One of the newest attractions in Wisconsin Dells is clearly visible heading north from Madison on Interstate 94.
The 75,000-square-foot, new indoor waterpark at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is made of all glass and has a first-of-its-kind retractable roof for the Dells. It also boasts the world’s first enclosed Boomerango waterslide — where riders in multi-person rafts plunge down a steep drop and shoot up a near-vertical wall.
“This kind of puts us at the top of the list for size of indoor waterparks. But the coolest part about it is that the entire length of the roof opens up like a stadium,” said John Chastan, general manager for the Kalahari Wisconsin Dells. “It’s an all-glass building and is definitely our coolest feature.”
Called the Aquadome, the $85 million waterpark opened Oct. 10. It’s one of several new or renovated offerings at the Dells, a tourist mecca for local families as well as those from around the Midwest.
Chastan said the cold weather months are among the busiest for the Kalahari.
“When people come to the Dells during the summer, there are so many things to do around town. In winter, everyone’s here for the weekend and they want to get out of that cold weather,” he said. “Having this additional space and nice degree temperature where it’s nice and comfortable and people think, ‘I can go swimming in the middle of January,’ is great for bringing more people in.”
Waterparks, resorts and attractions such as Dells Boat Tours bring tourists to the Wisconsin Dells each summer. In 2025 — the last full year that the Wisconsin Dells Visitors & Convention Bureau has numbers for — more than 5 million people visited the area, boosting the economy by $2.1 billion. Based on anecdotal evidence from partner businesses, visitor numbers were up even more this past summer.
The year 2025 was the fifth record-breaking year in a row for the Dells. Summer continues to be the busiest, accounting for 41% of direct visitor spending, but growth is also happening during the winter and spring seasons.
“Beyond indoor waterparks, we have innovative business owners who are always changing experiences and offerings in the Wisconsin Dells that make it possible for every trip to be a new and special trip for visitors,” said Jill Diehl, president/CEO of the visitors bureau. “It’s what helps us stand out in a sea of destinations.”
Medieval-themed resort opens
Dellshire Resort, the first new Wisconsin Dells resort in two decades, opened this past spring and takes visitors back in time. The resort features castle-style architecture, stone-masonry facades, cathedral-style windows and interactive gameplay. A 70-foot fire-breathing dragon — Golspar — greets visitors at the entrance.
“Our owner has always loved fantasy, and the idea of creating a place that feels a little unexpected and travelers of all types from families to couples and large groups (can) escape into another world together. That’s really where the idea for Dellshire came from,” said Michael Lucerno, general manager of Dellshire Resort.
“Wisconsin Dells is known, too, as (the) waterpark capital of the world, so we saw an opportunity to offer travelers something different from what they might typically expect when they come here. We wanted to create an experience that’s imaginative and fun for all ages, but still has the comfort and amenities of an upscale resort.”
The resort has 208 guest rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, retail shops, indoor and outdoor pools, a 9,000-square-foot family entertainment center, and meeting and event spaces.There’s also a few torch-lit areas and gargoyles along the way.
Lucerno said the resort’s unique vibe starts with guests being greeted by a steel fire-breathing dragon.
“It immediately gives you a sense of stepping into a medieval world. From there, the fantasy theme is woven throughout the entire property, from the lobby — with its stone walls and a compass inlaid into the floor as a nod to the spirit of exploration that runs throughout the resort — to the guest rooms, restaurants, pools and Hero’s Hall, where the design and experiences continue that story,” he said.
Guests have connected with the resort’s fantasy theme, Lucerno said.
“It has been exciting to see people experience the property for the first time. We knew Golspar would be something guests would notice, but people have really connected with the larger immersive fantasy experience we have created,” he said.
“We’ve seen that with fantasy fans too, from Dungeons & Dragons groups looking for a setting that brings their interests to life to corporate groups that want something much more memorable and unexpected than a traditional meeting venue. It’s been fun to see all the different ways people are making the experience their own.”
Water, water everywhere
Kalahari’s Chastan said the ability to open the Aquadome provides the resort with flexibility. If it’s a warm day in April, for example, the resort can open the roof and turn it into an outside waterpark.
The Aquadome has a 70-foot tower that launches the Boomerango and two other slides, and a nearly 10,000-square-foot zero-depth entry pool.
“It’s always 85 and sunny in our waterparks,” said Chastan, adding the Kalahari also has a giant indoor amusement park to keep guests entertained.
Another Dells waterpark resort, the Wilderness, is completely renovating its Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark. Due to be finished this month, the 70,000-square-foot waterpark is having its transparent roof replaced and a new ride is being added, the Volcano Vortex. The volcano-themed five-person family raft ride is being called a “Formula 1 on water” and replaces one of the Dueling Mammoth raft slides.
The waterpark will debut a new, tropical look with several rides and restaurants getting new names to fit with the theme. The park’s signature Great Wave pool, which is the nation’s largest indoor wave pool, remains the same.
