{I was invited as a guest of the resort and provided accommodations, meals and activities}
Saying goodbye is never easy, and on that Winter day in Southern California, I could not have predicted the tears that would ensue as we loaded up our MagiQuest Wands, Great Wolf Plush Pals, and swimsuits, still dripping from that “one last slide.” Fortunately, we’re just 30 minutes from Great Wolf Lodge, Southern California’s first indoor water park, and after a splashtastic weekend, I can assure you that we will be back.
For years, friends across the country would post photos of their kids swimming and splashing at Great Wolf Lodge in the middle of freezing temperatures, and there was something very compelling about a destination that offered aquatic thrills throughout the year, irrespective of weather. The 105,000 square foot water park is the largest in the chain and includes 14 thrilling water slides and 4 splash and play pools, all contained within a cozy 84 degree space.
Great Wolf Lodge is known for offering families an immersive, water-filled experience. But what you may not know is that nearly every part of the resort is dedicated to immersing children in exciting, imaginative moments of joy and discovery. For many families, a weekend of sliding and splashing in the midst of El Niño or relaxing poolside with a creative mocktail is idyllic. But when you arrive and your see your kids squeal with delight as they drop into Howlin’ Tornado’s six-story funnel, forget about their iPads or video games for an entire weekend, or blissfully fall asleep cuddled up with their new Clubhouse Crew plush friend, you’ll be compelled, as I have been, to plan your next visit to Great Wolf Lodge.
5 Reasons You’ll Want to Go Back to Great Wolf Lodge
- You want to unplug and create lasting memories with your kids. As a parent of a child living in a digital world, it takes creativity and intention to keep children engaged in activities that don’t involve a device. We spent the entire weekend device-free, because Great Wolf Lodge has a way of connecting families over unique experiences such as Howl at the Moon Glow Golf and Ten Paw Alley.
- You need a vacation from your vacation. One of the things you’ll love about Great Wolf Lodge is the flexibility to own your vacation and personalize it in a way that suits your family. Do you prefer to lounge by the pool while your kids test out their surfing/bodyboarding skills? Are you on a mommy/daughter staycation and prefer to spend your time bonding over sherbet scrubs and mani/pedis? Or maybe you’re the parents of tweens who prefer to spend their evenings defying gravity on Wolf Tail or getting their game on at the Northern Lights Arcade. However you like to vacation, Great Wolf Lodge really offers something for the whole family. So while you may be happily exhausted from all their is to do at the resort, you’ll want to come back to do the things you missed…or simply catch up on some R&R in a private cabana while your kids splash at Raccoon Lagoon.
- You didn’t finish your MagiQuest Adventure. This was perhaps the most surprisingly engaging experience of our visit to Great Wolf Lodge. This resort-wide, live-action role playing game takes kids (and adults) on an adventure to complete quests and solve mysteries using real magic wands. The magic wand, which can be used on future visits to Great Wolf Lodge properties across the country, is used to open chests and activate objects necessary to proceed in the game. At present, their are 4 different iterations of the game that can be played at Great Wolf Lodge locations across the country. At Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, kids will travel to the future to save the enchanted realm of Vellara from the Shadow Lords in The Rise of the Totem Masters.
- You need a Dunkin’ Donuts fix. Last year, America’s Favorite Donut Shop finally re-established a presence here in Southern California. And while 45 new stores are slated to open in the Southland, at present, there are only 4 in Orange County, including the new location inside Great Wolf Lodge. Bonus! You don’t have to be a guest of the resort to grab one of their speciality donuts, like this OREO Cheesecake Square Donut. Be sure to catch my article highlighting all of the dining options available at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California.
- You didn’t get enough splash time in. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor water park is likely your inspiration for booking a family vacation at the resort. What you’ll find though is that the resort is so much more than a water park and you may find yourself conflicted as to how to spend your time.
Before Your Visit:
- Entrance to the water park and all slides/pools is included with your stay.
- You must be a guest of the resort in order to visit the water park.
- Kid-friendly activities including nightly Yoga Tails, The Forest Friends Show, Wolf Walk, Paws-On Projects, Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Story Time, Hustle and Howl, Jammie Jamboree, and Great Games are all included with your visit to the resort.
- Activities that require an additional fee include MagiQuest, Northern Lights Arcade, Howly Wood XD Theater, Creation Station, Howl at the Moon Glow Golf, Ten Paw Alley, Lazer Frenzy and Scooops Kids Spa.
- Great Wolf Lodge prioritizes safety. Each day your child will be measured and banded with a color which designates which rides he/she can enjoy. You’ll also find a team of lifeguards on duty at all times, rotating throughout throughout the water park.
- There are a variety of ways to save on your stay at Great Wolf Lodge, including up to 50% when you book at least 60 days in advance.
- Paw, Pup, and Wolf Passes offer savings of up to 41% on experiences such as MagiQuest and Creation Station.
- Themed rooms offer the best value and include a separate, kids-only sleeping area complete with animations (MagiQuest), bunk beds and a TV.
- There are 7 on-site dining venues offering everything from take-out pizza to fresh-caught seafood.
- In addition to the 3 on-site gift shops, the resort has a Bear Essentials Swim Shop to pick up anything you may have forgotten including swimsuits, flip-flops, towels, and more.
For more information or to plan your next vacation at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, visit https://www.greatwolf.com/southern-california/.
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