Explore the Great Wolf Lodge since 1997 , around North America indoor water parks, family suites, food and round-the-year entertainment at the Great Wolf Lodge resorts.
What is Great Wolf Lodge
- Great Wolf Lodge (formally Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.) is a chain of resort hotels, which have large indoor water parks, and which target families.
- In addition to the water park, every resort usually has themed suites, a variety of dining establishments, arcades, different family friendly attractions such as activities, events (story times, character meet-and-greets etc.), and assets all one roof.
- Some of their selling propositions include the fact that the indoor water parks are heated (approximately 84 °F / approximately 29 C) thus can be used throughout the year despite the weather.
History & Ownership
- Incorporated in 1997 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin – originally the Black Wolf Lodge, the brainchild of two brothers – Jack and Andrew, their surname being Waterman.
- Over the years, the company had expanded to a great number of properties. It has been owned by other companies several times: bought by investment companies, etc. It is run now under Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.
- It has headquarters in Chicago, Illinois (in a building known as the Great Wolf Den). Previously it was in Madison, Wisconsin.
Location Counts and Growth.
- There are 23 lodges that are operational now in North America and more lodges are being constructed or in the planning process.
- Location covers the U.S. and Canada.
- Some recent additions:
o Perryville, Maryland lodge was opened on June 2023; it is their largest in number of suites (700) and size of water park (approximately 126,000 sq ft).
o Webster, Texas is to open in August 2024.
o Naples, Florida is also going to be opened in 2024.
- Mashantucket, Connecticut is among the latest; it consists of 549 rooms, 91,000-square-foot water park and a big family entertainment center.
- sites under consideration or development are some in the UK (e.g Bicester, Oxfordshire; Basingstoke; Chesterton) and a few in North America.
Pricing & What’s Included
- Your hotel reservation frequently covers the use of the water park within the place of stay which is the indoor type.
- Day passes (non-guests) Sometimes available though non-guests availability, pricing and whether they will be offered at a particular lodge varies depending on the lodge. There can also be other surcharges on certain attractions or extras (cabana, arcade, special experiences) to the basic lodging + water park package.
- There are many places where children under the age of 2 are free to enter water parks.
What They Have in Common / Strengths.
- It is a major marketing concept to be under-one-roof: accommodation, entertainment, meals and activities – little reason to go outside the resort. Good is especially good in bad weather, or in cases where families wish to have an enclosed vacation.
- Care and maintenance are normally managed; neat indoor parks, uniform climate, quality safety is focused on.
- High family popularity: the resorts are themed, family-friendly, and have programs that appeal to different age groups.
Possible Disadvantages / Things to Be Aware of.
- The weekends, holidays, can be overcrowded. Slide waiting, dining lines etc.
- The price may become cumulative, particularly when including extras (food, souvenirs, cabana rentals, special attractions and more).
- Some sections of the water park or resort can be shut down to do repairs or renovations based on the time of the year or lodge. It is always necessary to review what is open before making a reservation.
- The state of access to a given attraction differs in different locations.
Specific Notable Lodges
Some illustration of particular properties:
- Maryland / Perryville: extremely huge (the biggest size of water parks among their lodges), numerous suites.
- Mashanticket, CT: 91,000 sq ft water park + large entertainment center.
- Williamsburg, VA: They used to have one of their earlier locations in the east coast (opened 2005).
Conclusion
Great Wolf Lodge has developed to be one of the most recognized family resorts chains in North America which combines indoor water parks, themed suites, dining, and everything-in-one entertainment under the same roof. The lodges have more than 20 locations and more being developed, the lodges are meant to provide families with a weatherproof family holiday and children and adults to have unlimited fun. Although prices might be high, particularly when you include extras, the convenience, family experiences and attractions make it one of the best options to visit during vacations, birthdays and while enjoying a weekend.