Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth the Money?
Yes, Great Wolf Lodge is worth the money for families looking for a fun, convenient, and memory-filled getaway. With indoor water parks, themed rooms, and all-inclusive entertainment, it delivers a full vacation under one roof. In today’s economy, every dollar counts, and parents want to know if the experience truly matches the price tag. As someone who has visited multiple Great Wolf Lodge locations with my family for more than a decade, I can confidently say the value holds up. From the attractions to the family-friendly atmosphere, this post breaks down exactly why Great Wolf Lodge is worth the money and how to make the most of your stay.
What makes Great Wolf Lodge worth the money?
Great Wolf Lodge is worth it for families because it offers unlimited water park access, free daily entertainment, spacious rooms, and year-round fun under one roof. Priceless memories and family fun aside, there are many reasons Great Wolf Lodge is worth the money.
- All day water play: This alone is worth the money. You get two all day long water park passes with the convenience of sleeping on property. Most locations have multiple water slides and several different indoor pool areas, so it’s comparable to many other water parks – except you have access to it year-round!
- Free shows and activities: Throughout the day you’ll find lots of free activities like character meet and greets, dance parties, crafts, story time and much more. Seasonally you’ll also find special events like Howl-o-ween, and Snowland. From trick or treating to “snow” foam dance parties, the fun never stops any time of year.
- Spacious and clean rooms: Rooms at Great Wolf Lodge are bigger than typical hotel rooms meaning more room to spread out after a day at the water park. High ceilings add to the effect. Upgrading your room can be worth it, especially considering the extent of your stay.
- Endless opportunities for fun: Most properties offer tons of other activities including: bowling ranges, arcades, ropes courses, Magic Quest and more. While lots of these options cost additional money,you can purchase a pup pass for a package deal loaded with savings.
- Everything you need is there: From breakfast to dinner and snacks in between, you’ve got plenty of options for good eats. Should you forget something, the spacious gift shop stocks all the necessities.
How much does it cost to take a family to Great Wolf Lodge?
The average Great Wolf Lodge weekend stay costs between $250 and $300 per night for a family of four, depending on location, room type, and travel dates. Prices rise during holidays and school breaks but can drop to as low as $129 per night during weekday stays.
Tips for Saving Money at Great Wolf Lodge
Don’t despair though! In my many years of going, I’ve discovered a few tips for saving big on a Great Wolf Lodge visit. We rarely pay over $180 per night on a visit and sometimes much less! I’ve got a whole blog post devoted to just this topic but here are the key take-aways:
- Sign up for the email list: Full stop! I can’t stress this tip enough. Great Wolf Lodge frequently runs amazing sales. Signing up for their email lists gets you access to these deals. Generally they will be for dates in the next three months.
- Avoid holidays: Prices tend to increase dramatically around holidays. This will also usually include any time schools are on fall or spring break.
- Consider booking during the week: Weekdays are generally much cheaper. We will frequently book on Sunday nights for a short trip where we don’t have to miss much work.
- Join the Voyager’s Club: The Voyager’s Club is a free loyalty program that lets guest earn points on qualifying stays and purchases. The points accrue at a rate of 1 point for $10 and can be redeemed for future visits.
Other Great Wolf Lodge FAQs
We’ve spent a lot of time through the years at what we affectionately call the “Wolf Lodge.” Due to this, we’ve been asked many, many questions about our visits. I’ve compiled our most frequently asked questions below.
Q: What is the best age for kids to go to indoor water parks like Great Wolf Lodge?
A: There is no best age to enjoy Great Wolf Lodge. We started taking our oldest when she was three and our youngest at 6 months. We’ve spent almost a decade visiting at least twice a year and experienced practically all the stages and ages along the way. There is no limit on fun.
Q: What safety measures does Great Wolf Lodge have for the water park?
A: Safety is a priority at Great Wolf Lodge and you’ll see lifeguards patrolling all areas of the park. They are focused and visibly doing safety scans routinely. We’ve seen a few jump in over the years, and their reaction times are quite impressive. It’s clear that they were thoroughly trained before starting the job.
Q: Can you eat outside Great Wolf Lodge property?
A: While you’ll find plenty of restaurant options on the property you are free to leave the premises and eat off property. The location we visit is surrounded by restaurant options, so we’ve frequently ordered take-out to try new things.
Q: What should I pack for my Great Wolf Lodge trip?
A: It can be hard to know what to pack when visiting. You don’t want to overpack but also need to make sure you don’t miss anything important. This one is another one I’ve devoted a whole blog post. You can even grab a free printable to help you out.
Q: Is Great Wolf Lodge nut-free/allergy-friendly?
A: Yes, yes, yes! Great Wolf Lodge restaurants do not serve foods with peanuts or tree nuts, though you should always ask about potential cross contamination to be sure. This was the whole reason we started going to GWL!
Q: Is Great Wolf Lodge worth the cost for just one night?
A: Yes, Great Wolf Lodge is worth it even for a one-night stay. Guests can access the indoor water park as soon as it opens on the day they arrive and stay until closing on their departure day, effectively getting two full days of water park fun for the price of one night. If you want to explore more of the resort’s amenities like MagiQuest, arcade games, and dining options, a multi-night stay can make the experience even better.
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Key Takeaways
- Great Wolf Lodge is absolutely worth the cost for families thanks to its all-day water park access, free activities, spacious rooms, and family-friendly atmosphere that creates lasting memories.
You can save big by booking weekday stays, avoiding holidays, signing up for email deals, and joining the free Voyagers Club to earn rewards toward future visits.
