Just as Fort Dells was gobbled up by Walgreens, McDonald’s and Starbucks years ago, Storybook Gardens is now just a memory.  This news is sad to me, as I have fond memories of visiting Storybook Gardens.  My first visits were with my brothers and parents when I was a child.  After outgrowing Storybook Gardens long ago, I returned there a few summers back for the first time with my own family. 

True, Storybook Gardens was old, tired, and outdated.  Many of the displays from my childhood 30 years ago were still there.  Despite the drawbacks, there was something special about visiting.  The train ride and carousel were simple, but still fun.  Visiting Storybook Gardens was like taking a step back to my own youth.  

In recent years, the operators of Storybook Gardens added a wildlife element and included exotic animals throughout the grounds.  Timbavati Wildlife Park breathed much needed new life into this artifact.  Unfortunately the animals weren’t enough to keep Storybook Gardens afloat. 

In the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, the kiss from a prince breaks the spell to bring the princess out of her slumber.  What is next for the property?  What will be Storybook Gardens’ prince?  Only time will tell…

R.I.P Storybook Gardens

The all-in-one Dells attraction pass that was introduced just 2 years ago is no longer.  The Dells City Pass debuted in 2008 with 9 attractions for $79.  In 2009, the participating attractions increased to 12, and the price went up to $99. 

Although the concept of an all-in-one pass was good, it didn’t catch on with enough visitors to the Dells.  The biggest reason was most likely the price.  $400 for a typical family of four is a lot of money to shell out in a weak economy.  The Dells City Pass most likely didn’t appeal to visitors staying at any of the Dells mega resorts since there are so many activities already included in the room price.  The appeal was also limited for visitors who stay in one of the many Dells motels that include Mt. Olympus passes with their rooms. 

Another problem with the Dells City Pass was the number of attractions that were offered.  Sometimes “Less is More”.  With 12 attractions and only 3 days to use the pass, some people may have thought that they were being stretched too thin, or were paying for admissions that they never were going to use.  Not all of the attractions appealed to all visitors too.  Families with kids might not be interested in golf, comedy club admission, and a haunted house.  Visitors without kids may not have been interested in a train ride or admission to the deer park.

If you’re visiting the Dells in 2010 and wanted to buy the Wisconsin Dells City Pass, there is a good alternative.  The Dells Passport to Savings offers several attractions at a reduced price.  The difference in the Passport to Savings program is that it is ala carte – you only pay for the attractions that you’re going to use.  Participating attractions include the Tommy Bartlett Show, The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, Upper Dells Boat Tours, Jet Boat Adventure Tours, Original Wisconsin Ducks, Adare Go Carts, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Wizard Quest, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, Dells 4D Special FX Theatre, Timber Falls Adventure Park & Knuckleheads, Noah’s Ark, Kalahari Indoor Theme Park & Circus World.  The savings increases with the number of attractions you purchase tickets too.  You can save up to 35% if you buy tickets to 6 attractions.

It would be nice to see the Wisconsin Dells City Pass return in future years.  A program overhaul would be in order.  The pick and choose method of the Passport to Savings program seems to be the way to go.

Some of the more notable coupons are:

Attractions

• Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park - Buy One Get One Free admission
• Noah’s Ark – Buy One Get One Free admission
• Pirates Cove Adventure Golf – Buy One Get One Free
• Riverside & Great Northern Railway – Buy One Get One Free
• Riverview Park & Waterworld – Buy One Get One Free admission to Waterworld
• Timbavati Wildlife Park at Storybook Gardens – Buy One Get One Free admission

Golf

• Christmas Mountain Village Golf – Buy One Get One Free
• Coldwater Canyon Golf - Buy One Get One Free admission

Lodging

• Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort – Stay Two Nights, Get One Free
• Chula Vista Resort – Stay One Night, Get One Free
• Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus – Stay One Night, Get the Second at Half Price
• Polynesian Resort – Stay One Night, Get the Second at Half Price or  Stay Two Nights, Get One Free

Camping

• Dell Boo Camprground – Stay One Night, Get One Free
• Sherwood Forest Campground – Stay One Night, Get the Second at Half Price
• Jellystone Park – Stay Two Nights, Get One Free

Dining

• The Cheese Factory – Buy One Entree Get One Free
• Damon’s Grill – Buy One Lunch Entree Get One Free
• Marley’s – 10% off Food Purchase
• Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. – 10% off Food Purchase
• Paul Bunyan’s – Buy 2 Adult Meals Get One Kids Meal Free
• River Walk Pub – Buy One Entree, Get Second one Half Off

The book can be ordered on The Original Wisconsin Dells Coupon Book website for $19.95, with free shipping.  You can also buy the coupon book at Stop N’ Go convenience stores throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, and several different locations in Wisconsin Dells.  For a complete list of locations, click here (the website says that prices may vary if you are buying the book at a pickup location).

Almost immediately, plans were made to reconstruct Highway A, and restore the isthmus between the lake and the river.  Highway A reopened less than 6 months later, and Lake Delton was completely refilled several weeks ago. 

Lake Delton is back, and area business owners are anxious to see what the summer tourist season brings this year.  It is unknown whether the current economic situation will keep tourists home this summer, or actually bring them to the Dells in lieu of a more pricey alternative.

Although Lake Delton is new and improved, many lives have been changed forever by the events of June 9, 2008.  Most notably, would be the families who lost their homes that day.  Also affected were many of the area hotels, restaurants, and other businesses who depend on the lake for their livelihood. 

Here are a couple of videos of the events of that unfortunate day.

Some interesting aerial footage of the damage.

More information on State Park Open House day can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.  The DNR website also includes a nice map of the state showing the locations of all State Parks and Forests.

This weekend is also Free Fishing Weekend.  All the waters of the state are open, including state waters of the Great Lakes and rivers bordering Wisconsin. Residents and non-residents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (or trout or salmon stamps) over these two days. However, all other fishing regulations (length limits, bag limits, etc.) apply.  Check out the DNR website for more information on Free Fishing Weekend.

Participating zoos in the Midwest are:

Wisconsin 

• Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison)
• Milwaukee County Zoo
• NEW Zoo (Green Bay)
• Racine Zoological Gardens

Illinois

• Cosley Zoo (Wheaton)
• Glen Oak Zoo (Peoria)
• Henson Robinson Zoo (Springfield)
• Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago)
• Miller Park Zoo (Bloomington)
• Niabi Zoological Society (Coal Valley)
• Scovill Zoo (Decatur)

Minnesota

• Como Park Zoo (St. Paul)
• Minnesota Zoological Garden (Apple Valley)

Iowa

• Blank Park Zoo  (Des Moines)

If you are a member of a zoo not listed here, check out the Association of Zoos & Aquariums list of participating zoos.  Also, check out the International Crane Foundation’s website for information on visiting.

Here is a summary of what is going on for Easter on Sunday April 12th in Wisconsin Dells.

Resorts

Chula Vista has 3 different Easter buffets being served at their Market Fresh Buffet. 

• Chula Vista Grand Breakfast Buffet, served 7:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.  Adults $10.95, Children 6-11 $5.95, Children 2-5 $3.95.   
• Chula Vista Grand Easter Brunch, served 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.  Adults $15.95, Children 6-11 $6.95, Children 2-5 $3.95.   
• Chula Vista Special Easter Dinner Buffet, served 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.  Adults $22.95, Children 6-11 $8.95, Children 2-5 $4.95.   

Additional details about their Easter dining options, including menu choices, can be found on their website.  The Easter Bunny will be making appearances in the lobby area on Easter Sunday.  Reservations for the buffet can be made by calling 608-254-8366.

Great Wolf Lodge has an Easter buffet in the Loose Moose Bar & Grill. Prices are $24.95 for adults, and $12.95 for children ages 5-10. Call 800-559-9653 for reservations.  Other than the buffet, no other special Easter events are planned.

Kalahari is serving their Easter brunch in the Kalahari Convention Center from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. on Easter Sunday. Prices are $24.99 for adults, and $10.99 for children 3-10. Additional details, including a full listing of buffet choices, can be found on their website. Reservations can be made by calling 608-254-3217.

Kalahari also has a lodging and brunch package, the Easter Sunday Brunch Special, which includes a room and the Easter brunch for 2 adults and 2 children. The price for a standard room is $289 for Saturday night, April 11th or $219 for Sunday night, April 12th.

Kalahari has several events planned for the days leading up to Easter, including Easter Egg hunts on Sunday morning.  All of the details can be found on the Kalahari Website.

The Wilderness is serving two Easter buffets at the Wild Canyon Cafe.  The Easter Sunday Breakfast Buffet runs from 8:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon. Prices are $13.99 for adults, $7.99 for children 7-12, and $5.99 for children 3-6.  The Easter Sunday Dinner Buffet runs from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Prices are $19.99 for adults, $10.99 for children 6-12, and $8.99 for children 3-5.  The Easter Bunny will be in attendance for the breakfast buffet. Additional information including a list of what is being served can be found on the Wilderness website.  Reservations can be made by calling 800-867-9453.

The Wilderness also has Easter egg hunts and other arts & crafts activities planned for Easter day.

Restaurants

Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille has an Easter buffet from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. on Easter Sunday.  Prices are $18.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 4-10.  Reservations can be made by calling 608-254-7300.

The Del-Bar will open at their normal time of 4:30 P.M. on Easter.  They don’t have any special menu or buffet, but will have some daily specials such as ham and lamb for the holiday.  The Del-Bar can be reached at 866-888-1861.

Field’s at the Wilderness will have an Easter menu available with special Easter selections, plus their standard menu. Call 608-253-1400 for reservations.

Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. will be serving their Easter Day Buffet from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Prices are $13.95 for adults and $6.95 for children ages 4-10.  Moosejaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co. can be reached at 608-254-1122.

Wally’s House of Embers will be serving Easter Sunday Buffet Brunch from 9:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.  Prices are $16.99 for adults, and $8.50 for children 7 and under.  From 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. they price is lowered to $13.99 for adults, and $6.99 for children 7 and under.  At 2:30 P.M. they will start serving from the dinner menu.  Reservations can be made by calling 608-253-6411.

If there are any Easter events that I may have missed, please leave a comment and let me know!

Lake Delton still hasn’t gotten to its normal water level, so both ducks tour companies aren’t venturing into the lake yet.  Both ducks tours do include rides on the Wisconsin River, however.  The filling of Lake Delton is weather dependent, so the more rain the Wisconsin Dells area gets, the sooner it will be back to its normal water level.  When I spoke to Lake Delton Village Clerk  Kay Mackesey last month, she told me that they anticipated that the lake would be completely filled sometime in May.  The heavy rains that the Dells area has gotten this week certainly will help move the filling along.  Both ducks tours will take passengers in the area of the Lake Delton breach and over the new Highway A that was constructed after it was destroyed last June.

If you are planning on going on a Dells duck tour this spring, the best advice would be to call ahead.  The Original Wisconsin Ducks can be reached at 608-254-8751 and the Dells Army Ducks can be reached at 608-254-6080.

Channel 15 in Madison had a report recently on the opening of the Original Wisconsin Ducks and the status of the filling of Lake Delton.  To see the news report, click below.

The news report states that the Kalahari, Wilderness & Chula Vista stand to do the best during the economic downturn.  I think that some of the smaller Dells resorts & motels may also see a bump in their business in 2009.  Visitors who still want to make their annual trip to the Dells might consider staying at a smaller Dells resort or one of the many motels in the area to save money.   Several Dells motels have partnered with Mt. Olympus to offer passes to the Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park during the summer months.  Money saving programs like the Dells City Pass might also appeal to cost conscious travelers this year. 

The Channel 3 report can be viewed below.  The text version of the story can be found on their website.

The two new mini golf courses are only open to guests of the Wilderness. The Wild Abyss course costs $7 for adults, and $5 for kids, while the Wild Buccaneer course is $4 for adults and $3 for children.  A better value is the Wild Fun Pass for $10.  The pass includes golf at both new courses, admission to the OK Corral laser tag attraction, and 8 tokens for use in the Northern Lights Arcade.