Perspective from a Pro: How to Get the Most Out of a Water Park Hotel

by  Zachary Laks | Nov 29, 2017
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge

Bathing suits have never seen this much action. Keep your summer clothes on standby year-round as indoor water parks surge in popularity, providing access to the beach-y weather we crave all year long. Leading the pack with expansion and value, Great Wolf Lodge is North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts with 15 outposts and counting. We love Great Wolf Lodge’s family-friendly atmosphere and great value, providing weekend getaways packed with included activities for all ages.

We gleaned some insider information from Greg Waldron, Great Wolf Lodge’s Corporate Director of Aquatics (basically the Wizard of Water, himself), on how to make the most of your trip to an indoor water park.

Can you explain how Great Wolf Lodge offers great value for families?

Our guests get two full days of play in the water park with each overnight stay. Guests can access the water park beginning at 1 p.m. the day of check-in, and on the day they check out, they can stay until the park closes that evening.  And guests can come and go from the water park as much as they please, so if a child needs a nap or you want to go explore other areas of the resort, you can leave and come back later in the day.

How do the culinary options at Great Wolf Lodge contribute to the overall value of the experience?

Guests of Great Wolf Lodge find value in the diversity of dining options all housed under one roof at each of our resorts. From pizza at Hungry As A Wolf, ice cream at Bear Paw Sweets & Eats, and waterpark hotdogs at Buckets Incredible Craveables, to filet mignon at Lodge Wood Fired Grill, and chile-coffee rubbed lamb at the resort's newest family-style establishment Barnwood. At Great Wolf Lodge, families can conveniently choose from a variety of dining spots to fit their mood, appetite, or budget. Moreover, guests with allergies can rest assured that they’ll be taken care of as all dining options serve allergen-free food, void of all types of nuts and made with gluten-free flour for those with celiac disease.

How do you recommend people get the most out of an indoor water park?

The water park at Great Wolf Lodge is open exclusively to resort guests, so you never have a long wait to ride the slides and attractions. And, most of our resorts utilize RFID wristbands which serve as your access to the water park and your room key. You can also add charging privileges to your wristband, so you can leave items of value in your room and use your wristband to make any purchases during your visit to the water park.

What are your favorite slides?

It’s like picking a favorite child. I love Howlin’ Tornado because it has a thrill factor to it and it’s a slide that can be enjoyed by multiple family members at the same time. You plunge down a short drop on a raft that accommodates up to four riders and then slosh your way up and down the sides of a giant funnel. It’s a ton of fun, and adding to the thrill factor is that you share the joy with your entire family.

Any insider info about the water parks people should know?

While it seems like there is a lot of water in the park, we are very environmentally conscious – so even our largest water park uses less water than you would find in one Olympic-sized swimming pool.  And because our water park is indoors, the amount of water we lose daily to evaporation is extremely low.

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