OKANA Resort Review: Why Tweens Love This Waterpark Stay
If you’re looking for a trip that will keep tweens and teens busy, happy, and not glued to their phones or iPads, we officially found it. We recently visited OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, and we had the best time! Read on for our tween OKANA Resort Review.
Between the water slides, arcade wins, and all the food, this was a perfect tween-focused family trip. You can head over to our other site – Planted in Arkansas – to find our full family travel guide to OKANA Resort, but we are here to break down the details of the OKANA waterparks and arcade fun from the kid perspective!
Disclosure: This OKANA Resort Review is a sponsored collaboration between OKANA and Planted in Arkansas/Arkansas Girls. We were provided hosted arrangements in exchange for an honest resort review.
The Indoor Waterpark = Nonstop Fun
The indoor OKANA waterpark was basically our home base for three days straight.
We kept going back to:
- The water slides – We lost count of how many times we went down them!
- The wave pool – The perfect mix of fun + chill
- The lazy river – This was great when we needed a break from the fast stimulation of the other attractions but still wanted to stay in the water.
It’s one of those places where you can just rotate between things and never get bored.
Norah Says
My favorite thing about OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark is the big multi-colored slide – the roller coaster slide. It is so crazy and thrilling! You go really fast and get splashed in the face a couple of times. There are several bowl-shaped sections that you slide around and then go down into a hole in your tube.
The Arcade
Okay… we need to talk about the arcade.
Because somehow, we BOTH ended up winning giant unicorn stuffies and felt like we had just won the lottery.
There are tons of games, and it’s one of those arcades where you actually have a chance at winning something good—not just 3 pieces of candy and a sticker.
The Food Situation
There is a nice variety of food spots at OKANA Resort.
Our favorites:
- Pizza from Pie Lab (easy and so good after swimming)
- Beef burrito and tacos from Chido
- Smokehouse Social (the brisket nachos and mac and cheese were SO good)
There are also other spots around the resort, so you don’t have to eat the same thing twice.
Our Room Was Basically a Tween Dream Setup
We stayed in the Oká Suite, and it was perfect for a family with kids.
- Bunk room = instant sleepover vibes
- Separate living space = room to hang out
- Bedroom with two queen beds
- Balcony overlooking the beach area
We loved having our own space – you know, so we could actually Facetime our friends with privacy – but still being together with our parents when we wanted to be.
Harper Says
I like how spacious our room was. It had multiple places to lay around and do something other than just sitting. You could walk around with bumping into things. You have free movement in those suites. I also like how if you didn’t want to sleep in one spot, you can sleep in a different spot. There are multiple sleeping options – bunk beds, queen beds, couches. It feels really cozy.
Summer Means Even More Fun
We went before the outdoor area opened, but we already know we HAVE to go back during the summer season when the outdoor OKANA lagoon area opens.
In the summer (mid-May through Labor Day), they open:
- Outdoor pools
- Even MORE waterpark slides
- A man-made beach area
- Outdoor cabanas
It’s a full-on vacation spot, and we are already trying to convince the parentals to take us back.
Why Tweens & Teens Will Love OKANA RESORT AND INDOOR WATERPARK
- You can actually stay busy all day without getting bored
- Older kids can be independent but still remain in one general area with their parents.
- Plenty of food options
- Legit arcade prizes
- Although we didn’t partake this go round, you have the option to add on other fun activities near the arcade such as laser tag and mirror maze.
- The on-site ice cream and candy shop is a win for kids! The ice cream flavors have such funny names, too, like “Exhausted Parent!” Norah loved her Cookie Monster cone with sprinkles.
Why Parents Will Love OKANA
- There is an abundance of lifeguards. You can identify them by their red lifeguard ponchos or shirts. The lifeguards we saw were attentive and serious with their duties.
- It feels like a “big trip” without being far away from central Arkansas (5 hour drive)
- Parents can choose to have your older kids’ OKANA wristbands set up with a “charge to the room” type of payment system. Or not – depending on your family’s needs.
- You can truly stay on-site and never leave the property during your stay if you wish.
- You can elect to book a room close to the waterpark which is nice if you have younger kids that might need to return to the room regularly.
- There is a nice spa at OKANA Resort which might be calling to some of you moms and dads!
The Final Verdict for our OKANA Resort Review
If you’re planning a family trip, weekend getaway, or just want something FUN to do, OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark is 100% worth it. And if you have to ride back home with the car extra crammed because two giant stuffed unicorns have joined the party….well, that’s just part of the experience!
So yeah… we’re already looking forward to round two at OKANA Resort! Check out some other fun travel ideas from Arkansas Girls: Family Fun in Oklahoma City, Visiting the Little Rock Zoo with Kids, and All About Our Dr. Seuss Breakfast on Carnival Cruise.