Tips for visiting Zehnder's Splash Village in Frankenmuth, Michigan

Escape the Cold this Winter at Zehnder’s, Michigan’s Premiere Indoor Water Park

Visiting Zehnder’s Splash Village has become a fun winter tradition in our family. It’s our third time staying at this combination hotel and indoor waterpark. When a place can entertain our whole family throughout the various stages from when we had infants to now tweens, it’s a winner in our book.

Recently we vacationed at Zehnder’s hotel and indoor water park for a holiday Thanksgiving weekend when Visiting Frankenmuth, which was decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. We’ve picked up a ton of tricks along the way and will obligingly pass them along so you can have the best experience. Read on for our honest review as we share why you should spend your next winter vacation at Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth, Michigan!

This post features items that were gifted as a collaboration with adidas. Our family proudly sports our adidas apparel and we’re grateful to be part of the adidas blogger community.

What to Expect

Everyone Can Ride Zehnder’ Indoor Water Park Tube Slides

Zehnder’s has a wide range of water activities and slides for the whole family. Plus it’s ideal for large groups. My extended family visited with 26 people, spanning the wide gamete of ages from babies and toddlers all the way up to teens and adults. Everyone found something that appealed to them and we spent hours making memories together.

The water park is divided into two main areas.

The original waterpark includes two family tube slides, a true lazy river, giant dump bucket, the lily pad leap crossing, zero entry activity pool, a hot tub and so much more.

The atrium water park side features a six story family raft ride, a super loop body slide, a fast river, hot tub and kids splash area. This section has poolside food, tons of seating and tv’s. Plus, we noticed it had better ventilation and light then the older section. During warm weather it also features a retractable roof that opens.

Fast river at Zehnders Indoor Water Park in Michigan — Action River is Fun for the Entire Family

Water Rides

One key reason we’ve come back to Zehnder’s Splash Village time and time again is because it’s great for families with a wide range of ages.

Specifically, we love the Perilous Plunge and Giggling Gorge tube water slides that infants and toddlers in life jackets can ride with their parents. This allows the whole family to stay together as a unit if they desire. We’ve visited other water parks in Michigan where we’ve had to constantly split up due to our four children’s range of ages and height restrictions.

Our favorite adventure packed water ride was the six-story family raft ride. After scaling 6 stories, we enjoyed a thrilling drop on a huge four-person raft that plummets you down and around, sending you flying up the sides of the tunnel in a white water rafting style ride. Adults and older children, who are 48” tall can ride together. Another added bonus, the conveyor carries your raft up for you, no lugging up a huge tube.

Six- Story Family Raft Ride at Zehnder’s

If you desire a heart pounding ride in which you literally drop straight through the floor, then you must try the super loop body slide. This thrilling 6 story loop ride will get your heart racing.

Leap Frog Challenge If you want side stitching laughter, challenge your entire family to cross the lily pads. This activity isn’t just for kids. Watching the adults in our party attempt to cross provided two hours of hilarity as person after person wiped out and then sweet victory when they finally succeeded.

Tips for Visiting Zehnder’s Water Park

1. Pick a Central Meeting Location

Set down all your bags and items in one spot and choose a central meeting location, especially if visiting with young children. A set location helps in case a child gets separated from an adult.

We preferred to utilize the newer atrium area because they have tons of tables, chairs and tv’s available. This allowed grandpa to watch the football game on the tv or moms a space to feed the baby. For an additional fee, cabanas can be rented by the day and feature a couch, tv and privacy curtains.

2. Life Jackets and Towels Provided

No need to pack life jackets or towels because Zehnder’s has plenty for you to use. There are also a wide range of life jackets available for children and infants. If you can’t find the correct size ask a lifeguard to help accommodate your needs.

We love that we don’t have to bring home wet towels, there were always a huge clean stack waiting for us.

3. Bring Water Shoes

Save your children’s toes with water shoes. adidas shoes and sandals contain a grippy sole for traction on slippery surfaces and are perfect for a family vacation. By the end of two days your feet will thank you. Remember to caution children throughout your visit to walk, don’t run because the wet floors can be quite slippery.

5. Early Check In/ Late Check out.

Zehnder’s Hotel check-in time is 4:00 pm. and check-out is 11:00 am. However guests can arrive as early as noon for waterpark access and stay as late as 4:00 pm on the day of departure. We arrived 3 hours prior to check in and our room was available, which was perfect for quickly changing into bathing suits. Also you can request a late check out.

4. Poolside Food Available

No need to leave the waterpark for food. Zehnder’s makes it so advantageous with food and drinks available poolside. Especially in the winter, I recommend eating inside so you don’t have to worry about wet hair in cold weather.

Trust me your children will not want to stop playing to leave the park. As a large party of 26 people, we basically tasted everything off the menu from pizza, chicken tenders, fries, hamburgers and quesadillas. We appreciated the kid-friendly meal choices, while adults 21 and older enjoyed pitchers of beers and cocktails.

If you want a change of scenery, Elf Side Hollow offers a restaurant just outside the main waterpark. It’s a great option for breakfast with a full breakfast buffet, perfect for families with kids.

6. Take Breaks & Drink Lots of Water

Heed the signs that are posted that say to take breaks. During our mini vacation, we noticed the chlorine in the water and dry heated air made our skin dry, eyes irritated and increased coughing, especially if you have asthma. Be aware of your body’s needs while visiting.

7. Utilize the Clothes Line in the Bathroom

At night conveniently hang up those wet suits on the line, located in your bathroom.

8. Bring a Bag for Wet Bathing Suits and Dry Clothes

Bring a plastic bag for wet bathing suits and a to-go bag for all the clothes you’ll need to change into at departure since check out is at 11:00 am, but you can use the waterpark till 4:00pm.

9. Secure the microwave

Okay this one might seem odd. My extended family learned this one the hard way when my nephew pulled the microwave door open, it’s eye level and shattered the glass plate inside. A day later, my 1 year old nephew did the exact same thing. Save yourself injury and added expense and beware of the microwave’s location.

10. Celebrate with Cake

No outside food is allowed in, except for cake! If you are celebrating a special occasion, Zehnder’s allows birthday cake to be brought inside. Sugar-High Bakery in Riverside Place Shops makes custom cakes, cupcakes and desserts.

11. Stop at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

No trip is complete to Frankenmuth without visiting Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, which shares an enormous parking lot with Zehnder’s. Pick out that special ornament and be surrounded by the Christmas spirit at the largest Christmas Store in the country. At night enjoy the Christmas lights throughout the drive.

12. Visit Kid’s Kingdom Playground

If you arrive early to Frankenmuth after a long drive, stop in at this wooden playground. Children can get their energy out at this imaginative Kid’s Kingdom Playground.

Explore Winter Festivities in Frankenmuth

Make sure to schedule extra time into your visit or stay two nights so you can explore the magical Christmas town of Frankenmuth, especially during the winter months. We suggest getting there early in the day and exploring Bronner’s, River Place Shops and downtown Frankenmuth before kids are exhausted from a long day swimming.

Take one night and walk around downtown which is aglow in lights. Looking for more holiday activities occurring in Frankenmuth, here is a complete Holiday Trip Guide for Frankenmuth with Kids.

FAQ’s

Should We Stay on a Holiday Weekend?

Yes, Even on a holiday weekend we had plenty of space, found tables to pull together in the atrium and the lines were minimal for the water rides.

Can Outside Food Be Brought Into the Water Park Area?

No, except for cake. We celebrated a birthday during our stay and we were able to bring in cake, plates and forks.

Can I visit Zehnder’s Splash Village for the day without staying overnight?

Yes, Zehnder’s provides both half-day and full-day passes for visitors.

What are the Zehnder’s Splash Village Prices?

Half-Day Pass: $40 to $55 (10 am – 3 pm or 4 – 9 pm)
Full-Day Pass: $48 to $65 (10 am – 9 pm)

One Night Hotel Price with Passes: When we visited Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 our 2 Queen hotel room with balcony was $369.00 and included the wristband passes. *Prices and water park hours do vary, check here for waterpark schedule and rates

How Can I Get Deals and Save Money for Zehnder’s Splash Village?

Zehnder’s occasionally offers reduced prices to newsletter subscribers, which is located on their websites. Also check Groupon for any Zender’s deals here.

Should We Eat Zehnder’s Famous Chicken Dinner when Visiting?

Elf Hollow Restaurant in Zehnder’s Hotel

If you have young children, I would skip this meal. Although it is filling food and you can take leftovers, it took almost 2.5 hours for our entire family to eat and was quite difficult for younger children to sit for such an extended time. On weekdays, you can enjoy a reduced lunch menu for a budget friendlier meal.

Closing Thoughts

When Michigan winter’s are dragging on, escape to this indoor heated water park for a fun family vacation. Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth is a family-friendly waterpark hotel that is the perfect destination for your next family vacation or Michigan staycation. My family loves visiting this picturesque German Bavarian town filled with unique Michigan experiences. With such an array of features for both young and old, you’ll create lasting memories together. It’s our third time visiting Frankenmuth and definitely won’t be our last.

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