Major 2026 Expansion for Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Wisconsin Dells 

Always making news, the water park capital of the world has recently announced a major expansion project: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Wisconsin Dells will be adding 75,000 square feet of indoor water park fun to open in Fall 2026. It will feature thrilling water slides, a themed kids’ area, and leisure pools, all under one retractable glass roof. 

First-of-Its-Kind Water Slides

As a prominent name for family vacation who founded National Waterpark Day, you would expect an expansion at a Kalahari Resort to include unique attractions. These rides will certainly not disappoint; they include:

• The world’s first Covered Boomerango – Called “Wild Wildebeest,” this 6-person raft ride extends outside the building envelope, allowing guests to experience the iconic flat wall—a must for many water parks—and its zero-G sensations, without taking up precious indoor footprint. 

• A Family Master Blaster + Constrictor Fusion – Called “Green Python,” this 6-person raft ride takes guests through the tight-turning coils of a snake and surprises them with an uphill water coaster section. Also extending beyond the building, the ride accelerates from outdoor to indoor, with open sections so that spectators can hear riders laugh and scream overhead inside the park.  
• Two Parallel Pursuit competition slides – Called “Cheetah Mat Racers,” these are actually four different ride experiences in one attraction. The slides have more dramatic steep curves than your typical mat racer. Each Parallel Pursuit features conjoined sections with low separating walls so that racers can see and hear each other, enhancing the interactivity.  

• Seven kids’ slides with fiberglass veiling, themed with cute, underwater motifs for a most photogenic children’s area, “Coral Cove.” 

“Kalahari wanted attractions that packed a punch, and our designers worked very closely with them to create surprising ride experiences not found anywhere else in the world,” said Onno Meeter, WhiteWater’s President, Water Parks. “With the thrill rides complementing gentle slides in the beautifully themed kids’ area, we can’t wait to hear what guests have to say when the expansion opens.”

Dedicated Partners to Create Premier Indoor Destination 

Spectacular projects require spectacular cooperation. Having successfully teamed up for a recent high-profile project—Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City—Martin Aquatic, OpenAire, and WhiteWater are collaborating again to create this indoor paradise in Wisconsin.  

Responsible for the architecture, Martin Aquatic integrated WhiteWater’s water slides into the master plan and designed the expansion to be anchored by the nearly 10,000-square-foot beach-styled, zero-entry Watering Hole Pool along with a spa pool, a swim-up bar, and other amenities.  

“The amenities planned here at The Watering Hole create an incredible aquatic experience for Kalahari guests,” said Josh Martin, President & Creative Director of Martin Aquatic. “This expansion—paired with the existing water park offering—raises the bar in Wisconsin Dells, making this a true aquatic leisure destination.”

Meanwhile, OpenAire is working on the feature that makes the most visual impact in an indoor venue: a glass retractable roof. The first of its kind in a water park in Wisconsin Dells, the roof will not only lend welcoming natural light but also ample fresh air in the summer months at the push of a button.  

Also a first in the Dells, the water park building will be an all-aluminum structure, reflecting new technological advancements in construction and engineering. It will also include a glass cupola at 90 feet in height that offers magnificent views of the surrounding area. 

“While we have worked with the Kalahari team on other sites, this project in the Wisconsin Dells marks a turning point for our team,” said Mark Albertine, President of OpenAire. “We are pleased to offer a unique maintenance-free, corrosion-proof building to the team at Kalahari that will allow them to focus less on building maintenance and more on guest experience. We are confident that the introduction of fresh air and sunshine to this new venue will secure its position as the best park in the Dells, year-round.”  

As the ground is being cleared for the expansion, the entire aquatic development will be constructed by Neuman Pools, an experienced partner of the resort chain. 

“Kalahari could not be more excited to announce this indoor water park expansion in the Wisconsin Dells, the Water Park Capital of the World,” said Todd Nelson, CEO, Owner, and Founder of Kalahari Resorts in a recent news announcement. “With new slides, pools, a swim-up bar, spas, and more, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy!” 

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