Great Wolf Lodge: background
In the world of resorts with indoor waterparks, Great Wolf Lodge is a big name that's rapidly bigger-ing. The original Great Wolf Lodge is in the town that started it all: the indoor- waterpark capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells.
Great Wolf Lodge has now colonized a half-dozen other towns with resorts with indoor waterparks: there's Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky, in Ohio; Great Wolf Lodge Poconos ; and more. But the company hasn't neglected its grand-daddy property: Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells hugely expanded its original indoor waterpark space.
Wisconsin Dells, by the way, is a town of approximately 4000 in central Wisconsin; nearest cities are Madison and Milwaukee. The place is full of water parks: many resorts have their own indoor and/or outdoor water parks, and several public water parks are open during summertime.
Features of Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells:
Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells has 100,000 sq.ft. of indoor waterparks, plus outdoor water parks, and dry play zones.
Indoors, the Great Wolf Lodge has three water park areas. Fort MacKenzie has a 4-storey 12-level tree-house with spray guns, fountains, hoses, and a giant bucket at the top that spills water all over. The Spirit Island waterpark has a lazy river, waterslides, kiddie slides, and Totem Pole decor. Add to this the 38,000 square-foot Bear Track Landing with wave pool, waterslides, toddler pool, and more.
Outdoors, in summer season the Thunder Bay waterpark has 60,000 sq. ft.: giant pool with geysers, spray features; waterslides; miniature version of Fort MacKenzie play zone; kiddie bumper boats; and more. Family Cabanas are available for rent in summer, with mini-fridge, ceiling fan, and tv (!?) ; $99 to $149. (Always check web site for updates and latest price.)
Also outdoors: the "Howlin' Tornado", a $3M "funnel" tubing ride: 4-person tube "rafts" whiz down a 65-foot funnel. See graphic photos-- if you dare-- at the Great Wolf Lodge site.
On dry land, Great Wolf Lodge has a signature Grand Lobby with log decor and a huge stone fireplace, and nightly storytelling. The Lodge has a many family suites, and price includes passes to the waterparks. Condo's are available too.
Great Wolf Lodge has a family-friendly restaurant, a fitness center and Aveda® Concept Spa, Northern Lights Arcade, and "Wiley's Woods," a 4-story "foam ball play center".
Seasonal Fun
Howl-O-Ween: in October has Halloween fun such as costume contest, pumpkin decorating in Cub Club, spooktacular story time, nightly trick-or-treat, horse-drawn hay rides, and more. Other Great Wolf Lodges go all out for Halloween too.
Snowland: happens at all Great Wolf Lodges in December. Features typical include:
- Grand Lobby decorations: snowflakes, icicles, lights, Christmas trees, "glacier polar bears and penguins", even indoor snow (and roaring fireplaces too)
- Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting
- visit with Santa, North Pole University for Elves, carol sing-alongs
- animated musical Great Clock Tower Holiday Show
- bedtime storytime with Rowdy the Reindeer
- Secret Santa Station: “No Adults Allowed!” place where kids can make gifts for mom & dad
- Polar Bear Race on the giant waterslides
Find out more about Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells:
- Head to the Great Wolf Lodge site
- Check visitors' comments at Trip Advisor.com. (Just enter "Great Wolf Lodge" in the searchbox.)
- Check prices
This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.
* photo courtesy of Wisconsin Dells Visitors Bureau.
