We finally made it to
Great Wolf Lodge! It feels like we're the last family on the east coast to visit this family resort in Williamsburg, Virginia. It's one of a chain, others located scattered across the U.S. and is fairly popular for family get-aways.
The theme of Great Wolf is all rustic and woodsy, with cute fluffy wolf ears at check-in. There are a number of room options, including a log cabin themed room, with a separate tent-looking area for the kids. We were in a regular family suite (the tent-theme rooms were sold out), which was space-y enough for the six of us, with two beds and a sleep sofa, an in-room coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator.
- Tip: you get a wristband which acts as your water park admission, room key (swipe it across the sensor) and room charge card (again, swipe it across the sensor.) I like this and it was handy not having to carry a wallet in the pool area.
The big attraction is the indoor water-park, which makes it a great middle-of-winter (or when will winter ever end!) mini-vacation. There's a wave pool, multiple fun slides, one of those scream-inducing vortex/tornado type slides, a water-y playground, lazy river, and a little kids' shallow pool. And an adults-only whirlpool. (Is there any better two words at a family resort than "adults only"?)
- Tip: you have access to the waterpark before you check in and all day when you check-out, so pack the family swimsuits separately for your arrival and have traveling clothes packed separately on your departure
On the lower level is also other entertainment options. There's a 4D video, video games, arcade, and duckpin bowling, all for additional fees of $2-$6 per person. Our kids spent a few minutes challenging each other in the Time Challenge - a room equipped with a pattern of lights which the kids had to run around and turn off in sequence (think, life-size Simon.) There's also a few Quest games - the kid gets a magic wand and then sets off to different stations around the lodge. It looked to total almost $50 to play and seemed geared to younger kids, so we got out of having to do that ($50 for 4 kids adds up.)
- Tip: Have a plan and a budget. You know how quick $2/kid/game can add up. You can get a point card to load your points, so that's a good way to limit your spending.
We didn't eat in the lodge, but I did get coffee from Dunkin' Donuts! I think this was the first hotel I've stayed in with a Dunkin' Donuts and I was kinda happy. Although there was a long line, as folks were picking up donuts and breakfast, too. We also got ice cream and fudge from the sweets shop, even before breakfast - you know that's a sign of spring break.
We were only there one night, but it was a full stay. If we had a lower rate, we may have stayed another night. We're on Spring Break this week and it seems like everyone else is, too, thus, the higher prices.
- Tip: Prices, like most travel destinations, vary depending on season and demand, so if you're flexible, you can get a better rate.
The kids had a great time and I'm glad we finally checked this off the family to-do-one-day list. I could see us heading back on another mid-winter/will winter ever end get-away.
Join the conversation on Facebook: Just Piddlin' with Frances
