My kid turned 13 and his wish (one of . . .) was to hit Kalahari Resort’s waterpark in Round Rock TX. We live in Austin, so while this was only a 30 minute trek, Kalahari Resort is very much a destination resort for family vacations. Last year we did Universal Studios in Orlando which might not top my personal bucket list but if you have kids, suddenly Harry Potter rides become part of the family lore.
So now that you have the frank rundown of what got me here, lets take a look at the following highlights so you can max the fun at Kalahari Resorts Indoor Waterpark in Round Rock TX.
For the record: I’m a total coward when it comes to all things rollercoasters. It was a miracle I went on the Harry Potter ride at Universal. In fact, when I got to Kalahari Resorts Indoor Waterpark, I was totally chill with hitting this:
Short of having a swim up bar, this is my idea of heaven at a kid’s birthday party. And this is where I literally got my feet wet. But I did hit the rides, including a few of the extreme ones like “The Stingray” and “The Smoke That Thunders” and they were perfect for someone who is scared for no reason sometimes. I would do them both again in a heartbeat. And I am a coward.
We stuck to the waterpark so our food options were the poolside fare at Zulu Grill. And poolside fare is what you are gonna get: evergreen handhelds like burgers, Hot Dogs, Pizza, Pretzels . . . you get the drift. Look, you aren’t here for a sushi omakase experience, you are here for fuel in between rides. Here were two highlights in my book.
Billed as a smashed burger, the double cheeseburger at Kalahari Resort Round Rock is more on the hearty side of the double cheeseburger spectrum. I recommend ditchin’ the vegetables like lettuce, tomato and onion and committing to the pickle cheese and special sauce. Makes for a more purist burger experience IMO.
If you have never seen the “Za or Suh” pizza sketch on SNL, you might not get the reference. But get this: the pizza legit caught my eye at Kalahari Resort Round Rock because it appeared to be piping hot and actually cooked to order or just damn popular. I prefer a thinner crust, and this pizza isn’t going to get a 7+ on Portnoy’s reviews but it was respectable pool fare.
Adult Beverages at Kalahari ResortYes, Mom & Dad might indulge in a beer or two, especially in between dips. There is a main bar in the middle of all the action at Kalahari Resort Round Rock that you can’t miss. But I suggest you not miss hitting the Grotto Bar which also has a swim up. For craft beer fans, they have Pinthouse Brewing’s Electric Jellyfish on draft. Added bonus: for $16 you get a 20oz pour with subsequent refills at $8 a pop. In a word: awesome but of course drink responsibly.
Keep an eye for deals on the prices here. Evenings are available for a lower rate FWIW. And we didn’t even get to the arcade and there is a full on hotel/spa action to be had if you are planning to stay at Kalahari Resort Round Rock so know our experience was a fraction of the full version. Biggest takeaway: I was down for the rides, which never happens and so on that fact alone, I will be back.
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