Great Wolf Lodge and Water Park, Wisconsin Dells
For years the Wisconsin Dells has been known to travelers as a
summer getaway for fun in the sun while enjoying some of the
nations best water rides. Now the excitement doesn't have to end
when Labor Day comes around.
The Wisconsin Dells now hosts a variety of Indoor Water parks
that are a great alternative for winter vacations. One such
resort is the new Great Wolf Lodge. For a while I've watched it
being built on my travels up north on I90/94 and this past
Christmas got to experience it first hand with our family.
My wife and I arrived on Saturday where we were warmly greeted
by the front desk clerks. The lobby featured a giant cuckoo
clock which would give a performance at set times during the
day. We met up with our family on one of the floors where the
little ones were busy decorating Christmas cookies as part of
the many activities sponsored by the Great Wolf.
Some of our family was found down at Youkon Jack's, the Great
Wolf's own game room. We could test our skill on over 70
different games to win tickets which could be cashed in for a
any number of prizes. The big prize in our group was an Angelica
doll from the Rug Rats that little Brooke's dad won for her.
There was also a 3-D theater show featuring Biko the Bear next
to the arcade.
One of the biggest parts of our stay was the huge indoor water
park. You could climb around in the "Tree House" There were tube
rides where guests could go solo or ride double as they splashed
there way down and around curves, through water falls, and into
dark tunnels that would open up into a gaping pool of water. We
had a great time as we carried our inflatable tubes to the tops
and anxiously awaited our turn down the slide. There were body
slides for those brave enough to go with out a tube where all
you have to do is lay on your back and head feet first through a
series of twists and turns that are sure to get your heart
racing. I had to remember to plug my nose at the end of the
slide or else I would get a snort of water. The lodge also
boasts a giant 50 gallon bucket that sits high on top of the
rides and fills up every 5 minutes. A bell sounds, warning that
the bucket is about to empty its contents and all who are in
range are sure to get drenched. I expected everyone to run away
when the ringing started, but instead they all fled toward the
center to experience the bucket's full dousing force.For those
of us not up for thrills and spills, the water park also offers
"Spirit Island", a more relaxing part of the water park which
features smaller tube rides and a lazy river where one can kick
back and relax in the water as the current carries you around in
a circle. There are also a couple kiddie pools with mini water
slides for those to young to enjoy the bigger rides.
We enjoyed dinner at the Great Wolf's Loose Moose Bar and Grill.
It was a decent menu where you could enjoy anything from
sandwiches to prime rib. You could even try and elk burger.
While dining, some of our younger group members were pleasantly
greeted by the lodges own furry mascots, Biko the Bear and Wiley
the Wolf.
After dinner, a walk through the bakery across the hall made us
almost forget how much we had already eaten. It would be hard to
go down the water slides tonight, though some of us did try it.
We then checked out the Buck Horn Exchange gift shop where we
looked for souvenirs to remind of us our stay.
For those not up for water rides that afternoon, they could
enjoy time at the Great Wolf's Cameo Spa and Salon where you
could get your hair done or have a nice massage. If you felt
like working off some of your meal, you could check out the Iron
Horse fitness room also located in the lodge.
The next morning we were treated by my Mom for a breakfast
brunch in one of the Great Wolf's private party rooms. It was a
nice buffet setup with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit and
muffins, The kids were then surprised by a visit by Santa Claus
who was also around the lodge that weekend. He brought gifts to
a lot of smiling faces.
The group then went on an old fashioned hay-ride where a tractor
pulled everyone around the outside of the resort to view Elk and
other wildlife. We were joined by Wiley the Wolf who I suspect
was looking for some stray elk.
There was way too much to see and do for just a weekend stay.
The best part was being able to enjoy everything right at the
resort and not have to go elsewhere for food and entertainment.
A lot of times I find a hotel room is just for sleeping, but it
was nice being close to the water park and activities. It was a
perfect alternative for a winter getaway.
For more on Where to go & What to do in Wisconsin, check out
http://www.WisconsinGuide.com