Mt. Olympus Resort

Mt. Olympus Resort is divided into three distinct properties: Mt. Olympus Hotel Rome, Mt. Olympus Village, and Mt. Olympus Camp Resort. Each of the properties checks into one lobby and has the same perks and amenities, but the guest rooms and locations are entirely different. A quaint porte cochere is seasonally decorated and leads into a huge lobby with dark carpet, stucco walls, and black leather couches. Lamp statues and framed art depict ancient Romans. Outside, parts of the hotel's facade have been hidden behind large pieces of wall that look like crumbling portions of the Roman Colosseum. 

The vast majority of guests here are families with children and groups of families on vacation together. The water and theme parks are open to the public and can be incredibly crowded year-round.  

Mt. Olympus Resort has a convenient location that's close to several area attractions and restaurants. Most guests bring a car and drive, as Wisconsin Dells isn't really a walkable destination. Parking at the resort is free.

• One-minute drive to the Original Wisconsin Ducks
• Three-minute drive to Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and Family Fun Center
• Four-minute drive to Noah's Ark water park
• Four-minute drive to Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty
• 15-minute drive to Ho-Chunk Gaming 
• 55-minute drive to Dane County Regional Airport

The rooms in Mt. Olympus Hotel Rome are decorated identically, but have different layouts and bed configurations. Each has a Roman scene on the wall behind the beds that depicts warriors on horses. Other than that interesting detail, rooms are pretty generic with laminate wood flooring, beige walls, and pine furniture. All come standard with air-conditioning, a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker. Flat-screen TVs and spotty, free Wi-Fi make up the available technology. Some units are small apartments with kitchenettes and bunk beds available for families. 

Bathrooms generally feature shower/tub combos and long white vanities with single sinks. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided.

Past guests have complained about everything from bedbugs to missing coffeemakers to loud mini-fridges. Housekeeping can be hit-or-miss as well, with occasional dirty sheets.

Features at Mt. Olympus Resort are convenient for families. Coin-operated laundry facilities are handy for washing wet bathing suits. There's a large fitness center with cardio machines and weights, plus flat-screen TVs on the wall. The on-site gift shop sells candy, souvenirs, T-shirts, and beach towels. Guests also get free towels to use in the water parks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort, though the signal can be spotty. 

Let's get real. Almost everyone who books a room at Mt. Olympus Resort is doing so for free access to the enormous indoor and outdoor water parks and theme parks. Just note that visitors who aren't staying at the resort can buy tickets to these attractions, which do get crowded. The resort sweetens the pot by keeping the parks open only to guests for three hours after they close to the public.

Mt. Olympus Outdoor Water Park is open in the summer months and gives world famous Noah's Ark water park a run for its money. You want it, Mt. Olympus has it: tube slides, speed slides, wave pool, interactive lagoons, lazy rivers, kids' areas, and a complete Lost City of Atlantis, a six-story water geyser that shoots over 100 feet into the air. There are lifeguards on duty, snack bars, and manicured grounds, but past guests have complained about cleanliness and crowds.

Mt. Olympus Outdoor Theme Park's crown jewel is an enormous roller coaster with a wooden Trojan horse at its helm. There are also several intense roller coasters, go-karts, an animal farm, kiddy rides, and a cute train. A tall rock climbing wall is designed for both kids and parents.

Medusa's Indoor Water Park is open year-round, though some of the rides and activities do close in the winter months. Parents will appreciate two hot tubs and a swimming pool while kids can scream and play on a 10-story waterslide or a raging river.

Mt. Olympus Indoor Theme Park is the answer to many frozen Midwestern family's prayers in January. Older kids can race go-karts, climb the rock wall, and play laser tag. Little kids will love the alien-inspired ball pit, teacup rides, and bumper cars. There's also a huge arcade with everything from skee ball to pool tables. 

Kaffe Opa! sells overpriced and low-quality coffees, sandwiches, and pastries. It's a lot like what you would find in an airport, with the addition of cotton candy and caramel corn. A better option is to make use of the discount card that provides 10 percent off at the following local restaurants: Crabby's (seasonal), Sprecher's, Pizza Pub (for delivery), Dairy Queen, Del-Bar, House of Embers, and Spring Brook Sports Bar & Grill. 

Guests also get free cover and discounts on drinks at one of Wisconsin Dells' only nightclub, Club Wett. There are dancing and DJs on scheduled days. 

All guests at Mt. Olympus Resort get free access to the 18-hole course at nearby Christmas Mountain Village. The tree-lined course has Kentucky bluegrass and water holes. There's a full pro shop with equipment rentals and golf carts.