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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

Kalahari Resorts – Round Rock, Texas | Family Travel Review

Travel | June 14, 2022

It’s currently over 100 degrees in Texas and it’s only June. If you’re trying to beat the summer heat and looking for family friendly things to do in Texas, your first thought goes to the water. Unfortunately, if you’re the parent to fair-skinned children who don’t like to sit still, you also know the battle that is sunscreen and its constant reapplication for outdoor play.  Enter, Kalahari Resorts Round Rock, Texas. 

Here, you will find an all-in-one vacation spot that includes and indoor water park for those of us who want to avoid spicy runs around the hot pavement for sunscreen reapplication.  When a friend pitched the idea of driving up to Round Rock to visit Kalahari Resorts, I was sold. Not only would it mean all of our activities were on-site, but it also meant we could avoid turning red like our last trip to the water park.

 

What’s Included In Your Booking At Kalahari Resort Round Rock

When you book your room at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock, you’ll need to select how many people are staying in your room.  Doing so allows you to get wrist bands which serve as your room keys and access to the included amenities.

  • Free parking (valet is optional)
  • Included indoor waterpark admission from 10a on check-in day to close of park the day you check out. (Valued at $100 per person, prices vary)
  • Included Tom Foolery’s arcade admission (though the arcade plays are on you!)
  • Lifejackets for kids of all sizes at all major play areas in the waterpark
  • Access to the gym and hotel pools
  • Free cabana style towels to check in and out daily
  • Fire pits, live music and local vendors for shopping- including farmer’s markets on select days

Additional Information  & Amenities

  • Military and service member discounts
  • Disabled veteran parking is available
  • Pets are not allowed, unless designated as service animals
  • Pack & plays are available for $25 per night
  • Disability friendly rooms are available*
  • Adaptive swings & wheelchair transfers are available for kids with special needs or wheelchairs*
  • Book early (at least 30 days in advance) and save up to 25% off your stay
  • Water activities are suitable for adults, teens and infants

*If you’re a family traveling with special needs, check out this great video review with considerations for those with special needs around Autism from A.Typical.Family.

Our room had two queen beds and a pull out couch, plus coffee maker, safe & ample space

The Resort & Rooms

 

Overall, the hotel itself was impressive.  We arrived at about 10:30am and quickly checked in, and were offered our rooms early so we could get changed and enjoy the waterparks. Fortunately, even if you’re unable to snag a room, there are plenty of changing areas for families if you room isn’t ready before your check-in time.

Upon first driving up, you’ll be greeted with some impressive water features and a herd of elephant statues which make the walk back from free parking a bit more fun. You’ll find plenty of photo ops from the time you park to when you arrive in the beautiful main lobby.

Our rooms were super clean and included plenty of towels, a coffee maker, fridge and convertible pull-out couch.  Since this is a family-friendly resort, I will also say the rooms are pretty sound proof too, we had no trouble getting to sleep even with the amount of people checked in near us. 

Would We Stay At Kalahari Resorts Round Rock Again? 
Yes. Here’s Why:

Everything Is On Site & Easy To Plan

Kalahari offered us a quick weekend getaway that involved little planning and zero stress for our busy gang.  I’m about 8 months pregnant and loved that I didn’t have to waddle too far to keep up with our kids and keep them entertained.

Plus, I could enjoy ample non-alcoholic options, including non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing (my fave!) while my kids played.

Plenty of baby friendly areas for the younger kids who aren’t ready for independent play

All-Ages Activities For Blended Families

The included indoor water park had something everyone could enjoy.  Slides for the big kids, a lazy river and pool for my pregnant self, and two sizeable areas that were baby friendly and geared for littles even as young as a few months old. 

Our 10 month old had a blast at the water tables and I could easily sit with him without getting bowled over by tweens. 

 

Live music, farmer’s market and plenty of food options for a chill night after a day of play

 

Ways To Save At Kalahari Resorts Round Rock

The resort offers a military/service member discount and if you book over 30 days out you can save a bit more than on a last minute reservation.  While you might find that the food is pricey, there are lots off off-site options in Round Rock to suit your budget. Get on the mailing list as the resort regularly sends out discount codes.For us, the sheer number of things to do meant we could enjoy for the full days on check-in and check-out it helped us get more value out of the experience.  During your stay you can enjoy live music and fire pit, included (and free) kids activities, a live DJ and bubbles at the outdoor resort pool and included water park.

If you’re going all out, you can also choose from an ample set of pay to play activities like bowling, an escape room, arcade and on-site dining. 

(If you’re looking for more ways to save on travel, read my other blog posts, I’ve got lots of tips so you know when to spend or splurge!)

 

 

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Kalahari Resorts Round Rock Texas!  We loved that we could utilize the indoor water park and resort pools for two days even though we only were able to stay one night.  We had plenty to do all weekend that was age appropriate for both 8 year olds and 10 month olds, and my pregnant self. 

When we’re able to head back, I’d love to check out their spa services and ample bars around the resort when I’m not expecting!

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

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Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
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Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

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Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
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I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

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Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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