Great Wolf Lodge - how to do without spending a ton! Questions!

[Dancemom03]

We booked one night in williamsburg and then took the second night offer they slid under the door to stay another for $99. I think two nights for GWL is enough - in fact, I'd be tempted to book one at GWL and have a cheaper backup at a days inn nearby for the second in case the discounted add a night offer was filled. I believe that you can stay until the waterpark closes on the day you check out. I know we stayed until around 7 pm on that third day before heading out to fight traffic home.

The breakfast buffet was around $11 for adults but you could also order menu items seperately if you didn't want the buffet so I don't think it was too out of sight. I will say the Pizza Hut at GWL was way overpriced. My kids aren't pizza eaters even on a good night, so DH and I ate pizza while the kids got carry out soups from the restraurant. I think it was like $4 for soup which is pretty standard around here. The ice cream wasn't cheap but comparable to other places and they were good sized scoops.

You could buy mmagicquest wands on ebay before your trip to save a few dollars. A lot of the time I see them with very few bids - then your kids could personalize them at home (with spray paint, jewels, and such) before the trip for added fun.

DD8 made a fabric painted beach towel in the kids club instead of the tshirt most of her friends have and loves to take it to school whenever the opportunity arises. I've heard the other kids say how much they wished they'd made a beach towel instead of the shirt after seeing hers. I know it's more useful and I think it was only a few dollars more.

Slightly OT but worth mentioning -- I never should have stayed at Kallahari first b/c they've ruined me for GWL. Their deals are much better and there's more to do at Kallahari. I liked GWL but have to admit to disappointment. Even the kids mentioned it though they did enjoy the magicquest at GWL. The thing is though, I expected more kids activities at GWL and the water park was definitely smaller and more noisy than at Kallahari. Now that's somewhere that 2 nights won't be enough. I just wish they'd hurry up and finish the Kallahari under construction in VA...

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Thanks! That was just the info I was looking for!

 

[Jennabeth]

We went to the GWL in March. My girls (9 & 6) loved the water park and never even asked to do anything else. We saw kids running around doing magic quest, but they weren't interested. If you are only going to stay for one night, I wouldn't purchase the wands.

We at mostly off-site to save money. We ate one meal inside and it wasn't anything special. We kept snacks in our room and that worked really well. You can do it pretty cheaply by just enjoying the water park and eating off-site. Have fun, my girls had a blast and often ask when we are going back.

 

[tami82]

if you have a few kids you may want to get just one wand and let them share. Then again if you plan on going once or twice a year it may be worth getting them each a wand. The past time we went i only had to pay for one of my kids on the games and the other was a freebie, i dont know why but that was nice.
Also buffet is expensive, at the time we went not all serving stations were open and felt i didnt get moneys worth. Go outside of GW to eat. I like Red Robins about 5 miles down the road but there is also Friendlys and other places. Bring your own drinks in a cooler for the park and also snacks.

 

[Chelley00]

It depends where you are going too? We went to the one in the Dells, and it's one of the largest ones, with a few slides that are much more fun for teens/adults than little kids.

There are 6 of us, so we got a condo with a full kitchen, then went to the grocery store and ate in the condo every meal. With the money we saved on meals, it was worth it for the extra money for the condo.

There isn't a Magiquest at the one in the Dells, but they have Wiley's, which is an indoor play area where you have to answer questions, shoot Nerf balls at targets (or other people) etc and you scan your wristband when you complete the challenge. It keeps a running score on a large TV screen so you can see who is winning. All of our kids had a GREAT time, and it was no extra costs.

 

[Miss Ang]

We stayed at the one in Ohio right next to Kings Island. We stayed 2 nights but I wish we would've done 3 since we spent one entire day at Kings Island. If we were just doing the water park, 2 nights is more than enough. I liked the food in the on site restaurant. The breakfast buffet was delicious and I had the best custom made omelet that I've ever had. The fast food was ok too. Something that I think is great is that on your check out day you can check out at the regular time but continue to use the water park until it closes. There were very nice shower facilities so you could get ready in the locker room. On your check in day you can check in before you can actually get into your room and head straight to the water park. I love this place and we will hopefully go back this fall/early winter.

 

[lovebuzz]

I just got back from the one in Concord ( Last night ), so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

We only stayed one night and that was plenty. You are able to start using the attractions at 1:00 the day of your arrival. You can get there early than that and start doing Magic Quest and then at 1:00 you can check in and start using the water park.

My kids loved the Magic Quest and preferred that over the water park.

At night we just got take out and ate in the room. There are a lot of restaurants nearby and you could just get takeout. Carrabas, Olive garden, Red Lobster, On the Border, Ruby Tuesdays, etc...

For breakfast they have a Dunkin Donuts so we just got 1/2 dozen and some bagels. it was the same price as a regular DD.

They have a Pizza Hut that sells PP pan pizza'a and they are about $6 each or they had a special 4 for $20.

Bring you own drinks and some aspirin. The smell of chlorine from the pool gives me a headache.

The place was really clean and the staff was real nice. We will definitely go again.

 

[DISdreamin']

We did GWL in Canada and, just in case anyone is considering it, let me warn you that going off-site for food is NOT as easy as you would think! The lodge there is sort of off the beaten path, with nothing nearby. It was fun for the kids - they loved it - but DH and I felt totally waterlogged after three days.

We stayed two nights, and the kids pretty much never left the water from morning until night. They were T*I*R*E*D at night. It was very peaceful in that respect BUT there were often kids running up and down the halls after dark, which was frustrating when trying to sleep.

IMHO, GWL is a fun place to spend one night - enjoy the waterpark for the afternoon on check-in day and all day the next, bring your own snacks and breakfast stuff (I believe there is always a fridge in the room) and prepare to be saturated. We ordered Pizza Hut for dinner because we were too beat to go out hunting food, but if we go back we will definitely make plans to do dinner off-site at someplace more reasonably priced.

 

[torinsmom]

I just got back from the one in Concord ( Last night ), so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

We only stayed one night and that was plenty. You are able to start using the attractions at 1:00 the day of your arrival. You can get there early than that and start doing Magic Quest and then at 1:00 you can check in and start using the water park.

My kids loved the Magic Quest and preferred that over the water park.

At night we just got take out and ate in the room. There are a lot of restaurants nearby and you could just get takeout. Carrabas, Olive garden, Red Lobster, On the Border, Ruby Tuesdays, etc...

For breakfast they have a Dunkin Donuts so we just got 1/2 dozen and some bagels. it was the same price as a regular DD.

They have a Pizza Hut that sells PP pan pizza'a and they are about $6 each or they had a special 4 for $20.

Bring you own drinks and some aspirin. The smell of chlorine from the pool gives me a headache.

The place was really clean and the staff was real nice. We will definitely go again.

I thought they were opening early? Must have gotten it done ahead of schedule!

So, can you tell me if they have the Flo-rider thing(surfing/boogie board)? Also do they have a lazy river? I didn't see either of those mentioned on the site, but they have them at Williamsburg.

Marsha

 

[lovebuzz]

Yes, they got it done ahead of schedule. They said that they have been open for a week now. No they do not have a lazy river or the surfer thing. They have 4 rides that you can ride on tubes and 1 ride that you go down on a mat, a wave pool, a kiddie area, a fort that has slides and dumps water and an area that has the lily pads you cross with basketball. They also had an outside area but, we never made it over there it was to cold.

 

[torinsmom]

Yes, they got it done ahead of schedule. They said that they have been open for a week now. No they do not have a lazy river or the surfer thing. They have 4 rides that you can ride on tubes and 1 ride that you go down on a mat, a wave pool, a kiddie area, a fort that has slides and dumps water and an area that has the lily pads you cross with basketball. They also had an outside area but, we never made it over there it was to cold.

Thanks! It sucks that they don't have the Flo-rider. My son loves that thing. And the lazy river is nice when you just feel like floating.

Marsha

 

[ericad289]

We are going to concord next week !!!!!! Any new tips or advice?

 

[Jaco5nc]

We have been a few times and it is a lot of fun! My kids, 5 & 9 love it!! It's pretty small and easy to navigate. There is a story time in the evening and we love the Dunkin Doughnuts inside for breakfast and coffee!! I have found it a little chilly when out of the water and need to throw a towel (they provide) over my shoulders but my kids don't seem to think its cold at all. There are tons of restaurants near the resort as well as a huge outlet mall (with a Disney Store) if you want a little break from the resort. Do you have any specific questions I can answer for you? If no, have a great trip!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

For those that have gone, how many days did you find it to be entertaining? I mean, was a 3 night stay enough or did you wish that you could have spent 5 nights? We don't have kids, but we both love waterparks, so this looks like too much fun. TIA for the responses.

No kids? One night max. We did 2 nights (with kids), and were ready to go home. After a few hours, you realize how small it really is. To avoid lines, first thing in the morning, dinnertime, and the last hour of the day are great

OP, magiquest is fun, only if staying more than 1 night. It is very time consuming, but a nice break from the waterpark. We go to the 1 in PA, and you can get there first thing in the morning, and they will let you into the waterpark (they will text you when your room is available later). You really want to get there early, to have a place to put your stuff. By late morning, there isn't a chair to be had.

We found the food to be expensive and gross. Either bring food, or eat at a nearby restaurant.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are going to concord next week !!!!!! Any new tips or advice?

Assuming this is a new post...and you will be there the last week of August, I would suggest getting there and staying put. You are going in just before the Democratic Convention and traffic will be crazy. We live about 30 miles out and DS goes to college in Charlotte. He just text me that traffic is already getting heavier. We have friends that work in Charlotte and most companies are having employees that can work from home starting next week and many will close the next week. You will be fine as the lodge/concord Mills area is still a little ways from down town but most locals are going to avoid even that area next week. Many pre-convention stuff will have started by then.

I'm sorry this is the same week you are here but thought a heads up might prevent you from trying to spend time down town. It's a really fun place other times.

 

[ericad289]

Thanks for the heads up yeah i found that just after booking. We are going on tuesday the 28th and leaving on friday'31st. we will probably stay close because we will have our 18 mo old and 3 year old. I would love to go by the outlets though. Do they have any good childrens outlets? and of course the husband is wanting to go to Bass Pro shop.

The scoops spa, is it worth it for a 3 1/2 year old????

 

[Whirlbex]

We've been to the ones in Dallas/Grapevine, Concord, and Williamsburg. We won't ever go back to the Williamsburg one- it was dirty, crowded, with very unfriendly staff. we've always been allowed to check in early (10am-ish?), even if the room is unavailable, and use the waterpark area. We spend one night at GWL and the next at a local Embassy Suites with hotel points, then have 2 full days of waterpark before leaving the next morning without spending an arm and a leg. We bring cereal and milk in, then go out for lunch and dinner. Magiquest- we all use the same wand and take turns. We've never done Scoops, but it is really pricy- we'd rather spend the money at BBB at Disney!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You are VERY close to Concord Mills Outlet and should be fine. The have some great kid's stores; gymboree, Children's Place (great sales), Carters, OshKosh, as well as other stores that also have a lot of kids things. Oh, my favorite is the Stride Rite Outlet....great deals on great shoes. They have a build-a bear, a Disney Store (my BIL works there), and a very cool lego store but the prices are not good there. Your kids will like Bass Pro shop too. A huge aquarium where they do fish feeding, a quarter (well it takes 2) shooting gallery, and often they have kids activities going on. There is also the Nascar Speed Park were they have go carts, putt putt and laser tag. Your kids are a little young to enjoy that too much. There is also a Chunk E Cheese VERY close by and it is a VERY nice clean one....if you want to try something else. Enjoy our area.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

WAAAAY too late to help OP, but we've been to the one at Wisconsin Dells once for 3 nights. We didn't eat once on property (other than ordering pizza from offsite). We would have run out of stuff to do if we were there ALL day every day, but it was a GREAT place for a "base".

 

[plutosdoghouse]

We have been to the one in Michigan two times. We only paid in advance for one night. They slipped a piece of paper under the door both times offering the room to us for a fraction of what we paid for the next night. I think they only do this if they are not full for that night. We were in a larger room that could fit up the 8 people in. The second time we went they offered us the room for only $59 a night! We were not able to do it because DH had to go to work the next day. I don't know if all of them do that. Knowing that the one by us does though, I don't think I would ever pay in advance for the two nights and just take a chance that they offer it again. My brother took his family this last week and they did the same for them. Good luck and have fun. The kids have a ball.

We also went to the Lodge in Traverse City, assuming you went there. We did a Sunday night and Monday morning had the stay at a cheap rate offer come under our door. I think it was $49 for a regular room. It was fun to stay for an afternoon and night, but not large enough for a second day. If we were going to do other things outside of the lodge more nights would of been fine.