“No hot water”

We stayed over for one night before checking into our Sun vacation unit. There was no hot water which was shocking! We previously had excellent service but the hot water really put me off booking here again… We also indicated no marketing when checking in and my husband received an sms from one o... more

We stayed over for one night before checking into our Sun vacation unit. There was no hot water which was shocking! We previously had excellent service but the hot water really put me off booking here again… We also indicated no marketing when checking in and my husband received an sms from one of your partners once we had gained access to the hotel room. Had a huge argument with manager instead of owning up to the mistake he blamed it on the computer?

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“Valley of the Waves + Toddler + Day Pass - Tips I wish I knew before I went!”

In January 2024, my husband, our 20-month-old son, our 19-year-old niece, and I set out on a family adventure to Sun City in South Africa. Nestled near the Pilanesberg National Park, we sought a break from our daily safari explorations and were curious to discover if Sun City could cater to the d... more

In January 2024, my husband, our 20-month-old son, our 19-year-old niece, and I set out on a family adventure to Sun City in South Africa. Nestled near the Pilanesberg National Park, we sought a break from our daily safari explorations and were curious to discover if Sun City could cater to the diverse ages in our group. The result? A mix of delightful moments and unexpected frustrations, all of which I'll share to help you plan your visit. The Valley of the Waves: A Family Oasis: Our primary draw to Sun City was the "Valley of the Waves." This water park, though smaller compared to international counterparts, boasts a wave pool, splash area for little ones, lazy river, zip-lining, and water slides ranging from mild to heart-pounding. It was the perfect family-friendly hub and we really enjoyed our time there. Ticket Wisdom: Pre-purchase and Plan Early. One key lesson we learned - buy your tickets online before arriving. The gates don't sell tickets. For a non-peak midweek ticket, we paid 395 Rand per person, and children under three enter free. The ticket included full-day access to the Valley of the Waves, Access to Sun City 80 Rand voucher which you MUST use all at one time (annoying) and ONLY at the food kiosks in the Valley of the Waves + a few of the food stalls in the adjacent food court. ASK BEFORE YOU ORDER. Food Frustrations: Sneak in Snacks for Toddlers A notable frustration for us was the restriction on bringing outside food. With a toddler who needed specific snacks, we wish we'd snuck in toddler-friendly snacks. Next time, we will. It was a bit galling to us that the Valley of the Waves is a family location, but doesn't offer any food stalls where you can buy baby-friendly and toddler-friendly snacks that are not fast food (ie fruit. crackers. yogurt. etc). The food options within the Valley of the Waves, while plentiful, leaned heavily towards fast food, posing a challenge for our picky eater. Tip: Carefully and intelligently hide what you need for your baby so you aren't struggling to feed baby (if you don't like/want to serve fast food to baby). They DO check your bags but not super carefully. I think small containers of fruit or crackers or cheese etc will likely go unnoticed. Maybe split it up among your party's bags. Sorry not sorry. Transportation Trials Buses and Beyond: Upon arrival, we were directed to park at the day visitor parking and wait for a bus to take us to the welcome center. Unfortunately, communication was seriously lacking, and we found ourselves standing with our toddler, unsure of the next steps. It took multiple trips back to the gate (you'll need to drive there from the bus stop) to understand that even though no one as working at the bus stop (it was deserted at 8:30 am) the cameras on the platform were being monitored and ...eventually a bus showed up. Tip: Ask specific questions at the gate: Can you call a bus for us? When will the bus arrive? HOW long should we expect it to take? The staff is friendly but has NOT been trained on managing expectations or explaining the next steps to guests...we saw this time and time again. Note: walking from the day parking lot isn't practical with small kids, anyone who can't walk well, or anyone who doesn't want to walk for at least 30 min to get to the welcome center. Shuttle service is a necessity. You are not allowed to park elsewhere in the park unless you have a booking at a hotel. Attractions Beyond the Waves: Hotels and Hidden Gems Sun City's expansive grounds feature various hotels, including the iconic Palace Hotel and the picturesque Cascades. We planned to explore these hotels and enjoy the lush green pathways connecting them to the Valley of the Waves. That didn't unfold as expected due to the sheer size of the resort, but we did get a chance to peek at the paths and they are beautiful...Jungle-y (a bit funny given you are in the bush) and shady at the same time. We also walked around the closest hotel grounds to the Valley of the Waves (Cascades) and that was lovely as well. Tip: When you are at the Valley of the Waves / at a hotel ask a staff person where the how/ where to access the path that connects the VoW. Tip: PS While the Palace doesn't technically allow people on their grounds if they aren't staying there...I'm not sure how they would know if you walked up from the path. One way around this is to book (at the welcome center info desk) a meal at the palace's dining room called the Crystal Room. (this is what the gentleman at the info desk told us to do. We didn't have the time to do this but might try next time). Tip: When you are at the Valley of the Waves ask a staff person where the path that connects the VoW to the hotels starts. Locker Convenience: Worth the InvestmentTip: Lockers at the Valley of the Waves proved invaluable. We opted for a family locker at approximately 250 S African Rand, providing secure storage for our belongings throughout the day. The convenience of having a central location for our essentials allowed us to make the most of our water-filled adventures. Tip: The key for the locker is a wristband. Put it on a key ring or something else that everyone can use it...otherwise, someone is going to have to run back and forth all day to open as people in your group need access. annoying!Time Management and Expectations: Plan Wisely Tip: We recommend arriving early (before 9 as it'll take some time to park, get a bus, get your tickets scanned, walk to the Valley of the Waves, get your locker, towels, etc....) Tip: Visit the Valley of the Waves first thing when it's quiet and less hot. Move to the shady paths and have a lovely lunch at one of the hotels (we grabbed sushi at the Cascaedes Mykonos restaurant. Food was good but the service was SLOOOWW). Head back to the Valley of the Waves in the afternoon when it's a little cooler. Keep in mind that when you're ready to go (or the kids are starting to fall apart) you have at least 30-40 min trek till you are back at your car. (walking back to the welcome center, waiting for a bus, etc) Tip: Bring an extra muslin you can use to create a tent/ something for the baby to nap under. Also bring whatever travel device baby is MOST likely to sleep in...whether that is a pram/ a carrier, etc. it's a LOT of walking! Conclusion: Sun City - A fun day excursion WITH the right expectations, supplies, and food:) In the end, our day at Sun City proved to be a memorable diversion from our safari adventures in Pilanesberg. The Valley of the Waves offered a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation for our diverse group. Yet, the frustrations we encountered, from limited food options to communication gaps, taught us valuable lessons for future visits. If you're considering a day at Sun City with a toddler, arm yourself with these insights: pre-purchase tickets, plan your meals strategically and be proactive in seeking information. Do not expect proactive tips from any staff member. Ask all the questions you need! Expect slow, leisurely service. Sun City is expansive with much to offer, and with the right preparations, it can be a highlight of your time in the Pilanesberg and break up your time in the bush.

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“Unimpressed”

The resort boasts stunning aesthetics, and its water slides were a hit with the kids, providing endless entertainment. However, the overall experience was somewhat diminished by the less-than-stellar service and limited dining options. Specifically, the Hard Rock Cafe fell short of our expectatio... more

The resort boasts stunning aesthetics, and its water slides were a hit with the kids, providing endless entertainment. However, the overall experience was somewhat diminished by the less-than-stellar service and limited dining options. Specifically, the Hard Rock Cafe fell short of our expectations. Additionally, the rooms, while adequate, were rather ordinary in terms of size and did not particularly stand out in terms of comfort or amenities.

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