Is 2 nights too long for Great Wolf Lodge???

[bellebud]

we went from Monday to Friday w/ our homeschool group in the beginning of december. It was perfect for us, but we were a big group with lots of people to hang out with. If we were going just our family, we'd probably do 2 nights (but we've been 3 times now, so it's not "new" to my kids).

 

[MomofKatie]

I guess that depends on how you look at it... and, we are not big fans of GWL, for sure.

But we paid - several years ago - $279 per night, but it included meals and the waterpark ( meals only at the buffet ).... so it worked out to $75 pp, approx. Is that "expensive"?

That said, once in our lifetime was enough, and we will more than likely never go again.

The pp quoted rate of $600/night is what I was referring to- for the cost of a 2 night weekend stay at GWL, we could just about do a weeklong WDW vacation for me, DH, and DD (granted, we do WDW pretty frugally, but it would still be a nice, not chintzy trip)!

 

[aprilgail2]

There are NEVER rates like that in the Poconos! I've never seen a special under $200 (the cheapest we've gotten away with for our family is $304 with a special and mid-week, off season). ).

Last time I went with just me and my daughter to the poconos we had a rate of 169.00 on a Sunday night....when we went with all our girl scouts on a group rate we got Fri. for 129.00 and Saturday was 149.00

 

[ORMom2Four]

I guess that depends on how you look at it... and, we are not big fans of GWL, for sure.

But we paid - several years ago - $279 per night, but it included meals and the waterpark ( meals only at the buffet ).... so it worked out to $75 pp, approx. Is that "expensive"?

That said, once in our lifetime was enough, and we will more than likely never go again.

I agree. Once was enough for our family. We were not too impressed with the water park. (this was the Washington State location)

I'd only stay one night.

 

[TappinNYC]

I guess that depends on how you look at it... and, we are not big fans of GWL, for sure.

But we paid - several years ago - $279 per night, but it included meals and the waterpark ( meals only at the buffet ).... so it worked out to $75 pp, approx. Is that "expensive"?

That said, once in our lifetime was enough, and we will more than likely never go again.

Same. WDW, or any vacation destination suits us better. There has GOT to be nicer places in Jersey for less, it is such a tourist trap imo.

 

[allison443]

The pp quoted rate of $600/night is what I was referring to- for the cost of a 2 night weekend stay at GWL, we could just about do a weeklong WDW vacation for me, DH, and DD (granted, we do WDW pretty frugally, but it would still be a nice, not chintzy trip)!

Ok, great, but it's obvious the OP is not looking to go to Disney.
She's looking for a two or three day getaway within a short drive from her home.
If she lives in NJ that's not Disney

 

[Mom3girls]

OP here! We would LOVE to go to disney but we need to be close to home for my MIL who is sick and the kids can't miss that much school (all in middle school now). I think I'm gonna book it. I have the option to cancel the second day since you are only charged the first nights rate at the time of reservation. We REALLY need a break from the craziness around here. I plan on bringing food and snacks and plenty of drinks with us to help offset the high prices there. We will do the breakfast on our first morning...I LOVE having someone else prepare the meal and clean it up!!!

 

[kinntj]

Since you need the time away, I would book the 2 nights and then be able to enjoy yourself. That way the kids get some water energy out in the winter. My kids love the indoor waterparks and they are going during spring break mid-week. They go one night, but my DH takes his mother with them and gets the family suite, so they have more sleeping areas available. I wish I could go, but like you, I take care of my mom and I don't trust anyone else to be with her when her breathing gets iffy.

Just enjoy some time away during this stressful time.

 

[jfranklyn]

We went to the pocono location for two nights in July and I was definately glad we had done two nights and not one. The kids LOVED it (12 & 8), the water park was great, the room was nice. The kids LOVED the Magiquest. It was a nice mini-vacation for us. I think one night would have felt very rushed. Camelback is great, but 6 hours of tubing will be too much, I think. My guess is that your kids will want to get back to the nice, warm, waterpark.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I think 2 nights is perfect. We just got back this morning from the Williamsburg location. We live about halfway between the two, but like PP's said, the Poconos one cost a lot more everytime I check rates. We've been to the Poconos once, and it's definitely better.

The first time we went I wasn't really prepared for the MagiQuest expense. You may think your kids won't be interested, but believe me, EVERY kid in the place is running through carrying a wand. The wand is 16.95, an optional wand topper is 16.95, and the game is 12.95.

They also have a full service spa, and arcade, and various other $$$ activities. You can still spend that full budget without going tubing.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

The pp quoted rate of $600/night is what I was referring to- for the cost of a 2 night weekend stay at GWL, we could just about do a weeklong WDW vacation for me, DH, and DD (granted, we do WDW pretty frugally, but it would still be a nice, not chintzy trip)!

I also have to say, as another family with 3 kids, we find Great Wolf Lodge affordable because we don't have those cheap options onsite at Disney anymore! I booked a family suite (cheapest room at GWL, sleeps 6, mini fridge and microwave) for $159 for Monday and Tuesday night. Ended up letting DD bring 2 friends, and we could have squeezed in, but got there and asked what our options were for upgrading. For $199, we ended up with a loft suite...2 floors, 1.5 half baths, fireplace, sleeps 8. There isn't even something I could compare at WDW onsite for that, and if I did, it sure wouldn't be $199/night. And it INCLUDES the waterpark.

I agree it's not the best value to stay for a week, but I don't really think it's that kind of destination. When we go to Busch Gardens, we stay at the Holiday Inn.

 

[MomofKatie]

Ok, great, but it's obvious the OP is not looking to go to Disney.
She's looking for a two or three day getaway within a short drive from her home.
If she lives in NJ that's not Disney

Just comparing the prices to those of Disney- that is an expensive weekend, and non-Disney converts typically gripe about how expensive WDW is compared to other vacations. This sorta proves that theory wrong, is all I was trying to say.

Wasn't suggesting the OP head to WDW instead of GWL. Although, since I live much closer to WDW, given the choice between the 2, forget GWL! I'd be in the car heading down I-95 in a flash!!