Kalahari Resorts & Conventions to Open Bookings January 12, 2026 for New Virginia Resort in Spotsylvania

Resort to Feature Thrilling New Waterslides and Launch “Name the Slide, Win the Prize!” Contest

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, announced today that bookings for Kalahari Spotsylvania are officially open. The resort, currently under development in Spotsylvania, will bring Kalahari’s signature “Beyond Expectations” experience to the Commonwealth, featuring an expansive indoor and outdoor waterpark, family entertainment, dining, and meeting and convention spaces - all under one roof.

Beginning Jan. 12, guests can book overnight stays at Kalahari Spotsylvania for arrivals beginning December 18, 2026 at www.kalahariresorts.com/virginia.

“Opening bookings is a major milestone for Kalahari Spotsylvania and a meaningful moment for our family and our entire team,” said Todd Nelson, CEO and Founder of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. “We’re excited to welcome families to Spotsylvania beginning in late 2026 and to bring the full Kalahari experience to Virginia. We can’t wait for guests to start planning their getaway and be part of what’s coming next.”

At the heart of Kalahari Spotsylvania will be a next-level indoor waterpark experience designed for every age and thrill level - from towering slide complexes to family-friendly attractions and dedicated kids’ areas.

Among the resort’s 50+ waterslide lineup are standout attractions with names like:

• Dawn Breaker: This thrilling raft ride begins with a steep drop before launching riders up a near-vertical wall for a moment of weightlessness in a signature “boomerang” effect.
• Zambezi River Rapids: Brace yourself for a wild ride down the Zambezi! This multi-person raft ride sends guests surging through tight turns, high-banked walls, and rushing water.
• Zig Zag Zebra: Black, white, and wildly fun! Zig Zag Zebra sends riders racing through a sleek body slide wrapped in bold black-and-white stripes, with quick turns and zig-zagging curves that keep the excitement high from start to splashdown.
• Kalahari Curl: This thrilling raft slide launches riders into a fast, flowing plunge before sweeping you through a powerful, high-banked curve that delivers a smooth yet exhilarating rush of speed. As your raft hugs the wall and curls through the turn, you’ll feel the momentum build before splashing into the next plunge.
• Viper Venom: As you and your crew plunge into this serpentine raft ride, you’ll be swept into a thrilling series of fast, back-and-forth oscillations that feel like you’re racing through the coils of a charging viper. With each ripple and twist building excitement, this high-energy slide delivers splashy thrills and unexpected turns from start to finish!
• Safari Speedway: Put your speed to the test on Safari Speedway, a wildly fun, head-to-head racing adventure for the whole family! Four racers drop in side-by-side on sleek mats and charge down a series of thrilling bumps and dips toward the finish line, creating an unforgettable race-day feeling.

Younger waterpark adventurers will also have dedicated splash and play areas including:

• Tiko’s Watering Hole: Tiko’s Watering Hole is an interactive play area filled with hands-on water features, kid-sized slides, and a lazy river created just for little adventurers.
• Coral Cove: This zero-depth entry water play area features gentle slides, water bouncers, mini basketball, and interactive elements that allow guests to splash and play at their own pace.
• Bugs Burrow: A themed outdoor water-play area that invites kids to experience the world from a bug’s-eye view. Surrounded by oversized insects and playful critters, young guests can splash, explore, and enjoy a variety of interactive water features designed just for them.

To celebrate bookings opening, Kalahari is launching a new contest inviting fans to help name one of the signature waterslides at Kalahari Spotsylvania - giving one winner the chance to see their chosen name installed at the resort when it opens in late 2026.

Beginning today, Jan. 12, guests can submit their most creative name idea at KalahariResorts.com/Slide, where the contest entry form is available. The featured attraction is a record-breaking ride described as the longest water coaster in North America, with launch speeds up to 20 feet per second, up to 60 seconds of ride time, and more than 10 powerful blasts featuring drops and gravity-defying lifts.

There will be three winners. One grand prize winner will receive an overnight stay at a Kalahari location of their choice, along with a $100 food & beverage credit and $100 in arcade credits. Two runner-up winners will each receive four waterpark day passes to the location of their choice, plus a $50 food & beverage credit.

The contest closes Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Participants must be 18 years or older to enter, and limit one entry per person. Full terms and conditions are available on the contest landing page.

Kalahari Spotsylvania is expected to open late 2026. The $900 million resort will span 1.38 million square feet and feature approximately 900 guest suites, Virginia’s largest indoor waterpark at more than 175,000 square feet, and an expansive convention center - along with additional all-under-one-roof family dining, entertainment, and resort experiences.

The resort is being built on a 135-acre site located just off I-95 near Dominion Raceway & Entertainment in Spotsylvania - conveniently positioned for families traveling from the greater DC-Maryland-Virginia region, Richmond, and beyond.

An overnight stay at Kalahari Spotsylvania includes complimentary access to the resort’s indoor waterpark, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy two days of waterpark fun - with access on the day of check-in and continuing through waterpark closing on check-out day. Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi are also included when visiting Kalahari.

For updates and behind-the-scenes progress, follow Kalahari on social media @kalahariresorts and visit kalahariresorts.com/virginia.

ABOUT KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, founded by Todd and Shari Nelson, is home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks, and offers an unmatched mix of all-under-one-roof experiences for families, vacationers, and meeting attendees. With locations in Wisconsin Dells, WI; Sandusky, OH; Pocono Mountains, PA; Round Rock, TX; and a new resort opening in 2026 in Spotsylvania, VA, each property draws inspiration from the rich culture and vibrant landscapes of Africa. Recognized by USA Today’s 10Best for Best Indoor Water Park and Best VR Water Slide, Kalahari continues to set the standard for family entertainment and hospitality. Across its growing collection of resorts, guests can expect well-appointed accommodations, signature dining, unique retail, expansive indoor and outdoor waterparks, immersive adventure parks, and state-of-the-art convention centers. Coming in 2026, Kalahari is introducing its Adventure Collection, a suite of premium lodging options. Select locations also feature full-service spas and wellness destinations, creating the ultimate all-in-one getaway. For the latest news and media resources, visit kalaharimedia.com.