Family Fun Getaway Guide To Great Wolf Lodge
Sometimes there's no amount of water to help you cool off outside in the Texas summer, and sometimes these North Texas winters leave us craving a warm climate with a cool pool to splash into. Wouldn't it be great if there were an indoor, climate controlled water park that made it enjoyable to splash and play all year? Oh wait, there is! Great Wolf Lodge isn't just a hotel. It's a resort with 80,000 square feet of water fun, and the indoor water park is kept at a constant 84 degrees.
Great Wolf Lodge
100 Great Wolf Drive
Grapevine, TX 76051
Reservations: 800-693-9653
Resort Direct: 817-488-6510
Getting There
With Great Wolf Lodge's Grapevine location so centrally located in the metroplex, most DFW area residents won't have to drive much more than 30 minutes to get there. Keep in mind, though, that construction on State Highways 121 and 114 may affect your travel time. Check in at http://www.dfwconnector.com for the latest in lane closures and delays.
Reservations
Oh yes, you must make reservations to attend this water park. In fact, you can't gain entry unless you actually book at least one night at the resort. The water park is only open to their overnight guests. On average, basic rooms cost about $280/night, but that rate varies based on the time of year and demand, with holidays and school breaks being the most expensive time to stay and play.
https://secure.greatwolf.com/grapevine/reservations
The cost of water park admission is included in your nightly rate for up to as many occupants as your room rate states. If your room rate includes admission for up to 6 occupants, and you have a family of 7 staying in that room, you will have to pay an additional $40/day for your 7th member to attend the water park.
Fun For All Ages
From the zero-depth entry Cub Paw Pool to Fort Mackenzie and Whopping Hollow, there are plenty of special areas for the littlest family members to safely have fun splashing and sliding. The older, more thrill-seeking set will find plenty to meet their need for speed, too, with attractions like Coyote Canyon and the Howlin Tornado. Adults 18 and older can relax and kick back in the North and South Hot Springs.
Beyond The Water
There's more fun to be had beyond the walls of the water park. Scoops Kids Spa pretties up toes and fingers with ice cream flavor manicures and pedicures, refreshes faces with facials and tops off your visit with an ice cream treat (price not included in room rate). The Northern Lights Arcade and gr_8 space provide areas for kids, teens and tweens to play video, computer and traditional arcade games. MagiQuest and Compass Quest are 2 activities sure to spark the interest of anyone, young or old, who enjoys a little magic, mystery and adventure.
Jill Krause is a blogger, product ambassador and mother to 2 young children. You can find her humorous take on life as a parent at www.BabyRabies.com.
