Surprisingly Fun: Our Great Wolf Lodge Experience with Tweens!
Got conned into going to Great Wolf last month and I was actually surprised!
I had visions of a giant chlorine-smelling kiddie pool chaos fest, but it wasn’t like that at all. Even though it was June and the place was sold out, it wasn’t overly crowded and the facilities were really clean—like way better than I expected. We got an amazing Great Wolf Lodge Deal so it wasn’t that bad cost wise either!
Best part?
The kids absolutely LOVED it. And honestly, so did we… mostly because we actually got to relax while they ran around and burned energy. Although even though we are old we still loved the water slide!
Hotel & Setup
We stayed at the LaGrange, GA location, and the setup is perfect for tweens and teens. Everything is self-contained: the rooms, water park, arcade, bowling, ropes course—you don’t need to leave the building once you’re checked in. It’s basically a big, enclosed playground where you can let the kids roam while you sit back with a coffee or cocktail.
The rooms are large and the suites are actually affordable and can sleep up to 8! Perfect for families or even two families traveling together. Most come with a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, which makes it easy to bring snacks or simple meals and cut down on food costs.
If you’re looking for a little extra fun, the themed suites (like KidCabin or Wolf Den) are a big hit with kids—think bunk beds, private kid spaces, and fun decor. But even the standard rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable with enough room to spread out after a full day at the water park.
💦 Water Park – Indoors AND Out
The water park is included with your stay, which is awesome. There’s indoor and outdoor water fun, so no matter what the weather’s doing, the kids are covered. Lazy rivers, water slides, splash zones, wave pools… the works.
They also have life jackets available for free, and lifeguards seemed super attentive. Our crew was old enough to go off on their own, and we felt good letting them do their thing while we chilled.
🎟️ Worth the Add-On: The Ultimate Pass
Want to take it to the next level? Grab the Ultimate Pass (about $50 per kid), and they’ll have unlimited access to all the extras:
- 🎳 Bowling
- 🎮 Arcade credits
- 🧙 MagiQuest (a resort-wide scavenger hunt adventure)
- ⛓️ Ropes course
- 🧁 Candy and souvenir add-ons
It kept the kids entertained for hours—totally worth it if you’re staying more than one night! Not even exaggerating… they must have bowled at least 100 games. Considering it’s usually $7 per game, the savings added up fast. The all-inclusive pass paid for itself on bowling alone!
🍕 Food & Extras
Breakfast options were limited—and pricey. The buffet was the main sit-down breakfast choice, but at over $20 per person, it adds up fast, especially for families. The only alternative was Dunkin’, which worked in a pinch, but expect long lines in the morning.
Overall, the food throughout the resort was… okay. Not bad, but not memorable either. There’s a pizza spot that’s decent for a quick meal, a sit-down restaurant with a standard menu, and a snack bar inside the water park with things like hot dogs, nachos, and drinks.
If you’re traveling on a budget (or just picky about food), I highly recommend bringing your own breakfast, drinks, and snacks. Every room has a mini-fridge and microwave, so it’s easy to prep cereal, microwave oatmeal, or heat up leftovers. Bonus: it saves a lot of money and avoids the food court rush.
Tips & Tricks to Maximize Your Great Wolf Lodge Stay
1. Arrive Early – Water Park Access Starts at 1 PM!
Even if your room isn’t ready until the official check-in time (usually 4 PM), you can start using the water park as early as 1 PM on your check-in day. Pack a separate bag with swimsuits, flip-flops, and towels so you can hit the park right away. Lockers and changing rooms are available.
2. Stay Late Too!
On check-out day, you still have access to the water park all day. Just check out by 11 AM, stash your stuff in your car or a locker, and go back in for more fun!
3. Pack Your Own Food & Drinks
Each room has a microwave and mini-fridge, which makes it super easy to bring cereal, snacks, sandwiches, or heat-and-eat meals. This alone can save you $50–$100+ on food. Don’t forget reusable water bottles to stay hydrated.
4. Watch for Gift Card Deals
Before you book, check our website SwagGrabber for the best Great Wolf Lodge Deal available!
5. Consider One-Night, Two-Day Stays
Since you get two days of water park access with just one night booked, it’s a great value. Arrive early, stay late, and only pay for one night!
7. Skip the Extras—Unless You Bundle
A lot of the fun activities like bowling, ropes course, arcade, and MagiQuest are extra. If your kids want to do it all, the Ultimate Pass (~$50 per kid) gives unlimited access to most attractions and can actually be a better deal.
I went in expecting chaos, but came out a fan. Great Wolf Lodge is perfect for kids who are old enough to roam but still need structure. It’s safe, contained, and full of stuff to do. We got real downtime while they had a blast—which is basically every parent’s dream!
Looking to save on your trip?
Grab the latest deals on SwagGrabber 👉