Great Wolf Lodge (Poconos) MagiQuest - Help!

[Neesy228]

If you've been to Great Wolf Lodge and your kids have done MagicQuest, can you please explain it to me? Aside from a wand that the kids can wander around with, I'd don't understand it at all!

How much is it? Do we need to purchase the wand and game time or can we just get the wands? What age range would you recommend? How much time would you recommend we devote to the game?

I have two boys who would probably love it and a DD4 would just need to have the wand because her brothers have one!

I'm sure that other Great Wolf Lodge locations have MagicQuest too, but we are heading to the Poconos Location, FWIW...

Thanks for your input!

 

[Bungle]

We go to the one in washington but it has the magicquest. Its a wand you buy for 24.95, or at least that is what we paid for ours a few years ago. Each time you come back you can bring your wand and they will activate it for $10.

Its following clues around the hotel. As stupid as I thought it was my kids LOVED it. Due to the cost our kids share a wand. My boys are 2 and 11 and they both thought it was great so I'm sure all your kids would like it.

 

[uk_wildcat]

We went to the one in Kansas City last year and my boys loved it. We were actually surprised because we waited until the morning of check-out to start on it. I wish we had started the night before because we spent about 3 hours running around that morning before we had to get back on the road. We only bought one wand and let them share it. They took turns with each mission.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

We did it last year. You need to buy the wand and the "game." You can spend as much time playing the game as you want. You follow clues all over the hotel. The one we went to covered five floors! I admit at first I wasn't too keen on it but my son had a BLAST. We spent a few hours every day playing it for 3 days. It's good exercise since they ask the players to only use the stair wells. There are often clues in the stair wells and even certain rooms are open with messages and such in them.

It would be nearly impossible NOT to do it since it is all over the hotel and the kids see it and see other kids doing it the whole time. And I thought it turned out to be fun and really clever.

 

[cari12]

We went to the one in WA last month. It was great fun. We bought the Pawpass for around $60 which included the wand, game, stuffed animal, t-shirt and a bunch of other stuff. Interesting note- husband had his pedometer in his pocket and we covered over 9000 steps! Allow 3-4 hours though. But the kids are not going to want to be in the waterpark from morning till night anyways. Game was definitely a highlight for the kids.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Just be careful. You can end up spending a lot of money with little extras for your wands, (charms, toppers and such). We bought wands for $9.99 on eBay and had them activated for another $9.99.

 

[mjkacmom]

We got a family wand (I was NOT buying 5), and the kids loved it. However, it's not worth it if you are only staying one night, and not planning on returning. We've brought it with us for one night stays (bought it on a two night stay), but those times we've been with a bunch of people, and the kids wanted to stay in the waterpark most of the time. Plus, the momentum was lost (and we forgot how to kill the dragon, which is where we left off).

It's great exercise!

 

[cari12]

We got a family wand (I was NOT buying 5), and the kids loved it. However, it's not worth it if you are only staying one night, and not planning on returning. We've brought it with us for one night stays (bought it on a two night stay), but those times we've been with a bunch of people, and the kids wanted to stay in the waterpark most of the time. Plus, the momentum was lost (and we forgot how to kill the dragon, which is where we left off).

I agree - if you are only going one night, don't bother. We stayed 2 nights and we only completed the first book of quests but not the extra 3 where we got to kill the dragon which was disappointing for DS6. So much to do and so little time! The kids wished we were staying another night. We may go back this summer for a few days- trying to decide between that or the beach for a few days.

 

[rszdtrvl]

We went last summer and my son brought a friend.

His friend was totally into the Magiquest. My son was more interested in the waterpark and teen room.

This summer, we are only going as a family - no friends. My son will not take his wand at all. It will stay at home on his shelf.

I forget what his wand cost. I do remember he used the wizard name "McLovin" though, LOL.

My son and his friend were both 13.

If your child is really into Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons, etc. they will probably like Magiquest.

It seemed to be mostly younger kids - ages 5-10 who were doing it at our GWL (Grand Mound, WA).

 

[Neesy228]

OP here...thanks a bunch for the info! Makes a little more sense now. So, is the game extra on top of the charge for the wand? Or is it just the wand?

 

[SFWife]

OP here...thanks a bunch for the info! Makes a little more sense now. So, is the game extra on top of the charge for the wand? Or is it just the wand?

If I remember right, the initial purchase of the wand includes the game, and if you return again another time you can reactivate the wand for 10. I believe the intial activation is good for like 90 days or something like that. Maybe 30.. We got a great workout going all over the hotel since you are only supposed to use stairs, and the kids were good and tired by the end of the night. We'll do it again if we ever get the chance to go back again for free like we did last time!

 

[jessica52877]

We only ever stay one night, DS LOVES playing magiquest, probably more then the water park! The first time we just bought the wand (included the game) the next time he got a topper ($10-15 I think) and then $10 to play the game too.

 

[mcd2745]

We just returned from the Poconos GWL yesterday after a 2-night stay (my kids are off this whole week - most schools were off last week). We went for my son's birthday so we pre-paid for the MagiQuest birthday package they have. It included a wand (but not the "fanciest" ones, which of course he picked out), a topper, and a belt, plus the game itself. His sister of course wanted her own, so we had to get her a wand, topper and activation too. That totals up to about $50. Keep in mind that from what I've heard and read, EVERYTHING at the Poconos GWL is more expensive than every other GWL location - I don't think any others charge over $500 a night for the basic rooms. Both kids did enjoy playing MagiQuest and did complete the "adventure". It took probably about 4-5 hours total over a couple of days. Outside of the waterpark, there isn't much else to do besides the arcade...which is a bigger money pit than MagiQuest. At least you keep the wands and can use them again if you return, although they will have to be "activated" again for $15.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

We went to the one in Williamsburg in January. BTW, I do like the one in Poconos better- love the water coaster, the bar in the pool, the Starbucks, etc. I live in the middle of the two, but can ALWAYS find a better deal in Williamsburg. We've been a handful of times to the VA one now, and just this past time, I've noticed they enhanced the game. In addition to the regular wands, you can also buy a compass now, that unlocks harder missions. I think it's geared more to the BTDT repeat customers, or people staying for longer stays. I remember the compass, including activation being 14.95. The missions that require the compass are still scattered among the same areas.

OP, MaqiQuest is sort of like the Kim Possible missions at Epcot, but throughout the corridors of the hotel instead of different countries. My son and his friends probably like it better than the water park when we go. Your 4 y.o. DD will still enjoy it. They have pink wands, and a lot of the stuff is very easy to activate. I can't remember if the Poconos does, but the restaurant in Williamsburg have a few things that aren't part of the game, but can still be activated with the wand. My 3 y.o. didn't follow the missions at all, but liked activating stuff like that.

Also, I think I read that the first activation is for 4 days. So $9.99 for 4 days of game play isn't too bad.

 

[mcd2745]

We went to the one in Williamsburg in January. BTW, I do like the one in Poconos better- love the water coaster, the bar in the pool, the Starbucks, etc. I live in the middle of the two, but can ALWAYS find a better deal in Williamsburg. We've been a handful of times to the VA one now, and just this past time, I've noticed they enhanced the game. In addition to the regular wands, you can also buy a compass now, that unlocks harder missions. I think it's geared more to the BTDT repeat customers, or people staying for longer stays. I remember the compass, including activation being 14.95. The missions that require the compass are still scattered among the same areas.

OP, MaqiQuest is sort of like the Kim Possible missions at Epcot, but throughout the corridors of the hotel instead of different countries. My son and his friends probably like it better than the water park when we go. Your 4 y.o. DD will still enjoy it. They have pink wands, and a lot of the stuff is very easy to activate. I can't remember if the Poconos does, but the restaurant in Williamsburg have a few things that aren't part of the game, but can still be activated with the wand. My 3 y.o. didn't follow the missions at all, but liked activating stuff like that.

Also, I think I read that the first activation is for 4 days. So $9.99 for 4 days of game play isn't too bad.

FYI...they have the compasses at the Poconos location as well. We didn't do it, however, being it was our first time at any GWL the regular game was enough. They also have a couple of things in the lobby and restaurant that the wands can activate that aren't part of the game. And I think the activation for the wands is $12.99, maybe more. It's defintely not $9.99 at the Poconos.

I don't know if they do it at the VA location as well...but I don't know of any othe place that jacks up prices as badly as the Poconos GWL when kids are out of school. I can understand a small premium, but over $500 a night for the most basic rooms during weekends and during President's week and spring break weeks? Then a week later the same room is $200 or possibly even less? That's crazy, especially when you consider how much extra you have to spend while there. Clearly, they are exploiting the NY/NJ market from where they get most of their guests.

 

[mjkacmom]

FYI...they have the compasses at the Poconos location as well. We didn't do it, however, being it was our first time at any GWL the regular game was enough. They also have a couple of things in the lobby and restaurant that the wands can activate that aren't part of the game. And I think the activation for the wands is $12.99, maybe more. It's defintely not $9.99 at the Poconos.

I don't know if they do it at the VA location as well...but I don't know of any othe place that jacks up prices as badly as the Poconos GWL when kids are out of school. I can understand a small premium, but over $500 a night for the most basic rooms during weekends and during President's week and spring break weeks? Then a week later the same room is $200 or possibly even less? That's crazy, especially when you consider how much extra you have to spend while there. Clearly, they are exploiting the NY/NJ market from where they get most of their guests.

Well, they charge that much because they can! People will pay it (and I've never seen under $200). The cheapest room we've even been able to snag with a code was $305 (and now I won't go unless this is what we pay). My sister lives a few hours from Kalahari in Wisconsin, and she gets a 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen for what we pay at GW, and it's SO much better.

 

[mcd2745]

Well, they charge that much because they can! People will pay it (and I've never seen under $200). The cheapest room we've even been able to snag with a code was $305 (and now I won't go unless this is what we pay). My sister lives a few hours from Kalahari in Wisconsin, and she gets a 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen for what we pay at GW, and it's SO much better.

Maybe not $200 or less (although, I have heard of $199 specials - but it's probably at times no one can go), but, we did manage to get our room (the Kid Camp suite) for $239.99 a night when we booked it back in February. I think they initially didn't realize a lot of schools (mainly the parochial schools) were off this week. Then when they learned that, they jacked up the prices. If you wanted to book the same two nights a couple of weeks ago, the regular room was over $520 a night. And you're right, they do get away with it - somebody is booking the rooms at those prices as they were at over 95% occupancy each night. I wish I knew who it was...I have some bridges I'd like to sell them. We liked it overall and would be willing to return, but not for anything more than $250 a night.

 

[3mickeymom]

My brother borrowed a wand from his neighbor when he took his kids last month. I know I never minded lending out our Pal Mickey. He has been to Disney World way more times than my family has. Just remember to return it when you get home. Sadly, Pal Mickey is now living with someone else and I don't even remember who took him on his last vacation!

 

[clori]

Wow it sounds like prices have really gone up at the Poconos location. We went last year over April vacation which is a very common northeast vacation week. I remember using AAA discount we got a fireplace room for app $200. When we went to check in they said there was an issue with our room so we were given a free upgrade to a loft suite. We stayed Sunday to Monday.

The trip was with my friend from college, me, dd5 and dd9. My friend bought them both the pawpass which included a magicquest wand/game and a few other things like carracing, stuffed animal, teen room which the kids room told us to trade in for free crafts etc. My friend also paid for them to have kiddie facials. We used the waterpark from early check in (though we couldn't get in the room until later. After dinner we did the other things including the free show in the lobby. The next morning they did the facials, crafts then we spend about 3 hours doing magicquest which both kids loved. We didn't finish but got plenty of exercise. Now the kids are begging dh to go and I think he will love magicquest. I would love to do 2 nights next time if we ever get to go back.

 

[mcd2745]

Wow it sounds like prices have really gone up at the Poconos location. We went last year over April vacation which is a very common northeast vacation week. I remember using AAA discount we got a fireplace room for app $200. When we went to check in they said there was an issue with our room so we were given a free upgrade to a loft suite. We stayed Sunday to Monday.

For curiousity's sake, I decided to check to see if they had the rates for President's week next year. We always do some kind of local trip for 2 or 3 nights that week (usually with a group of families) and we have always been looking for a new places to try...that have reasonable prices that week - no easy task. So for 3 nights that week at the Poconos GWL, the same room we just had (the Kid Camp suite), it is $439.99 per night. And I'm sure it will go higher as it gets closer to that date. By comparison, at the Williamsburg, VA GWL the same room for the same 3 nights is $259.99 and at Sandusky, OH it is 209.99 per night and in Charlotte, NC it is $269.99. I wanted to check Niagra Falls as well, but they are not showing rates yet for those dates.