Great Wolf Lodge

I've seen a few posts on the GWL but wondered if anyone has been there lately...how's the Howlin' Hurricane? Also, does anyone know if masks/goggles can be used (have a child that wont swim w/o them).

Is one night there enough? And what about the new Magic Quest - worth it?

One last question - has anyone been to the Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum? My kids love reading the book but I wondered if it would be a good side trip in W'burg. Cheesy? Kids are 9 and 11.

Thanks!

 

We were there last week. We spent 2 nights and felt like we had enough time although we didn't do everything. The husband and daughter LOVED the tube slides. Daughter is only 5 so she didn't do the biggest slide or the Hurricane. (We heard the screams and squeals coming from the hurricane though so it must have been a wild ride!) The wave pool was a lot of fun too. I spent most of my time in the shallow pool with our 10 month old. The outdoor pool was extremely cold but fun. At one point, the staff gave out beach balls to the kids to play with and there are basketball hoops on one side of the pool too.

Husband and daughter did the Magic Quest and had a really good time with it. It's fun to walk around and "activate" all the things in the lobby and hallways. If you go back for another visit, the same wand will still work.

We weren't impressed with the on-site food (the Cottage and Loose Moose.) The breakfast buffet was ok but dinner was yuck. The 2nd night we did the on-site Pizza Hut. The cafe on the first floor has good coffee and krispy kremes.

Oh, and yes, goggles are allowed. I am pretty sure masks are too but I didn't see any. (Don't think they are permitted on the slides though.)

Everyday at the front desk you can get a sheet with the daily activities. They have different things going on just about all day. Since we were there over the 4th, they had an All American BBQ and there are story times in the lobby by the fireplace, different crafts, etc. The arcade also seemed to be a big hit with the older kid crowd.

I'll ask my sister about the Ripley's - she lives in W'burg and knows just about everything about everything in town.

 

Your kids are older then mine...but GWL is GREAT. Took my kids there in December and we're going to make it a family trip every year. My kids, all young (oldest 5) STILL talk about it and ask when we are going to go back. Won't really need the goggles unless your child goes in the wave pool. They are allowed in there. We were there for five days. I don't think one day would be enough. Your kids will be screaming to go back the next day.
We didn't do the magic quest, but my sister (who went with us) took her eight year old. I believe he thought it was neat for about 10 minutes. It takes about two hours to complete. Most kids would rather be in the water area.
I totally agree with the food. Not great and a little pricey. Not sure when you are looking to go, but December is a great time. It's ALL decked out for the holidays and even make it snow in the building. I'll leave it at that to keep your imagination running!

Overall, GREAT PLACE AND WE'LL WORTH THE TRIP AND MONEY.

 

About Ripley's - my sister hasn't been but several of her friends have and they all enjoyed it. They're all in their late 20's - early 30's and said it was "cool" and "not cheesy".

have fun!

 

We went to Great Wolf Lodge a few weeks ago based on recommendations on this forum. My two kids (2 and 5) loved it! We will definitely go back again. We stayed in the pools that were appropriate for their ages, so didn't try the howling hurricane (looked impressive, though). We mostly ate on site. The breakfast buffet was good, but the dinner buffet one night was only okay. We tried to eat at the Sonic Burger down the road, but either the intercom was malfunctioning, or the guy on the other end was just brain dead (we drove away in frustration and went to chick-fil-a instead).

My daughter played the Magic quest game. "played" being the operative word, because she didn't really follow the rules of the game, she just enjoyed waving the wand at all the different objects in the hotel. This game is probably better for older kids, maybe 7 and up.

thanks all for the recommendations!

 

I was down there and stopped in, it looked pretty cool. I wasn't able to go since I was on a time limit, but If I had kids, that would be one place I would take them.