OT--Great Wolf Lodge, How long to stay? It's $$$

[WendyisDarling]

I thought a weekend trip to Great Wolf Lodge would be a fun way to celebrate DS's birthday. He will be 13 and doesn't want a party. His birthday falls on a Saturday. We have to go on a weekend. The location nearest to us (Williamsburg) is a 30 or 40 minute drive. So an easy trip.

Wow! That place is expensive this time of year on the weekends. We have never been before. The rooms are filling up fast so we need to decide soon.

For those who have gone, how long do you recommend we stay? Is one night enough or will we feel rushed and not be able to relax at all. We can afford two nights w/o using credit, but we don't like to spend over the top if not needed. Are those places so crowded that we will be ready to leave after one night anyway?
Options for us are...
1. Stay Friday and Saturday night
2. Stay Friday night elsewhere (aka cheaper) and do something else in Williamsburg that morning and then head to GWL early afternoon and spend one night
3. Leave home mid-morning Saturday and stay at GWL one night

We aren't taking any extra kids, just our family.

Thanks for any help.

 

[HM]

I've wanted to do the same thing lots of times. But whenever I look at the prices, I balk and end up doing nothing. I had some neighbors go there ther first winter it was open (and prices were better). They really enjoyed it. Their kids were younger than yours though.

I like your idea of staying somewhere else on Friday and then getting to the Lodge early to take advantage of the facilities (if that is allowed...check with their front desk before deciding).

 

[Mamatoaprincess]

We are going for our second trip to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend. We've stayed the whole weekend and I like staying that amount of time. If you didn't want to stay two nights you can get there early (check in is at 4:00) and use the water park until your room is ready. That might be an option for you.

 

[twoeeyy]

We went to the one in the Poconos for NYE 2007. We stayed for 2 nights.
You can use the waterpark on the day you check in as soon as it opens even though more than likely you will not get a room until after 3:00. ( they have a locker room you can change in ). We left all our basgs in the car except for 1 small one that had our suits in it. On the day you check out you can also use the waterpark until it closes.

Our DD 14 at the time brought a friend and they had a BLAST. We let them have free roam of the hotel.

We felt the food was expensive ( especially over NYE, it was ' special ' buffets, so we ate most of our meals outside of the hotel.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We're doing it in April for DS's 9th birthday -- just me, my mom, DS and DS's best friend.

We did it before and although we would have loved a 3rd day, 2 days was really fine. We spent probably 6 hours at the waterpark each day, and did the Magic Quest thing (beware it's expensive). We got there early and stayed late so we had 2 full days.

If Friday's a school/work day for you I wouldn't pay for a night at GWL, for only a couple of extra hours of time in the park. I'd rather save that money and go again and get 2 full days for one night's stay. But that's just me.

 

[brymolmom]

We did Niagara Falls one last year and I personally think one night is plenty. Because you can use the water park starting at about noon the first day and the whole day long the day of check-out (just get a locker in the locker room and throw your clothes in it and put the rest of your luggage in your car when you have to check out in the morning).

We had plenty of time to do everything we wanted and didn't feel rushed.

My only advice is to go for at least one non-weekend day if at all possible - a TON less crowded.

 

[matdrew]

I love love love the great wolf lodge. You can do one night and after you surrender the room the next day you can still use the waterpark that day. change in the lockers and go home. Just as if you had went to an outdoor waterpark such as splish splash. one night yet 2 days of play. It is super expensive and seemd=s to be so booked so no specials.

 

[mom2cinderella]

For the last two summers we've gone to the GWL in Traverse City for four or five nights (thanks to a generous grandpa!).

I can't imagine only staying one night - especially on the weekend when the crowds really seem to pick up. I'd stay for Friday and Saturday night.

We thought the food was decent and okay priced. The first visit we had ds's birthday dinner at the lodge and the birthday package included a huuuge cake with way cool sparklers on it.

Have a fun trip!!

Michele

 

[WendyisDarling]

Thanks for the replies. I think 1 night will be enough (my check book is saying so, too ).
I called and get a FAQ recording. It said we can use the waterpark beginning at 1:00 on our check in day and continue to use it on the day we check out (I guess that means the whole day, but we'll probably be tired by mid-afternoon).
It sounds like a lot of kids take a friend. Maybe I should consider that for DS. It looked like one of the suites has a sleeping area with bunks and a twin bed (I have two kids).
I appreciate all the great advice. I think a one night stay will be fine (if I decide I want to shell out the cash. I am really shocked by the cost, but hey they are selling out --so more power to them.)
I'd really like to go mid-week while school is in session. I'm sure the crowds would be much less as would the cost. Hmmm...it's tough to take a MS kid out of school, though.

 

[WendyisDarling]

For the last two summers we've gone to the GWL in Traverse City for four or five nights (thanks to a generous grandpa!).

I can't imagine only staying one night - especially on the weekend when the crowds really seem to pick up. I'd stay for Friday and Saturday night.

We thought the food was decent and okay priced. The first visit we had ds's birthday dinner at the lodge and the birthday package included a huuuge cake with way cool sparklers on it.

Have a fun trip!!

Michele

Just read your post after I hit submit. That's one generous grandpa. DS will probably get $25 from his grandparents , which is fine.
I'll have to look at the BD package. I was thinking of bringing a cake from our grocery store bakery for the room . DS will probably be mortified if he brings a friend.
I am a little concerned about the crowds. It isn't much fun spending the whole day waiting in line to go down a slide.

 

[tzolkin]

we went to the great wolf lodge in niagra falls in september. we only stayed one night and it was alot of fun, but we were there on a sunday-- much cheaper and there were no crowds.

we got there in the afternoon. checked in and went straight to the waterpark for a few hours. our package came with a free activity and arcade tokens, so the kids painted piggy banks in the "cub den" and played in the arcade. we got a pizza for dinner and then went to the "bedtime story"-- your kids are probably too old for this, but mine enjoyed it. after that the little ones went to bed (my parents were with us, so they stayed in the room with them) while my DH, DD8, and i went back to the waterpark until close (10pm, i think). there were literally maybe 10 people there. we could go on everything as fast as we could run up the steps. the next morning we went to breakfast, packed up, and then headed back to the waterpark. they have free lockers, so you really could stay the whole day. honestly we were pretty exhaused and left by about noon.

 

[flagdaytwins]

Have fun! We LOVE Great Wolf!! I'm jealous that you live so closely to one, and GIVEN THAT, I confirm your wantin' to stay just one night. IT IS PLENTY.

As pp's have said, just get there early the day you check in and be prepared for a long check in line.

Make sure you don't get charged for bringing the friend -- there's a room limit (ie how many waterpark bracelets you get).

Bring lots of snacks.....the food is $$$$ and all that swimming makes ya hungry.

 

[WendyisDarling]

Oh boy am I tempted to take the kids out of school during the week. Younger DS would be fine. He's in self-contained sp.ed. and they would be glad for him to have the experience, would approve of a less crowded atmosphere and would get him caught up. Older DS (BD boy) is in 7th grade. He's a really good student (straight A's) and has missed only one day this year... His school has this split block thing so they go to each class every other day, so if he misses two days, he only misses one of each class (I'm rationalizing). I have never been for taking my kids out of school for these things and can't say there is any educational benefit to it (I guess we could calculate water density and velocity ). But if we stay on a Thursday night and enjoy time on Friday -- it is $200 cheaper plus I'm sure the crowds are less...
DH could probably take a couple of vacation days...
I'm getting OT, but what do you think? Should I just erase this idea from my head? Is blowing off a couple days of school sending my kids the wrong message? (I don't want to be flamed...just tell me if you think it is a bad idea. Saving $200 and avoiding crowds is tempting. )

 

[eliza61]

We did Niagara Falls one last year and I personally think one night is plenty. Because you can use the water park starting at about noon the first day and the whole day long the day of check-out (just get a locker in the locker room and throw your clothes in it and put the rest of your luggage in your car when you have to check out in the morning).

We had plenty of time to do everything we wanted and didn't feel rushed.

My only advice is to go for at least one non-weekend day if at all possible - a TON less crowded.

Brymol,
We are looking at this one for the summer, we'd like to take a 5 day trip to Niagara falls. Do you think it's worth staying there the entire 4 nights. (sun-thurs). My kids love water parks and would probably try to hit it every day if we'd let them. I of course would plan some other activities at least 2 of those days.

 

[eliza61]

I'm getting OT, but what do you think? Should I just erase this idea from my head? Is blowing off a couple days of school sending my kids the wrong message? (I don't want to be flamed...just tell me if you think it is a bad idea. Saving $200 and avoiding crowds is tempting. )

We've never done it personally. I did want to give my kids the message of "education is the priority" but I definitely have been tempted and never flame any one who does take their kids out.

 

[encinc]

We travel mid-week all the time. Means we can do a whole lot more traveling. Our kids are young still, but we plan to do the same thing even when they're older. School is great for academic skill development, but in my mind, there's a lot more to child development (and life) than academics. If time with the family makes them feel happier and more confident, than I think they're going to do better in life in the long run.

Now, if I had kids who were struggling in school or irresponsible about their attendance, then that would be a different story.

 

[englishteacha]

7th grade teacher here. I'm mixed about taking your son out of school. I have kids whose parents take them out for any little thing-shopping, going to lunch, etc. It's not "special" if it happens all the time. However, $200 is A LOT of money. Could you dismiss him early on Thursday, go to GW, and have him miss the day on Friday? If you tell his teachers that you have a family trip planned and would like his work, they'll probably put together a packet of stuff for him to do. Insist your son sit down after you get home and do it! The biggest frustration I have when a child misses school is when he/she doesn't do the missed work. I have a kid who requested work because he'd be gone for 5 days, and "lost" the work in the airport. I gave him replacements the day he got back, and he never did them. He wonders why he has a low grade.

So, I say, missing one day, and making sure the missed work gets done would probably be cool with his teachers.

 

[HeatherC]

WendyisDarling - GO!!!! When you all look back, will you and your family remember that day or two of school? They will be fine...especially since your son is an A student.

We have had some serious health issues with family over the past couple of years...lost my fil to cancer, mil had breast cancer..then a stroke and my day was diagnosed with prostate cancer. If I've learned anything, it is CARPE DIEM!!!! Seize the day...truly. You will not regret it!!!

HeatherC

 

[mdrob214]

I would pull mine out of school if it was at all possible. Ask for any work ahead of time and just make sure to get it done before Monday. We Love GWL. When we go (mid week) we get there @1:00, the earliest you can get into the park, and often there is a room ready for us (not that full mid-week). There are rarely crowds or lines that way. We stay until dinner time and then go back to the room for pizza and drinks then head back to the park until closing (10pm). The water park opens up again at 8 or 8:30 the next morning and we check out at 11, but can stay until closing that night. We usually have had it with the chlorine by 3 or 4 and head home.

THe chemicals they use at GWL are VERY strong. I don't use goggles, but my kids do (they are 13 & 10, competetive swimmers and used to chlorine but this stuff is exceptionally strong and they prefer goggles to see where they're going underwater) My son has somewhat sensitive skin and always has a rash. Make sure you have plenty of a good moisturizing lotion. I put it on before he gets in as a 'barrier' and make sure he showers immediately, then I lube him up again.
Have fun!
Oh yeah--depending on the room you get, you get at least 4 wristbands, maybe 6. We have gotten the family suite (regular, cheapest) and had 2 beds + pullout sofa and I thought that was plenty for the 4 of us (boy slept on sofa bed, girl on one bed, mom and dad in the other) and once got a bunkbed room, but it wasn't that great for the extra cash, IMO. The bunk mattress are covered in a thick vinyl-ly plastic and the sheets came off and it was uncomfortable. I guess they have lots of bedwetters!
HTH

 

[NeedaVacation03]

We did it last year for Presidents day. We were able to get a better price for Presidents Day night than the weekend days and then the kids didnt go to school on the Tuesday. It was just an extra long weekend that way. They were able to catch up the one day quickly enough. I would probably do it either way though that is a lot of money and it would be less crowded.