If you asked me what I love most about being a mom it would be seeing my kids happy. I love for putting smilies on their faces and surprising them with mini getaways and adventures. This past week, I packed our car and we picked up my son at school early. We were all in the car. He took one look at the back of the SUV and asked what the suitcases were for. I told him and his sisters that we were going to great wolf lodge. They were so excited.
The last visit we booked a one night stay and it just wasn’t long enough. Their is so much to offer at Great Wolf Lodge and we didn’t get to experience it all. For this trip, we surprised the kids with a two night stay.
We have been to Great Wolf Lodge a handful of times now, so I know all the essentials to bring and what we need for our stay. I have put together a list of 8 tips that will get you ready for your trip as well.
Packing Tips
Great Wolf Lodge has a fridge in every room. They also have a microwave. My kids like to eat. They are also known to sit in front of their meal, not touch it and then tell me they are starving 30 minutes later. Does this sound familiar to you? Then read on. I usually pack a cooler and a tote bag for non refrigerated items.
I like to bring yogurt and granola for breakfast. I also bring the variety pack boxes of cereal. Our location has a Dunkin’, so all we do is buy milk and we have cereal for breakfast. The microwave is great for making oatmeal and popcorn. I also take the kids meals to go from the restaurants and put the to go in the fridge. Once they are hungry again, I can warm it up.
I bring a smaller cooler with me for the water park. I store their fruit, vegetables and in uncrustables for grab and go food.
Bring trash bags that can be used for dirty or wet clothes.
Pack sandals, flip flops and water shoes for the water park.
Remember, you can still access the water park on the day of your arrival even if your room isn’t ready. You can also use the water park after you have checked out. They have changing rooms with showers.
Celebrate a Birthday
My sons birthday is in December. We are always puzzled as to what to do for his birthday because it’s cold. We surprised him with a party at Great Wolf Lodge for his 4th Birthday. We were welcomed with a birthday banner on our room door. Inside our room was a sheet cake with candles for him. He also got his own special wolf ears with a birthday hat.
Staff and even guests will offer birthday wishes to all birthday guests throughout your stay. My son never thought that he would be able to enjoy a water park on his birthday and because of Great Wolf Lodge, he is able to.
Dining Options
- Lodge Wood Fired Grill: Sit down restaurant for breakfast lunch or dinner. Breakfast buffet, wings, burgers and wood-fired specialties. I recommend the chicken sandwich or the turkey club.
- Hungry As A Wolf: Hand-tossed, homemade pizza, savory Italian and meatball parmesan sandwiches, garlic cheese bread and freshly made salads. Call ahead ordering available.
- Bear Paw Sweets & Eats: Fresh-baked pastries, ice cream, frozen favorites, lodge-made fudge, fresh fruit, specialty coffee drinks. With the Wolf Pass, you are entitled to one small ice cream cup.
- Buckets Incredible: Located inside the water park. Snacks. Treats. Lunch and Drinks. Sample menu: cheeseburgers, hot dogs, hot pretzels, drinks, ice cream.
- Dunkin Donuts: We were frequent visitors here. The kids are having non stop fun and we need to keep up with them.
Upgrade Your Room
We have stayed in a standard room and a suite in the past. This time we had the Wolf Suite and it’s the kids favorite. It’s beyond amazing. The kids have their own space with bunk beds and a television.
The experience is even more awesome with a Build a Bear Wolf of your own. The kids made their own build a bear the last time they came, so I put them with our luggage to take with us. My two younger girls went through our luggage and hid the stuffed animals somewhere in our house. Kids! We have no idea where they hid them and sadly they didn’t make their way back to Great Wolf Lodge.
Attractions
Our park offers a Paw Pass or Wolf Pass, which I highly recommend. We are a family of five and the expenditures will add up if you do not have a pass. There’s MagiQuest, Build a Bear Workshop, Northern Lights arcade, mini golf, Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall, Ten Paw Alley (Bowling Alley), Howlers Peak Rope Course snacks, meals, ice cream, ect. It’s easy to overspend, and although a Paw Pass or Wolf Pass may seem like a lot, it can end up saving money in the end.
We were going to be at Great Wolf Lodge for three days, two nights so we opted for the Wolf Pass. It was a smart decision. When my two year old was napping in the stroller, we were able to play a round of golf and get some bowling in. My son and I went on Howlers Peak Rope Course. I was so proud of him. He was able to walk across a very narrow rope and wasn’t scared one bit. If your child doesn’t meet the height requirements for the tall course, their is smaller course for little ones, which my daughter opted for.
Life Jackets Provided
With kids, their is so much to pack, isn’t there? Great Wolf Lodge makes our lives easier by having life preservers available for babies to adults.
You also don’t need towels. Right next to the water park is a towel booth. You can check out as many towels you need and then return them however many times you want, so you always have a fresh and new towel to use.
Plan Ahead Activities
Great Wolf Lodge has a daily schedule of activities. The water park opens at 10am during the week and 9am on weekends. We usually wake up and make breakfast or have breakfast at one of their restaurants. We love the morning yoga so the kids are able to stretch. We will then grab a coffee at Dunkin’ and head back to our room to change for the park.
Throughout the day, their are character greetings, story time and dance parties. They don’t just play music, the staff shows you choreographed dance moves to each song and gets up and dances with you. At night time, you get into your pajamas and do some more dancing and end the night with a story before bed. We have made story time a few times, but our kids are still young and are exhausted by the end of the day.
Holidays and Special Events
I have to say, my most favorite experiences at Great Wolf Lodge have been for Halloween and Christmas. My kids are young so it magical watching their expressions on their faces.
Holidays are also extra special at Great Wolf Lodge. Every year, they celebrate “Howl”-o-Ween, Snowland winter “howl”idays with extra special activities, crafts, themed-dining, and more.
For Halloween a couple years back, my entire family dressed up in our costumes and we went trick or treating through Great Wolf Lodge.
Our kids go crazy every single time we go to Great Wolf Lodge. My daughter cried when we left and wanted to know when we are coming back. I’m hoping for Halloween or During Snowland.
Have you been to Great Wolf Lodge? What’s your favorite experience? I’d love to answer any and all of your questions.
