Tips and Tricks for Great Wolf Lodge

Last weekend, we visited Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  It’s an unbelievably fun place for kids and adults both, and we all had a great time. 

I hadn’t been to GWL in over 2 years, so, before going, I spoke to a few experienced Lodgers to get some advice on maximizing our visit.  Here are some tips, some of them based on my own recent experience, that I hope will enhance your next visit to this fun destination!

• Check-in time is 4pm.  However, you can call ahead to request an early check-in, which will have your room ready by 1pm for no additional cost. 

• Even if early check-in is not available on that day, you can still use the water park as early as 1pm.  There are lockers available to store your stuff until your room is ready.  We arrived at 12:30pm and were in the water by 1pm. 

• The water park really has something for everyone.  My 4 year old loved the beginner water slides that are on the left as soon as you enter the park.  My 1 year old loved the hot tub, and my 6 year old was all over the place, enjoying even the most elaborate water slides.  My personal favourite was the Wooly Mammoth Slide, which allowed a few of us to coast down together in a big tube.  Very fun!

• The Arcade is a good value.  For ten dollars, you get thirty tokens, which gives you access to lots of games.  Most of the kiddie games cost only 1-3 tokens per turn, so you’ll easily engage your kids for up to one hour with one batch of tokens.  It’s a fun alternative to the water park when parents are ready to get dry.

• Most evenings, GWL has professional storytelling before bedtime.  In the winter, this takes place in the lobby.  During the summer, there’s a bonfire by the outdoor pool, and the kids can bring their blankets and pillows to snuggle.  The storyteller was great, engaging our kids with games and musical trivia.  It was a cozy, fun way to end the day.

• GWL can be a little expensive, and things add up with meals, snacks and beverages for everyone.  The buffet-style restaurant is just okay.  One thing I may do in the future is to bring some cereal and milk for breakfast.  There’s a fridge, microwave and coffee-maker in every room, so it’s fairly convenient to eat in the room if one likes. That being said, the pancakes and waffles were quite delicious.

• If planned properly, one night is the perfect getaway at GWL.  We had two lengthy visits to the water park, some fun meals, and lots of family time.  At the end of day 2, we were satiated and ready to move on.  Check out time is 11am.  For an additional fifty dollars, you can stay until 2pm.  We requested to check out at 12pm (at no additional charge) and the staff were very accommodating.