Chicago-Area Dopers: Been to Key Lime Cove?

Cafe Society
1

Key Lime Cove Indoor Water Park in Gurnee. There’s nothing about it on TripAdvisor.

I’d like to hit an indoor water park this winter. I know there are world-class indoor water parks in Wisconsin Dells, but WD is a ~5.5 hour drive, vs. a ~3.5 hour drive to Gurnee.

Please give me your thoughts.

Thanks!

2

Yes, it’s on TripAdvisor. Both the resort (first link) andthe attraction itself.

3

Went a couple of years ago. Slightly less elaborate than, say, Great Wolf Lodge, but not a terrible experience. My son would probably disagree. His first water park experience was GWL in the Dells, and ever since then it’s the only place he finds acceptable. I suspect he had a good time anyway at Key Lime Cove. Most kids probably would. But the facility might as well be anywhere. Not much of a local flavor of any kind around Gurnee, IMO. If you’re going out to eat (rather than staying in the waterpark complex), you’ll mostly find chains like Applebee’s or TGIF. And maybe that’s your thing. If your main goal is to entertain the kiddos, you’ll probably do fine.

4

I have not been to Key Lime Cove but I have been to Timber Ridge in Lake Geneva and I was very impressed with it. It was a bit pricey, but the pool and the slides were fun and there were horses for my daughter to ride on. The people there were the best, too. My wife likes it because she was so impressed by how nice everyone was.

5

I would suggest having this thread moved to the Chicago forum, if double-posting this there as well would be frowned upon. Might get more answers :slight_smile:

6

I’ve been there a couple times now and my son (age 13 now, we were last there in March) had fun both times. I don’t know if you’re going for you or for the kids. Attractions are:

  • Toddler wading pool w/ small slide
  • Lazy River
  • Big kids play area with climbing fort thingie. Has water cannons, slides and a giant hollow pineapple that dumps water every 10(?) minutes.
  • Three tube slides, three ‘regular’ slides
  • Slide with cyclone bowl

Lines were fairly brisk for the slides/cyclone but I’ve only gone in winter months. The time we went over a weekend, it was hard to get a free inner tube during much of the day. Evenings and weekdays were better.

There’s an “okay” American style family eatery, some fast food type counters and a pretty disappointing “adult” restaurant. And some assorted video games (the tickets for prizes type) and bric-a-brac shops. Rooms were fine – typical hotel rooms.

I don’t mind going for the kids but there’s nothing that would compel me to go as a single (or married & childless) adult.