Recently, we went to The Great Wolf Lodge in Pocono Mountain, PA, what a great place for a fun-filled family weekend. There was so many activities for the children to participate in, even for large age range we have.
We arrived at The Great Wolf Lodge early on a Saturday morning, with two kids (age 1 and 12) in tow. We were meeting a friend and her children (ages 4 and 10) but they were going to arrive a bit later than us. My son was so excited to be there. He had spent the last month researching everything on their website. At first I was a bit overwhelmed because there were so many people milling about in the lobby with their luggage. The lobby itself was huge large and inviting with a huge fireplace and lots of woodland décor. There were two masseurs giving complimentary back massages and free face painting for the kids – can you say awesome?
Once I got my bearings we waited for about five minutes to check in. At the check-in counter they gave us our wristbands. The wristbands can be programmed as room keys and also with the ability to charge to the room. What a great idea! Our room was not ready yet so they asked for our cell phone number and they would text us when the room was ready but we could enjoy the waterpark in the meantime. There was a bellhop to take our luggage with the instruction to call down when our room was ready and they would bring it up to the room for us. So off we went to change for the park!
The indoor waterpark was amazing! As soon as you walk in the doors, you are greeted with a desk holding complimentary towels and the warm air surrounds you. There are many different options for all the members of your family. There is a wave pool, toddler slides, toddler play area, hot tub, an obstacle course, pool, lazy river, and a variety of large water slides that you go down in tubes. Some of these slides even go outside the building and back in! There are a large amount of chairs and tables that you can designate as your home base and with only one way in and out, you feel safe having the older children run around.
Guests are allowed to bring in food but Great Wolf Lodge also had a variety of choices to choose from inside the water park as well as a full service bar if you were in the mood for a tropical libation!
Activities?
Great Wolf Lodge has two Spas (one for adults and one for children), and indoor miniature golf course, bowling, and arcade, all for extra fees. The other spectacular offering for the children is MagiQuest and ShadowQuest. There were children running around the hotel with magic wands going on virtual scavenger hunts. When they waved their wand in front of one of the objects, pictures, screens; something would happen and give them their next clue. This activity could easily keep the children entertained all weekend. It stretches across all floor of the hotel and the clues have the kids moving about, up and down the stairs. This was a bit pricier of the extra activities but definitely worth it!
Hungry?
Great Wolf Lodge has numerous food options as well. There is a Starbucks on premises, bakery, pizza place, deli and a buffet restaurant to choose from. You can bring your own food too if you wanted to save a few dollars and the rooms have a refrigerator and microwave for your use.
Accommodations?
We stayed in a basic room with two queen beds and a pullout sofa. Plenty of space for 6 people! However the Lodge also has a variety of other rooms for a greater price. There are kid suites with bunk beds, rooms with fireplaces, and many other options to choose from.
This was a great mini vacation to break up all this cold wintery weather. Check Great Wolf Lodge out at one of their many locations. Trust me, you wont be disappointed and the kids will thank you too!
