It should go without saying, the waterpark is the main attraction. This is why people come to The Kartrite, and for good reason, it's spectacular!! Touted as New York's biggest indoor waterpark, and covered by the world’s largest texlon transparent roof (I didn't realize this and thankfully we didn't burn, but as per their website, apparently you can tan through it, so don't forget your sunscreen!), they really went above and beyond in every way, and entrance is included with your stay at The Kartrite (even on check in and check out days). To top it off, it was the most physically pleasant indoor waterpark we've been to. We've visited many where either the air or the water wasn't quite warm enough, and left you chilled and needing to leave within 2 hours. We've also experienced some where the air was so thick with chlorine that our eyes stung and lungs burned! We didn't experience any of this at The Kartrite! With the exception of the bathrooms being cold and the lunch line being long, everything else was absolutely perfect!
If you're not staying at the hotel, you can purchase a Splash Pash day pass to the waterpark for $79 - $99 (children under 2 are free). Great option if you live nearby or just want to drive up for the day!
I actually had no idea these existed at The Kartrite. I'm used to seeing giant arcades, but this was so much more! This massive play center on the first floor consists of:
- Arcade (pay per game, most took 2-8 credits each; credits cost about $.20 - $.27 each depending on how many you buy at once)
- Mini bowling ($6) - just 3 lanes with bumpers and teeny little balls with no holes - a great intro to bowling for little kids! We did 3 players for our kids' game but it was pointless, they just didn't understand about going twice and then letting next person go. So, if yours are little, just buy one game and let them all take turns as the same player LOL!
- Ropes Course & Zipline ($12) If between 42"-48", child must be accompanied by an adult, who pays as well. My husband took my son and I was really impressed by how well my 7 year old did. I mean, this course is 1-2 stories high, I can't believe he wasn't terrified!! Some parts were rather challenging and the accompanying adult may have their work cut out for them having to assist the child. But overall they had a blast! Kinda regret not going myself!
- Rock Climbing ($7) - this was the first time rock climbing for myself, my 7 year old, and my husband. There are 3 towers, each with very different structure and technique. Very fun, and secure, you repel down which was scary at first but once you realized how slowly and safely you went down, super fun!! Heads up: I only did 2 towers (5 minutes total climbing??), and 2 days later I'm still sore!! My 7 year old did a great job but wasn't able to make it to the top buzzer on any of them, but wasn't bothered by it in the least!
- 3D (XD) Theater Ride ($7) - OK so HUGE heads up here. Don't let your kids choose which movie they see. Don't do it. Be the mean mom. Use your better judgement. Or else you may end up with a couple of traumatized 4 year olds like me (see the video for how bad it was). They had a cute cartoon one that was perfect for kids. But no. My 7 year old insisted on the "Haunted Mine" and then his sisters chimed in that they too wanted to see it. Demanded to see it. So, OK, I caved... They get 3D glasses and jump on board of a 4 person bench that looks like a roller coaster ride. Door closes. If you bought a ticket you can ride with them, but I didn't, and watched from the surveillance screen out front. It all looked good for a while. Their hair was blowing. The ride was rocking and shaking. And then Emi threw off her glasses. And then both girls started hysterically crying and screaming. The staff noticed before I did and jumped into rescue mode, thank goodness!!! After taking them out and talking to them about how it wasn't real, they calmed down and haven't had any nightmares or anything, so I think we're good. Just heed my warning... go with the cute little cartoon for your littles!!!
- Laser Tag ($12) - This was my son's 1st time playing laser tag and suffice it to say, it brings out his competitive side just like his mama's! It was really fun playing together. There was only one other team at the same time, another mom and son. I was surprised how large the arena was! Lots of hiding spaces and targets to shoot, and a staff member was walking around and monitoring the whole time (I kept trying to shoot him accidentally haha)! The vest is heavy though, my 45 pound 7 year old was just barely OK to wear it. So keep that in mind.
- Virtual Reality Game ($8) - This was our first time doing a VR game and it was HILARIOUS!!! So so so so weird, and fun, and a bit scary haha! There are a bunch of games to choose from, so you may want to pre-select before your child enters if you don't want them shooting up aliens or something like that. I did one that did have guns but the "bad guys" were kinda like big apples invading my grocery store while I was trying to check out. They have sanitizing wipes to clean the mask and controllers before and after you use them, which was a great touch!
Basically, you purchase each activity and/or credits, they all go onto your Playopolis card and you scan it for each game or activity. You can buy packages as well, which reduces individual costs. I highly recommend this, so you just go out and have a huge fun day rather them deliberating over individual costs. Just splurge and treat your kids, and yourself!! For example, the "Voyage Pick Four" ($50) package includes 80 arcade credits and you chose 4 of the following: Climbing Wall, XD Theater, Bowling, Laser Tag, Virtual Reality, Rope Course. Family members can share a card too, in case you want each kid to do 2 of those activities.
There were several restaurants to choose from and we honestly enjoyed every meal (well, "enjoyed" may be debatable since dining with 3 overtired cranky kids is always a struggle), but the food, service, and atmospheres were great! The kids' menus seemed to be the same at each restaurant though, so not as much variety, but if you have non-picky kids they could share items off of the adult menu perhaps. Then again we have pretty picky eaters. We ate at Bixby's Derby the first night, which had an upscale yet cozy vibe with huge tall-backed booths (besides looking really cool, I think they do well to absorb noise)! We ate at Harvey's Wallbanger the second night for dinner and the third day for lunch. It's very casual American bar/grille type atmosphere, with some booths and many high tables (I was nervous but our kids didn't fall out, thankfully). They all have crayons and coloring placemats with fun activities like dots and boxes and tic tac toe to keep everyone occupied without screens - hooray! For both breakfasts we got the buffet at Eat. Eat. Eat which was delicious!! A huge variety of food from pastries to omelet station, waffles, bacon, you name it, and 3 and under eats free there!
The rooms are definitely in tune with the stylishly modern design of the rest of the hotel. They have 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites. We got the "Two Bedroom Grand Corner Suite" which has an 8 guest max occupancy and at 966 square feet it's actually bigger than our own home in Brooklyn, which had its first open house while we were staying at The Kartrite!! The kids got the bedroom with 2 queens (the twins cuddled up in one), and us grownups took the master bedroom with a King and attached bathroom. The living room featured a his and her sink bathroom, sofa bed, Keurig, mini fridge, and balcony. I've seen some suites with bunk beds, too! So definitely search for the set up that'll work best for your family! On our first night, the kids took forever to settle down, not going to sleep until after 9pm, and were up from about 4:30am due to excitement. It was a disaster!!! The next night was much better after an exhausting day at the waterpark, and they slept til 6:30am without waking us up!! Hooray for 2 bedrooms and a living room, plenty of space and doors to block out sound!! Rates very greatly by type of room and day / season, but I've seen as low as $127/night for a family of 4 (don't forget, that includes waterpark passes for every day including check in day and check out day)!!