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Camelback Lodge- Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark Review (NYC)

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Camelback Lodge’s tagline is, “The Mountain Moves You” and how fitting such a statement is! The NEW Camelback Lodge, located in the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, is the perfect place to experience just that. Camelback Lodge features mountain-modern décor. Several room styles include fireplaces, balconies, spacious lofts and even full kitchens in some of the two and three bedroom suites. The Lodge has 453 rooms and 16 different suite layouts to choose from, so no matter what your family configuration, the Lodge can accommodate it.

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Beautiful surroundings

Included in your stay are tickets to Aquatopia – the biggest indoor waterpark in the Northeast. With some of the most unique waterslides, such as the Venus Slyde Trap that drops you down and shoots you down a serpentine flume before entering a 16-foot translucent sphere where you’ll bank around 90 degree corners and eventually spit you into a plunge pool! Or try your nerves on the Paradise Plunge, where a trap door beneath you suddenly gives way, launching you on a high-speed, 60-foot vertical free fall that is 216 feet in length total! Or, if that’s not enough, try the AquaLaunch: a capsule opens and you are plummeted into a heart-stopping 60-foot freefall before speeding into a 360-degree looping flattened figure eight at over 26 feet per second. Fully translucent, friends and family can spectate your exhilarating ride.

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Venus Slyde Trap

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AquaLaunch

Aquatopia also has an area for children who do not quite make the height requirements to ride the “big” slides. In Kartrite’s Quest, kids can enjoy 100 different water effects and 5 various slides, tailored for the younger crowd. My youngest really enjoyed the Penguin Play Bay where he eased into the water through the zero-depth opening and enjoyed the mini-slides and interactive water play areas.

The buffet at the resort was delicious and a huge shout out goes to our serve Adele who was super friendly and helpful. However, as an allergy parent, navigating food choices for my son (who is allergic to peanuts and eggs) was a nightmare. Be prepared for open-air items in the buffet such as crushed Reese’s peanut butter cups in the make-your-own sundae area as well as other nut-laden treats ready for little hands to scoop up. The coffee shop had numerous items with toppings such as Reese’s pieces candy mixed in with the other pastries behind glass. And thank goodness we ALWAYS ask about cooking oil: the snack bar inside Aquatopia cooks all its foods (think fries and chicken fingers in PEANUT oil). My son could not sit at the dining area as these tables were not regularly wiped down. We eventually ended up purchasing food for him off-site after we ran out of the emergency food staples we usually carry for him. So, please be careful allergy parents!

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Carving station at the buffet.

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My daughter enjoyed the homemade soup and make-your-own grilled cheese bar.

The hotel itself was open and spacious and the rooms were comfortable, however: make sure you don’t have the misfortune of having your room directly across from the vending area (ice machine at midnight anyone?) and be prepared for construction outside your window to start at 8:00am sharp until they have completed the rest of the surroundings.

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Aquatopia

We loved the sunny and open-air feel of the waterpark as the entire park is covered with a glass roof. Hint: bring your sunglasses in with you! The park was clean and the lifeguards were super vigilant and expertly trained. Another honorable mention must go out to the two lifeguards who recovered my husband’s wedding ring after it flew off during a trick in the Flow Rider. Kevin Somiskey and David Heio: thank you for closing the attraction down and diving to the 25 foot depths of ensconced water filters to retrieve this most prized procession. You, my friends, deserve a raise!

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The Flow Rider my husband shut down. Thanks again Kevin and David!

When you’re all water-logged from a day of fun, the Lodge offers an engaging arcade, paint-your-own pottery area, kids spa, mini-golf, rope climbing, and more. You will never lack for things to do!

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Plenty to do!

Are you ready to book your next trip to Camelback Lodge?

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 *DISCLAIMER: Any opinions stated are strictly my own. I was sent the above item by Camelback Lodge to help facilitate my review.  All photos used in this post are courtesy of Camelback Lodge and Kathy Zagorski.*

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