Visitors initially greet the property through an awe-inspiring 7,300 sq. ft., five-story lobby, complete with a massive stone fireplace, hand-crafted oversized furniture, elk antler chandeliers, and an animated clock tower. Young guests can get acquainted with several animated forest friends who also perform live theme shows throughout the day. This spectacular Lobby ends up being the bed-time "meeting place" as wee guests round up for pyjama story time. This popular activity has become a tradition at the Lodge where kids can get cozy and comfortable while enthusiastic Lodge staff tell tales to help them wind down after a busy day of play.
Great Wolf Lodge is not your typical log cabin. On the contrary, this upscale, full-service resort boasts over 400 suites with ten styles to choose from - three are designed with Kids in mind such as the KidCabin Suites that feature a separate "wood cabin" complete with very cool kids' bunk beds along with their very own flat screen TV. Some suites also have fireplaces and whirlpools, and most include a patio or balcony.
Kids and water equal one unbeatable formula. So it's no surprise that the wild excitement of Bear Track Landing is a "huge" hit with families. At 103,000 sq. ft. and 90-ft. tall, the lavish and elaborate Waterpark features much more than its 13 Waterslides and 10 Pools. Pick your fun - from a wet and wild roller coaster, to a cannon bowl, incredible drops and plunges, endless colourful swirling tubes, rafts, a wave pool, a lazy river, water basketball, spas, whirlpools, hot-tubs and more! Younger children can also enjoy 4 kiddie slides, a zero-depth recreation pool, interactive play toys with a bucket dump factory, dumping pelican, trough waterfall and shooting jets. Parents can unwind poolside at licensed snack bars and grills. No need to worry, safety is a priority at Great Wolf Lodge with 120 lifeguards on duty!
But the highlight of the Waterpark is undoubtedly Fort Mackenzie - a 100,000-litre, four-story interactive Treehouse water fort featuring 12 levels of water-based adventure interconnected with suspension bridges, cargo nets and web crawls. There are more than 60 guest-activated water effects so watch where you walk or you'll most certainly get drenched! A 48-ft. tall tipping bucket drops nearly 4,000 litres of water onto guests below every few minutes. There is just no place to stay dry here, much to the joy of the kids!
Feeling a bit waterlogged? Fear not, Great Wolf Lodge has even more to offer!
• Try a game of Wacky Wilderness Mini Golf, a state-of-the-art 18-hole miniature golf course with picturesque scenery and displays, and more interactive critters. There are challenging and original holes, and special features to entertain all.
• Cub Club, a children's activity Centre, provides a variety of great crafts to chose from. There are daily educational Wolf Walks - a children's tour through the Grand Living Room (lobby) and Great Wolf Lodge Pyjama Parties with no parents allowed! There is a nominal cost for supervised children's activities and you can pick up a kids' programming newsletter in the lobby.
• The Northern Lights Arcade features 7,000 sq. ft. arcade room with over 100 of the latest games. There is a black light area for adventure and racing games, a free jukebox and Ticket Redemption Centre.
• For those wishing to stay fit while on vacation, the Iron Horse Fitness Center provides treadmills, weight machines and other exercise equipment.
• Great Wolf Lodge may be all about kids, but mom and dad can indulge in some pampering too at Elements, the Great Wolf Lodge's Aveda concept spa, a 500 sq. ft. salon & spa with Nine Feng Shui treatment rooms for facials, massages, manicures & pedicures, and a serenity room. Also features a steam room, hair salon and more.
• And if you still have time or energy to shop, the Trading Post is a 3,500 sq. ft. gift store with a variety of signature apparel and items with a distinctive flare including furniture, gourmet foods, designer clothing, jewellery, handbags, footwear, plush, toiletries, and unique themed gifts and souvenirs.
• After your family has worked up an appetite, drop in the Antler Shanty Grub or Camp Critter Bar & Grille, 2 campsite-themed restaurants loaded with kids' favourites. For quick and convenient meals, the resort offers up five other meal outlets.
A final point of interest… carrying a wallet, purse, money or keys are a thing of the past at Great Wolf Lodge. For the convenience of enjoying all amenities at the Lodge, guests are outfitted with a nifty secure electronic wristband, which acts as your hotel key and allows you to charge resort expenses. You can also load money onto the wristbands - a great way to help kids manage their spending while on vacation.
So if your family is looking for "the" perfect family adventure to get away from it all, Great Wolf Lodge is the resort that has it all! With an array of activities and escapes that await both children and adults, it's a Niagara attraction like no other!
Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls is open year-round. For more information visit: www.greatwolflodge.com.
