Just back from 1st visit to Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara!

[riu girl]

Just back from first visit to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara and just wanted to share.

WOW, from check-in to check-out we were very impressed. All staff we spoke to were very friendly, themeing was spectacular, entire resort was spotless. It was a great 2 nights/3 days.

IMHO, the waterpark/resort is super for families with children of all ages. There is a super area where the water is heated a little warmer then the rest of the park that has splash zones, pool, slides for toddlers/preschoolers. The waterpark also features 7 slides for schoolaged kids (some preschoolers could use) as well as a lazy river, rope swing area, adults only hot tubs (inside and out), nice size wave pool as well as an additional pool.

The bonus for us is that the waterpark also features a large outisde pool, lounge chairs, snack shop, great music/games/atmosphere. This is where we spent the majority of our time since the weather was fabulous.

The resort also features mini golf, spa, fitness centre, good sized arcade, main restaurant and snack bars. We found the food to be average priced but drinks and snacks were very expensive. Each room features a good sized fridge and microwave so we had brought a case of water with us along with tons of snack/breakfast/lunch options. The only $ we ended up spending on food was once we ate in the buffet restaurant (dinner, $8 kids, $22 adults) as well we ordered in Franks pizza (off site) one night.

The resort also has a great gift shop which we thought was very reasonably priced (except for sundries).

Our favourite feature of the resort would probably be the entertainment team led by Jason (Mr. Fun). This team works extremely hard to ensure guests have a wonderful time. Jason himself was incrediby hardworking and really shone. He hosted a ton of games poolside (outdoor) .

We would not hesitate to return to this resort again and would really love to go christmas week but prices are high that week so we will have to wait and see.

If anyone has any ?s, ask away and I will do my best to answer.

 

[LuvBaloo]

Thanks for sharing!
We're on the west coast and have started thinking about a short trip into Washington state to try a Great Wolf Lodge.

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Thanks for the report. We will go there for the first time next summer. They sell Mickey ice cream bars there, right?

 

[mtmbyck]

Glad to hear you enjoyed Ontario's "little piece of themed magic". Jay makes this place (I believe it is the same person as Jason). He runs all of the activites - he's been there since day one and claims to be there until the last day. I hope Disney never finds him becuase they would want him!

We've been for Easter, New Year's, summer and even Halloween. It's just a super overnight or weekend getaway. It's a bit pricey but always a wonderful experience.

Make sure to have your kids sign up to be a cub club member while at Cub Club. They get a free bracelet plus you will be emailed on any specials that the Lodge is offering.

 

[tinkerbell_xo]

I was thinking about going here for a weekend with my DBF. Is it more for families? Or could 2 adults have fun too?

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Thanks for posting that - hopefully the GWL in Virginia is as good and as much fun - we are stopping there for 2 nights in March on our way to Hilton Head!

 

[disney0210]

hey OP! we were just there on saturday night checked out on sunday. had a great time too! we got two rooms because we went with my sister-in-law and her family. the kids had a great time! we loved jay too!

did you book directly with GWL? we booked through ratestogo.com and everything at check-in was smooth...

 

[riu girl]

Glad to hear you enjoyed Ontario's "little piece of themed magic". Jay makes this place (I believe it is the same person as Jason). He runs all of the activites - he's been there since day one and claims to be there until the last day. I hope Disney never finds him becuase they would want him!

We've been for Easter, New Year's, summer and even Halloween. It's just a super overnight or weekend getaway. It's a bit pricey but always a wonderful experience.

Make sure to have your kids sign up to be a cub club member while at Cub Club. They get a free bracelet plus you will be emailed on any specials that the Lodge is offering.

thanks for the info. How did you book for New Years Eve? The price on the web site (for NYE 2009) is $600 plus tax for ONE night. I would love to stay for one night NYE but wondering if there might be a website that would offer less expensive pricing . $600 is just WAY out of my budget.

I didn't know about the kids becoming cub club members. Do you know if this is something I could do now (perhaps by calling or emailing the resort) or is this something that can only be done at the club? The kids did already get nice GWL bracelets though (they werein this past saturday nights talent show) but it would be nice to be on their email list.

 

[disney0210]

The kids did already get nice GWL bracelets though (they werein this past saturday nights talent show) but it would be nice to be on their email list.

Which ones were they? The karate kids or the ones that did the hannah montana bit?

 

[AndyMcV]

We've got the GWL booked in October for $149 for the Thursday and Friday nights and $199 for the Saturday night. I've heard that it's a really great place to stay. The only downside I've heard is the food isn't that great and it's pretty pricey. I'm wondering if we'll have to go out to eat?

Andy

 

[riu girl]

Which ones were they? The karate kids or the ones that did the hannah montana bit?

they were the karate kids

 

[riu girl]

We've got the GWL booked in October for $149 for the Thursday and Friday nights and $199 for the Saturday night. I've heard that it's a really great place to stay. The only downside I've heard is the food isn't that great and it's pretty pricey. I'm wondering if we'll have to go out to eat?

Andy

If you eat pizza Franks pizza was great. We received an extra large (large rectangle shaped pizza) with one topping for $20 including taxes and delivery. They are not allowed to deliver to the room but will meet you in the lobby.

If possible, bring your own bottles of water, juice, snacks etc. since this stuff was pretty pricey. ( ex. a small cup of cut up fresh fruit was $5 plus tax)

btw, which web site were you able to book the $149 and $199 rates?

 

[Susan2771]

My question has nothing to do with the lodge, but your user name. Is it for the Riu hotel brand? Have you been to many of them? Which is your favorite?

 

[aanderson5]

Glad you had a great time. We went last Dec and also loved it. I would definitely recommend going at that time of the year. The decorations were beautiful and they had Santa in the lobby a couple of different times.

 

[calgarygary]

If you are ever driving through Wisconsin, allow lots of time to enjoy the GWL (or its many competitors) in Wisconsin Dells.

 

[AndyMcV]

btw, which web site were you able to book the $149 and $199 rates?

Hi rui girl

I got this rate though a friend's wife who's company was offering this deal to their employees. It included family and friends who could use the code. We had to book by Sept 1st but compared to the regular rates seemed pretty good.

Andy

 

[riu girl]

My question has nothing to do with the lodge, but your user name. Is it for the Riu hotel brand? Have you been to many of them? Which is your favorite?

Yes, my user name represents the RIU resort chain. We love the RIU Tequila (mayan Riviera just south of Cancun) the best are headed back there for 11 nights in DEC!!! Can't wait. IMHO, RIU service is impeccable, food is outstanding, resorts spotless.

 

[mtmbyck]

We paid $800 for NYE but we ot the Great Bear Suite which holds 8 people and we went with another family so we paid $400 a family (stayed 2 nights). It was pricey but lots of fun - packed though. Probably wouldn't do it again.

Oh the food......I LOVE GWL but someone has to do something about the food. The Buffet Breakfast is good - hard to go wrong with that, but the lunch and especially dinner are awful! I keep trying to give them second chances but we are always dissappointed. We even tried a very pricey meal on NYE and it was so bad it was all we could do to not compain (I hate spoiling my vacation by having to compain) .....The PizzaHut on site is good but I'd hop in the car and head towards the falls for supper - cheaper and better tasting I am sure.

Another tip - skip the themed rooms - our DD's (9 and 12) found the beds hard as a rock (they are thin foam matresses on boards) and the sheets are sewn like a sleeping bag which they didn't like. The double rooms are so spacious, I would never pay the premium for that themeing again.

I am surprised to hear that someone was able to use a coroproate discount without actually travelling with the employee. I undestood that you need ID proving you are an employee with that company when you checkin? Employees using a corporate discount can book 2 rooms but they have to be in one of those rooms and be there for checkin. Great deals with corporate discounts!

 

[Susan2771]

Yes, my user name represents the RIU resort chain. We love the RIU Tequila (mayan Riviera just south of Cancun) the best are headed back there for 11 nights in DEC!!! Can't wait. IMHO, RIU service is impeccable, food is outstanding, resorts spotless.

It is a fabulous brand, you certainly have great taste!

 

[riu girl]

Call me crazy but I just booked GWL Niagara for 3 nights between Christmas and New Years (sadly, not NYE, couldn't justify the $600 plus tax price!). For the last several years we have spent Christmas/New years in Florida (DS can't even remember being at home for Christmas) so since we won't be able to be in Florida this year for the holidays GWL will have to do.