OT: Review of Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls

[kristielee]

We just returned from a wonderful couple of nights at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ont. The resort has only been open since April and is a great addition to any families' vacation repetoire.

We arrived on Tues, checked in smoothly and even though the room was not ready, we had the option of hitting the water park. However, we decided to hit the Falls and do the MoTM, Skylon Tower, and IMAX Theater. we returned back to the hotel for an early dinner and on to the water park.

The water park is amazing! Slides that are appropriate for all ages. My DD, 8, loved the more adventurous slides, like the Canada Vortex and Niagara Rapids Run, while DS, 6, loved the tamer childrens play area and the family tube slide. The water was VERY warm (almost too warm), there are plenty of towels, lockers, and lounge chairs. The wave pool has a zero degree entry and goes up to 5 feet deep. Minimal wait at lines,lots of life guards. The ppol was open til after 10 pm.

The rooms are totally designed with families in mind. we had a Wolf Den Suite which had a double bed, pull out sleeper, and partitioned bunk bed area with their own flat screen TV. Coffee maker, fridge, and microwave were standard. Nevertheless, we spent minimal time in our room.

Kids also spent a couple of hrs at the arcade. Lots and lots of game (kinda like a Chuckie Cheese) with tickets you earn to redeem for prizes. Kids loved it.

My only complaint would be the food! Old Country Buffet at best However, DD said it was the best meal she ever had!!???? Go figure. We found it no better than standard cafeteria fare. Typical buffet style options with a large kids selection. Opted out of the restaurant for breakfast and just did the Bear Claw Cafe in the AM. Coffee, juice, baked goods, etc...

The resort itself is lovely. Large lobby, lots of family activities going on, animatronic moose, wolves, etc. Beautiful gift shop. Never did hit the spa, but it'a all Aveda. The resort is HUGE! We fortunately had a room on the waterpark level fairly close to the pool, overlooking the outside park. (Which we never made) or the onsite mini golf. It's not cheap. The room (with an internet discount) was $359 plus tax (and boy, do they tax the you know what out of you). Dinners were over $80 for 4. ( I'd eat elsewhere next time). Yet if you ask the kids, they are already asking to go back. We've stayed at the Six Flags Lodge in Lake George and this place is head and shoulders above the rest. The coolest thing that they do there is give you a wrist band when you check in that acts as your room key, locker key, and charge card (dangerous feature!) so you never have to carry keys or a wallet. The resort is "flip flop" casual as kids and aduls roam in bathing suits and coverups.

I'd be happy to answer any questions! Overall, add this one to your list of destinations!

 

[emer95]

What a nice review, with great details. Thank you! We try to go up to Niagara Falls every winter to get a break from the winter blahs. We went to the Americana last year, and we were thinking about Great Wolf this year. Is it very expensive?

 

[Neelloc]

Thanks for the great review! I just read about this a few months ago and we were thinking of trying to go, but no one we knew had been there yet.

Living in Buffalo, we are up in the Falls area a lot and thought that Great Wolf Lodge would make a fun place to visit!

 

[pigletof4]

Does anyone know when the passports go into effect. We live about two hours from Niagara Falls, but with five of us now we probably won't be going as often. I wasn't if the passports went into effect this year or next year. TIA.

 

[mamato2princesses]

We've been to Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono's twice since it opened last November. We went for New Years and April break. We're booked for New Years this year also. We love it

Shannon

 

[kristielee]

It was a bit steep in price. we paid $359 per night not including about 70.00 a night in taxes. Meals were also steep.

As far as getting over the border, we had no trouble at all. Going into Canada the only thing we were asked is where we were going and how long we were staying. They didn't ask for ID or anything. Coming back into NY we had to show photo id (driver's lic) and we were asked where our place of birth was. They didn't ask for any ID for the kids, but did ask us to roll down our windows so the border agent could look inside my Ford Explorer. I had come prepared with birth certificates anyway. I was pretty surprised at how easy it was both ways.

 

[emma'smom]

We were at the Great Wolf Lodge in Niagra Falls in May. We paired it with a wine tour and spent a lot of time in Niagra on the Lake (such a lovely little town). We did the wine tour for the grown-ups and then back to GWL for the kids. They had a blast and it was all very clean and well appointed. We did make it outside to the mini-golf a lot of fun too. The price was a bit steep, but they did give us a 100 coupon for our next trip.

I agree that the food was really, really horrible. This is too bad as we would have stayed onsite to eat both nights if it hadn't been so bad the first time. Instead, we ventured into Niagra Falls (not my favorite thing to do) for dinner one night.

As for passports, they did not ask for these, but they DID ask to see birth certificates for the girls. Luckily we had them!