Anybody have any recs for best ways to book to get best deal? Any other general trip recommendations?

Thank you

Yes it's the same. One overnight stay gets you 2 full day s access to the water park.

We're doing the same thing this weekend, Staying 1 night Kalahari then another close by. So you get noon Friday to end of Saturday to enjoy the park

Groupon sometimes has a "deal". I think that's what we used when we went a few years ago.

Also we had a pretty terrible time. Do not recommend.

We live down the street so have never had a reason to stay at the hotel but they do sell day passes for just the water park as well as evening passes that are good from 5 to close. We picked up a lot of day passes for 2024 on black Friday so not sure if they run those sales at other times of the year or on Groupon. Having done Great Wolf Lodge once before I understand the convenience of staying in the hotel but it's one option I'm not sure people are aware of.

Towards the end of last summer they greatly expanded the outdoor portion of the water park as well but not sure when it will open for the 2024 season.

Heads up for husbands looking for gifts for wives as well: buying one service at the spa at Kalahari gives you access to all the spa amenities for the entire day.