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Your Head Will Be Spinning When You Find Out Everything New for Wisconsin Dells in 20132013-03-12Without fail you can expect someone in Wisconsin Dells to unveil a one-of-a-kind, world’s only, country’s biggest, well, you get the picture, attraction at the start of the year. Welcome to 2013 and news that will make your head spin with anticipation of your next trip to “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”. In other words, they’ve done it again!Read More

Your Head Will Be Spinning When You Find Out Everything New for Wisconsin Dells in 2013

2013-03-12

Without fail you can expect someone in Wisconsin Dells to unveil a one-of-a-kind, world’s only, country’s biggest, well, you get the picture, attraction at the start of the year. Welcome to 2013 and news from the local Visitor & Convention Bureau that will make your head spin with anticipation of your next trip to “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”. In other words, they’ve done it again.

World’s First Looping Wooden Roller Coaster at Mt. Olympus

As if a roller coaster that plunged riders underground into complete darkness wasn’t enough excitement for one ride, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Parks has now converted its wildly popular Hades roller coaster into a 360 degree ride. Hades 360° is being billed as the world’s first upside-down wooden roller coaster, so hold on to your hats, scratch that, ditch your hats and hold on for the ride of your life.

Surf’s Up at Noah’s Ark Waterpark

Noah’s Ark Waterpark, the country’s largest outdoor waterpark, has just about every style of water slide and ride on the planet, and now they’re adding the perfect wave, as in their new Surfing Safari surf machine which churns 36,000 gallons of water under you, curling an ocean-worthy surf. Exhilarating, awesome, righteous, yes, they all apply.

Wilderness Resort Adds a Sprayground

Last year, the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort catered to teenagers and dare devils with the addition of the Lunar Loop and Cosmic Drop plunge slides. In 2013, they’re focusing on their younger guests with the new zero-depth Bear Foot Island Sprayground, located in the New Frontier Outdoor Waterpark. This northwoods-themed area will include spraying fountains, exploding ground geysers, shooting water jets, a giant drenching bull frog loop and a silly spraying water bug. Seating will surround Bear Foot Island, making it an ideal spot for parents with young children to spend a warm summer day.

Kalahari Resort First in State with Swim-Up Bar

Kalahari Resort Waterpark takes a cue from the popular tropical tradition of swim-up bars with its new Mud Hut, a 1,000 square foot indoor/outdoor hot tub and swim-up bar, the first of its kind in the state. There’s also a family-friendly version of the same with capacity for 100. On dry land, Kalahari’s indoor theme park has new rides and interactive adventures including a laser maze, 5-D theater, and the state’s first “Sky Tykes” ropes course for toddlers.

Futuristic FlyBoard for the Tommy Bartlett Show

This summer the Tommy Bartlett Show debuts the FlyBoard, a high-tech, high-octane invention you’d expect to see in a superhero flick or James Bond movie. This water jet pack, tethered to a jet ski which serves as its power source, sends the operator hovering high above the water, providing a perfect position for mid-air twists and flips and stunning dolphin-like dives into the water. As you can imagine, ski team members are clamoring for a chance to give this futuristic device a try.

Roll with It at Lumberjack Show

Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty has long been known for its tasty family-style spread of food and impossible-to-resist sugar donuts. Starting this May, they’ll also be known for an authentic lumberjack show. The Dells Lumberjack Show, staged adjacent to the restaurant and with seating for 600, will feature 11 different events including log rolling and pole climbing, with both professional and collegiate athletes competing. There will be some audience participation as well. Daily shows are planned for 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. beginning mid-May and running through October.

It’s All an Illusion

Master illusionist Rick Wilcox brings two new killer (figuratively speaking, of course) illusions to his eponymous theater, one a “first of its kind in the world” in which he cuts his wife into nine pieces using a Steampunk-inspired contraption specifically created for Wilcox. His other new illusion should have audience members raising their hands with suggestions, as Wilcox will make a member of the audience disappear. According to Wilcox, the process to perfect these high-level illusions, which are carefully timed and choreographed to original music, has taken upwards of three years.

The magical illusions theme extends to Circus World Museum in nearby Baraboo as well, where they have a new “Theatre of Illusion” with twice-daily shows packed with comedy, magic and grand illusions featuring Tristan Crist.

Animals + Historic Train at Timbavati

Timbavati Wildlife Park, with its stunning exterior of wildlife murals and towering waterfalls upon entering, offers up-close encounters and interaction with giraffe, zebra, kangaroo, ostrich, leopard, white tiger, impala, lion, camel, antelope, tortoises and more. The petting zoo with exotic baby animals is a popular stop at the park too. Baby-boomers visiting with grandkids will want to take a train ride while there – it’s the vintage train rescued from the old Fort Dells attraction, Old Engine #9.

Steady As You Go at Knuckleheads

The adage “don’t look down” doesn’t hold up when referring to the new ropes course at Knuckleheads Bowling & Indoor Amusement Park. In fact, you’ll want to look down, as this 21-element course is suspended over the center’s go-kart track. The ropes challenges range from easy to tight-rope-like, with both kids and adults fully harnessed from start to finish.

Still Lost on Lost Voyage

The Lost Voyage nighttime boat adventure on the Wisconsin River that includes an eerie hike back into Cold Water Canyon ushers in a new chapter in the ongoing mystery of what happened to the tour boat Badger that purportedly vanished years ago, with chapter two dubbed “Buried Secrets.” Lost Voyage runs nightly May 24 through Labor Day.

Favorite Brews and Brandy

Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. is now bottling its two most popular ales – Rustic Red and Honey Ale. You can pick up six-packs at the restaurant. There’s a new microbrewery in town too – the family-owned Port Huron Brewing Company. Go for a tasting in their Engine House Tap Room outfitted with a 24-foot-long handmade bar top, then purchase your favorites to enjoy at home.

Wollersheim Winery is releasing its first 100% Wisconsin brandy. This “all Wisconsin” spirit is made from estate-grown grapes, distilled in a copper pot and aged for two years in Wisconsin oak barrels right at the winery. Brandy old fashioned, anyone?

If you’re looking for some cheese to go with your beverage, check out the renovation and addition at Market Square Cheese where the grand opening featured a 600-pound wheel of cheese.

Have Fun with Your Food

Alamo Smokehouse opens mid-March in downtown Dells at the bridge. The décor at this one-and-only restaurant is a cross between Alamo-inspired and contemporary rustic Western, with the menu a mix of BBQ and Tex Mex. All the recipes here are original and they’re smoking all the meat on premise – talk about “aroma marketing.” Signature dishes include smoky roasted corn chowder and BBQ brisket pizza and, for dessert, a special treat made by a local chocolatier comprised of layers of chocolate and caramel topped with a sprinkling of smoked sea salt. The restaurant has seating for 400 and is open seven days a week.

The delivery of food by miniature toy trains proved so popular at Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille that they’ve added more trains and tracks.

Dynasty Chinese Restaurant & Lounge opened next door to the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory. Here you can choose from an extensive menu that includes a buffet, house specials and family dinner options, plus fortune cookies of course.

Every Day’s a Picnic

Yogi Bear™ Camp-Resort & Water Playground is bringing a 1950’s classic cartoon to life with a daily re-creation of Ranger Smith chasing Yogi Bear around the resort stealing campers ‘pic-a-nic’ baskets. Guests there will also have the opportunity to pan for “gold” at the new Old Faceful Mining Company.

Bunk Overnight in an Airstream or a Caboose

Ever imagine what it would be like to spend the night in one of those iconic Airstream travel trailers? Now you can give it a try at Bowman’s Oak Hill Bed & Breakfast, where they’ve completely restored a 1973 Argosy travel trailer, complete with large deck and draped outdoor cabana with side-by-side antique claw-foot soaking tubs.

Parkway Motel, located a few blocks off the main downtown avenue, is converting a retired Soo Line train caboose into a hotel room. It’s a fitting addition to the property which also includes the Rail Dog eatery which serves Chicago Vienna hot dogs out of a, you guessed it, converted caboose.

Stand Up Paddleboarding in the Dells

The hottest watersport on the coasts, stand up paddleboarding (SUP for short), comes to Wisconsin Dells courtesy of Dells Watersports: Full Service Marina & Boat Rentals with lessons and tours offered by the outfitter on both Mirror Lake and Lake Delton. They’ve also stocked up on kayaks made specifically for kids 110 pounds and under. If you want to SUP on the Wisconsin River, Holiday Shores Watersports is now offering board rentals too.

Get Pretty, Get Married

Spa Del Sol and Pink Nail Bar at Chula Vista Resort has bridal party written all over it. Enjoy food and a favorite cocktail while getting fingernails and toenails buffed and polished.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind place for the wedding ceremony, the photo opps are endless at the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel where they’ve added a steeple, bell tower (couples ring the bell on their way to their new life together) and Las Vegas sign replica.

If you don’t care to drive after the “I do’s” then reserve the 25-passenger party shuttle from Wisconsin Dells Kangaroo Taxi.

If you aren't getting married, but still want to pamper yourself, St. Clare Healthy Living Center offers medically based wellness therapies like aromatherapy, Reiki and craniosacral therapy plus non-invasive body contouring and medical hypnosis.

Turn at the Temple

The freestanding Lost Temple attraction looks like a Mayan temple, making it hard to miss. Inside, you’ll go in search of the Golden Skull, with surprises and illusions aplenty.

News from Down on the Farm

Country Bumpkin Farm Market has added a petting zoo and a new play village where kids can ride pedal tractors and play in a miniature house and church. Their Express Train Ride offers a 30-minute ride around their 30 acres. In the fall, pick your own pumpkins and try out the melon launching catapult.

Another agri-tourism attraction, this one new to the area, is DiMarti Family Farms, with corn maze, barnyard petting zoo, corn slingshots and pumpkin patch.

Happy Anniversary

Finally, happy anniversary to the International Crane Foundation which turns 40 this year, Capone's Original Old Time Picture Studio also celebrating 40 years and the Mid-Continent Railway Museum which turns 50 this year. Sundara Inn & Spa celebrates its 10^th anniversary with the opening of its conversation-free Tranquility Garden patio adjacent to the heated outdoor infinity pool.

Fans of Wisconsin Dells will find everything they need to plan their trip, including listings of waterparks, attractions, restaurants, shops, campgrounds, hotels and resorts and more, by logging on to the official tourism web site for the area, www.wisdells.com. The toll-free number for the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau is (800) 223-3557.

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