Three Great Wolf Lodge Vacation Highlights

I’m going! What a perfect time to launch “White Glove World;” with a SPLASH at Great Wolf Lodge in Georgia. My family has spent time at its northern cousin in Boston. And we’ve been looking forward to visiting another location since. Thanks to Mom Select, we have the opportunity to dive in May 1st through May 3rd. The clan is making a vacation plan for the inaugural Great Wolf Lodge Social Media Splash. Here are the highlights!

Three Reasons to Look Forward to Great Wolf Lodge Vacation

There’s so much to fit into a long weekend at any of these properties. Hence, we plan! Overall, I would say if you and your cubs are looking for R & R, look elsewhere. Here, it’s GO time.

ACTIVE Family Play

The clan that plays together makes healthy memories together. And studies show that the more senses you engage in any given activity, the more deeply it becomes ingrained. Carve your family’s most memorable moments into those minds! From splashing together in the Water Park to quiet moments in Yoga Tails, togetherness rules. Whether taking an engaging and creative morning Wolf Walk around the Grand Lobby or heading to Wolfercise family aerobics, there is action. As a pack. You know my motto- the family that moves together stays together.

Vacation the Easy Way

Water Park

The famed Great Wolf Lodge Water Park is inclusive in your stay! Simply don your wristband at check-in, and the nearly 100,000 square-foot indoor water park is yours to explore. Ready to start bonding? This 84-degree water area offers a family wave pool (Slip Tail Pond) and a family “lazy’ river (Crooked Creek). Don’t forget the Otter Run family slide, too.

Teens will love the challenge of the Wolf Tail vertical 20-foot free fall and the Triple Thunder thrill slide. Yikes! Littles have their own, tamer spots such as Cub Paw Pool and Whooping Hollow slides. Parents? You are not forgotten. Grab a soak in Northwoods Oasis, a more adult jacuzzi area for a bit of relaxation.

Kids Activities

From sunup Yoga tails, to midday Character appearances, to evening Camp H.O.W.L. (parent-free!) and Jammie Jamboree, the kiddies can be as entertained as much as they- or you- would like. All of these activities are included in your stay.

Seperate age-appropriate Attraction Passes- for activities such as MagiQuest Game with Wand, arcade passes, Howl-In-One Mini Golf -range from $49.99 to $59.99. Have a gamer in your wolf pack? A wanna-be wizard? Magiquest is a interactive, live action game that places your little (or big) “Master Magi” right in the middle of their own adventure. “Real” magic wands (also available for purchase, of course!) lead the quest. This attraction is absolutely a Great Wolf Lodge highlight.

Multigenerational

Great Wolf Lodge has made family vacationing easy for ALL. No activity is located too far away from your room. Elevators transport the littles as well as walkers and wheelchairs. (Accessible rooms are available upon request.) The wide-ranging activities are suited for every comfort level. Maybe Grandpa wants to show his stuff at 9-hole Howl In One Mini Golf. Grandma might be looking forward to a manicure with her bitty granddaughter. (Not offered at every location.) Let the teens literally climb the walls at the 40,000-square-foot indoor Great Wolf Adventure Park. The Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall is a 21-foot challenge for all ages, 48 inches or taller.

Food at Your Fingertips

Worked up a ferocious hunger? Dining and grazing is effortless at Great Wolf Lodge. The pack will not have to hunt to find chow. Though the offerings vary at each location, the vibe is the same. Basic food made easy. From All-You-Can Eat Buffets (Campfire Kitchen), to casual Timbers BBQ, to slightly more upscale evening dining (Barnwood), you can munch most any time of the day. Freshwoods Market supplies grab and go goodies. Hungry As a Wolf pizza and pasta will sate your wolfpack after all that movement! For thirsty parents looking to wind down the day, The Watering Hole and The Outpost fit the bill.

Special Needs Families are Embraced at Great Wolf Lodge

Not only did Great Wolf Lodge partner with Autism Speaks during last April’s World Autism Month, their “Blue Wolf Ears” campaign signaled the beginning of an ongoing association to help prepare all of their properties to become increasingly autism-friendly. As an Autism Speaks Advocacy Ambassador and autism mom, I always travel with this community front-of-mind. In my stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Massachusetts, these were my observations:

Spectrum Friendly

• Great Wolf Lodge, though sizable, is quite manageable in size. Parents of elopers will find this comforting. As opposed to a vacation at a sprawling Walt Disney World, for instance, these properties are far more manageable.
• Sensory seekers will find comfort in the sliding, splashing, and climbing that abounds.
• Sensory avoiders and their families will need to prepare accordingly. Ear plugs or earphones might be in order, as the indoor play areas can get loud. Get to the Water parks early or late to avoid overstimulation. Lodges with outdoor water areas may offer more spots for decompression. MagiQuest activities are calmer and more child-controlled.
• Checkin is a fairly streamlined event, as families will receive a text notification when their den (room) is ready.
• Is restaurant dining typically a nightmare event? You may take food to your room and graze quietly there. I did not see special allergy menus readily available, but I will certainly report more on that in May.
• Is anxiety of the unknown a factor? There are a multitude of Youtube videos available to take your youngster through each attraction or activity.
• The employees, or Pack Members, are particularly engaged in all areas, especially the water parks. For extra security, bring your own U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets, or rent one free of charge.
• Take the time to appreciate the opportunity to work on social skills in this setting. Waiting in line at the slides and turn taking at Maiquest can be teachable moments. IF planned for.

Great Wolf Lodge Highlights

Whether swimming, splashing, or sliding in the Water Park, or landlubber-ing in the Great Wolf Adventure Park, Great Wolf Lodge is the place for active vacationing. With this multitude of nonstop attractions and activities, there is no need for a planning app or creation of a Google doc before you embark on a family vacation. Even your grazing is streamlined, so simplicity is the name of the game. Everyone from Grandma to the bitties to special needs members will be given the chance to cherish their time together. How wild!