Great Wolf Lodge.... Good, Bad, Ugly.... in the Poconos.

[Papa Deuce]

Thanks for the review. We are going Feb 10th weekend. We are going up Saturday morning so we'll have 2 whole days, as opposed to having to leave on Sunday. Did you check out the spa at all?

I had set up a spa day for my wife. She decided that she didn't want to go. I will say that I heard a lady in the elevator claim that it was a great spa.

 

[Dreamer04]

Papa Duece, thanks so much for posting your review. DH and I were considering a trip and its seems like it would be right up our alley!

 

[Papa Deuce]

Oh, also wanted to add, this palce is VERY informal. People went to breakfast in their PJ's. Some even went to dinner in them. We went to breakfast in PJs 2 days, as well.

 

[Bob Slydell]

That's what I was hoping to hear, thanks.

I'm hoping to do a trip centered around that area that would include Great Wolf, Six Flags, and Cedar Point.

and I finally noticed the title said Poconos. Didn't know it was a chain.

There's even a third indoor waterpark in Sandusky now -- Castaway Bay, which is owned by Cedar Point and is the closest one to the park (I think you get early entry when you stay there as well, IIRC).

 

[RUDisney]

I have a question? What is the population like in the Pocono's.

This area is one of the fastest growing areas in PA. They keep building new schools to keep up with the population. It became even more popular after 9/11 because it is an easy enough commute to NYC. BTW, easy enough is a relative term. Lack of available labor is not an issue around GWL in the Poconos.

Thanks for the review. We'd been considering a one night stay, but want to wait until the newness buzz wears of a little.

 

[cardaway]

There's even a third indoor waterpark in Sandusky now -- Castaway Bay, which is owned by Cedar Point and is the closest one to the park (I think you get early entry when you stay there as well, IIRC).

Wow, sold. This trip keeps getting better and better.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Wow, sold. This trip keeps getting better and better.

Oh, you can probably skip Six Flags (which is now owned by Cedar Point and renamed Geauga Lake -- the original name for the park). It's ok, but if you're going to do Cedar Point, it'll be a disappointment in comparison.

 

[ntburns22]

We have gone to the one in Sandusky during off times. We were able to check in and get a room around 11:30am both times. I could not even imagine going when kids are on breaks from school. It would be way to crowded. Ours has 2 resturants in it besides the snack bar inside the waterpark. The non buffet resturant was good.

We have also been to Castaway Bay. We prefer GWL. CB has cute things for the kids to do at night like dance parties and storytime with Snoopy. OUr next trip will be to the new Kalhari. It is nice only to live 30 minutes away.

 

[cardaway]

Oh, you can probably skip Six Flags (which is now owned by Cedar Point and renamed Geauga Lake -- the original name for the park). It's ok, but if you're going to do Cedar Point, it'll be a disappointment in comparison.

We like coasters and it seems to have some good ones. Cheap entrance fee too ($24.95). Is it really that bad?

 

[ntburns22]

We like coasters and it seems to have some good ones. Cheap entrance fee too ($24.95). Is it really that bad?

Its not that bad. I went last summer and CP has put some money into it. THe water park is included with the price of admission or atleast is was last year. The amusement park you could basically walk on the rides it was the waterpark that was packed.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Its not that bad. I went last summer and CP has put some money into it. THe water park is included with the price of admission or atleast is was last year. The amusement park you could basically walk on the rides it was the waterpark that was packed.

Yep, what she said.

 

[swilphil]

Thanks for the review. I had looked into staying at the one is Kansas City as I hate staying with MIL, but it was almost $300 a night for the cheap room. Uh, no thank you. We'll just stop at my parents lake house on the way home and go the indoor water park there for $60.

If you go to kc.greatwolflodge.com, you can sign up to receive info. about specials. There's also some fun restaurants nearby, and they are building a new shopping area. If you go in the summer, you can go down the road to a KC T-Bones minor league baseball game. They are extremely family oriented.

Here's the current special being advertised on the website:
$159
11/1/05 - 3/02/06

* Valid on Family Suites
* Sunday through Thursday
* Nightly Storytime
* Daily Cub Club? Activities
* Includes 4 waterpark passes
* Click here to reserve this special today!

 

[luvtogo12]

No excuse for the check in process. Having been in the travel industry for many year, I can honestly say I have never heard of such a bad system. I'd complain and I'd complain a lot. For those prices, rooms should be ready at 4pm or dinner should be complimentary.

I was going to do some complaining about the check-in process as that really was my only complaint. However, since we were there shortly after they opened I figured I would give them the benifit of the doubt thinking things would improve in time. I am surprised to hear that it has not improved. Because of this issue, I would think twice about going again.

 

[momof2inPA]

We like coasters and it seems to have some good ones. Cheap entrance fee too ($24.95). Is it really that bad?

Our relatives from Oregon are coaster people and they really liked Geauga Lake when they visited. It's no Cedar Point, but I think it's worth a visit. They have that Superman roller coaster, which my DH says is the scariest coaster he has ever ridden.

 

[MickiMouth]

Towels are provided for the pool area. So are floatation devices for the kids. At the pool area I just happened to notice that a Hot Dog was SIX BUCKS! Now maybe it was a combo; I don't know. But $6 for a hot dog? Yikes.

My DD is 15 and just spent a long weekend there with her friends family. They had a good time and enjoyed the waterpark. I gave DD $75.00 spending money as her friends family was treating. She came home with a gift for DD 6 and thats it. She said she spent her money on junk food. Now I know how she managed that. The only complaint I heard was from her friends Mom that they got bored with the restaurant.

 

[summerrluvv]

That is the rate here, too. But we paid a grand opening rate of $199. And, I have heard that once you stay there, you get emailed specials at far less than the $300 rate. BTW, $199 is the MOST I would spend on a room like this. I really felt like $150 would have been closer to fair price. By the time you add in meals, and miscellaneous spending, a family of 4 could easily spend $1000 for 3 nights.

We went back right when they opened and I have yet to receive any emails or snail mail deals. Kind of a bummer

 

[summerrluvv]

Probably similar. But we saw LOTS of staff everywhere. I saw 3 house claening carts alone on just our 4th floor wing of the resort. Restaurant was staffed. I even saw 3 staff members at the Cub Club.... and 4 kids!

That did not "seem" to be the problem. However, I did see one man who seemed to work from 10 AM to Midnite. He was always there, it seemed. He was like a walking concierge.

Was that the man with the curly moustache? I notcied him there all day everyday. He was even the story teller at night for the kiddies.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Was that the man with the curly moustache? I notcied him there all day everyday. He was even the story teller at night for the kiddies.

That's they guy!

 

[Papa Deuce]

Too funny. On FRIDAY, two days AFTER we came home from GWL, we got a note in the mail thanking us for booking with them, and wishing us well on our UPCOMING vacation.

Also, I went to do a follow up on my complaint about check in. The person I need to speak to is back in the office tomorrow.