Great Wolf Lodge (Williamsburg)

[Marshay]

We just booked a 3 night get-away to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg before my DH starts a new job. I've heard the waterpark is terrific but read some bad reviews on-line about everything else. We're going to get a massage and our package includes free breakfast. We are a family of 3 (DH 40s, Me late 30s and pregnant and DD3).

Any advice or recommendations on these resorts, or specifically the one in Williamsburg?

Many thanks!

 

[ldo]

There is a fun kids cub club where you can color, crafts, etc. Water park is perfect for pre-K kids (keep close eye in wave pool---take a life jacket for 3 yr old). My 4 yr olds did NOT like getting sprayed by water on little lazy river, and definitely watch out for the big tipping bucket of water--time your climbing for when bucket has just emptied (you'll understand when you get there). My 4 yr olds loved the smaller slides and putting a pony in the elevated play water gutters in the baby pool and watching it go down. All rooms have fridge, coffee makers and microwaves. FYI-remember preggos should not sit in hot tubs--there's a nice one there! HAve fun! Elaine (ps-sonic burger right around the corner--we usually make a run there and bring lunch/dinner back).

 

[Marshay]

There is a fun kids cub club where you can color, crafts, etc. Water park is perfect for pre-K kids (keep close eye in wave pool---take a life jacket for 3 yr old). My 4 yr olds did NOT like getting sprayed by water on little lazy river, and definitely watch out for the big tipping bucket of water--time your climbing for when bucket has just emptied (you'll understand when you get there). My 4 yr olds loved the smaller slides and putting a pony in the elevated play water gutters in the baby pool and watching it go down. All rooms have fridge, coffee makers and microwaves. FYI-remember preggos should not sit in hot tubs--there's a nice one there! HAve fun! Elaine (ps-sonic burger right around the corner--we usually make a run there and bring lunch/dinner back).

Thanks for the info!

We're hoping our 3yo will really love it. She loves being in the pool, esp a zero entry or "enhanced" kids area but we will definitely avoid that bucket!

 

[bwatlas]

We did the one in the poconos, but i went with two 12yo at time, and we too LOVED IT! With a 3yo, yes, I would keep an eye on the 'bucket', although the 4 stories are GREAT and such a sight to see!
Food prices are too high, and food is below so-so, and I'm happy with McDonalds food.
I would stock food in room, and go locally out, as advice given. Food is the only complaints I have heard on Great Wolfe Lodges. Prices too high, food not good.

 

[jaminmd]

We had a great time when we went (me, DH & DD 11). The rooms were very nice & clean. There's a Pizza Hut Express that is good & a snack bar inside the water park that has good junk food. The lodge restaurants, however, did not look appetizing. Fortunately, there are plenty of fast food restaurants nearby.

We brought our own water & put it in the fridge in our room & that saved a good bit of money. The surroundings are beautiful & there is plenty to do in the area.

Have a great trip!

 

[pweyl36]

There is a super walmart just up the road, you can buy lunch meat and drinks and make your own lunch . That is what we did,also there is a great bbq place up the road too.

 

[LadySincere]

We went this past summer and my kids 8 5 and 3 absolutely LOVED it. They all love the water and even though it was lovely outside, they only wanted to be INSIDE. I know they climbed the gigantic play thing 100 times a day, i also like the zero entrance kiddie area.

If you had older kids the MagiQuest game is AWESOME ( my two oldest and i played after we would eat dinner) This game is POPULAR and is set on the 3rd and 4th floors, so if your rooms are near there beware bc kids (and adults) are running around LIKE MAD

There is also the kid area that another poster mentioned where they do crafts. There is also Movie Night in one of the conference rooms (we missed it) and story time at 8pm with a woodland creature show in the lobby. An arcade plus an area JUST for teens that had guitar hero contests family game night, wii's playstations and xboxes set up as well.

the BEST thing EVER though was the Wristband KEY Cards. The wristbands are put on when you check in, EVERYONE gets one. they are the key to your room, you can charge things to your room from the gift shop/pool cabana bar area/doughnut bakery shop etc, you can put money on it and use it in the arcade. Best thing is since its a waterpark you can have your room key with you at all times and not worry about having to drag your "stuff" with you down to the pool area.

I really think Disney should jump on board with this Especially with the KTTW cards, and EMH's, this would eliminate a whole whack of problems :0

Enjoy your time

 

[mjkacmom]

My kids loved the one in the Poconos - we're going on Sunday, and staying 2 nights. They do have plenty of life jackets. We didn't eat there, except for bagels in the morning. It's very loud!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

GWL Williamsburg is awesome!! I had heard (from these boards) to avoid the food, so we did. It seems WAY too expensive anyway. We did eat the Pizza Hut, goodies from the ice cream shop, and at the water park bar. It was all OK.
Lots of restaurants nearby.

 

[KATHINOWA]

We were there in August and loved it! We ate breakfast and dinner at the Lodge and the food was fine. Had heard awful things about the food in the Poconos but this was fine. Atmosphere was awesome! Water park was awesome!

Our kids are older--12, 10, 7. They have something called "Magic Quest" (i think) and you can buy a wand and there is a whole journey they follow around the resort. We didn't do it but I wish we had--it looked like fun.

The bakery was awesome too! Chocolate covered pretzels--yum!

I wish we were going back!

 

[cabmom]

We go to the one in Niagara Falls quite often. The food is expensive and not very good. We bring our own food or go in to Niagara to eat at a restaurant there.
The kids love the water park. When the outdoor pool is open in the summer it's nice to sit by.
Enjoy.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

everyone is right - the food stinks but the kids will have so much fun in the water - just plan on ordering pizza - and start playing Magic quest early in your trip so they can really get into it before leaving - this was one of the best vacation decisions we ever made - WHip

 

[Tam1067]

We've been to the GWLs in Sandusky and Traverse City. Both are great fun, though as others have said, the food is fairly overpriced, though not much more overpriced than Disney. We had breakfast twice (once in each place), and it was okay. You'll have a good time. My kids like the Kid Kabin rooms better than rooms at the Poly, believe it or not.

 

[torinsmom]

I have been there a couple times and we really enjoyed the water park. Last trip, we had a problem with our room; it smelled really mildewy. They gave us another room across the hall and that one was even worse. The third time, we asked that they send someone down, so we could smell the room before getting the key. That one was still a little smelly, but not too bad. I think they need to replace the carpets after several years since it IS a water park and not everyone is careful with their wet towels and bathing suits.

BTW, although the signs say no outside food in the water park area, I saw many people with pringles, chips, water bottles etc. There is a Sonic right down the street and a Chick-fil-a about 2 miles away.

Marsha

 

[pweyl36]

I have been there a couple times and we really enjoyed the water park. Last trip, we had a problem with our room; it smelled really mildewy. They gave us another room across the hall and that one was even worse. The third time, we asked that they send someone down, so we could smell the room before getting the key. That one was still a little smelly, but not too bad. I think they need to replace the carpets after several years since it IS a water park and not everyone is careful with their wet towels and bathing suits.

BTW, although the signs say no outside food in the water park area, I saw many people with pringles, chips, water bottles etc. There is a Sonic right down the street and a Chick-fil-a about 2 miles away.

Marsha

We had the same problem,I ended up getting a plug in at walmart .

 

[denegate]

Water shoes are good to have.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

While you are there check out Pierce's BBQ. It is right down the street and so yummy!

 

[WDWMaiselFamilyWDW]

We just visited the Williamsburg GWL a few weekends ago and LOVED it! The food is fine! (You can save $$ if you resist some of the special kids' drinks). We never left the property (other than to go to Busch Gardens our last day) and I would say it compares to WDW in terms of value.

I have never heard anything negative from anyone about GWL! Just surprised to hear that. It was absolutely immaculate, the rooms were large (we had two different ones), and the employees were very friendly and professional. The waterpark was so clean and safe.

Two thumbs WAY UP! Enjoy!

P.S. The MagiQuest does feel like a bit of a rip-off, but our kids enjoyed it so much we got over that.

 

[torinsmom]

I don't think MagicQuest is a rip-off, since you can use the wand again. If you go back, you only pay for the game.

As far as the rooms, they are nice; great size and the microwave/fridge was nice to have. I think the problem we had was in a certain area. It was way back in the rear on the MagicQuest floor. The bathroom was tiny there too. I had been there twice before and we always stayed on the waterpark level. We had no problem with mildew there and the bathroom was a lot more roomy. I say if you have a problem with the room, just ask to be moved.

Marsha

 

[Marshay]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your advice, info and comments.

We just got back tonight and were severely tempted to add on another night! We will definitely be back!

We had a basic room but that 1/2 wall was a great partition so it didn't feel like DD was right with us the whole time. The fridge was a great amenity, too.

I agree with PP -- Disney has soooo got to get those key-wrist bands! DH and I immediately thought of that once we were handed them. They were sooooo convenient. I always hate digging in my bag for a key and although the restaurant and spa didn't use them for charging, the snack stand did and it was truly great not to carry money around.

Our breakfast buffet was really good (hard to go wrong on bacon and eggs) but since it was included in our package, that made it better.

We did eat Monday (Italian) night at the buffet and let me tell you it was really bad -- pork and beef were hard, overdone, pastas were dry and unappealing, veggies were few (I think just green beans) and cupcakes and brownies were so stale we didn't eat them.

Although our burger and turkey rueben and onion rings were really good when we ordered off the menu.

Pregnancy massage was great and DH said his regular massage was too.

Overall - a great time!

DD said she loved the animated figure Simon the best!