I know from my children that I tuck more into a few day getaways than most will in a full week or even a month and I am proud of this! Vacations to new destinations is about learning all about it and then enjoying everything it offers.
Our recent trip to Great Wolf Lodge was no different in my ‘get er’ done’ way as we capitalized on ultimate kid fun and I even took part. I wanted to see if it really was fun or a bunch of ‘hoopla’ over nothing? Get ready for family fun, teen fun and even those 20 somethings will find something to love!
Lavishly learn how to maximize fun at the Great Wolf Lodge and as a side benefit you will exhaust your kids while doing so!
GREAT WOLF LODGE
I was invited to stay as a guest of the Great Wolf Lodge, Poconos. All opinions, stories are my own, as I consistently strive to find the best of the best in travel and adventure!
The Great Wolf Lodge is not just a waterpark, it is a destination for all things kids and fun!. Trust me, after watching all the parents running after their kids up and down the halls and in the lobby, excitement abounds everywhere.
The Great Wolf Lodge is similar to a grounded cruise ship. Where there are activities that go nonstop from the moment the kids get up until the moment the MagiQuest is shut down (about 10:30 at night)
Inside the Great Wolf Lodge, you will find this large storytelling section and it is a huge hit with the kids, they literally ran me off the steps to get to it (other guests). Storytelling is just one option that is FREE To attend any part of your stay.
Time spent inside the waterpark is great, but you do need to take breaks. Having asthma is one big reason to stop and come on out for a while, as the chlorine levels might irritate the condition.
Surprisingly enough there were even signs in the waterpark suggesting taking a break if you have asthma, and I appreciated seeing this. We have asthma, we spent a few hours in the park and then a few hours out and back and forth.
How To Maximize Fun At The Great Wolf Lodge
Let us get down to the nitty-gritty here and learn How To Exhaust Your Kids At Great Wolf Lodge! Head on to the front desk (if you have not bought this ahead of time) and buy a Wolf Pass. Wolf Passes can be bought when you book your stay or when you arrive.
See the lanyard around my neck? The lanyard is the key component to thoroughly wearing the kids out, and quite possibly yourself, lol!
Your kids will go throughout the resort, conquering the tasks on the Wolf Pass. While they are not truly tasks they are all fun. As they complete an activity, it is crossed off the list.
What’s Included?
One MagiQuest or ShadowQuest game
Choice of the classic wand, standard topper or Magi belt
One Creation Station animal (outfit not included)
A Clubhouse Crew Adventure
Oliver’s Mining Co. Experience (1)
Round of Howl at the Moon Glow Golf (1)
Admission to Howlers Peak Ropes Course (1)
One Paw Points arcade/attractions card (20 points)
A 12 oz. candy cup
Great Wolf Lodge goggles from Bear Essentials Swim Shop
Glitz Glitter Tattoo (1)
A Leather Treaty name bracelet from Buckhorn Exchange Gift Shop
THE TASKS
First of all, you get to really learn every nook of the resort. Visits to the arcade are a blast and really good for nighttime, though it can be really busy in the arcade. Also, a note about the arcade it is open 24 hours a day!
Name Shop
We started out making Name Shop ‘leather treaty’ bracelets. This is great because my kids all have unique names and spellings and never have things personalized.
Creation Station
Next stop was a blast, at least I thought so, we got to make our own Wolfie, he got stuffed!
Golf & Bowling
From the Creation Station, it was off to golf with glow in the dark fun, and then over to bowling (Ten Paw Alley)
Wow, did we have some fun here, with Spares and Strikes and a full-all out family challenge?
Candy Time
You can be a kid in the candy shop if you have the Wolf Pass because you get 1 serving of select bulk candy, see us go!
Goggles Please
What would a trip to the waterpark be without Goggles? We will never know that answer because we got a pair of Great Wolf Lodge Swim goggles with our Wolf Pass— wahoo (that’s me howling)
GLITTER TATTOOS
I could not pass, we headed back to where we got the stuffed animals and got our Glitter Tattoos. Do not get these until you are done with the chlorine in the pool or it will not stay on. We did this at the end of our stay.
ROCK THE ARCADE
Finally, we walked into the arcade and this happened! One attempt and 751 tickets later!
Magical Great Wolf Lodge
Here’s the kicker, the whole time we were there, kids were running around in capes with wands and having a great time, touching these digital screens. They are actually on a quest and the wands when tapped against the screen brings the quest to life.
The various floors, corridors of the resort house these screens and kids are all over having a blast. We got our wands and they set out to play. This is when we learned that the party stops at 10:30:) and that is good or kids would be running around a lot!
Things we did not do but could have with our Wolf Pass: Howly Wood XD Theater (we tried but it was booked), 1 Compass Quest Game – we simply ran out of time and we ran all day!
Lavishly live travel out loud at the Great Wolf Lodge, it is simply fantastic. While in the area you might want to check out the Pocono Mountains area.