I recently stayed at Great Wolf Lodge with my 3 1/2 year old daughter -you know the half ages are important in preschool! My husband had to be out of town on a business trip, so it seemed the perfect time for our first official “Girl’s Trip!”
We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge – Grapevine. As always, it absolutely exceeded my expectations! And I did pick up a few ideas I thought might help other families preparing to make a trip to Great Wolf Lodge, either as they head out of state for a vacation…or if like us they live nearby and want a “Near-cation!”
I will be doing another post soon with some video footage of the room and our trip, but first here are a few tips if you are planning a Great Wolf Vacation this summer!
TIP #1: Pack Smart!
Did you know that all Great Wolf Lodge rooms include a small refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave? They do, and that means that you can pack some of your families staple meals… think milk & cereal, Frozen meals, microwavable ravioli or cup of soup etc… you get the idea. Also, consider a bottle of wine to chill for mom and dad to enjoy out on the balcony after the kids crash! There are also plenty of places to eat on premises! So no need to stress about food choices while there!
TIP #2: Be sure to Pack a swim suit cover up.
One of the most unique parts of Great Wolf Lodge is the huge indoor water park that’s just for guests. If you have a child like mine…you will be spending a lot of time there. And when its time to go get lunch, or go back to the room, or take a break at the arcade…you wont always be up to changing in and out of your swimsuit. Especially, when you know you will be getting right back in it! Having a swim cover up for everyone in your party will make it easier to walk around the lodge comfortably, but still be ready to go back to the pool on a moments notice if the family wants to!
TIP #3: Get a Paw Pass
A Paw Pass is a lanyard your child gets to wear around their neck that is a “ticket” to experience all of the fun little extras Great Wolf offers. It saves you a significant amount of money over paying outright for those activities, but that’s not why I’m recommending it. It can also act as a bit of a map for first time visitors, letting you know all that’s available to do. It gave us tokens to the arcade- so we went and found the arcade. It gave us a chance to get a glitter tattoo and make a stuffed animal…we found those places. One of my favorites was the chance to decorate a pillow case at the Cub’s Den. I am quite sure we would have overlooked this out of the way oasis – and it was a lovely chance to sit with my daughter and color a keepsake. We talked and had some great bonding time there that I will not soon forget. The pass also allows you a wand and a chance to play an interactive hotel game, more on that in a minute. Bottom line- that pass was the best way to know about and take advantage of what the Lodge offers.
TIP#4: MagiQuest isn’t just for older kids. Or just the boys!
We almost skipped MagiQuest because of my daughters age – I’m glad we did not. While we didn’t follow the clues in the game that appeal to older kids, my daughter loved waving her “wand” at pictures and statues all over the resort and hearing them magically talk to her or light up. We took a “walk” each night just to do that. That said- my heart has rarely been so warmed to see grown men and teenage& preteen boys hanging out together! They were having the most amazing time running around the Lodge trying to “solve” the puzzles. It was really quite hysterical to see how serious they were on their “quests.” *Hint* if you go to the Grapevine TX location..Be SURE to visit the pixie room no matter what age you are! Serious about playing? Check out this post on all the Magi Quest Tips and Tricks we learned!
TIP #5: Wear your Pajamas to the “Good Night Show”and be sure to go!
Every night (sometimes twice a night) there is an absolutely precious story time that is preceded by animatronic animals singing. My daughter got into her bath and pj’s in record time every time I said we could go. It has a really sweet message, and the children can come in their jammies ready for bed after. It’s a great winding down time and kids get to have pictures taken with one of the Mascots of the Lodge like Wiley! My favorite picture of our trip was taken at the Good night show. It was a photo I snapped surreptitiously without looking, while my daughter and I sat cross legged on the floor. I didn’t want to draw my daughters attention…but during the show she reached over and took my hand, and I had to capture it. She held it the whole show, with a small smile on her face. For me- that made the whole trip worth it.
(My favorite Great Wolf memory!)
Have you gone to Great Wolf? Do you have tips to add? I’d love to know!
-Want to learn more about Great Wolf Lodge? Check out this post on – tips for playing Magi Quest.
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
awww love these pics and tips! my fave pic – your daughter in the back of the car ready to go!!
@Nikki, It was pretty cute seeing her so excited to go on a big girl trip! 🙂
I love this post! Such wonderful tips that I will use when we eventually go! I was thinking about going, but now it’s on the To Do list for sure!
@Teresa, Oh I just know you would love it Teresa! Its amazing that its so close, but you can still feel like you’re on vacation:)
Soo cute! Love the pics and the memories!
Yes!! My only other tip is to have a meeting spot in case you lose each other in the waterpark. It happened to me first 5 min. of the first visit! Today was our 4th visit and my 4 year old went down the howling wolf with me. I’m finally getting down the big slides myself! So fun.
Okay, you’ve sold me! We have a Great Wolf Lodge around here, and one other water hotel… And I’ve been wanting to take the kids, but was leaning towards the other one b/c it’s closer to our house. Nope! This looks too much fun! And you had some great tips, too! Thank you!
We love this place and have been almost every year since it has opened. The lifeguards are very professional; we know since we lost our three-year-old for about five minutes. We absolutely love Maqiquest. Save your wands and bring them back each time since they can reactivate them to save you money. I also appreciate that they have activities for kids of all ages. Like you, we bring food like snacks and breakfast foods to save time and money. We usually leave the hotel one night to go out to eat since there are a lot of great restaurants nearby. We used to live in DFW but moved away the year they opened, so it’s a fun reason to return.
Thank you so much for linking up these tips to The Great Wolf Lodge to The Mommy Club last week! Congrats your post was the #4 most clicked post for the week. You are featured on my blog! Thanks again for sharing and hosting the linky 🙂
Crystal
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/08/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-57/
I’ve always wanted to check out Great Wolf Lodge–they looks like so much fun!
@MissMOE, We LOVE it. Been many times since and really admire the family friendly atmosphere:)
Thank you for such an all inclusive positive review of Great Wolf Lodge! I actually work for GWL in Mason, Ohio and its always great to hear that a family loved their stay and plan to return in the future.
@Pack Member, How fun! I hope if I ever go to Mason, I get to try out “your” Great Wolf Lodge!
Crocs! Spring for a pair and you won’t be sorry! I see now why all the staff wear them, your feet will get wet. I found great deals on ones for our next vacation, don’t buy on site, you will spend more than you need to! Get the refillable cup with the Paw Pass and keep it in a safe place at home so that you can reuse on your next visit and save money. Refills cost, but less than starting off with a whole new drink. The breakfast voucher $10 per person that you can only get with reservation scheduling is a great value for 1 morning you stay.
@Summer Highfill, Thanks Summer! Great additions!
I was expecting money saving tips. This was more like an ad, you didn’t even mention the cost of the extras. How much is the paw pass or magiquest?!? Was the good night show free? Not helpful. What is the best age range for these activities? Do all rooms have balconies?
@Renee, Hi Renee! A post on money saving tips is a great idea, but as this title says- its not about money but tips to enjoying the resort. Also, giving prices for specific things like rooms, magiquest, paw pass wouldnt actually work – as prices vary by what Great Wolf location you go to. The prices I paid may or may not be what your nearest GW lodge charges a the tim eyou may choose to go! The night show and morning show is free though by the way! Also- not all rooms have balconies…just as a normal hotel has lots or room choices, so does Great Wolf:)
Thanks for these tips! We’re going at the end of the month with our 1 1/2 year old and couldn’t be more excited! It’s our first little family vacation. Do you think MagiQuest is too young for her (17 months)?
Love the tips, thank you. Do you recall the price of the paw pass? Can you take food/bottled water into the waterpark area?
Love your review! I was thinking of taking my husband as a surprise for one night. Do you think this would be an ok adult getaway?
We are returning to GWL Grand Mound WA for the 5th time! We love the place. We have been going for our middle son’s birthday every January. It is a great winter activity. Some things I’ve learned: pack drinks and snacks for the room, there is a fridge and microwave. I also bring taco meat and fixins for taco salad for our dinner so we don’t have to have pizza or eat in the restaurant onsite. When you make your reservations online, you are given an option for the buffet breakfast at $10 per person for everyone in the room. The selection is superb and everyone gets what they want. The prices for food inside the water park are decent and the selection is good if you want to eat in there. Ask for a coupon book when you check in, sometimes they have one and sometimes they don’t. I just picked up this tip from another site. I was also sent coupons via email for $1 off locker rental and $1 off Magicquest. We usually stay in the KidCabin Suite and it is wonderful! This time, we have the entire family including grandkids so we are staying in the Grizzly Bear. My youngest is a bit disappointed that we aren’t in a “theme room” but I think it will be fun anyway, we don’t spend that much time in the room!
I would not eat at the lodge because it is expensive and if you buy one of their drinks then it is a dollar for a refill any day you are there so save your cups
Well, I for one, found your article one of the most helpful! Thanks so much for the info! Helped me decide whether or not to buy the Paw Passes as well as to bring some snacks with us! Thanks so much for providing so much great info! BTW, the prices can be obtained directly from the GWL website and/or by calling them (varies by location).
Wonderful tips, thank you so much! I almost teared up at the end. I hope to experience the same with my daughter!
I can’t remember. I want to bring my own coffee, but I can’t remember what kind of coffee pot or filters I would need for the room….any thoughts?
Thanks in advance