Tell me about Great Wolf Lodges

[tchrrx]

I'm thinking of booking one for spring break. Any suggestions on how to get great room rates, what type of room is best, and more? Thanks!

 

[bigfish2215]

There is a Great Wolf Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells. We never stayed at one b/c they allowed outside guests in. Meaning the hotel was not for guest only. So, the water parks were busy,some days very packed. In the Dells we always stay at the Wilderness Resort. My kids have a blast at all the water parks and slides. And that place is so big that you don't have to wait in line too long. Good luck!

 

[Aunt Flancy]

We have been to the one in Kansas City it is very pricey, I think. We like the Grand Country in Branson. It is cheaper. You don't get the whole lodge experience/setting, but the water park area is nice.

 

[tzolkin]

We just got back last night from the one in Niagra Falls. We went to this one last year also. We had a good time, but it was significantly less busy when we went in Sept. The room price includes admission into the waterpark, so the prices are more expensive than a regular hotel room. Both times we have had a package that included breakfast and a craft for the kids to do. These were things I probably wouldn't have spent the money on if they weren't included in the package (but I'm pretty cheap).

We really like GWL because we have two pre-schoolers and DD9. There is plenty for both age groups to do. And the place is also small enough that you can split up and find each other in just a few minutes. (My biggest annoyance is searching for people even in the grocery store )

The rooms are very nice. We stayed in the Kid Cabin last year and the Majestic Bear this year. They all have a fridge and microwave, so you can bring food with you.

 

[mjkacmom]

We spent 2 nights at the one in the Poconos a few days ago. It's pretty expensive here (I got a special rate of over $300 a night for a kid cabin, the smallest room our family can fit in), but the waterpark is fun - small, but that makes is easy to manage. Ours has magiquest, which the kids loves. The restaurants are expensive ($25 buffet for us), but the fridge and microwave in the room make it possible to bring your own.

 

[verlee]

My ds 6 loves it!!! We have stayed three times at the great wolf in wisconsin dells. Once in a two bedroom suite with friends and the other two times in a regular. The suite was nice but not big enough for two families. The only real down part about the suite was the walk. It was a long walk to the waterpark. The regular rooms we found spacious. The decor is nice especially in the winter.

The water park itself is nice. There are three rooms. So that really makes the lines not as long. They have some pretty good adult water slides and lots for the young kids to do. When we have stayed at Great Wolf it was not open to the public. And we found it to be a lot less crowded then some of the other water parks in the Dells. Like I said before my son LOVES it. He asks regularly with a little hope in his voice "when are we going to the wolf?" They do have other activities for the kids. A nightly story time and a educational animal talk. The kids club looks fun but we have never used it. The arcade is nice but we only used it a little. The wileys woods dry climbing area is pretty fun the boys we worn out.

Hope that helps

 

[*pixie*dust*]

The best prices are Sun-thru Thursday on off season. Get on their mailing list--you get promo rates often. A fun place for a day or two.

 

[TheTexasKid]

If you take the Adventures by Disney tour "Spirit of America" tour, this is the lodging where they stay, when they are in Williamsburg, VA.

 

[tchrrx]

If you take the Adventures by Disney tour "Spirit of America" tour, this is the lodging where they stay, when they are in Williamsburg, VA.

I didn't realize that! We're thinking of doing either the Spirit of America or the Big Apple/Beantown tour in a couple of years.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I found out about the wilderness lodge by copying the "Spirit of America" tour - one of the best Vacations we have ever taken - It is a general consensious that the food is pretty terrible - have a good take out / eat out dining plan or order pizza.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Also - room upgrades are really easy to get if you are persistant. The magic quest is awesome - kids just love it

 

[jennybell]

You definitely need to try and get on their mailing list. We get a mailer from them quarterly with different discount codes. We haven't gotten one lately. We have also had good luck with booking on the internet.
We have only been to The Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. My DD(6) just loves it. We usually go during the week - You do get a better deal Sunday -Thursday. We have probably been 6 times since they opened about 3 1/2 years ago. It has never been too crowded. Also, usually when we stay there they put a flyer under our door and offer us a 2nd night for about 1/2 price. A very good deal! Good luck to you.

 

[Skyw]

ds 5 loves them and so do we.

 

[TheTexasKid]

I didn't realize that! We're thinking of doing either the Spirit of America or the Big Apple/Beantown tour in a couple of years.

Actually, I'm thinking of doing the Big Apple & Beantown tour in a couple of years. I believe the tour stays in Newport, R.I., where I lived from 1960-1963, and I've never been back, but this looks like a good way to see the town again.