Great Wolf Lodge.....

[pixiedustaholic]

I tried posting this on the Community Board but haven't recieved any responses....
I am thinking of taking my DH and kids (12 & 8) on a surprise trip to GWL in Concord, NC which is only about a 1 hr 45min drive from our home. My question is whether or not a 1 night stay would be long enough to fully enjoy the waterpark? The website said you can start using the park at 1pm on your arrival date and continue to use it until closing on your departure date.

Does anyone know what time the water park closes? The website just said that the hours vary. This would be for a Sunday night stay. I'm looking to keep this as a budget trip and I CAN add another night if I need to but that is more $ and I would have to take Tuesday off work. Thanks for any advice/tips.
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[sahm2]

For our family, one night is PLENTY. We arrive early (with suits underneath our clothes), play until dinner and then head back until bedtime. Usually by 2 or 3 the kids have had enough on the second day and we are ready to head home!

 

[gracelrm]

We stayed at the one near Cincinnati, OH and stayed 2 nights. In retrospect, we should've stayed one night and just utilized the facilities until the close of the water park on the 2nd day. Especially if you are close enough to drive home afterward. We have 3 kids - I believe they were 14,11 & 7 when we went. DD14 didn't even want to go to the waterpark on the 2nd day. She's that teen who never lets us know she's having fun!!!! DS 11 would have stayed another day or two and DS 7 still wanted an adult with him at all times - so mom tired out before he did. I think 1 night taking advantage of the waterpark throughout the day of check-out would be fine.

 

[bluesky225]

We went to GWL in Concord back in May. I think one night is sufficient if you just want to do the waterpark. We stayed one night and did the waterpark, arcade, and magiquest (we already had a wand so we only had to pay $10 for the game). If playing Magiquest, it would be better to have more time there, but if you're just doing the waterpark, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it in those 2 days there. Oh-and when we were there, the waterpark closed at 9pm. Have lots of fun!!

 

[UCFALUM]

We've done PA for one night and KC for night one on our cross country move. It works for us but we get there early to use most of the day and stay the next day until we have to leave or get too tired. For a first time surprise, try one night and if you determine it's not enough, now you know for the next time!

 

[pixiedustaholic]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I think we will try just one night for now and maybe go back again later. (My brother-in-law lives about a mile from Carowinds so we we'll be going up again in the fall.) Now, if i can just keep the secret!!

 

[mjkacmom]

If you do one night, don't do magiquest.

 

[disneystacy]

We just went to the Concord one 2 weeks ago. We stayed 2 nights. One night would have been plenty. Arrive at 1:00pm use the park.....eat dinner....go back to the park......go to sleep......wake up, eat breakfast, check out....put luggage in car......head to water park.....spend the day....shower in the locker rooms.....head home.

 

[jessica52877]

We just went to the one in Concord too and 1 night was more then plenty. There just isn't enough at the water park to do. Or maybe everything was just so short so doing it over and over got old.

We also did magiquest and left by noon the next day.

It closed at 9 and opened at 9 when we were there.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

This is really good information to know. We just talked about this with our DD the other night. Thanks!

 

[kydisneyfans]

One night was good but we use this as a winter getaway. There are plenty of local waterparks that are outdoors and it is much cheaper to get inside.

I would also say to get there early on day 1, and stay a little later on day 2.

The waterpark was open until 10:00 the night we were there, and opened at 10 the next morning.

 

[Stevegriswold]

A few questions on Great Wolf Lodge NC.

1. Are there any specials for two adults one child age 4?
2. I see some $300 rates currently, what does this come out to with all the bed taxes , etc.?
3. How far is this from Atlanta GA, about 5 hours drive?
4. Is there anything else to do in Concord NC?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[lecach]

A few questions on Great Wolf Lodge NC.

1. Are there any specials for two adults one child age 4?
2. I see some $300 rates currently, what does this come out to with all the bed taxes , etc.?
3. How far is this from Atlanta GA, about 5 hours drive?
4. Is there anything else to do in Concord NC?

Thanks,
Steve

1/2. look for codes. I found one for this coming Saturday (7/18) for one night for $189. That's using code SCOUT.
3. 4 hours according to Google maps
4. Check out Carowinds - it's a great amusement park http://www.carowinds.com