This weekend, my small family and I headed south for a mini-vacation at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. You might remember that several other Seattle Mom Bloggers stayed at this water park resort when it first opened but I couldn’t join in because I had to work that weekend. NOT THAT I HOLD GRUDGES!
I was eager to spend some time in the company of Shannon, Alexis and Shera, all of whom had boys in tow and were equally giddy to explore Great Wolf Lodge.
After driving over three hours thanks to traffic, we finally arrived. We had a family suite, two queen sized beds with a partition and a pull out couch in the other area. It was perfect for our three-person family. I was immediately impressed that there was a recycling bin inside the room and literature throughout emphasizing their commitment to Project Green Wolf. They are the first and only hotel chain in the U.S. to have all of its properties a Green Seal Silver certification.
from on .
We suited up and immediately hit the water park, which my three-year-old exclaimed, “WOW!” And I had to agree. Oh mercy, I can understand why people would drive hours through heat and stubborn I-5 traffic to visit this water park mecca. It is stunning. It was a sprawling lush indoor oasis, complete with towering slides, a wave pool, Jacuzzis, and my favorite—a toddler area. Twenty-four lifeguards are constantly on patrol. They stood in the wet trenches with the other parents, ready to blow their whistles.
My husband and I took turns watching Nathan while one of us ventured to the big slides. Because I was alone, I had to find a group who would take in this 26-year-old mother as one of their slide mates. I found a dad with his two tween girls and tapped on his shoulder and asked sheepishly if I could join them on the Howling Tornado.
He said, “Yeah! The more white the better! No offense of course!”
I smiled at him, but I had no idea what he meant because how could I be offended? I’m not white, I’m Pacific Islander. It wasn’t until we were ready to board the four-seater tube that I realized he didn’t mean the more white the better, he meant the more weight the better. And by the time my rickety brain processed that, I was glad I didn’t open my big fat mouth because that would have been awkward.
We slowly bobbed in the dark tunnel then were catapulted into a huge red and yellow dome and I thought I was in a scene from Willy Wonka. We zoomed up on the curves, from one side to the other, all of us screaming and laughing and “Wooing” until we zipped out the end. The weight certainly did help, which has been the only time that my junk in the trunk has come in handy!
I want to go to there!
My son paid no attention while my husband and I ducked out for our own turns at the slides. The toddler area gave him enough to climb, slide and wade through and with each time down the slide, I knew he was adding to his nap account.
With all the guests milling about, it still didn’t feel crowded. There was enough space for everyone. And the water wasn’t harsh with chlorine. I learned that all the chemicals are computer monitored and there is a very elaborate and scientific system that keeps my eyes from feeling like they had been poke with an open flame. There were life jackets stationed for the little kids, tubes ready for us to schlep up the stairs, a shop with swim suits and swim diapers and a snack shop that fills your tummy so you never. have. to. leave.
But what do you do when you’re water logged and need to be on dry ground? Great Wolf Lodge provides a plethora of on-site activities so guests of all ages can be entertained.
high ceilings and spacious floor plan
The Cub Club was a quaint and quiet little spot on the second floor that had books and tables for crafts. My husband and son decorated a t-shirt and then my son found some Great Wolf Lodge real estate he was interested in purchasing.
Another big draw was the Magic Quest game. For 14.99 for a wand and 9.99 for a game (including an Ancient Book of Wisdom [printed in 2008!]), five floors of the hotel are instantly transformed into a mystical journey for gems and other puzzles. I was amongst travelers of all ages and was especially aware of this fact when early in my game an eight-year-old told me that I was holding the wand THE WRONG WAY. After I figured out what I was doing, I had so much fun finding the colored crystals and also seeing what exactly I could do with the wand. There are statues, sculptures and paintings all over the hotel that activate when you flick your wand towards it.
The only downside for me was that Magic Quest was not an all-night game (it runs from 9AM to 9PM), because I’m sure that I would have won if I didn’t have to compete against kids! Still, I loved seeing dads reading from the guidebook while pushing strollers and whole families walking along, trying to figure out where to go next. And if you’re like me, you could always ask a kid where they found the blue crystal; they seemed to like helping out bumbling adults.
trying to activate the elevator
There’s also an ice cream shop, restaurants, STARBUCKS, Crocs and stuffed animal kiosks, a spa for adults and another one for kids and your own hotel room to collapse in after you’ve visited all those places.
The customer service was phenomenal. When Nathan tripped and sent a filled cup of orange juice across a busy area, leaving a huge orange puddle on the ground, one of the ladies working the ice cream scoop shop swooped in with rags and a big yellow wet floor sign, and on top of that, she gave us a whole new bottle of orange juice even though we had purchased the orange juice elsewhere and we gave her a mess to clean up on a busy Saturday night. We thanked her profusely and she smiled, saying, “Don’t worry, it happens.” I COULD HUG THAT WOMAN FOR HER KINDNESS. I would have, but she quickly took her role behind the counter and I couldn’t reach that far. And again, it would be awkward!
I think the biggest drawback for families is the price of the rooms, which is not cheap. However, I will say that the total cost of our vacation was much cheaper than our recent visits out of state to theme parks. Great Wolf Lodge makes huge efforts to accommodate budget-minded folks. There is a refrigerator and you can bring in your own food and well-stocked cooler if you’re so inclined. There are other restaurants and grocery stores outside the park as well, so you can visit those for more options. Also, the use of the water park is very generous. Check-in time is 4PM but you can begin to use the pool at 1PM and after you check out at 11 AM, you’re free to roam the water park until it closes at 9PM.
nathan had a howling time
Our stay at Great Wolf Lodge was so incredible, my husband and I were already discussing when we could have a follow-up visit. I think that’s the mark of a successful vacation—you’re already planning the next one before you’re even home.
For more pictures please visit my and also check out some of what my fellow lady bloggers have to say.
*disclaimer: We paid for our own rooms, although we received a discounted media rate for our stay. We received the Cub Pass for free, which allowed us to experience the various activities reviewed above. Many thanks to the staff of Great Wolf Lodge for being incredible and generous hosts!
nathan being cooperative as always
Mona is a blogger, mom and bona fide cheapskate living in Seattle with her toddler and husband. She is rarely smarter than fifth graders. You can find her rambling on her blog, .
If you’re not going to the awesometacular event that is the Blogher 2009 conference, here’s a great opportunity for you to meet other bloggers and also get your bowl on! (Do people still say get your [blank] on? I’ve been inside playing Wii Bowling for too long, I’ve lost touch with reality.)
All you need to do is leave a comment here and tell us why you would love to take this trip. Need some relaxing time with the family? Had a rough start to summer? Want to remember being a kid playing in the sand? Let us know! You can even nominate someone you know if you think they really deserve the time away! Who knows…maybe you’ll get lucky too and they will take you with them!
The first two days there were pretty windy, but our final day was absolutely gorgeous- sunny and calm. Our condo was wonderful- much larger than I expected and very modern and bright with all the comforts of home (and then some!). My son and I were in the king room that had a bathroom attached with a jetted tub. The kids loved the tub! The complex also had a nice (heated!) pool and play area for the kids.