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How my family does Noah’s Ark Waterpark Wisconsin Dells every summer
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items For over 40 years, my family has been going to Noah’s Ark waterpark. Here are all the tips and tricks we use, in addition to our favorite rides and what we pack for our trip.
Sections
4
Waterpark purchases
Rides
What we pack
After Park Dinner
Waterpark purchases
For over 40 years, we have been going here and here's how we save money at the park.
I usually bring my daughter, my 2 nieces, and my mom to the park. So at minimum, I buy one platinum pass for the all season parking, 20% off retail and food, the unlimited refills drink cup, 30% off cabanas, 3 free passes, and 4 discounted passes. Th...
We usually purchase 1 platinum pass for the free refill cup, parking pass, 20% off food and retail, 30% off cabanas, bring 3 friends, and discounted tickets for friends
We usually park in the preferred parking area, which is closest to the main entrance. If that is full, we park by the Big Kahuna wave pool entrance.
Parking in preferred (gotta get there early) nearest to main entrance and we reserve beach chairs in Paradise Lagoon
We have a pretty small group, so if we do rent a cabana, its the mini cabana and its usually by Adventure River. The important part is having a space where the kids can come back if they get separated for whatever reason.
If we get a mini cabana, its usually by Adventure River
This is new this year- neon nights where 10 rides will be lit up from 7 pm to 10:30 pm. We might check it out, my daughter could ride endlessly at the waterpark, so maybe we will come to the park at like 4 pm and stay until 9 pm; its included with th...
Souvenir Cup is worth the free refills
Neon nights is new this year and we are looking forward to riding the waterpark rides at night!
Neon Nights rides 7 pm to 10:30 pm-- new in 2026
We always have an area that we can come back to in case anyone in our party gets separated. Sometimes we put our towels on beach chairs at the Big Kahuna wave pool and sometimes we use Paradise Lagoon.
Noah's Ark Waterpark Park Map
For 2026, I see that Johnny Rockets is now Kahuna Grill. The food can be a bit dicey here. If we eat here, its usually cheeseburgers and dipping dots ice cream. We have been going to Pizza Pub for over 40 years, so that's a better option-- salad bar ...
Food Options | Restaurant Menu | Noah's Ark Waterpark
Rides
As a veteran waterpark rider, here's what my family loves to do over and over again.
Black Anaconda is our favorite ride! It takes 3 people but if there's only two of you, they'll either pair you up with a random person or they'll let you ride 2 persons! its super fast and fun!
Black Anaconda Water Coaster - Noah's Ark Waterpark
This is our second favorite ride! Love this one and they usually play great music!
Chameleon Water Slide - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
This is our third favorite ride! We absolutely love this ride but its a hike to get to the top! You'll be in shape if you have a daughter that loves going up and down all these large rides!
Raja King Cobra Slide - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
This is a solid 4th favorite ride...I describe it as getting flushed down a large toilet, lol
Time Warp Water Slide | Noah's Ark Waterpark
If you have back problems, I wouldn't do this one, its quite the drop!
Sting Ray Slide | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
I've been going here for 40 years and have NEVER been on the scorpion's tail...however, while waiting in line for Anaconda, we watch people get stuck in the tube of this ride! Crazy!
Scorpion's Tail Slide - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
The kids love this one, I don't, it hurts my back, maybe I brace too much for the drop?
Quadzilla | Noah's Ark Waterpark Slide Attractions
I know my limits and I have never been on this ride but I love watching people go down it!
Point of No Return - Noah's Ark Waterpark
This ride is so old, its been here at least 25 years. My daughter loves this one! The water is always cold so that adds to the drop.
Flash Flood - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
Endless river has a waterfall and every time the kids put me under that waterfall...
Adventure River | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
Love this ride-- its about the same as Bermuda triangle its just in closed tubes.
Black Thunder | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
This ride is pretty slow, its a nice longer ride. If you're scared of the bigger rides, this is a great ride.
Congo Bongo | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
This is always a nice start to our day-- we do this ride and then the time warp which is next to this ride.
The Bermuda Triangle | Noah's Ark WaterPark
The wave pool is a quieter place and there's usually not as many people here as the Big Kahuna wave pool. If you're just going for the sun or for a quieter time, go here. Also, if you have really little kids, the Octo Explorer is next to this and kid...
The Wave - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
My daughter grew up going to Tadpole Bay and she still goes under the dump bucket of water! Its great for little kids and its right next to Paradise Lagoon which is more for ages 8-16.
Tadpole Bay | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
I've never tried this but my daughter has tried it. We don't usually go on it every time, as the line is usually long to surf.
Surfing Safari | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
Pelican Bay is for really little kids but its busy. Its right next to Big Kahuna wave pool and the bar. Its a good area if you want to be next to the wave pool. If you want something quieter, I would suggest Octoexplorer or elephant's pond.
Pelican Bay - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
We park our stuff here or get a cabana in this area. It has the best pool, its usually warm and my daughter loves the hang glider ride. She is a strong swimmer so the rides are fun for her. This area is usually pretty busy and they have alot of life ...
Paradise Lagoon - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
The Octoexplorer is great for kids younger than 5 and its by the quieter wave pool. I would suggest this if you have little ones. Its also not as crowded!
OctoExplorer | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
Monkey rapids is a pretty smooth ride into Adventure river.
Monkey Rapids | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
This is a faster ride compared to Congo Bongo, Time Warp, and Chameleon.
Kowabunga Slide - Attractions - Noah's Ark Waterpark
Kahuna wave pool is always busy and my daughter and nieces absolutely love this wave pool. I like to watch the life guards save people, which is like clock work. Sometimes we rent a tube and just chillax here.
Kahuna Wave Pool | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
Endless River is the boringest ride and that's why I love it, I just want to sun bathe in a floatie for hours...
Endless River | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
My daughter went through a phase where she absolutely loved these slides and she went down them like 25 times in a row. Here's the thing-- they're ok but I always feel like I scrape something, like the ride gets too fast at the end, and I either scra...
Toucan Twisters | Noah's Ark Waterpark Attractions
What we pack
I've got it down to a science-- 6 towels, 2 sunscreens, clothes to change into after swimming and for dinner, cooler (ice, electrolyte water, sun burn lotion), sun chips, flip flops, 2 swim suits per person, sun hat, swim cover up, body wash/shampoo
I only buy Coppertone sunscreen because when I tore my ACL and had knee surgery, the surgeon told me to wear it so that my scar wouldn't turn black! Been wearing it ever since, 26 years! Cheers
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Spray - SPF 50 - 11oz - Twin Pack: Paraben-Free, Whole Body Application, Scented
Everyone needs a beach towel to lay on the chair at the waterpark. I usually pack like 6 just in case someone loses one or they're nice right when you get in the hot car after swimming all day-- in your swim suit-- that hot air is the best with a hot...
30"x60" Palm Leaf Beach Towel Pink - Sun Squad™
These bogg bags are all the rage but I just have a simple beach bag or two or three.
Bogg Bag Baby Bogg Tote Bag - Beach Hydrangea: Vinyl Hardside Shoulder Handbag
Flip flops for taking around the park because the black top and cement are super hot on your feet.
Sanuk Flip flops
Gotta have sunglasses with you to protect your eyes-- although most of the of time you have to take them off on the big rides, so put them in your cubbies with your flip flops
High Key Twist sunglasses
We usually have a swim cover up for going in and out of the park or if we are going to take a break from the water.
Aloha Essential Cover-Up
Usually at the end of the day, we change at the park and we always change into cotton panties to prevent UTI.
Shop Women's Cotton Panties | Soma
I always pack 2 swimsuits for myself and 2 for my daughter. Its like a security blanket, lol, gotta have two.
Barbados One-Piece Swimsuit - Red Hot
Its nice to have one of these to keep your phone with you at all times.
Case-Mate Waterproof Pouch - Soap Bubble: Compatible with iPhone, Lightweight Design
I always use this brand for sun burns. I think its the smell. I keep it in the cooler in the car so its super cool if we have a sun burn. Sometimes I keep it in the fridge.
Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Lotion - 6 fl oz: Hypoallergenic, Paraben-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan
I have this exact one in the same color, had it for over ten years! We put ice in here and leave it in the car. Usually I pack water, after sun lotion, and sometimes we bring fresh cut fruit like watermelon to eat afterwards.
Igloo Wheelie Cool 38qt Rolling Cooler - Mint: 53 Can Capacity, Hard-Sided Design
I always pack electrolyte water in a cooler for after we leave the park! We are always dehydrated so electrolytes definitely help.
Essentia Bottled Purified Alkaline Water - 6pk/1L
Usually we have some snacks in the car for after the park. Kids are always hungry after getting to the car!
"sunchips" : Target
Gotta have some sun protection! Hats are good
Stay Golden Embroidered Baseball Hat
An easy to throw on tank for after swimming.
Lotus Namaste Tank Top, Womens Yoga Graphic: Bella Flowy Long Racerback, Lightweight, Long, Soft
gotta love my yoga shorts, this fits the bill for me after a long day at the water park.
Elation Ultra High Rise 9" Short | Athleta
After Park Dinner
I've been going to these places for decades! Its so fun to take the family here after a long day at the waterpark.
Sometimes we go here for lunch because its practically right across the street from Noah's Ark and there's a salad bar and pizza buffet. Sometimes we just do dinner here. Everyone likes the pizza and we usually order one to go for my dad, who doesn't...
Pizza Pub is Open for Dine In and Free Delivery in Wisconsin Dells
Some people really love this place, I see adults wearing the moose horns, I'm not so sure about that. Anyways, I always get the wings, my daughter always order a cheese burger and sometimes we get the pizza.
Moosejaw in Wisconsin Dells - Kid Friendly Restaurant
Monk's has good food and its great for after the water park.
Monk's Bar & Grill Wisconsin Dells
The kids always love Mac's in downtown Wisconsin Dells. Its sometimes fun to walk the boardwalk in the summer.
MACS- MACARONI AND CHEESE SHOP, Wisconsin Dells - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor
This is a great place to take kids if they like steak! So fun to have it served on hot rocks!
HOT ROCKS, Wisconsin Dells - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor
This place has a nice patio which is fun for the kids plus there's chips and salsa, which if your kids are hungry, they will eat immediately.
JOSE’S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT, Wisconsin Dells - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor