Anyone been to Great Wolf Lodge? Thoughts?

[rszdtrvl]

We leave Monday for 2 nights at GWL. Myself, DH, DS, and DS's friend.

Both DS and friend are 13.

What can you tell me about your experience? Was it worth the cost? Did you enjoy it? Would you go again? Pros and Cons?

I know that we will get the access to the teen room (from what I read it is $10/kid for the duration of the stay) and the Magiquest thing (I am guessing it is about $40/kid).

I think the waterpark will be fun for them, but they will need more than that, and will really enjoy the teen room and Magiquest (DS's friend is huge into Harry Potter and is mostly excited about Magiquest over anything else).

We plan on bringing snacks and breakfast things to save money. We will do Lunch and Dinner out - probably fast food for lunch, and maybe a sit down restaurant for dinner.

I have told the mother of DS's friend that we are paying for everything except souvenirs (they are lower income) and am happy to do so.

So.... If you have stayed at a GWL, what can you tell me about it (besides they nickel and dime you every time you turn around, LOL).

 

[bored]

Every time we hit GWL in Concord, NC one of us comes home sick. DD came home with swine flu last year, I came home with pink eye this time. May just be a freak thing but my GWL visits are over. Our doctors hope we keep going back!

 

[kydisneyfans]

We went to the one near Cincinnati last year. With a discount code, it is a good value. I would not pay full price.

We have quite a few outdoor waterparks in our area, so GWL would be a winter only event for us.

We found the onsite food to actually not be too expensive, except for the buffet. The game room could quickly become a money pit. I would stick to the water activities.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I know that the wristbands can be used to charge items at the restaurants and shops, so we will turn that option off. The arcade... well... the kids will each have a small amount to use at that. They play enough video games at home, plus they will have a Nintendo (anyone know what kind?) in their room. I have been meaning to call and ask if it is a Wii, Super Nintendo, or original NES.

We got the Wolf Den Suite, as I think the boys (especially the friend) would be more comfortable having their own area in the room. We got 20% off by booking early, so the cost of the Suite was the same as booking the least expensive room at regular price.

 

[jfranklyn]

We just returned from the one in the Poconos and loved it. Our kids (12 and 7) were able to do alot on their own, so we had some free non-stress time as well - which is a pretty rare treat. The waterpark was great, fun for all ages. Magiquest was great (our kids shared a wand and were very happy with that), game room was a suprisingly good value compared to other (what prizes they got for the money spent). All in all, I was very glad we went and will definately go back. Breakfast buffet was AWESOME, but we didn't eat dinner on the premises. Lunch we got at the snack bar by the water park and it was good food.

 

[tchrrx]

Each room has a fridge (fairly good size) and a microwave, so that will help with some meals.

I do NOT like water at all! However, we have been to GWL twice this summer (once in Texas, once in Virginia) and I had a great time. I did the Texas one was nicer.

If the kids are big pop (coke, soda, whatever!) drinkers, you can buy a refillable mug. Still, it would be cheaper to bring your own drinks.

MagicQuest can take hours to play! Our first trip, we bought into this the morning that we checked out, thinking it would just take a little while before we headed home. Now, I would recommend buying the wand and game at the beginning of the trip so that they can play it whenever they feel like it.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

We <3 Great Wolf, we go at least 2x a year. We try to go on weekdays (Thurs into Friday is our usual) and it's usually not as expensive. I think you'll be happy with it.

 

[Julylady]

We went to the one in Traverse City, MI last winter and had a great time. However, I wouldn't go during the summer as there are too many nice beaches and outdoor waterparks around here.

We thought the food in the restaurant was reasonably priced and tasty.

I booked with a promotion code as well. Overall, I think the rack rates are too expensive for what you get.

 

[mjkacmom]

My kids love it. Get there early, because a couple hours in, there isn't a free seat anywhere. Magiquest is a lot of fun (and a lot of exercise!). The snackbar food wasn't too expensive (although I live in the NYC area, so I may be biased).

 

[rszdtrvl]

I didn't get the breakfast buffet when we made the reservations, and kind of regret it. I am thinking of calling to see if we can add that to our reservation. I think the boys would enjoy it.

edit : I did call them up and added the buffet - cost for the 4 of us was $40 (after tax). I am hoping that maybe that could be closer to a brunch, with snacks holding us off until dinner. That would actually save us money.

We do plan on bringing soda with us. And snacks too.

 

[torinsmom]

We love GWL! Nothing better than a 2-3 minute wait for a slide and no worries about getting sunburned.

You can get your bands as early as 12 on your check in day and they will call you when your room is ready. Then on your last day, you can use the water park until closing. We always get up and get to the water park as soon as it opens on the mornings we are there. The park is almost deserted for the first hour and you have your pick of tables.

I can't speak to MQ prices now, but when we did it a few years ago, it was $19.95 for the wand and 9.95 to play. I can't remember if that was for 24 hours or what. DS had a blast and he was 12 at the time.

Marsha

 

[ORMom2Four]

I assume your going to the one in WA

We went to that one and heard the food was terrible, so we packed a cooler full of food (sandwiches & other stuff).

The seating fills up FAST. People will set towels down to claim a spot and never return. The staff does not pick them up, so they are claimed all day. That was frustrating. So, get there early to claim a spot!

Even if your room is not ready, they will give you a wristband and you will be allowed in the waterpark the day you check in. (call to find out what time your allowed, I think it was 11am???) You are also allowed to stay at the waterpark until they close the day you checkout.

I would not stay more than one night. After a few hours the 2nd day, our entire family was ready to leave.

You might want to wear waterproof sandles inside the park. I was in bare feet and slipped on a slick spot on the floor while I was just walking from one spot to another. Tore up my leg pretty bad and hurt my back. They had signs everywhere saying they are not responsible for injuries, so I'm sure it has happened more than once!

 

[rszdtrvl]

Thanks! Yep, we are going to the one in WA.

We plan on leaving town around 1pm, and it takes about an hour to get there. We were told that we could use the waterpark after 1pm, and check-in is at 4pm.

The guys will have 2-way radios, plus we will pay the extra to give them access to the teen club. We used to live in that area, so we are familiar with other stuff to do also (movie theaters, outlet malls, restaurants) so I figure that there will be a ton of stuff to do if they get tired of the waterpark.

Right now, DS seems to think that he will want to be in the waterpark the entire time. I think that will change when he gets there though, LOL.

This is our big summer vacation, and the last vacation for a while, so I am excited. We are really working on paying off our debt, and are paying cash for this vacation, so it is like our last hurrah, as we booked it before we decided to knock our debt out the window. We didn't want to cancel it, so we decided that we would just do it.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I've been to both the Williamsburg and Poconos locations and really don't have any complaints about the food. The Poconos one seems to have more options, so I'm not sure how the one you are going to will vary. In the water park itself there are standard chicken fingers and french fries water park type food. We did the buffet in the restaurant once and have also ordered off the menu and the food was good. Your location may or may not have a Pizza Hut and a Starbucks. I went to the PA one first and was impressed with the Starbucks- it was great for me of course for a latte, and for the kids for a lite breakfast. Williamsburg- no Starbucks. In addition to the options I listed, there is also a candy/ice cream shop that has some other lite options. I know some of them also have food (as well as mini golf) by the outdoor pool, but we've never utilized them. I know at least here, most of the locations also serve liquour. The Poconos has a full service bar right in the wave pool!

The charging to the room thing really is a great thing, so you may want to consider keeping at least yours and DH's on. The are your entrance into the waterpark as well as your room keys, so if you also put on charging privileges, you have to carry NOTHING with you the whole time.

I did get a Wolf Den the first time and it was not the newest Nintendo. I believe it was a Nintendo 64, but this was a couple years ago. You rent the games right off of the controllers, same as with the movies. 13 y.o. boys may not be interested in this, but they also have board games you can check out for free. I second getting the MagiQuest as soon as you get there. Yes the basic wand is $20, but you can also buy different tops for it, so be prepared to either spend more or tell them they have to stick to a budget!

I always read on these threads that you can enter the water park at 1 pm on the day of check in. I'm not sure what the official policy is, but we arrived at 8 am for a 1 night stay (same exact week you are going in July) and not only could use the water park, but our room was ready.

Have a great trip!!!! The rooms are VERY nice. Even the cheapest room sleeps 6 and has a kitchenette. It seems like a HUGE room after staying in Disney resorts!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I am lucky the guys are gamers, who love Nintendo - even the old school Nintendo 64. If they have Pokemon Snap as a game option, that would keep them busy, as they both love that game!

DH and I plan on keeping our charge privileges activated, but not the kids. Too convenient, especially for a teenager!

Thanks!!

 

[tammy]

We are going to the one in VA for the first and we are so excited. I'll post our experience when we get back. We are going for one night.

 

[aprilgail2]

I always read on these threads that you can enter the water park at 1 pm on the day of check in. I'm not sure what the official policy is, but we arrived at 8 am for a 1 night stay (same exact week you are going in July) and not only could use the water park, but our room was ready.

:

We have been to Great Wolf about 8 times now- sometimes for one night other times 2 or 3 nights and EVERY time we get there by 9am- pre-register and get our water park bands right then. When you call to book they TELL you 1pm you can get in but I have gotten water park bands every time by 9am and actually into the room three times by 9am....guess it sort of offsets the time my rom wasn't ready until 7pm LOL....I thought everyones room woujldbe ready by 4pm the latest but then they tell you check in STARTS at 4, doesn't mean all rooms will be ready at that time. They will take your cell number and call you when your room is ready though.

 

[nursetink]

Just returned from GWL Williamsburg. Checked in at 10 AM, room was ready, and were allowed to use the water park.

This was our 1st GWL stay, and the kid's cabin was nice so the girls could their own area. My girls 8 & 10 loved the arcade and water park. We did not have enough time for Magi Quest this trip, but saw many children who seemed to be having a great time playing.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[susykt4]

We've stayed at the GWLs in Wisconsin Dells and Cincinnati. We loved both. My daughter (10) loves, loves, loves MagiQuest and I think older kids would like it even more (though she completed the entire game by herself, but is also into Harry Potter, fairies, etc.) The MQ game was good for our entire stay (though we never stayed longer than 3 nights.) I "think" the nintendo in the room is pay-per-hour or something, not free! Also, while the wolf den WILL give your kids some privacy, its theme is aimed at the younger crowd. You may want to warn the boys to just be happy they have a somewhat separate area and to just laugh at the cartoonish wolves and racoons, lol. It has twin sized bunk beds, is part of the room and is pretty small. Not trying to discourage you about it, but giving fair warning that it's NOT an extra room or very big, etc.

 

[clori]

A friend took me and dd 5,9 in April. We were there around noon knowing our room wouldn't be ready. It wasn't but we were given a free upgrade from a family fireplace suite to a loft suite. It was perfect - my friend had the loft with her own bed, tv, bathroom, dd9 had the sofabed with her own tv while dd5 and I shared a bed and tv. My friend also purchased the paw pass for the kids. It included access to the teen room, maqicquest, souveneir drink etc. We were allowed to trade in the teen room for a craft project in the kids room.

We brought some food and did do the breakfast and dinner buffet since we knew it would be quicker/easier for us. The Magicquest was lots of fun and tons of exercise running up/down stairs. We played for over 3 hours and didn't quite finish when we had to leave. My 5 year old loved the animated show at the tree. We want to go back again with dh and know he will love magicquest.