This article is in our local newspaper today.............it's really expensive for 1 night!
Great Wolf Lodge is a real howl
Photos Special to the Hamilton Spectator
Kick the bucket at Great Wolf Lodge and you'll end up with a sore foot -- it contains four tons of water.
The 100,000-square-foot water park has more slides than a trombone band, along with water cannons, suspension bridges and activity ponds.
By Carla Ammerata
The Hamilton Spectator
NIAGARA FALLS (Apr 22, 2006)
Ever get caught in a rain shower? How about a heavy downpour? Then how does the thought of having 4,000 litres of water cascading over you sound? Oh, and it's every five minutes, by the way. And from 48 feet up.
The gigantic Tipping Bucket is only one way to "get soaked" as the folks at Great Wolf Lodge say. The new resort in Niagara Falls, Ont., features an indoor water park and other family-oriented entertainment.
The 406-suite lodge, which overlooks the Niagara Gorge, officially opened last week.
Step past the huge totem poles standing sentry at the entrance and you're greeted by a chalet-style lobby, complete with fieldstone fireplace, overstuffed furniture, antler chandeliers and a forest of animatronic moose, bears, a talking tree and wolves, of course. Several times a day, the critters come to life, singing the lessons of the Rhythm of Nature in nine-minute shows. At night, children can gather here for bedtime stories.
By far, the star attraction is the massive 100,000-square-foot indoor water park which is exclusive to lodge guests. With 13 water slides, wave pool, hot tubs, lazy river and activity ponds. There's also Fort Mackenzie, a four-storey treehouse fort with suspension bridges, cargo nets and more than 60 "guest-activated" water effects that let you shoot, squirt, spray and play -- think water cannons and the like. The complex covers the age gamut, from water babies to the forever youngs, all under the watchful eyes of more than 100 lifeguards. And it's always a balmy 29 C inside.
You don't ever have to worry about your money getting soggy. At check-in, each guest receives a waterproof wristband outfitted with radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. You "load" dollars onto the wristband with cash, credit or debit or have expenses charged to your room. Then with a flick of the wrist, you can buy arcade tokens or use the wristband at any of the shops, bars and restaurants. It also doubles as a "virtual" key to all guest services and unlocks your suite as well as storage lockers poolside.
When you've had enough splash time, there's always mini-golf, organized activities for the kids or the arcade, with more than 100 video and redemption games. There are old favourites such as whack-a-mole -- or, in this case, shark -- and crane games (we came home with a set of fuzzy dice) to virtual reality boxing (having a 2 1/2 pound glove on each hand gets heavy after a few rounds).
The lodge also has amenities for Mom and Dad, including Elements, an Aveda concept salon and spa, a fitness facility and adults-only whirlpool.
Coming next: Ripley's is building an aquarium next door, which is scheduled to open in 2008.
Great Wolf Lodge is at 3950 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, Ont. Room rates start at $319 per night. For information, call 1-800-605-9653 or log on to
www.greatwolf.com.
