With over 10 locations across America and one in Canada, Great Wolf Lodge provides a great family getaway with everything under one great big roof! We went to the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio — just outside Cincinnati. Not only does Great Wolf boast North America’s largest indoor water park, but Elements Spa, the interactive MagiQuest and more. We had a four-day weekend over President’s Day so we headed to Great Wolf Lodge.
Great Wolf Lodge
Get the most out of Great Wolf: Try to play in the water park as much as possible as it is included with the price of your room for your entire party. Don’t bother bringing beach towels, there are plenty provided and you can switch them in for dry ones as needed. Don’t wear good sandals/shoes down to the water park. You might lose track of them as you explore. If you don’t just want to leave them laying around while you explore, there are small lockers available for rent. Bring cover ups or t-shirts to wear from the room to the park — the Lodge require it. Bring plastic bags to carry suits home in. Also, bring something to do in the room after you are water logged from all the fun in the water park — Nintendo DSs, books, cards, etc.
Rooms: The rooms, or suites as they are called at GWL, are camping-themed. With 12 options, there is something for families of all sizes. We are a small family — three of us, so we opted for one of the smaller suites — The Family Suite. Our room was very nice with 2 double beds, a sitting/tv area with a sleeper sofa and a bathroom. The suite has a base occupancy of 4 with a maximum of 6. For any person above 4, you’ll pay $25. If you are looking for a more Northwoods theme, you should opt for the Wolf Den Suite of the Kids Camp Suite. Kids are bound to love these options complete with bunk beds, Nintendo and more!
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
Water Park: It’s always 84 degrees in this fun-filled water extravaganza! Here’s a rundown of some of the slides and attractions:
Fort McKenzie: This four-story interactive tree house water fort offers 12 levels of super-soaking fun. Younger kids can climb with their parents to reach the slides at the top. Older ones will love making their way over suspension bridges and cargo nets to spray stations and soaker buckets. Every few minutes, the warning bell clangs, and the 1,000-gallon bucket at the top tips its contents over the roof and onto those below.
Crooked Creek: This is Great Wolf’s version of a lazy river.
River Canyon Run: The entire family can ride together! Guests must be at least 42″ tall or accompanied by an adult to ride.
Alberta Falls: Alberta Falls(TM)is four stories of fun. Twist in and out of the Lodge in this enclosed tube before dropping into the plunge pool. Guests under 42″ tall must be accompanied by an adult. Infants and small toddlers are not permitted.
Hydroplunge: Roller coaster meets waterslide. Let the motorized track hoist you and yours to the precipice of a waterslide with a 52-foot vertical drop. Guests must be at least 48″ tall to ride.
Coyote Canyon: Twist, turn and loop back and forth along the 436-foot enclosed slide. Once you exit the darkness, the Coyote spits you into the splash pool. Pair up with the kids, or send them solo. Guests under 42″ tall must be accompanied by an adult to ride.
Raccoon Lagoon: Raccoon Lagoon Outdoor Pool area has a 122,000 gallon outdoor pool, which ranges from zero-depth entry to four feet. Raccoon Lagoon includes water basketball, kiddie activities, water effects including floor geysers and spray features, as well as heated water. There is a patio area with tables and chairs so you can relax in the sun. We did not visit this area as it was winter during our visit and it was not yet open.
And much more: Enjoy various pools, whirlpools and more.
Great Wolf Lodge MagiQuest
MagiQuest: Feeling a little water logged? Take a break and slay a dragon. What?! You say. That’s the goal of MagiQuest, a one-of-a-kind, live-action adventure game. Armed with high-tech wands, your family must solve magical challenges throughout the resort to gain powers (and points) and move to higher levels of the game. Wands are $15.99 & up To play the game is $9.99. Editors Note: This game can take forever and you are traipsing around the entire lodge to complete. That being said, our son (age 7 at the time) loved it. My husband did a lot of the work at the end. For those with younger kiddos, it is very difficult to finish off the dragon. It was taking the Dads who were playing with their kids quite a long time.
Arcade: Not into dragon slaying? Try the Northern Lights Arcade which is jam-packed with over a hundred games. Dance, race, spin, throw — it’s the only “workout” that will let you earn prizes.
Dining: There are many dining options right on site. For breakfast there’s Starbucks, The Loose Moose Cottage and Bear Claw Sweets & Eats. For lunch there’s Spirit Island Snack Shop, Pizza Hut Express and Camp Critter Restaurant. For dinner there’s the choices are the same as lunch with The Loose Moose Cottage. We ate at The Loose Moose Cottage which offers a breakfast and dinner buffet. For breakfast, there was made-to-order omelets and waffles, hash browns, bacon, muffins, cereal, fruit and more. For dinner, the buffet features a carving station, homemade soups, salad bar, wok station, pizza, seafood specialties, nightly entree specials and lots of kids’ favorites.
Spa: Need a break Mom or Dad? Take turns watching the kiddos and trying the Elements Spa which features facials, body treatments and wraps. And if the kiddos are in need of relaxation, there’s always Scoops Kid Spa.
Fitness Center: You don’t even have to skip your workout. The Iron Horse™ Fitness Room has treadmills, an elliptical trainer, a recumbent bike, weight machines, stretching mats and TVs
Business Center: There is a a small business center that may be used for Internet use and printing documents. This service has a nominal fee. Wireless Internet access throughout the resort is provided with your stay.
Nearby Attractions: If you have the time, visit the Newport Aquarium, King’s Island, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden or the Cincinnati Museum Center.