Timeline
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is owned and operated by the Helland and Lucke families, and the grandsons of the original founder. Tom Lucke, co-owner of Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort; Peter Helland Jr., co-owner and vice president; Tim Lucke, co-owner and project manager; and Pat Helland, co-owner and director of development. Their late grandfather, Oliver “O.P.” Helland, was the founder of the Riverview Boat Line back in 1921. He is known as one of the first local river men to arrange boat touring for the purpose of sightseeing along the Wisconsin River. O.P. Helland, well known during his time as a civic rights activist and esteemed entrepreneur, was instrumental in evolving the area into what is now considered one of the premier tourist destinations of the Midwestern United States; he would prove to make history by forever changing the entire face of the local economy in The Dells. A short time after Riverview Boat Line was founded, O.P. Helland began the process of developing a restaurant and series of retail shops using the income that he earned from tourists. He had purchased adjacent land along the river and among these bustling properties included Hotel Helland; a hotel located directly across the street from the local train station. Building a hotel in this specific location proved to be an excellent decision; the busy area proved to provide steady business as the hotel would accommodate a flurry of business travelers and vacationers. In 1952, operations of the company were taken over by Peter Helland Sr, attorney Hans Helland, and Virginia Helland Lucke; three children of O.P Helland. They are the direct predecessors of the current owner-operators of the resort; Pat Helland and Peter Helland Jr. are the sons of Peter Sr., Tim and Tom Lucke are the sons of Virginia, and Hans is their uncle. Virginia served as the head of the retail department of the company, while her brother Peter Sr. took the greater task of overseeing daily management of the company. At the age of 28, Tom Lucke acquired a motel property called The Riviera. This would prove to be his first descent into a local hotel industry that he would historically and singlehandedly redefine in regards to the unique combination of indoor and outdoor water park properties with quality lodging accommodations. In 1995, the 443-unit Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort opened its doors. It is Tom Lucke’s fifth and most heavily themed resort in The Dells tourist region. Tom also developed the tropical themed Polynesian Hotel, the Atlantis, the Bahama Bay, and the Caribbean Club resortResort Areas
New Frontier Area
This area is themed after Western United States forests and mountain ranges. Its buildings are painted brown with highlights of green and black.Features
=Klondike Kavern Indoor Waterpark
= * *Opened in 1999 *Klondike-themed *Claim Jumper Challenge (1999), two Proslide PIPElines retrofitted with Slideboarding in 2015 **Known as Klondike Krash from 1999 to 2015 **Originally emptied into Bonanza Brook ***New fiberglass runouts made by WhiteWater were added when Slideboarding debuted *Mine Shaft (1999), two high speed Proslide Twister body slides **One of the slides is only for guests 150 pounds or less *Bonanza Brook (1999), a lazy river *Bonanza Bluff (2007), an SCS Interactive water play structure *The Hurricane (2005), a 2–4 rider, multi-sensory ProSlide Tornado 60. **Originally opened as an open air, outdoor slide before the funnel was capped in late 2005 **Received theming upgrades in 2007 including a fake newscast of a hurricane coming off of the Great Lakes **This is a separately themed ride from the rest of the waterpark, similarly to its sister ride, Black Hole. *Sulfur Springs (1999), Indoor/Outdoor Spas & Pools *Kodiak Kanteen, snack bar *Former Attractions **Gold Mine Mountain (1999), an interactive water play structure ***Replaced in 2007 by Bonanza Bluff due to sightline complaint issues from parents=Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark
= * *Opened in 2006 *Originally announced as the Wild KingDome Waterpark *Transparent roof, for tanning and plant growth *The Great Wave (2004), wave pool **Originally opened outdoors as The Great Tsunami ***Wild WaterDome was built around it *Mini-Mammoths Cove, a zero-depth toddler activity area *The Dueling Mammoth (2006), Proslide Mammoth racing family raft rides *Survivor's Bar & Grill *Wooly's Eatery, snack bar *Private cabanas *Margarita's Swim-Up Bar (Summer 2014)=New Frontier Outdoor Waterpark
= * *Opened in 1996 *Gold Rush Tube Slide (1998), a enclosed Proslide PIPEline tube slide *Gold Rush Body Slide (1998), a mostly-open Proslide Twister body slide *Timber Falls Tube Slide (1996), a Proslide PIPEline tube slide that launches off a 30-foot tower *Prospector's Creek (1998), a lazy river *Toddler's Cove, a zero-depth play area *Banana Slides (1996), Proslide short body slides for small children. *New Frontier Springs, a large hot spa *Bear Foot Island Sprayground (2013), an oasis area for children under 48" and their parents *Raccoon Saloon *Former Attractions **Bear Foot Island (1998), NBGS International aquatic play structure ***Replaced by Bear Foot Island Sprayground **The Great Tsunami (2004), Wave Pool ***Still in use, however the Wild WaterDome has been built around it=New Frontier Atrium
= * Wilderwoods Arcade,=Guestroom Area
= * Polka Dot Pots, children's pottery studioWild West Area
This area is themed after the American West in the 1800s and its buildings are painted crimson with brown highlights.Features
=Wild West Indoor Waterpark
= * *Opened in 2003 at a cost of $10 million *Western gold mine-themed *Fantastic Voyage (2003), Proslide Mammoth family raft ride *The Black Hole (2005), a single-rider, multi-sensory ProSlide CannonBowl **Originally opened as an open air, outdoor slide before the bowl was capped in late 2005 **Originally names Cannonbowl, renamed and rethemed in 2008 as the Black Hole **Separately themed from the rest of the waterpark *High Plains Hot Springs, an indoor/outdoor spa *Grizzly's Grill, snack bar *The Swimm'n Chick'n, restaurant *The Twisted Trails Dueling Tube Slides With Eye Dropped Trusclent Points *The Warped Wagons Dueling Mat Slide With The Same Feature As Twisted Trails *Ransack Ridge V2 Opened October 1st 2022 To The Public *Yeehaw's Watering Hole A Swim Up Bar *Former Attractions **Wilderness Express (2003 to 2022), Proslide PIPEline tube slide Thirsty Buffalo Restaurant (2003 to 2022) **Wild West Body Slides (2003 to 2022), four high-speed Proslide Twister slides ***Two slides on the left side, nearest the Black Hole, have not been in use in some time ****Last known day of operation is unknown **Ransack Ridge (2003 to 2022), a NBGS International interactive water-play structure ***Opened as the largest aquatic play structure in the world **Surge (2003 to 2009), a NBGS International interactive wave pool *Wild West Bumper Boats 2009-2022 Closed For Yeehaw's Watering Hole=Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark
= * *Rafter's Rage Tube Slide (2002), a Proslide PIPEline tube slide *Rafter's Rage Body Slide (2002), a Proslide Twister body slide *Lil' Chutes Banana Slides (2002), two side-by-side Proslide body slides for little ones *A children's wading pool with hands on water features *Island Pool, a lazy lake complete with sideline play activities and built-in lounging ridge *A lap pool and water basketball *Lily pad obstacle walk *Volleyball pool *Hot spas *Mackinac Tap & Snack Shack *Midway Macs Outdoor Grill *9 private poolside cabanas available for rent=Wild West Area - Dodge 'Em City
= * Northern Lights Arcade (2002) * Northern Lights Ropes Course (2012) RCI Ropes Course above the Northern Lights Arcade * Timberland Play Park (2002), children's play structure ** Structure replaced with current attraction in 2017 * Wild Abyss Mini-Golf (2009), indoor, glow-in-the-dark, mini-golf course ** Received upgrades to current layout and course in 2020 * Lost Cabin Lazer Tag Arena (2020) * Clip 'N Climb Challenge Walls (2019) * Pistol Pete's Ice Cream (2004) * Thirsty Buffalo Bar And Grill * Candy Cabin * OP's Marketplace, convenience store * The Trading Post, gift shop * Giddy-Up Pub * Former Attractions ** CyVRspace (2017 - 2020), a virtual reality arena ** Wild Buccaneer Mini-Golf (2008 - 2017 ** Sulfur Springs Hot Tub (2002 - 2009) *** Hot tub for adults to watch children playing in Timberland Play Park **** Hence the reason for the locker rooms near Timberland today=Guestroom Area
= * Fitness CenterWilderness on the Lake
Wilderness on the Lake is an upscale, 108 condominium resort. The property features a indoor/outdoor waterpark, called Cubby's Cove, which features a pool overlooking Lake Delton. This area is only connected to the main resort by a 10-minute shuttle bus ride, year-round, and a ferry service in the summer. The area is built to appeal to young adults with small children. Features Cubby's Cove Waterpark * indoor/outdoor waterpark * Opened in 2003 * Cubby's Cove (2003), NBGS International aquatic play structure for kids * Indoor/outdoor hot spas * Water basketball pool and water walk * Vanishing Edge Lagoon infinity pool (Outdoor) * Play and spray zero-depth area for small children (Outdoor)Glacier Canyon Lodge
The newest resort of the three Wilderness properties located on the Wilderness Territory, this facility is a condominium resort with 460 units. It has an outdoor waterpark (Lost World), which with an interactive river, three hot tubs, activity pools, and Halley's Comet Racers. This area also includes a Conference Center, a mega-arcade, go-karts, and nature trails. Half of this area is owned by Wilderness Territories, the other half is owned by Wyndham Resorts.Features
=Lost World Outdoor Waterpark
= *Largest outdoor waterpark, spanning 3.2 acres *Opened in 2006 *Dinosaur-themed *Lost World Adventure River (2006), an interactive lazy river *Halley's Comet Racers (2007), a four lane Proslide OctopusRACER mat racing slide *Fossil Falls (2006), a SCS Interactive play-'n-spray structure with a 750-gallon tipping bucket *Crocodile Cove (2006), an island pool designed for lounging *Dino Mania (2006), an area with water basketball, lily pad water walk activity, and two sport slides *15 private, poolside cabanas available for rent *Lunar Loop (2012), 5 story WhiteWater AquaLoop slide with launch capsules *The Cosmic Drop (2012), 5-story WhiteWater AquaDrop body slide with launch capsules *Three outdoor hot spas *The Big Dig Restaurant *Dinosaur Crossing Restaurant *T-Rex Retreat *Jurassic Joe's=Outdoor Area
= * Go-Karts and Kiddie-Karts (2009) * Jurassic outdoor mini-golf (2009) * Wyndham outdoor pool * Jurassic Journey Nature Trail * Lost Canyon Zipline (2009) * Picnic area * Lost Canyon Carriage Tours, private, not advertised by Wilderness, only accessible outside the resort. The land is leased to Lost Canyon Riding Stable by Wilderness Territory.=GCL Conference Center
= * Conference Center * Bean Bodega Coffee Shop * Convenience store=Wyndham Lobby
= * Canyon Ridge Tap Room And Restaurant * Campside Coffee Shop=Outlets
= * Field's Premier Steakhouse, part of the Wilderness resort, on Wilderness property. * Sarento's Italian Restaurant, part of the Wilderness Resort, short shuttle bus down the road. * Monk's At The Wilderness restaurant, private, advertised by Wilderness as part of the resort, on Wilderness property.Wilderness Transportation System
The Wilderness operates a shuttle bus system with three lines: * Blue Line - between the main campus and Wilderness On The Lake * Red Line - between the main campus, Sundara Inn And Spa, Wild Rock Golf Course, Wilderness Condos, and Wilderness Vacation Villas. * Green Line - between the main campus, Glacier Canyon Lodge, and Wyndham Glacier Canyon. Stops at many more locations on the main campus than the other two lines. In addition, Wilderness Territory operates a ferry service called Wilderness Water Shuttle between the Wild Rock Golf Course, Wilderness On The Lake, and two other Lake Delton harbors during the summer.References
{{WD WP Resorts https://www.wildernessresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Developers-History.pdf Water parks in Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 1995 establishments in Wisconsin