I haven’t experienced the Kalahari yet. We’ve found the service at the Great Wolf Lodge to be superior to the Wilderness. GWL has new outlet shops next door. If it matters, we liked the fact that GWL kept the water park for their guests, exclusively. You might want to check if that is still the case. The empty lake may have had an impact on that rule. None of the above could be considered inexpensive. Midweek specials are best.