moon picks and why they’re so popular.

Roller Coasters

Zooming up and down not enough to get your heart pumping? Then how about looping upside down before disappearing underground? That’s the experience the Hades 360 wooden roller coaster at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Parks delivers. At Timber Falls Adventure Park, the Hellcat coaster combines 10-story drops with extreme 70-degree banks, just to keep it interesting.

Trapdoor Waterslides

Take your pick – indoor, outdoor, straight down, looping. Waterparks in Wisconsin Dells with waterslides where the bottom drops out from under you include Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Kalahari Waterpark Resort and Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort. The community isn’t called the Waterpark Capital of the World!® for nothing, and visitors wanting a waterpark thrill invariably have the Dells at the top of their bucket list. 

Ziplines

Ziplining Speed, altitude and gear are the trifecta for today’s modern thrill seeker. In Wisconsin Dells there is something for everyone, and ziplining is no exception – the Wilderness Canyon Zipline Canopy Tour feeds the need for speed and pleases the eye while you explore the beautiful forests like only a bird can. Become one part Tarzan and one part Batman as you careen through the tree tops, across the lake to BigFoot Island at BigFoot Zipline Tours. Still need more? Soar like an eagle with Chimney Rock Park Zipline Tours –Vertical Illusions.

Extreme Rides

For you science nerds, you know what it means to pull Gs at 60 mph 160 feet off the ground and what that can do to a person. Yes, the correct answer is “make them scream uncontrollably.” The Skyscraper ride at Timber Falls Adventure Park should really come with ear plugs for those in line. You can also turn your world upside down on the new Revolution 360 ride at the Kalahari Indoor Theme Park. Bring along seven friends to lift off together on this circular pendulum-style ride.    
 

A Cure for Nature Deficit Disorder

With more than half of the world’s population now living in urban areas compared to less than 40% in 1990 (that stat is from the World Health Organization), it’s no wonder a new malady was coined (credit author Richard Louv) to address the ensuing effects of that trend. It’s called “nature deficit disorder.” As people spend less time connecting with nature and more time connected to technology they’re missing out on all the emotional and physical benefits of a walk in the woods.

In the Wisconsin Dells area there are loads of nature options within and just outside the city limits, which often comes as a pleasant surprise to Gen X and Gen Y visitors. So pull out those cross trainers, warm up with a little stretching and start exploring the great outdoors in the Dells, starting with the river and scenery that started it all.

The Wisconsin River

While visitors are bound to drive back and forth over the bridge on Broadway in downtown Dells on their way to and from the attractions and waterparks, they may not realize it’s the Wisconsin River they’re driving over and that the river literally bisects the community of Wisconsin Dells. So rather than just drive over the Wisconsin River, get on it, with kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding all great options for burning a few calories in a setting much more inspiring than you’ll ever find on a treadmill. Rent needed gear at River’s Edge Bait Shop & Boat Rentals on the lower dells or Holiday Shores Watersports Center for on the upper dells.

Scenic Tours

After all that “doing” you’ve earned a little sit-back “seeing” of the natural beauty in the area. Take a double-decker boat tour or see the Wisconsin River aboard a WWII land-to-water vehicle known as a Duck. Jet boat rides on the river are heart-pounding fun for those who like an adrenaline burst even in their scenic tours. Sunset dinner cruises on the Wisconsin River make for a fine end to a fine day.
Check out the full list of scenic tours here.

A Day at the Lake

What’s better than a day at the lake? How about a day on the lake, as in Lake Delton. Lake Delton is a mecca for watersports enthusiasts, fisherman, ice skaters, and fans of the Tommy Bartlett Show. Get out on the water with family in tow on your very own pontoon boat, or for those of you with a need for speed aboard a waverunner courtesy of Dells Watersports: Full Service Marina & Boat Rentals. Prefer not to be in the drivers seat, you can still take the plunge into Lake Delton aboard either of the area’s Duck tours. Make memories that will last a lifetime at one of the many lakeside resorts or vacation homes.

Zip-line Canopy Tours

Ditch the expense of a rainforest vacation and zip line in Wisconsin Dells instead. Red pines and white oaks dominate the landscape of BigFoot Zipline Tours. You can skim over the treetops courtesy of Wilderness Canyon Zip Line Canopy Tour, which takes you over the tree tops of literally takes you right over Lost Canyon. Zip over cliffs and through canyons with Chimney Rock Park Zip Line Tours – Vertical Illusions.

Fishing and Hunting

The Wisconsin River and Lake Delton are both hot fishing spots. Get ready to catch the big one and stock up on supplies at B & H Trout Fishing & Bait Shop. Want to take your fishing experience to the next level? Try bowfishing with Red Beard Bowfishing fro an adventure you will not forget. Tip: It’s an easy launch at the new Newport Park on the Wisconsin River, located just off Cty Hwy A. If what you’re after is a giant Wisconsin buck, Big Racks Hunt Club stands ready to take your reservation.

Snowboarding and Skiing

Don’t let a little snow deter you from outdoor pursuits. Put on a parka and ski, snowboard or snow tube at Christmas Mountain Village Ski, Snowboard & Tube or Cascade Mountain Ski, Snowboard & Snow Tube.

Strolling

The downtown RiverWalk opened up vistas to the Wisconsin River not accessible in75 years. Run, bike or walk this short paved path, allowing time to stop at a game table along the way.



 

A Trio of State Parks

It’s a triple bonanza for outdoor enthusiasts – Devil’s Lake, Mirror Lake and Rocky Arbor State Parks are all within a quick-and-easy drive from Wisconsin Dells. You’ll be amazed by the choices to get moving: Hike miles of gorgeous trails, go for a swim, canoe or kayak. There’s fishing and hunting, snowshoeing and rock climbing too.
Tip: Don’t have equipment? You can rent canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at Mirror Lake through Mirror Lake State Park: Boat & Kayak Rental. How easy is that!

Where to Stay: Campgrounds 

Wisconsin Dells has nearly 3,200 campsites. Choose from rustic tent camping, camp cabins or RV parks, or even a tree house depending on your back-to-nature preference for accommodations.

Check out the full list of campgrounds here.