This past weekend my entire family, which includes not only our seven, but all of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandma and papa, all went to Great Wolf Lodge for a family retreat. I can’t say it was relaxing in the traditional ‘retreat’ sense, but it was great fun! In case you’re not familiar, Great Wolf Lodge is a new brand of resort: the indoor water park. There are Great Wolf Lodges popping up all over the Eastern United States. We were visiting the one in the Poconos although I’m told that they are all basically the same.
The Price
Great Wolf Lodge has rooms from approximately $229 per night for a family of four. At first it might seem ridiculously expensive. (Well, and that point may still remain debatable.) However, Six Flags tickets for a water park are $35 per person, so for a family of four that would be $140. If you look at it like that, the room is only about $90 per night plus water park tickets. Not to mention the fact that the hotel is chalk full of amenities like a gym, free movies, and a musical show for the kids. Another nice thing is that you can get entry to the water park well before you check in (on the day you’re supposed to arrive) and long after you check out (on the day you’re supposed to leave.)
The Food
Since this is in the Poconos, there were lots of “off site” eating options, including eating at the nearby outlet mall. However, on site, Great Wolf Lodge has a buffet option and a couple smaller cafes. Like at all water parks, the food is over priced and it would be wise to bring some snacks and then save a big appetite for the buffet. However, I will say that although I was a little surprised at the $20 per person price for dinner, the buffet was full of things like prime rib, lobster tails, stuff chicken, fish, shrimp, and filet mignon. The food was delicious as well.
The Water Park
One of the things that made this trip work so well for our family was the diversity of what was offered. The children ranged in ages from 11 to 2 and there was something there for everyone. A very well staffed toddler pool complete with mini water slides kept the twins entertained for pretty much the whole weekend. There were also several other pools including a wave pool, a deeper pool for the older set complete with floating “logs” to play on and basketball hoops, as well as the beloved lazy river.
They also had about seven other slides ranging from the very tame to the giant “toilet bowl” and the hydroplunge–a water ride “roller coaster” of sorts. In addition to all this, there is a giant play area complete with dumping buckets, sprayers and all sorts of other “interactive” goodies to delight.
Other “Stuff”
Then there’s the “other stuff” much of which we didn’t get to do. There is MagicQuest where “magi” can get a infrared wand (for a mere price of $15 plus a game of $10). They go throughout the hotel pointing it at things and completing ‘quests’. There is also Scoops, the children’s spa that offers ice cream shop themed manicures, pedicures and other girly essentials. There’s also your typical arcade and a whole host of other amenities like a business room (internet access), Cub Club and crafts for kids during the weekdays, as well as a few ‘edutainment’ programs on wildlife themes.
I would be remiss to forget to mention one last thing. I am not sure I’ve ever been to a place where all of the staff was so friendly and efficient. It was as if they were thrilled that we showed up with all our little kids and I’m sure they treated all of the other families this way as well.