9/10 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Mommy Approved Smiling Faces

Greatwolf.com

150 Great Wolf Drive

Fitchberg, MA 01420

Reservations:866-678-9653

Resort:978-343-9653

Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor waterpark and it is awesome.  It is as much of a big deal as going to Disney, without the hassle of a flight (if you are from New England.)  My family booked rooms as an exchanged  Christmas present between us and my brother-in-law’s family in order to spend time together, sleep away in a hotel and enjoy an new adventure.  Just the thought of staying overnight in a hotel was a win for my kids, add in cousins and an indoor children’s-based waterpark / entertainment center, they were definitely elated!

Upon check-in you get wolf-ear headbands.  The kids love these and they look so adorable and festive!  When you go to your rooms you find the basic set-up is very clean with a lodge-style appearance  (we didn’t get anything fancy although they do offer wolf den rooms set up with bunk beds for an additional price of course.) The accommodations are really comfortable and basic with some cute details throughout-check out the picture of the wolf-paw soap. This is such a cute touch!

The food at the lodge was quality.  There was certainly some “kid” food which I expect in a place like this, but I was surprised that they offered high quality foods as well.  The salads were delicious and fresh.  The burgers were outstanding.  Cocktails were served throughout the facility ( to unwind after being around all the excited children.🤪)   We ate breakfast at the buffet in the  Lodge Wood Fire Grill (they serve other meals as well) and it was yummy-the kids ate free of charge because they didn’t really eat much so the server comped our bill.  I think the kids 3 and under eat free anyways.  There is a sports-bar restaurant with large flat screen TVs named Wachusett Brew Barn that we ate lunch at. It was also tasty.  The kids of course, had munchkins at  Dunkin Donuts too.  Everyone was pleased with every meal they ate, exclaiming how good it was-  a definite crowd pleaser!

Like I said, this place goes beyond being a waterpark, it is an entertainment center.  It has activities throughout with a schedule designed for the kids to stay happy and busy.  We did morning kids yoga, got face -painted, colored and assembled a craft paper mask, played in the arcade and went to the two wings of the waterpark.  We did not even make it to the bowling alley mini-golf, xd theater, or playground area that there is due to our time constraints.  However, Our family only stayed over 1 night.

I was happy to see that no matter your kids’ age, in this waterpark you can find something tailored for the size and abilities of all kids. All ages enjoyed the tide pool, lazy river and the hot tub that is enclosed and goes from indoors to outdoors.  We have never seen anything like this before. My son who is 3 was able to go down the kiddie slides alone.  The older cousins went down all the “scary” slides and we took my daughter who is 5 in a giant tube down a very calm slide.  She felt like such a big girl, I could tell by the look on her face, since she was going with her older cousin whom she adores.

Life guards are staffed generously throughout the facility.  At first, I was nervous with the kids being in water, running around and the crowds of people, but I soon realized I had nothing to worry about.  Every single life guard was taking their job 100% serious.  They stand on the perimeter of each water area with whistles in their mouths and buoys ready to jump into action.  We never saw them giggling and looking on their cell phones.  All the staff were attentive and compassionate.  They helped to take pictures of our pack and were friendly with our kids.  They actually went above and beyond in the souvenir shop to entertain the kids and make conversation-not your typical teenager at every other job you see these days (I’m sure you know what I mean, sometimes it seems painful for them to talk in general😑)

Although we stayed busy the entire time, the kids got a good night’s sleep and we found the trip to be very rejuvenating.   We all enjoyed the waterslides, arcade, food, drink and making memories with our families.  I would definitely go back here!

THE SKINNY:

• Duration:  We stayed overnight.  We arrived midday on a friday and left Saturday at 3ish, some families opt to stay more than 1 night which is probably a good idea or at least a bit longer since we didn’t make it through the entire center.  I hear that Howlers Peak Ropes Course is pretty cool and would definitely want to check that out next time-my kids love water though so it was hard convincing them to go anyplace but the pool.
• Pricing:  I’m pretty sure this varies on the different accommodations. For instance, the nights you stay can adjust the price, the style of the room can also change it, the number of people per room, where you buy your rooms-Groupon/their site, etc.., also any special or promotion/ coupons going on can change things, the add-ins you would like for your stay-there is a whole page of coupons you get upon booking and they remind you with e-mails to add these things into the cost prior to staying-it is best to look at all these options before booking.  We did a black Friday deal and got the room for $149.99, paid a resort fee of $29.99, taxes of about $17.  Probably all said and done with food and drinks as well as any added souvenirs, locker rental at the pools,  and snacks we spent anywhere from $400-$500 (the stay includes admission to the waterparks and rest of the amenities.)  The price was the only downfall, but for a park so amazing it is worth the occasional splurge!
• Hours:  Check-in at Great Wold Lodge is 4pm but you can arrive for 1pm and go to the waterpark prior to check-in see calendar for list of activities each day and common Q and As on the website
• Recommendations:

1. Pack snacks, my sister-in-law is always prepared for anything and is a foodie-she packed us quite a spread of hummus, crackers, cheeses, chips, popcorn, drinks, veggies and dip so we wouldn’t have to buy everything we ate-it was a great idea and held us over between lunch and dinner so we didn’t have to leave the waterslide area.  Instead we took it in a cooler and ate at a nearby table. It saved us valuable waterpark time and money. (Winning!🥳)
2. Don’t pack towels- they lend them to you but if you lose them or fail to return they are $15/ towel-the downside- the towels aren’t too fluffy and they are all the same green and white stripes so very easy to mix up
3.  For early check-in  (prior to 4) pack your swim suits and a bag to use the waterpark / shower / changing facilities to get more out of your stay

Day passes are available if you don’t want to stay over night which varies depending on the day and duration of time you intend to stay. Check out their calendar for the latest pricing.

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