It happens to the best of us.  You wake up at Great Wolf Lodge, walk outside of your super suite door…and can’t remember which way to the Grand Lobby (which is near the coffee, which you need…and near the waterpark, which your kids need).  What to do?!

Turns out, all you need to do is follow the light!  The lamp light that is.  Notice the cute little woodland animal themed lights lining the hallways of the lodge? (Check the photo.)  Well, they can point you in the right direction.  The nose of each of those critters is installed to point directly towards the Grand Lobby.  That’s right—the animals face the lobby!

You can test me on this.  Follow their noses to the Grand Lobby (or waterpark, or other center of the lodge) and then continue to the stretch of hallway on the other side.  See that?  Their noses switched direction, pointing back towards the lobby as well.  Brilliant!

Just a little something new for you today…you're welcome.

We recently announced our 2013 Ask-A-Mom (and dads)—our resident parent experts who provide their tips and tricks for a great trip to the lodge.  Over the coming weeks, we are going to introduce you to each of them and give you a look at why they love Great Wolf Lodge.  Meet Dave for our Pocono Mountains lodge—husband, father of two, runner with a PhD in neuroscience with a passion for travel.

Why does my family love Great Wolf Lodge? Wow, that’s a loaded question now, isn’t it?  Nevertheless, I’ll take a stab at it.  Things our family loves:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.
Brown paper packages tied up with strings.

Wait! Shoot, wrong list, sorry about that.  While we do love all those things mentioned above, this is the list I meant to include:

Spending time together.
Swimming and laughing.
Cookies, Brownies, ICE CREAM.

All of these things we can do at Great Wolf Lodge.  Yes, of course they are not exclusive to Great Wolf Lodge, but we relished them during our recent stay at the Sandusky, OH property, and the family memories created have produced a soft spot in our heart for the resort.

Admittedly, I am not an expert on Great Wolf Lodge, but in addition to Sandusky, OH, we have also visited the Niagara Falls, Ontario location.  That being said, as a Dad who likes to travel and is the family’s vacation planner, I do consider myself somewhat of an expert on family travel (at least our family travel).  We have journeyed extensively throughout the country—from New York City, to Walt Disney World, to California and many places in between.  And our stays at Great Wolf Lodge compare favorably to any other vacation, and have always allowed us to unwind and relax in a fun, safe environment.   

If I had to think of a favorite experience at Great Wolf Lodge, it has to be the water park itself.  Having access to a full water park, only steps away from our luxurious hotel suite, is heavenly.  The water was toasty warm (a definite plus for the cold water wimp in me) and we took advantage of every slide and water feature in the park.  And after playing for hours in the warm water, it was soooooo easy to fall asleep in our soft and cushy bed.

Why would I like to be selected for Great Wolf Lodge’s Ask-a-Mom (or Dad) Panel?  Mostly because I really enjoy sharing my travels and have a spot in my heart reserved for Great Wolf Lodge.

We recently announced our 2013 Ask-A-Mom (and dads)—our resident parent experts who provide their tips and tricks for a great trip to the lodge.  Over the coming weeks, we are going to introduce you to each of them and give you a look at why they love Great Wolf Lodge.  Today, meet Naomi, our Kansas City Ask-A-Mom. A native of Oahu, Hawaii (jealous), she lived in Texas, Washington and Tennessee before landing in Wichita, Kansas.

We live in the middle of Kansas, in the middle of the country. It’s very flat and dry here, which is pretty much the opposite of where I grew up in the Windward Mountains of Oahu, Hawaii. Being landlocked is okay, for the most part, but the weather here is totally insane.

The skies here in the plains states are unbelievably gorgeous. Wide open and blue with nothing to interrupt the endless horizon, it’s easy to see why a song like “Home on the Range” was written. But the past two summers have been so hot and dusty that the kids haven’t even wanted to go outside. It’s like being inside of an oven for much of the year. Or, more accurately, like walking into a hairdryer since hot wind whips all around you. In the wintertime, the winds are icy cold and cut right through to your bones. For two or three weeks a year, intermittently, the weather is perfect here in Wichita. It’s kind of hard to plan family get-togethers when Mother Nature is always playing tricks on you.

One of the things my family loves most about Great Wolf Lodge is that the environment is controlled. Sure, it’s a three hour drive from Wichita, but once we get there it’s going to be a balmy 84º no matter what time of year it is—and no matter what kind of craziness is going on outside! Everything is under one family-focused, climate-controlled roof. We can spend our days in bathing suits, on fantastic quests or even getting pampered in the spa. My kids note that even bedtime is more fun at Great Wolf because they get to sleep in the Wolf Den. Anytime going to bed is less than a struggle, I am mightily impressed! Truth be told, they’re usually ready for sleep after packing all the Great Wolf Lodge fun into their day.  

We recently announced our 2013 Ask-A-Mom (and dads)—our resident parent experts who provide their tips and tricks for a great trip to the lodge.  Over the coming weeks, we are going to introduce you to each of them and give you a look at why they love Great Wolf Lodge.  Today, meet Dan Anderson for our Grand Mound lodge.  Dan is a husband, father to a son, two Golden Retrievers and a bearded dragon named Spike. 

My family enjoys having fun together, which is why we love Great Wolf Lodge—there is something for everyone and we can experience it all as a family.

My 4-year-old son, Matthew, loves playing in the water and has been taking swim classes at our local pool. Although he is not yet ready to conquer the big thrill rides, Great Wolf offers plenty of fun appropriate for his age. The indoor waterpark is perfect for him and the giant tipping bucket dumping on his head is always a highlight. Of course, it is more fun when mom and dad play along, which is why the design at Great Wolf is so great for our family.

My wife, Amy, is partial to the Starbucks in the lobby—we truly can’t start our day without a good cup of coffee. Having our favorite coffee place in the lobby makes all the difference and makes you feel like home. While my wife and I have our coffee, Matthew always gets a cup of steamed milk which he also refers to as “coffee.”

I am a bit of a technology geek, which is why I get a kick out of Great Wolf Lodge’s innovative games like MagiQuest. It is neat how Great Wolf has used the technology to create a fun experience that can keep families entertained for days. I also like MagiQuest because it is something that my family can do together.

The overall value is a larger part of why my family loves Great Wolf Lodge. Family vacations are expensive and we try to make the most out of every trip. With a visit to Great Wolf, our admission costs are bundled into the price of the room. This is great for us because we don’t have to worry about paying separate fees for admission to the park, like we have to do with trips to Disneyland.

The rooms at the hotel are wonderfully themed, especially the Wolf Den Suite, which is another reason why we enjoy visiting Great Wolf Lodge. My son loves having his own space to play and sleep in. My wife and I love that we’re not all crammed into a small hotel room, and actually have space to spread out and enjoy being away from home.

The best part of Great Wolf is that it is nearby for a quick escape. Living in the Pacific Northwest can be tough when you go for several weeks without the sun. Having a warm, indoor waterpark within driving distance is a huge perk and makes those cold winter days more bearable.

My family loves having fun together and Great Wolf Lodge is one of our favorite places to visit. There is something for each of us, but the best part is that we can enjoy it all together.

We recently announced our 2013 Ask-A-Mom (and dads)—our resident parent experts who provide their tips and tricks for a great trip to the lodge.  Over the coming weeks, we are going to introduce you to each of them and give you a look at why they love Great Wolf Lodge.  Today, meet Anne Loucks for Great Wolf Lodge – Niagara Falls—lover of skiing, swimming, boxing, spinning and traveling with her family.

When the snow is blowing and the winds are howling, this Canadian family starts to think of traveling. Great Wolf Lodge is an escape that has been coined “Mini Canadian Disneyland” by  my family. No planes to catch and my family has everything they need under one roof. 

My son sings the Raffi song “I think I must be growing” in desperate attempts to see if he can go on the big slides yet.  At a mere 45 inches, he still has a little ways to go.  As my daughter follows everything her older brother does (the only female Spiderman for Halloween) she is excited to be tall enough to break out of the splash zone tree house area.

Promises of an adventure that includes: make your own sundaes, crafts that don’t mean colouring on the dining room table, arcade games, Story Time and of course waterslides have my children packing in record time.   

As a parent, I want planning a vacation to be simple and take less time than one load of laundry. Great Wolf Lodge reservation system is foolproof.  I can pick bedrooms that suit whatever my vacation demands.  Having two children born in the winter makes it challenging for birthdays. With a trip to Great Wolf Lodge I can book a Wolf Den and everyone comes away happy and feeling special. 

Niagara Falls is only 6 hour from Ottawa, with outlet malls, casinos, fall wine tours and a place my children can have fun on slides year-round, who could ask for more?

Having 2 waterparks in our town, means I am constantly checking lifeguard safety.  I am impressed with Great Wolf Lodge’s ability to hire competent, friendly and efficient lifeguards—something you don’t get to see enough of these days.  This puts parents’ minds at ease, knowing and trusting that safety is a top concern.   

To sum it up, Great Wolf Lodge is a journey to adventure that should happen as often as possible.  It is easy to promote a vacation hot spot when it is as fantastic as Great Wolf Lodge. With a fun theme, various activities for all ages (MagicQuest, hot tubs, parent free time) it leaves you with a burning desire to book again as soon as possible. 

Although we don’t live in an igloo, we do have a woodstove and shovel lots of snow. My children are asking (aka begging) for Great Wolf Lodge “pleeeaaasee”.

We recently announced our 2013 Ask-A-Moms (and dads)—our resident parent experts who provide their tips and tricks for a great trip to the lodge.  Over the coming weeks, we are going to introduce you to each of them, giving you a look at why they love Great Wolf Lodge.  First up, Anitra Elmore for our Charlotte/Concord lodge.  Anitra is a wife, blogger and stay-at-home mother of two living in Cary, North Carolina. 

We are not your typical family. When it comes to having fun, we each like very different things and have very strong opinions. Since none of us are afraid to speak our minds, it makes for some challenging times when we’re deciding what to do together.  And when we decide to get away, it’s not always easy to make the right choice.

Except, of course, when our destination is Great Wolf Lodge.

Where else can we go, within driving distance, where we find something to please each of us? Mom can enjoy the spa while dad and the kids play in the water. Mom and the kids can run wild playing MagiQuest, while dad relaxes in the lobby or works in the cozy suite. We all enjoy mini-golf, bowling and the arcade, so that keeps us busy together for a while.  When the kids need some quiet time, the Cub Club comes valiantly to the rescue.

We discover something new each time we visit. It’s amazing how much they’ve tucked away in the nooks, crannies and hallways of the lodge. While there are things we haven’t tried, like the kids spa, we definitely have our favorites—Story Time and the water slides are a must. And, if we decide not to eat at one of the restaurants on property, we’re surrounded by so many of our favorites right there in the area.

There’s absolutely no room for anyone to get bored when we visit. The concept is absolute genius and each time I’m there, I am overwhelmed at how well thought out everything is.  We were hooked from the first time we heard that “Goin' to the Lodge” and we remain hooked because Great Wolf Lodge delivers what they promise.  It’s the ideal place for families to make memories, and I am proud to say that we have indeed made a few.

As a blogger, I spend a considerable amount of my time making recommendations to other moms. When I find a product, service or destination that helps us enrich our family life, I’m pleased to shout it from the rooftops and across all of my social media channels.  Great Wolf Lodge is definitely one of these places.

Ask Anitra a question about our Concord lodge online at askamom.greatwolf.com

Working in the corporate office, and not physically in a Great Wolf Lodge resort, I’m often asked, “What do you do all day if you’re not in the hotel?” Well—a recent answer would have been, “I relax in bed all day.”

The office next to mine currently has two comfy, queen size beds, fully made up with tons of pillows and crisp, white sheets. Go a little further down the hall, and you’ll find three more beds, just waiting for someone to take a nap. It’s like having a Majestic Bear Suite right here in the office! I promise, though, these beds are not the norm. They are just the latest chapter in our ongoing effort to continually improve the guest experience at our resorts. This week’s focus has been on hibernation hours—when everyone is sleeping.

2013 is going to be a big year for each of our resorts. From new attractions, to new entertainment and new dining experiences, I’m excited about everything we are adding to our lodges this year. We have a lot of great news to share!

Here’s a sneak peek—we’re working to give you an even better night’s sleep! The beds set up in our offices are all samples—new mattresses, new linens, and new color schemes. Together with our CEO, Kim Schaefer (and her wolf pup to cuddle), the corporate team tried out the mattresses to help determine which would help give Great Wolf Lodge guests the perfect night’s sleep.

Everyone shared their thoughts, “Too hard.” “Too soft.” And, “This is so comfortable!” Some people bounced on them, a few tried to snuggle and others stretched out, fully relaxed. It was a fun, albeit slightly unusual day. And our procurement department also had a mini challenge for all of us. The bed experiment also featured a blind “taste test” of sorts—our current Great Wolf Lodge bed was one of the five!

Physically lying around on the office beds was just one part of the overall decision making that will take place in the coming weeks. But I’m really excited to share that just in time for summer, several resorts will have brand new bedding—linens, mattresses, box springs and pillows—throughout the entire property. And while I may not know which actual mattress will become “the” new bed, I’m glad my fellow Pack Members and I got a chance to try them out.

I wonder if I can squeeze in just one more nap…

I love theming. While I am not very artistic, I do have great admiration for places that understand theming and create immersive environments. My husband and I love to visit theme parks, water parks and resorts, not just for the attractions and rides themselves but also for the overall look, feel and even smell that is created to help “transport” you to another place.   

At Great Wolf Lodge, we create an immersive environment for your family. The inspiration for the look and feel of the Great Wolf Lodge resorts comes from the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Our resorts have a quiet, comfortable, rustic feel. From the color on the wall, to the wood fixtures and "log cabin-like" furniture, to the warm and inviting fireplace, the focal point of each lobby, we surround you in our forest home. As you look up at the antler chandeliers, and around at the soft earthy colors and cozy furniture—have you ever looked down? You should. We theme for your feet, too.

I love that our carpets reflect our lodge theme. Depending on which resort you visit, you may be greeted by bears, moose and “patchwork” pattern or a lighter patterned floor with leaves, soft greens and fall colors. If you haven’t really noticed the carpet—I guarantee your kids have. While visiting the Great Wolf Lodge Mason, I watched one little girl play her version of hopscotch by only touching the “animal squares.”  She skipped over the patterns and prints and moved her feet by hopping from the bear to the deer to the moose and so on. It took her family awhile to get to their room—but everyone had fun along the way!

In 2012, our resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and Sandusky, Ohio were fully renovated and that meant adding brand new carpet throughout the entire resort. The colors pop brighter than ever and little feet enjoy the plush feel as they scamper down the hallways from the family suite to the water park.

Breaking with the outdoor theme a bit, the Northern Lights arcades also got a full facelift (that will continue into 2013) and once again, feet were not forgotten. I love the new swirly design, stars and bright colors that enhance the overall look and feel of the arcade. And don’t worry—Wiley the Wolf left his “paw of approval” on this new floor, too. The carpet is filled with our signature Great Wolf Lodge paw print.

Next time you visit a Great Wolf Lodge resort, be sure to glance down at your feet during your stay. They just may be pretty enough for a picture!

Every day our lodges work hard to help families make memories. From simple moments in the Cub Club between daddy and daughter, to annual family traditions—they see it all.  

Working in the Corporate Office, I don't get to experience all of these stories first-hand, but I do get to hear about a lot of them. Some of our guest share their stories on Facebook, or they tweet us during their stay.  They even take the time to submit their favorite memories to our blog.  But my favorite way to hear about the stories is from our pack members at the lodge.  The following story was emailed to our Great Wolf Lodge - Cincinnati/Mason pack members and I just had to share it.  

My son, Stephen, returned to us from Army Ranger school in Georgia very late the evening of December 16th. The next day, I helped to launch a scheme that would "buy" him the time to drive to Kenwood Mall to purchase Brittney's (now his fiance) dream engagement ring. The next "project" became creating a special moment for the proposal. "Stevie" (as I lovingly refer to him) was a little undone because his younger sister, Meghan, just became engaged on December 21st—her fiance took her to New York City and surprised her with quite a lavish production. Stevie was determined to do something equally grand for Brittney (without stealing his sister's thunder).  What became problematic was the amount of time he had left before he would have to return to Georgia. So, those circumstances, combined with a very anxious and curious Brittney, inspired him to secretly turn to me, again, for the next "scheme." Given that it was the early evening of Christmas Day, I wasn't completely optimistic that we could create the moment he desired—that is, until I placed the call to Great Wolf Lodge.

When Jennifer heard my explanation, she didn't hesitate to spring into action. (She, quite honestly, sounded as giddy as I did...it was fantastic!) Through just a couple of phone calls and her consultation with her leader, Jen, the plan came together that offered Stevie the chance to propose in your beautiful lobby, complete with snow—on cue!  When they arrived at their suite, they were delighted by a special arrangement of chocolate-covered strawberries and a select celebratory beverage—details crafted by Jennifer and Jen—details that made the experience complete! In Stevie's and Brittney's words, "Everything was amazing...and awesome!"

The next day, I texted Stevie to see how things were going. He replied that they had checked out of their suite, but were "hanging out" in Great Wolf's lobby because it was such a "cool place...a great place to relax, talk and have some coffee." (I also think they were continuing to relish in the experience and didn't want it to end!)

As you might imagine, by now many family members have heard this story and plan to visit your resort—even the family that's local, including me! (It's funny...I had previously considered staying at Great Wolf, myself, thinking it would be a great spot to bring my husband, given that he's terminally ill and can no longer travel any sort of distance. It's that thought that inspired me to think of Great Wolf for Stevie and Brittney's special occasion.) As well, there will, most assuredly be events related to their upcoming wedding (not sure if it will be in 2013 or 2014, as of yet). We will be certain to locate guests and/or host additional gatherings at Great Wolf! And, let there be no doubt: our immediate and ever-lasting loyalty to Great Wolf Lodge was earned by Jennifer and Jen.

Thank you and have a wonderful Holiday!

Thank you to Susan Hampton for allowing me to share her story, and for letting us be a part of her family's big day.

Remember being in middle school and having to learn a new vocabulary list each week? You’d study the list just enough to get through the test and then move on. And, occasionally a word would stick with you. Well—today’s blog post is sponsored by such a word. Triskaidekaphobia.  And most importantly—what Great Wolf Lodge is doing to combat it!

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. Did you know this fear is so real, that most hotels do not have a thirteenth floor and airplanes do not have a thirteenth row? 13 has long been viewed as an unlucky number. For anyone who has the fear of the number 13, 2013 will probably be a tough year.

The number 13 isn’t all bad, though. The United States was formed from 13 original colonies. A baker’s dozen is 13 yummy treats, not twelve. Turning 13 is a milestone for kids as they transition from child to teenager. And to give this New Year a lucky start—we are excited to announce the search for the Great Wolf Lodge Lucky 13.

Is your child turning 13 this year? Perhaps your niece, nephew or grandchild? Wouldn’t a trip to Great Wolf Lodge be the perfect way to help ensure they have a luck-filled year? Families that have a child celebrating their 13^th birthday in 2013 are invited to enter the Lucky 13 contest.

When: Sunday, January 13, 2013 from 12:01 a.m. Central Time until 11:59 p.m. Central Time that night.

How To Enter: Eligible guests can send an email to lucky13@greatwolf.com with the subject line “Lucky 13” and the following information in the body of the email:

1. Your name (parent or guardian submitting the entry)
2. Your address 
3. Name of your child who is turning 13 in 2013
4. Birth date of your child who is turning 13 in 2013

13 lucky winners will be randomly selected to receive a single night’s stay at the Great Wolf Lodge resort nearest them for just $20.13. This very lucky reservation rate is more than 90% off of the average cost of a stay in a Family Suite at Great Wolf Lodge.

For official sweepstakes rules, visit www.greatwolf.com/sweepstakes.

Don’t have a child turning 13 this year? That’s Ok—all luck is not lost. You can still save up to 20% off a multi-night stay at your favorite Great Wolf Lodge by entering the promotion code EARLY to book your reservation by January 18. Want to keep this lucky savings streak going? Join the Great Wolf Lodge E-pack to receive news about limited time promotions and deals all year long! 

So next time you play Trivial Pursuit, you'll not only know the definition of triskaidekaphobia but you’ll also remember Great Wolf Lodge resorts helped ensure 13 teens were not affected by it!

I grew up in a family with three kids. Vacation hotel stays always presented a challenge. Most hotel rooms could only accommodate four people. Inevitably one of us slept on an uncomfortable fold-away bed that came at an extra cost, or on the floor. 

A trip to Great Wolf Lodge would not have presented this challenge to my family. No one would have to sleep on the floor and everyone could have comfortably spread out. My parents would have been happy too—they would not have had to pay for a second room so we could enjoy this comfort.

Great Wolf Lodge resorts are all-suite properties. Most families book a Family Suite, which includes two queen beds and a full size sleeper sofa, so six people can comfortably relax after their full day of water park fun! And while the Family Suite is a wonderful option, we offer so many additional others, too!  

During a visit to the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio, we surprised our son with a KidCabin suite. While he is probably too young to full enjoy it, he immediately recognized the KidCabin was just for him. The suite provides a separate sleeping area for children, complete with two bunk beds and a third bed. (It would have been perfect for my sister, brother and me.)

The KidCabin has its own TV, and while it does not have a door, the suite’s layout makes it easy to put your pups to bed, but still keep lights on in the room. (How many of us have sat in a dark hotel room because the baby was sleeping?) And, if you’re keeping score, the KidCabin suite is perfect for seven people, with its queen size bed and pull out sleeper sofa.

The KidKamp and Wolf Den are two other suites that are as fun and playful as they are spacious and comfortable. The cozy “tent” and animal-themed den feature bunk beds in a similar, separate space just for kids.

Cute theming aside, you can choose several other unique suite to meet your needs. My personal favorite is the Whirlpool Fireplace suite. Luxury king size bed, inroom fireplace, huge whirlpool tub. While this suite is for four people, nothing says vacation like a room with a fireplace. 

Our guests tell us that Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect destination for family reunions. From the Majestic Bear suite which includes a breakfast bar; to the Grizzly Bear suite and its two bathrooms; to the truly amazing Great Frontier Loft condo in Wisconsin Dells complete with four bedrooms; Great Wolf Lodge resorts have the perfect alternative to the boring hotel room.

Don’t forget all of our suites include a complimentary microwave, coffee maker and refrigerator, so sippy cups, bottles, snacks and leftovers from your dinner at the Loose Moose buffet can be saved and enjoyed throughout your stay.

For your next vacation - what suite style will you surprise your family with?

It was February of 2010 and my 4 year old son, husband and I were enjoying a wonderful staycation at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. Considering it was during school and during the week there were not a lot of visitors there. We had much of the Cub Club, waterpark and arcade to ourselves and it was awesome! (Like, "can't wipe the smiles off our faces so worn out we had the best sleep of our lives" awesome).

We were enjoying the amazingly perfect hot tub in the indoor waterpark when the snow started to fall outside. I mean big, white fluffy snowflakes. This is a rare occasion in Texas as it does occasionally snow, but usually it's a mix of sleet and snow that melts when it hits the ground. Texans sometimes get 3 hours to take full advantage of sledding and building snowmen that last maybe 1 night before going to snowman heaven (at least that's what we tell our son). But on this day we watched the snow pile up to 6 1/2 inches outside of the lodge.

So, we pulled every stitch of clothing we had together to bundle ourselves. This was a feat because at Great Wolf Lodge we lounge in our pj's, bathing suits and flip flops. We were able to get plastic wrap from the kitchen staff to wrap our feet and legs for "waterproofing". We looked mismatched to say the least.

That year we had so much fun building a snowman, even getting into a friendly snowball fight with the other staycationers in front of Great Wolf Lodge, that we opted to stay another night = ) It's not like we had chains for our tires to drive home in Texas snow!!

Name: Susie Johnson
City: Forney
State: Texas
Email: susieqwho4@aol.com
Lodge: Grapevine, TX

 

In September, we hosted our Back to School Contest.  After reading through all the great entries we received, we have our winners!  Congratulations to our Second Place winner, Lori Zeaman. 

Our greatest Great Wolf Lodge memory is yet to come! We've heard so much about Great Wolf and in a few short weeks we are going to experience everything first hand.  Here are the great memories we expect to make:

We're going to get soaked for sure, no doubt, a trip to Great Wolf that's what it's about.

Fort McKenzie the Barrel Drop, and Hydro Plunge non-stop.

We'll grab a bite in the Campe Critter Grille then ask who wants to go to the Slap Tail Pond..."I will, I will".

Totem Towers a definite must, while we shout "Coyote Canyon or Bust".

You'd think we'd be sleepy, but not at all, we head to Ten Paw Alley—I remembered to pack my ball.

The Loose Moose Cottage is a tasty buffet, don't worry Howl at the Moon Mini Golf, we're on our way!

After a restful night in our Wolf Den Suite, we're ready for something from Bear Paw Sweets & Eats.

The girls have mani-pedis in the Scoops Spa while the boys outwit dragons, lairs and all.

Story Time was amazing in our jammies at night, cozy by the fireplace—it just felt right!

The Wolf Walk is great first thing in the morn—the animals of Northwood sure blew their horn.

The Great Clock Tower Show was simple yet neat, every hour on the hour, it did not skip a beat.

Compass Quest was challenging for all 4 of us, we worked as a team, a definite MUST.

Our favorite memory of Great Wolf Lodge, you see, was all that there was for them and for me.

It wasn't just friendly for kids or for teens, it was friendly for all of those in between.

We played with the kids like we were kids too. We had fun every second and you will too!

So, back to the water to play once again, until our magical memory comes to an end!

Name: lori ann zeaman
City: warminster
State: pa
Email: luv1204@gmail.com
Lodge: Pocono Mountains, PA

 

My family and friends stayed at Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky AGAIN this weekend. I wanted to let you know what a great experience we had. 

1. They upgraded our room do to vacancies. Which was great! We usually do the KidsCabin Suite, but couldn't afford it this time around.
2. The room was so clean, and the bed was extremely comfortable.
3. All of the staff was kind and courteous!
4. And can we talk about your lifeguards!? Holy....greatness! Extremely attentive. I was worried because this was the first year we were there when my 4 year old could swim with no life jacket. With the lifeguards attentiveness, I was stress free, SCORE!  

Thank you for a wonderful stay. We will be back either around Halloween or Christmas time for my daughters birthday. Tough choice between the two holidays!

Thanks again!
Nowosielski Family


Name: Melissa Nowosielski
City: Perry Township
State: Ohio
Email: mnowosielski@roadrunner.com
Lodge: Sandusky, OH

This week, my blog entry has been written by a young friend from my hometown. I hope you enjoy her personal story of her family's first visit to our resort in Sandusky. - Susie

Hi! My name is Evie Parfitt, and I love traveling!  I am 11 years old and live in Rochester, New York.  I also have my own blog, AlwaysEvie, and I sometimes guest write for my dad’s travel blog, Adventures by Daddy. I love brownies and videogames - as well as traveling! Here's my story about visiting Great Wolf Lodge.

It was a Friday Morning, the last weekend in June. I was super excited for the weekend to come! Because we were going to Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky.

It was supposed to be a five hour drive from Rochester, NY, to Sandusky, OH, but unfortunately, it took us seven and a half. All because of traffic! But, the drive was worth it, because the moment we got to the resort, I knew my family and I would have a great time!

When we first walked into our room – it was a family fireplace suite – we saw a box of cookies on the counter and milk in the fridge. We immediately felt at home. I got one of the queen beds, Mom and Dad got the other, and my teenage sister happily accepted the pull-out couch, due to the extra privacy behind the half wall. We settled in a bit, then went to dinner at the Gitchigoomie Grill. It was very nice and filling. I got the kids' chicken fingers, which came with a pair of complimentary wolf ears! They were AWESOME!

Then we went to the waterpark and I went around the Lazy River about 15 times! Then we went back to our room and enjoyed our cookies. (Which, by the way, were great!)

The next day, we had a delicious and filling breakfast at Lumber Jack’s Cook Shanty. Then, we visited some local attractions. At 3:30, my sister and I had manicures at Scooops Kid Spa. (And yes, it does have 3 o’s!) I got a very bright shade of purple, and my sister got a sparkly blue. We had warm towels put on our hands, got lotioned up, and then our nails were painted. It was very nice and relaxing! We then went back to the waterpark, where I went around the Lazy River another 20 times! After that, we just hung out and went to bed. (We were all exhausted!)

The next day, we packed up, and got breakfast at Bear Paw Sweets & Eats. After that, we hung out at the waterpark, then we had an AMAZING lunch at the Gitchigoomie Grill. I had a pulled pork sandwich. Then, bummer, we had to drive back home.

Overall, my experience at Great Wolf Lodge was GREAT! My favorite part was the waterpark! It had tons to do, I could stay there all day! I had an absolutely FUN time, so I really think everyone who wants a fun family vacation, should go to Great Wolf Lodge!

So the first time I ever set foot in the Great Wolf Lodge was down in Williamsburg, VA.  My mom took my sister and me for a few days during our break from school.  I was almost 6 and couldn’t understand why my mom was taking us to a waterpark in the middle of the winter. 

Once I saw the waterpark I was so excited.  This was back before Williamsburg did the addition, so the Lodge was small.  We stayed in a family suite—which is a standard room.  I remember playing for hours in Fort Mackenzie. My sister, who was 14 at the time, wasn’t as excited as I was.  But being my big sis she went with me on all the slides—at least the ones I was tall enough to go on—and she loved them.  I colored my first Great Wolf Lodge t-shirt at this Cub Club, the Cub Clubs have gotten so much bigger since then.  

It was at the Lodge in Williamsburg that we realized that there were Lodges all over the country.  It was there I challenged my mom to go to all of the Lodges.  Little did I know she would take me up on it.

As a new mom, I love the insight, parenting tips and ideas I get from blogs—and I especially love to work with bloggers. After attending the Reviewer’s Retreat at Great Wolf Lodge Concord, PA-based mom-blogger, Gina Badalaty, wrote about her children’s dining experience on her blog, Mom-Blog.com. I asked her to share her story with you. 

Gina Badalaty blogs about parenting, raising children with disabilities and advocating for special needs families at Mom-Blog.com.  She lives in PA with her husband and 2 beautiful daughters, and a cat that thinks he's a dog. 

Enjoy, 

Susie

Tips for Traveling with Kids with Allergies

My children have allergies.  Specifically, their diets need to be gluten- and casein-free, which means they can’t have dairy or any kind of wheat products.  When we travel, we have to be careful not just to avoid glutens, but also to make sure the food they eat is not cross-contaminated. They can’t even eat something that has been on the same grill as food filled with glutens.

Going on vacation can be challenging! As you can imagine, this means that vacationing takes extra work on our part, so our favorite trips are to resorts that help make this easier. Great Wolf Lodge is a place we really enjoy. The resort’s chef will personally talk with you and discuss your needs for a gluten-free menu. My kids love that at Great Wolf Lodge they can eat food they love, and we are happy that everything can be made to their health requirements. Our meals are even cooked separately!

We’ve learned a lot along the way. Here are a few of my top tips for traveling families whose children have special diet restrictions and food allergies:

Do your homework beforehand.
There are dozens of apps that tell you where the gluten-free restaurants are, but it’s up to you to do your own due diligence.  We once went to a park that advertised itself as being dairy- and gluten-free, and when we got there, we discovered that was not the case. Spend time on your destination’s website. Call the resort or attraction. We were pleasantly surprised by how accommodating and helpful the staff at Great Wolf Lodge was—it made our vacation less stressful!

Buy fresh produce along the way.
My children eat tons of fruit and vegetables because they are naturally allergen-free and will do in a pinch!  We try to buy organic, and during family road trips, when we drive by a local farm stand, we make a stop.

Take advantage of resort amenities.
At Great Wolf Lodge, each suite has a refrigerator and a microwave. We often travel with our own snacks and this is a great way for us to keep fruit fresh during our stay. Gluten-free bagels are easy to carry and eat in the car, as well as serve as late-night snacks!  

Talk to the staff.
It is always a good idea to talk to the chef. Many restaurants and resorts, like Great Wolf Lodge, invite you to talk to the chef specifically about your family’s dietary needs and allergies.  You can share your family’s needs and he or she can detail what steps they can take to prepare food that best suits your child.

When you think of what goes into a great resort stay, what comes to mind? At Great Wolf Lodge, so many things create memorable guest experiences – fun waterpark adventures, Cub Club activities, MagiQuest challenges and more. With all of these “active” aspects to your resort getaway, it’s easy to forget the quiet parts that are just as important. 

When families stay at Great Wolf Lodge, we want them to feel at home. Kids are encouraged to attend Story Time in their pajamas, parents wander the halls in bathing suits and flip flops; everyone is relaxed and happy.

This year, we invested $4.8 million in the Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells and the Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky. This investment is in you, our guest, and has been completely focused on making you feel at home. We took great care to identify areas where we could exceed your expectations and continue to improve. While these additions may not sound as thrilling as a new waterslide, to moms like me, they go a long way when I’m thinking about where to tuck my son in while on vacation.

Both resorts started small and spread out. Brand new carpet and curtains help enhance each family suite’s comfortable feel. New in-room appliances, including 32” flat screen TV’s, refrigerators and microwaves are all sleek and fresh. New sleeper sofas provide restful sleep and brand new mattresses and bed linens have been added to each family suite, so that you feel as though you are in your own own bed. (Not to be outdone, Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine has also upgraded its bedding by adding new pillow top mattresses to each family suite.)

These new additions are just the beginning for our Wisconsin Dells and Sandusky resorts. Both resorts are receiving new carpet property-wide in all public areas and a new paint scheme in the lobbies. Many of these changes can already be seen. I visited the Sandusky resort recently, and the soft green color, along with the new plush carpet in the lobby really helped me get in “vacation mode” within moments of entering the resort.

These additions do not mean that we didn’t also increase the fun at Great Wolf Lodge. The resort in Sandusky has added Scooops Kid Spa, complete with ice cream flavored manicures and pedicures. Already a guest favorite, Scooops is the perfect addition to the Sandusky resort. Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells continues to be one of the most unique places to play MagiQuest and the resort added Topper Powers, complete with new challenges – and rewards – for all players.

At Great Wolf Lodge, we are constantly working to ensure that no matter which of our resorts you visit, you receive exceptional service, in a safe, comfortable, fun environment. Plan your active daytime adventures and leave the restful nights to us.

If there is one thing that comes with parenthood, it's planning ahead - sheesh!  And boy, am I good at procrastinating.  Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?  I'm not sure, I'll tell you at about 5:55 p.m.  Mom, where is my blanket for school?  Doh!  Still drying in the dryer, but we're late, let's go!  Mom, I need help with my shoes!  Great, another shoelace has been devoured by the knot-monster...but I learned that last week, I think.  Mom, when are we going to Great Wolf Lodge?  Wait a minute - I know this one!

Our next trip to Great Wolf Lodge is scheduled in precisely 6 weeks and 2 days from now.  But don't think for a minute that I'll be quick to share that...with the kids.  Hee hee hee...Although I'm late on dinner and slow on new shoes, family vacation planning slacker I am not!  And my one reward for all of this awesomely secretive planning is this:  The Surprise.

Here's my plan:

5 Days to Howl:  Break out the wolf gear.  I don't draw attention to my choices, but - hey! - how ironic that my kids are dressed in random shirts with paw prints, bears and tents on them, we're reading wolfie storybooks and howling at bedtime, and - what's that?! - Mom's doing the laundry with her wolf ears on.  Fascinating.

4 Days to Howl:  84 degrees of WHA?  Chit-chat at the dinner table is now very strategic and the hubs and the cat are both in on it.  Gee, sure wish it was warmer out, don't you?  What does your swim suit look like again?  Oh that's right, it has a blue shark.  Hey, I wonder if those water shoes from last summer still fit - please, try them on!  Nobody suspects, but yes, we're headed right towards 84 degrees of fun.

3 Days to Howl:  The MagiQuest wand makes a mysterious appearance at the table.  What is THAT?!  I ask, as if I've never seen it before.  The "I don't know" response tries to steal my glory, but I persist.  Isn't it that wand from...oh, where did you get that thing from?  "Great Wolf Lodge!"  Bingo.  I go on and on, drawing the memories out of them of all the things they like most about their trips to the lodge.  By the end of the night, we're all giggling and swirling with happiness that seem to be only fit for dreams.

2 Days to Howl:  Origami Mommy.  It turns out that a Grand Lobby isn't the only place you can go on a Wolf Walk.  After dinner, I pass around a square sheet of paper and teach everyone how to master the origami wolf (okay, I'm crafty and I've practiced over 1200 times, but I'll share the instructions - it's easy!).  We raise them up and howl for fun and then go on a hunt.  It "seems" these little origami pups have seemingly left their paw prints all over our home - and we're out to find them.  [I've left] one in the swimsuit drawer. Another on the piggy bank we painted in Cub Club on the last trip.  Oh - there's a whole pile of them on the suitcase! 

What could this mean?  The kids guess something about a trip to Great Wolf Lodge, but I'm not so sure.  I put in a "call" to Wiley the Wolf to find out.  He's not there, so I leave a message and we wait overnight for his call back.  The kids take an extra hour to fall asleep.

Have you ever taken part in one of our 48 Hour Sales? Here are a few tips for how to take advantage of our big sale.

For those who don’t know, we only have a few 48 Hour Sales throughout the year.  The lodges will have discounts of up to 20% off on their most popular suites.  Each lodge’s sale will start and end on a different day/time but they all last for, you guessed it, 48 hours.

48 hours goes by quickly, so here are a few tips for getting the most out of a Great Wolf Lodge 48 Hour Sale.

Tip 1: Sign up for our ePack! 

Shameless self promotion, but also the best way to hear about our 48 Hour Sales.  It’s simple to sign up—visit www.greatwolf.com/esignup and enter your information.  Simple. 

Our ePack members get regular emails—usually 1 or 2 a month— that include updates like new attractions at the lodges, new social media contests and new events like Oliver Raccoon’s Big Day.  ePack emails also include limited time offers and sales alerts.  ePack members will actually hear about the 48 Hour Sale the day before it starts—that’s three days of access to our biggest sale.

Tip 2: Check our social media channels

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.  We will post alerts to the 48 Hour Sales for each of our lodges.  We will post the day the sale starts and even post a reminder letting our fans and followers know there are only 24 hours left.

Just another way we try to let as many of our guest and fans know about the sale as possible.

Tip 3: Check our website

We have a great page dedicated to our 48 Hour Sale.  You can see the start and end dates and times of the sale for each lodge.  A convenient snapshot of the sale for all of the lodges so you know exactly when your starts and ends.

Each lodge also has their own 48 Hour Sale page with details specific to their sale.  These pages have countdown clocks so you can see how much time you have left to save.  You can also see calendars of all the dates included in the sale and how much of a savings you get each day.

Three simple tips to help you get the most out of our 48 Hour Sales.