Chula Vista Indoor Waterpark: A Review of this Wisconsin Dells' Hidden Gem

Here is our review of the Lost Runes Indoor Waterpark at Chula Vista, one of the most underrated indoor waterparks in Wisconsin Dells. It is a mid-sized indoor waterpark with some really fun features and is usually less busy than the bigger resorts! Plus, a local hotel, AmericInn, gives complimentary tickets for a nominal fee, making this place even more affordable for a day trip!

I love researching everything before a trip, and I found the website for Chula Vista to be incomplete and included some incorrect details. I am willing to forgive that and still count this as a favorite waterpark resort because it is not nearly as busy as the other water parks in Wisconsin Dells. Not having large crowds really increases how much fun we have there. We have been here a few times, including during Christmas break, when all the local kids were off school, and there were no lines for any of the slides! We nearly had the lazy river to ourselves! It was the same on a Sunday/Monday mid-winter a few years ago.

I have been to all the indoor waterparks in Wisconsin Dells, and this review shows how Chula Vista compares. I have all my Wisconsin Dells’ favorite places listed here. Here are some recommendations if you aren’t sure what to pack for your waterpark trip. Read ahead for all the details on Chula Vista specifically.

Attractions for Toddlers and Young Kids

Mt Montezuma Mayan Temple is the name of the climb and splash structure. There are three slides off of it. They have no height requirements or limitations, so guardians can tag along for the slide fun when watching the kids. Stop and play with the many splash features on the way up. Watch for the giant splash bucket that dumps periodically.

Incatinka Play area is for the littlest visitors. It includes three small slides for those 48″ and under. A zero-entry pool goes as deep as 2 feet and has a few splash features.

Thrill Rides at Chula Vista

Chula Vista is not the largest of the waterparks, but it has a great variety of fun rides. At 5 and 7, my kids were scared of the Flyn Myan water coaster, but they LOVED it once they got the guts to try it. The adults had a great time, too. It is fast and fun!

The minimum height for all the rides is 42″. I love how simple this is. There are a few extra restrictions for the Flyan Myan. You have to be 115 lbs to ride solo or have a combination of 200 lbs to ride as a double with a max weight of 400 lbs. This differs from what the website says but is consistent with signage and practice as of December 2024.

They have three matt slides. The heavier you are, the faster they go! There is a plunge body slide called the Python Plunge, a short and fast ride.

The Rainbow Rapids is a tube slide with tons of bright colors. There is a toilet bowl tube slide that allows single or double rides. This was a first for our kiddos; they had a great time. Finally, there is an additional tube slide with a steep drop for single tubes only.

While kids 42″ and over can go on the tube rides, my kids at 42″ weren’t really big enough to ride a single tube without their butts falling through. They did great on a double where the adult in the back can provide some support.

Fun for the Whole Family

The Rio Rapids Action River is their lazy river. It has some extra fun with a wave maker that runs on and off throughout the day. My kids loved the excitement when the waves were going. Per their review, the lazy river at Chula Vista is the best one we’ve been to in Wisconsin Dells. There are multiple waterfalls along the river. The lifeguards were relatively lax about everyone being in a tube while in the lazy river both times we visited. The water is 2’6″ deep in the lazy river.

Croc Walk Crossing is a lily pad crossing with a 400 lbs limit. It is adjacent to a pool with several basketball hoops. It is 3-4 feet deep. Fair warning: this was closed for repairs in December of 2024.

There is a hot tub to warm up if needed. We found the water temperature in Chula Vista pretty comfortable, but it got cold after a while when we were doing water slides and rides.

Food Options at and nearby Chula Vista

Crash Landing Snack Bar is attached to Los Rios. It includes standard snack bar fare, including burgers, wings, and pizza. They have a menu with prices posted here. I love that they list prices online! Like all the indoor waterparks, they ask you not to bring in your own food but don’t seem super strict about it if you accidentally have a snack or two with you.

Inside the waterpark, you will also find Sangria Maria Tiki Bar, which has both adult, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Here is a list of the rest of Chula Vista’s restaurants. This includes resort-made pizza that they deliver right to your room.

Like many resort towns, there are lots of restaurants in Wisconsin Dells. Here is a list of my favorites. For kids, we love Buffalo Phils because there are trains that deliver the food. To find great coffee and some food options, check out Bella Goose, and for an excellent traditional breakfast, check out Denny’s Diner (not the chain). If you want a local version of fast food, try Dells Pizza Lab, Hot Dog Avenue (no kids menu), or Macs. Try Ravina on the Bay/Green Owl Pizza or the Brat House Grill for great pub food.

Logistical Details for Lost Rios

Towels are provided for guests of the resort only. There are changing rooms and showers available that are larger than expected. They have paid day-use lockers. There is a lot of parking available. Even if you are staying at Chula Vista, you may find it quicker to drive rather than walk. There are no private cabana rentals available inside the waterpark. Life vests are available for free.

Day passes are available for $35 for 5 pm and later or $49 for the whole day. Interestingly, this price does not change from weekday to weekend.

Lodging Options

Chula Vista has tons of lodging options, from standard hotel rooms to multiple-bedroom suites with full kitchens. They have dog-friendly options as well. There is an underground tunnel connecting the waterpark to the hotels, but it was a long walk.

Another option to consider is staying at AmericInn, a hotel in the Dells. You get access to the Chula Vista Waterpark by paying the resort fee ($21 per night for a family of 4).

	Pros to staying at AmericInn	Pros to staying at Chula Vista
Waterpark Access	Small extra fee	Included
Breakfast	Included	Pay Extra
Distance to Pool	Warm pool, hot tub, and splash pad in the hotel, but you have to drive to the waterpark.	Many more options, and many have great views
Room	Standard rooms only, no river views	Many options for room size/layout, and many have great river views

Other Activities in Wisconsin Dells

If you want to try a different water park, Mount Olympus sometimes offers great deals for day passes. We recently got some for $5 a person on their deal page.

Other options for indoor amusement centers are Knuckleheads, next to Buffalo Phils, or Tom Foolery, next to Kalahari. Both offer day passes and have arcade games, ropes courses, laser tag, and more.

Downtown, you can find Wizard Quest, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and the Tommy Barlett Exploratory.

Even in winter, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Dells. A great place to start is the state parks. Rocky Arbor, a small park with a one-mile hike and playground, and Mirror Lake, a large state park with lots of hiking and water views, are only minutes from downtown. Devil’s Lake is Wisconsin’s most popular state park and is only 30 minutes north of Chula Vista.

Check out Timbavati, the local zoo. In the winter, they are open only for private tours. This can be a bit pricey, but it is worth it for animal lovers. You can also do more specific animal encounters with sloths or red pandas.

For other winter activities, Chula Vista offers some snowy trails and sledding. You do do year-round “snow tubing” at Bigfoot.