Great Wolf Lodge for Teens?

[Karalea]

Any one have any experience taking teenagers to Great Wolf Lodge? Is it too young for a 14 & 16 year old?

Every spring break I take my nephews on vacation. This year we are sticking closer to home and are planning to drive up to Charlotte (3 1/2 hours) for a few nights. As they are both huge basketball fans we are planning to see a Bobcats game and do a few other things in the area. It is still in the early planning stages.

I am toying with the idea of staying at Concord Mills Great Wolf Lodge even though the location is a little inconvenient for some of the other stuff we are planning. It wouldn't be our main activity during the day..just a few hours in the afternoons & evenings. Are the slides too young for them? They both loved Blizzard Beach last year.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

We've been to the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin, and my teans LOVE it!

 

[rszdtrvl]

We went in July, and my son & his friend had a blast.

My son was more into the "Great Sp8ce" teen room, and his friend was more into the Magiquest (they are both 13). I just handed them each a walkie talkie and let them roam (and I am a VERY protective parent) the hotel, doing their own thing.

They both liked the waterpark. And LOVED the arcade (albeit a bit $$).

DH and I loved the fact that we could hang out together and they could hang out together (or apart) and that the lodge seemed very safe.

We are going for one night in April during spring break, just us 3 though, as per my son's request (much cheaper than a Disneyland vacation) next year.

If your kids like video games, music, etc. I would pay the extra to get them admission into the teen area. To me, it was worth it, and my son will get the teen room bracelet again next year, even though we are only staying for one night. I made sure it was a Friday that we were staying, as they have a lot going on there during the weekend.

 

[tar heel]

We live 5 minutes away and my 16-year-old spent a day there last summer. he said was "ok." My guess is that the teens would only want to spend one day/afternoon there.

Have you already done Carowinds? My 16-year-old would vote strongly for it over Great Wolf.

If they like NASCAR, they might find the track/shop tours appealing. My kids also enjoy NASCAR Speedpark in relativey small doses.

 

[Karalea]

We live 5 minutes away and my 16-year-old spent a day there last summer. he said was "ok." My guess is that the teens would only want to spend one day/afternoon there.

Have you already done Carowinds? My 16-year-old would vote strongly for it over Great Wolf.

If they like NASCAR, they might find the track/shop tours appealing. My kids also enjoy NASCAR Speedpark in relativey small doses.

I lived in Charlotte for 14 years so they have done Carowinds many times. When they were little they loved to come visit and go to Ray's Splash Planet and Discovery Place as well. I was just trying to think of something different since they really want to go to a basketball game and we would be spending the night anyway.

 

[tar heel]

I'd say go for it then. With just one night, I think they would think Great Wolf was a lot of fun.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that one night would be fine. Most of the waterpark and other activities seem to be geared to younger kids but there should be enough to keep them entertained for a short time.

 

[LJRJR]

We went this summer to the Great Wolf in Pennsylvania. I think children that age would have a great time. I spent hours going up and down the slides myself. It is definately for all ages.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I lived in Charlotte for 14 years so they have done Carowinds many times. When they were little they loved to come visit and go to Ray's Splash Planet and Discovery Place as well. I was just trying to think of something different since they really want to go to a basketball game and we would be spending the night anyway.

When the one in Concord first opened, I wanted to take my girls (16,15) and they were both resistant. So it was Carowinds again. One place I did want to take them was the manmade whitewater place...I can't remember the name of it. But since you live in Charlotte, I know you know what I mean. It has a zip line (which I have always wanted to try). A girl I work with went and loved it. If I hadn't of been sick, I would have made a point of taking the girls.

Found the website
http://usnwc.org/

Wow, the more I look at this website, the more awesome it looks. I bet your nephews would love it. And it's open year round!

 

[HM]

My kids are 14 and 17 and have absolutely no interest in visiting there.

I wish we had gone to the one in Williamburg when it first opened and they did have interest.

 

[beachlover9395]

My kids were the same age when we went there back in January. They like it only "OK" and probably wouldn't want to go back again. It was good place to try it once. Now I thought it was great! We upgraded to the Grizzly Suite and it was worth the price ($99 I think) to have 2 fairly large bathrooms.

I feel that if my kids had been about 5-8 years younger they would have had an awesome time. Hopefully, my kids will have children and I can take my future grandkids there.

 

[Metro West]

Great Wolf Lodge was featured on the television show Undercover Boss a couple of weeks ago.

Just a little tidbit for your consideration...carry on.

 

[LoraJ]

I don't have kids and I enjoy it.