One of the nice things about living only 45 minutes from the Wisconsin Dells is being able to enjoy all the fun without the need to make hotel reservations or burn more than a tank of gas.

Making the most of the an afternoon without school, we headed up to the Temple of the Black Pearl indoor water park at the Polynesian Water Park Resort.

Featuring two 2-story waters slides and a lazy river, the Temple of the Black Pearl is open daily from 4PM-9PM. The Water Factory, comprised of the kiddie indoor activity area and two hot tubs, is open from 9AM to 9PM. The Aloha Pavilion, located near the main reception desk, also has a kiddie area and a separate pool with basket ball hoops and is open daily from 8AM-11PM.

Combined, the resort boasts over 200,000 square feet of indoor water park options, and an additional 200,000 square feet of outdoor water park fun (which we did not enjoy on this trip).

If you do not stay at the resort, but want to take advantage of the water park, the off season cost is $10 per person (plus tax) for ages 2 and up. This changes to $20 per person (plus tax) in the summer months.

The resort website claims that "lockers and locker rooms" are located in the indoor water park area. Sadly, the locker rooms are nothing more than bathrooms with a separate shower area (the women's shower room has a panel missing from the ceiling and does not offer any opportunity for privacy).

The "lockers" look like they've seen better days and I fear one apparently functional cubbie might be a bad place for my keys and purse (none of the life guards seem to know much about the lockers, so I don't take a chance). If you are not staying at the resort the Temple of the Black Pearl is a significant walk from the main reception desk (you will not be given a key to access the closer, more convenient, entrances).

If you look at some of the online reviews of the resort and waterpark, both consistently receive three (out of five) stars. It's easy to see that the building is older and is showing wear. The rides and amenities lean in favor of toddlers and elementary-age kids and the attractions are somewhat scattered across the property. That said, if you are looking for an affordable way to beat the winter blues—and not fight the mobs of people sometimes found at other, larger, Dells properties—the Polynesian Water Park Resort might just be perfect for you.

A special thanks to the Polynesian Water Park Resort  for providing our family complimentary daily indoor waterpark passes. Wisconsin Parent does not endorse any establishment, event, organization or venue we wouldn’t take our own families to.