Fun Itinerary for: The Griswolds

Family Amusement Park Adventure

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Itinerary made / last updated: 2025-01-27

Day 1

MORNING:


  • Arrive at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

  • Retrieve up your rented ride

  • Begin the short drive to Sandusky

  • Stop at Hazel's Family Restaurant along the way

NOON:


  • Check-in.

  • Welcome to the mid-west's largest indoor waterpark - The Kalahari Resort.

  • Make a splash!

  • Have a blast!

EVENING:


  • Grab some grub at one of the many resort dining options.

  • Bring home more than memories and do some shopping at the resort retail shops.

  • Bring the littles to the onsite Build-A-Bear Workshop.

NIGHT:


  • Get ready for an epic night! Head to the Big Game Room where you can dive into arcade games, virtual reality, blacklight minigolf, 7D motion thrills, crystal ruins laser tag, and the exhilarating Hang Time!

DAY 1 Details

MORNING:

Welcome to your adventure! 🌟

You'll be landing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport around 9 AM. After picking up your luggage, catch the airport shuttle (found at the ground transportation level) to the car rental facility offsite. Your Avis rental will be ready for pickup at 9:30 AM. Once you've loaded up your vehicle, enjoy a scenic 25-minute drive to Hazel's Family Restaurant in Elyria (GPS: 615 Cleveland Street, Elyria) for a delightful brunch.

With satisfied appetites, continue your journey with a 40-minute drive to the Kalahari Resort (GPS: 7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky).

Helpful Links:
• AVIS Car Rental (Airport)
Cleveland Rental Car Center
Trip Advisor Hazel's Family Restaurant
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions: Ohio

NOON:

Upon arrival to the amazing Kalahari Resort, you can check in even if your room isn't quite ready yet. No worries though! The hotel staff will securely store your luggage while you dive into the fun at the waterpark. They'll let you know once your room is prepared. A handy tip: keep a separate bag with your water gear (or have them easily accessible) so you can jump straight into the excitement! 🌊🏨✨

Enjoy every moment!

Helpful Links:
Kalahari Travel Tips
• Kalahari FAQs

EVENING:

Get ready for an evening brimming with fun and delight! 🌟 Start your evening adventure by grabbing a delicious meal at one of the many resort dining options, where a variety of cuisines will tantalize your taste buds. After satisfying your hunger, explore and discover all that the resort has to offer—there's always something new and exciting around every corner!

Indulge in some retail therapy at the resort's shops, where you can find unique souvenirs to bring home more than just memories. or bring the little ones to the onsite Build-A-Bear Workshop, where they can create their very own cuddly companion to cherish forever.

Have a fantastic time exploring and enjoying your evening! 🍔🛍️🐻✨

Helpful Links:
Dining Suggestions
• Shopping Suggestions
• Build A Bear Workshop
• Resort Map

NIGHT:

Gear up for an unforgettable evening at the resort! Dive into the heart of excitement at the Big Game Room, where an array of dry-time activities awaits. Whether you're conquering the arcade games, stepping into virtual reality adventures, mastering blacklight minigolf, experiencing the thrill of 7D motion, battling in the crystal ruins laser tag, or reaching new heights with Hang Time, there's something for everyone (most experiences start @ $8/person and go up from there). This epic night promises endless fun and family-friendly entertainment, all under one roof. 🌟🎮✨🎢🏌️‍♂️

Enjoy your night filled with laughter and excitement!

Helpful Link:
Big Game Room

Day 2

MORNING:


  • Time to hit the read for breakfast at the Sandusky Bay Pancake House.

  • Head to Cedar Point for an adventure you won't forget!

NOON:


  • Spend the day at Cedar Point - the world's largest amusement ride park.

EVENING:


  • Enjoy the freedom to rest and relax or explore and have a blast!

NIGHT:


  • Have an enchanting night by choosing to relax or take in a quest.

DAY 2 Details

MORNING:

Kick off your day with a deliciousness! Take a quick drive to the Sandusky Bay Pancake House (GPS: 4710 Milan Rd., Sandusky) and fuel up with their scrumptious breakfast delights. Morning fuel never tasted this good! 🌞🍴

Once you've savored your morning feast, jump into your rental and hit the road to Cedar Point for an adventure-packed escape (GPS: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky). We recommend downloading the Cedar Point Mobile App: https://www.cedarpoint.com/mobile-app

More Helpful Links:
Sandusky Bay Pancake House
Cedar Point Calendar & Hours
• Cedar Point Daily Tickets
Cedar Point Rentals

NOON:

Get ready for a whirlwind of fun as you ride the rides, play games, catch a show or live entertainment, and shop 'til you drop at the gift shops! 🎢🕹️🎭

Helpful Links:
Cedar Point Rides & Experiences
Cedar Point Live Entertainment

EVENING:

Your free time awaits! Kick back and relax, check off those resort adventures at Kalahari, catch a flick, dive into Cedar Point's evening excitement, shop 'til you drop at the Sandusky mall (GPS: 4314 Milan Rd., Sandusky), or enjoy a delightful dinner at the park, in the resort, or explore the local eateries (we suggest Berardi's Family Kitchen @ 1019 W. Perkins Ave., Sandusky). The choice is yours to make the most of every moment. 🎬🎢🛍️🍽️✨

Helpful Links:
• Villas At Sandy Creek (Mall)
• Berardis Family Kitchen (Restaurant)

NIGHT:

Unwind for the evening or embark on a magical adventure! Just a short drive (approx. 8 mins.) to MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge, where you can spend 15 to 30 minutes per quest unlocking treasure chests, collecting enchanted items, and mastering powerful runes (approx. $35/person). 🧙‍♂️✨

Helpful Links:
Spa & Salon
• MagiQuest: Magical Quests Throughout the Lodge

Day 3

MORNING:


  • Rise and shine with breakfast in bed, or indulge in a buffet bonanza!

NOON:


  • Visit the African Safari Wildlife Park for a drive-thru and walk-thru adventure.

  • Wind down with a picnic at Cascade Park.


EVENING:


  • Car rental drop & airport shuttle.

NIGHT:


  • Thank you!

DAY 3 Details

MORNING:

Morning delight awaits! Indulge in breakfast room service available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8 AM to 10 AM by dialing ext. 34134 (menu link)
If you’re in the mood to venture out around the resort, sip on fresh brews and pastries at Java Manjaro, who also sells Starbucks coffee, (opens at 7 AM), or feast on the breakfast buffet at Cinco Niños (8 AM to 11 AM). Start your day deliciously! ☕🥐

Once you've enjoyed a delicious breakfast, it's time to gather your belongings and check out of the resort. But don't worry, your vacation isn't over just yet! 🎒🌟 Embark on one final adventure before heading to the airport, making the most of these precious moments.

Helpful Links:
Java Manjaro
• Classic Breakfast at Cinco Niños

NOON:

At 10am, buckle up for one last wild ride! Your final day of adventure begins at the African Safari Wildlife Park (GPS: 267 S. Lightner Rd., Port Clinton - approx. 20 mins.), where you can walk and ride to explore the incredible wildlife. Prices vary depending on the time of year, but range from $20-$28/child and $24-$35/ages 7+ (see link below).

At 1pm, it's time to wrap up your adventure with a tranquil touch! Head to Cascade Falls Park in Elyria (GPS: 387 Furnace St., Elyria - approx. 45 mins.) for a picturesque picnic, playground, and waterfalls. We recommend stopping at the Giant Eagle Supermarket (GPS: 320 Market Dr., Elyria) for your picnic fare, which is only 5 minutes from the park.

Breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the soothing sounds of cascading water, and savor your picnic while basking in nature's beauty. It's the perfect way to wind down your trip with a serene and memorable experience. 🌿🌊🧺

Helpful Links:
African Safari Wildlife Park
• African Safari Wildlife Park: Daily Tickets
• Cascade Park

EVENING:

At 4pm, it's time to head to the airport car rental facility (GPS: 19601 Maplewood Ave., Cleveland - approx. 20 mins.) to drop off the rental and catch the shuttle to Cleveland Airport for your 6:30pm flight home. Follow overhead signs for rental car return as you approach the airport. The drop-off area can be found in the same location as rental car pickup.

Safe travels and happy memories! ✈️🏞️

Helpful Links:
• Cleveland Airport Flight Status
• Cleveland Airport Terminal Map

NIGHT:

Thank you for choosing Fun Itineraries to plan your vacation. We hope every moment was filled with joy and unforgettable experiences. We look forward to crafting more adventures for you in the future!🌟