Great Wolf Lodge?

[emma'smom]

Has anyone ever been to one of these "indoor water park" places? Are they any fun? We just booked one for memorial day week-end at Niagra on the Lake, ON and I'm wondering if it was the best idea (We're not going to Disney until next month and we're itching for a quick get away!).

[kstinw19]

Although I haven't personally been to one yet, many of my friends and neighbors go every year and love it (this is the one in Ohio, U.S.). They say it's clean, lots of fun and you can still have fun even with young kids.

They do say that after a day or two you might get bored, but the kids really like the rooms too...I think they have bunk beds or something? I have heard all good things :teeth:

[susykt4]

We've stayed at a Great Wolf Lodge and a Kalahari resort in Wisconsin Dells and they are a BLAST. The indoor water parks are great. Tons of slides, tons of kid stuff, lazy rivers. One of them had a wave pool and a surfing pool. My husband can't swim and even somewhat fears the water and even he loved these places! He went on several slides with "zero depth" at the bottom. The resorts also had tons of other stuff to do such as major video arcades, several restaurants, shops, etc. You'll have a great time!

[susykt4]

Oh, forgot to add one thing... Last time we went we spent two nights and the better part of three days at the indoor water park. By the last day my DS2 and one-yr-old niece wouldn't even go into the water park area. They had both had enough of the water, thank you very much! All the older kids and adults stayed at the water park right up until the time we had to leave. Thank goodness for non-swimmer Grandma watching the babies. :teeth:

[stemikger]

They just opened one near us in Pennsylvania. When I called for reservations, the only room available was the most expensive and the person taking reservations was extremely rude. It was a real turn-off.

Maybe because they are new, but I am not rushing to go based on the reservationist.

[Rella Bella]

We just went to the one in Kansas City, KS for the second time last month.
GWL is great fun.

There is a HUGE arcade, as well as the waterpark. Inside the waterpark area there are lots of tables, so if you don't want to swim just bring a book and relax. There's also a concession that sells everything from smoothies & hamburgers to alcoholic beverages. The dining room wasn't great... service excellent, food ho-hum. The "suites" are very nice -- had a BIG bathroom and a fridge. They have lots of movies to rent, on the TV so you don't have to leave your room to choose one and also Nintendo (but only one controller, and I'm not sure you could even attach another).

You'll have a great time! :thumbsup2

[tjmw2727]

We went to the one in the Pocanos over Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. The food onsite is just ok, althought the kids liked the pizza hut pizza and the chicken from the food stand in the water park.

My dd's are 9 and 11 and were a great age for everything. We spend two full days a the water park and an evening. They liked the arcade and my youngest loved the clock show.

They just opened one near us in Pennsylvania. When I called for reservations, the only room available was the most expensive and the person taking reservations was extremely rude. It was a real turn-off.

Maybe because they are new, but I am not rushing to go based on the reservationist.

Just FYI the person you spoke with likely had nothing to do with the resort, like WDW they employ a reservation service. There are several Great Wolf Lodges all over the country and all share a reservation sysytem, IIRC its in Wisconsin.

If your really interested in trying GWL don't let one grouchy person change your mind!!

TJ

[bayoutinksmom]

I just went to the one in Kansas City last month. It was a blast my DD who is 4 had a great time. We spent all of out time in the water park. WE also ate at the restaurant on site and it was really good food. The hotel is beautiful and the rooms are large and nice. The kiddie area was perfect for us I could sit in the water while she ran around and played. Have a great time!!!! :thumbsup2

[java]

Tons of fun!! We have been to the ones in VA and PA. Anxious to try the one near Niagra Falls! * a little more concerned since they arrested the employee at the PA one for assaulting a child in a restroom* It is easy to fall into that " this is a family place" lull here- the kids are having a blast, it is pretty easy to keep an eye on them.... but just remember it is still the real world.
Ok down off my soap box for today.
Have a wonderful time!! We will be going back without a doubt. It is a fun place to go with friends also.

[DisneyDotty]

We go to an indoor waterpark resort in the Dells every January. This year we finally tried Great Wolf and enjoyed it very much. Pretty much stayed there from Friday-Monday--(only left to hit Pizza Pub).
The waterparks in the Dells have spoiled me for just about any other waterpark--Disney included.
However, Disney has spoiled me for just about any other resort in every other way. We found customer service at GW to be below Disney's standards, and the food was nothing I'd rush back to. But we had a full kitchen in our room, so we ate at GW's restaurant only once.
The kids had their own room with bunk beds and tv/game table--they loved it.
You will find GW's prices rival Disney's--every year when I've settled our account at the Dells I find myself saying, "Why didn't we just go to Disney?!"
For a quick getaway, you will enjoy the indoor waterpark resort very much. :sunny:

[emma'smom]

Thanks for the great responses...sounds like it was a good choice. FYI- the Niagra on the Lake GWL is running $100. off specials right now because it is so new (on their website). It is also the week-end of a big winery "passport tour"- so I think we'll do a little touring (for the parents) and then hit the water parks in the afternoons/evenings (for the kids). Sounds like we might be better off leaving the resort for dinners (and save the concessions for snacks) based on the food reviews. No, it won't be Disney....but it will be a lot cheaper since we won't be paying for flights....and Disney's coming....Disney's coming!

[Sharon Esch]

WE LOVE GWL!!! My family has the best time! We have been twice. The last time was between Christmas and New Year's (05). My kids love everything about this place, including the rooms. We had a Wolf Den Suite. The bunkbeds are enclosed in a "wolf's den". The resturant in the one we went to in Michigan is very reasonable priced. It costs the same as going to "Applebees". So we stay the whole time and don't leave until it's time to go. They also have a mug you can buy and refill it for your entire stay. We did that and we drank icees the whole time. The rooms have a little refrig. and a microwave, so bring snacks and pop for your room. They won't let you bring that stuff into the water park. Check their website. They seem to have specials running now!

HAVE A GREAT TIME!


:woohoo:

[herodrx1]

We went to the GWL in Kansas last fall. It was a lot of fun. The slides were thrilling enough for DH and DS (10). While the pool area and kids slide were great for my timid swimmer of a DD(5). My DD also liked the crafts (free) that you could do during the day. We felt that it was a really good value.

I hope you have a great time.

[PixiePop]

We just came back from the Great Wolf Lodge in VA and we love it!!

We had a great time and the staff was very friendly.

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I am trying to convince my husband to let us go to the GWL in Williamsburg since we aren't going back to Disney until January. Glad to hear it is so much fun!!! :thumbsup2

[java]

I am trying to convince my husband to let us go to the GWL in Williamsburg since we aren't going back to Disney until January. Glad to hear it is so much fun!!! :thumbsup2
Yummy BBQ place right down the road from that one! (and then there is always Sonic right next door-) much better than any food you get at the wolf lodge. We probably stayed too long there- we went for 5 days- but hit Busch Gardens on 2 of them- I would suggest maybe spending a night or two someplace else if you are not going to be at the water park all day. Then head to Great Wolf. We love it for the size of the rooms, finally someone is catering to large families!!

[HayGan]

We just got back from the one in Sandusky, OH and it was wonderful :thumbsup2 We got a really great deal thru one of their specials. There was hardly anyone there (mid-week during the school year) and we could hardly get the kids back to the room for bed.

We want to try Kalahari and Castaway Bay as well but we will definately go back to Great Wolf!!!

[band_geek]

It's so weird listening to all these people talk about like Great Wolf... in the Dells... I live like 10 minutes away from Kalahari and Great Wolf...and i haven't been in either in like 5 years...and it's always so weird to go to the movie theatre and see all these people there.... i guess we kinda take it for granted..

[runwad]

We just got back from the one in Sandusky, OH and it was wonderful :thumbsup2 We got a really great deal thru one of their specials. There was hardly anyone there (mid-week during the school year) and we could hardly get the kids back to the room for bed.

We want to try Kalahari and Castaway Bay as well but we will definately go back to Great Wolf!!!

HayGan really you liked GWL better then Kalahari or Castaway Bay? We've only been to GWL but have tons of friends that think Kalahari is way better. Just wondered.

[HayGan]

HayGan really you liked GWL better then Kalahari or Castaway Bay? We've only been to GWL but have tons of friends that think Kalahari is way better. Just wondered.


Haven't been to those yet - we want to try them! Kalahari does look really cool! We are heading back up to Sandusky in June and I was considering staying there for a night :scratchin

[dpuck1998]

Just wanted to toss in my 2 cents. We've been to the GWL in Traverse City (I think this is the original?) and the Dells. We absolutly LOVE them. Its the next best thing to a Disney hotel. The food is just okay, but we seldom eat at the resort. If you want some good food in the dells goto the cheese factory..no not cheesecake factory..the cheese factory. Just down the road from the GWL and its awesome.

Also, the Kalahari is bigger waterpark, but they allow the public to pay and get in to the park. GWL only lets guest in to the waterpark and is almost as big. GWL in the dells also had a great play area with balls and three levels of climbing etc. Kids loved it!!

[freckles and boo]

We have never been to Great Wolf but we have been to The Wilderness Resort in the Dells three times - all in the "indoor" season. The midweek deals are pretty good, and the kids had a great time. I also loved that there are no day-trippers - only resort guests have access to the amenities. On the downside, it is a VERY long walk down endless hallways between two of the three indoor waterparks, the food is so-so, and the chlorine is intense. We have never stayed in the Dells in the crazy summer season when you can buy all the fudge and moccasins you could ever want! :thumbsup2

[lindakmonty]

OK.... I've been going to GWL for the past 5 years.. that's where I started taking ds for his birthday since he was born...and since its in Feb... the indoor waterparks are perfect. Kalahari is MUCH BETTER!!! Its much bigger and actually reminds me of Disney! That is how Disney would have built it. I really like GWL but Kalahari is the best. Castaway Bay is ok, but I don't think we'll go back there for quite some time. There wasn't hardly anything for ds5 to do there!! Also for all military members.... Kalahari has great deals quite a bit for $89 PER NIGHT!!! Its usually throught the week...but that is a great deal!

[LakeAriel]

They just opened one near us in Pennsylvania. When I called for reservations, the only room available was the most expensive and the person taking reservations was extremely rude. It was a real turn-off.

Maybe because they are new, but I am not rushing to go based on the reservationist.

You must have a place near me in PA ;)

It looks great, a bit pricey but they have good specials mid week. Get on their mailing list! I am anxious to try it out...

[jenwimett]

We Stayed at the lodge in Niagra Falls opening Week! I thought it was a lot of fun as well as my ds (6). Hubby though it was ok but the excitement dies off real quick. It was a nice stay for 2 or 3 days no more.

Our room was on the first floor all the way at the end of one of the wings. Room was great location was not. The main exit was next to our room and all night I heard doors slamming!!!

The staff was super friendly ( I even thought for a magical moment I was in WDW). They were talkative and great with the kids.

Beware of their buffet dinner. Not a lot of selection and even though the childs price was $7.99 they get you for the adult dinner at a cost of $25.99. DH and I were surprised when we got the bill.

The slides were fun and different. They have few family slide rides. I liked the Canada Vortex. After a while the novelty weres off.

The arcade was entertaining as well as the story time with the Wolf! Keep in mind you are in Niagra Falls, Canada and costs are high. For a family of 3 we spent $300. This included out food. We checked in on 4/19 at 4pm and left 4/21 at 10am.

Let me know if you have any other questions I would be happy to give you extra tips.

Jen