Over The Top Mommy

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge Teams Up with Autism Speaks During World Autism Month

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Did you know that April is World Autism Month? During April, Great Wolf Lodge is teaming up with Autism Speaks and pledging to “go blue” in support of a more inclusive world for people with autism and their families through a month-long Blue Wolf Ears fundraising campaign.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Most are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences. One in 59 children are on the autism spectrum.Throughout April, the family-friendly indoor water park resort will offer a blue version of the brand’s signature wolf ears, available to guests for a minimum $5 donation to Autism Speaks. A limited-edition collection of 10,000 blue wolf ears were made for this event and will be available for purchase at all 16 of the company’s U.S.-based resorts.All proceeds from the Blue Wolf Ears campaign go directly to Autism Speaks, with a goal of raising $50,000 to support its mission of enhancing lives across the spectrum at every stage of life. Last year alone, the non-profit aided more than 1 million people through Autism Speaks-funded programs and resources.To increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, Great Wolf Lodge is launching a social media campaign in conjunction with the Blue Wolf Ears effort. The company encourages guests to post a photo on social media of themselves or a family member wearing their blue wolf ears, using #GreatWolfCares. For each post using this special hashtag, Great Wolf Lodge will make an additional $5 donation to Autism Speaks, up to $20,000.

“We’re honored to have this opportunity to give back during World Autism Month and to help raise funds for a terrific organization like Autism Speaks. Our Blue Wolf Ears campaign is just the start of a long-term partnership with Autism Speaks. In the future, we hope to use their expertise to help guide us as we continue to explore ways to make our resorts even more welcoming for people with autism and their families.” – Erin Wallace, chief operating officer of Great Wolf Resorts.

For more information on Great Wolf Resorts and its brands of indoor water park resorts, please visit greatwolf.com.
Some images and logos are property of Great Wolf Lodge and Autism Speaks and used with permission. 

 

Great Wolf Lodge’s Spring-A-Palooza Returns March 16 + Have Tea With the Characters

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Great Wolf Lodge is springing into 2019 with the return of its fun-filled Spring-A-Palooza celebration. Families staying at any Great Wolf Lodge between March 16 – April 28, 2019 are sure to have a pawesome time as the resort comes into full bloom with a collection of exclusive spring-inspired events such as bubble dance parties and a special character-led tea party. Guests will splish and splash in the 84 degree waterpark and create memories that will last a lifetime.Along with a vibrant and colorful transformation of the lobby, here are some additional entertainment options for families to enjoy during the six week Spring-A-Palooza event:
Northwood’s Tea Party with Violet & Friends: new for 2019, beloved wolf Violet will host a tea party on select days of the week. Violet and friends’ tea party will feature songs, dances, cookie decorating, crafts and games. Of course, no party would be complete without a special character meet and greet.Other Spring-a-Palooza offerings this year include:
Bubble Dance Party: This special Spring-a-Palooza event fills the Grand Lobby with cascading bubbles while Great Wolf Lodge’s Ambassadors of Fun keep energy-levels high with a family-friendly dance party.Spring-a-Palooza Story Time: Great Wolf Lodge’s nightly Story Time takes on a spring theme with a new tale featuring the Great Wolf Lodge characters called “Natural Wonders.” Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite jammies to the Grand Lobby for this event and will have the opportunity to meet one of the Great Wolf Lodge characters in person.Jelly Bean Guessing Game: A gigantic jar filled to the brim with jelly bean candies sits in the Grand Lobby and guests are invited to enter a contest guessing how many delicious treats are within the jar. The guests closest to the correct number without going over will be entered for a chance to win a Great Wolf Lodge Gift Card.Spring Themed Crafts: During Spring-A-Palooza, the resort’s Ambassadors of Fun will host several spring-inspired craft making events for kids of all ages. Character-themed crafting projects include Oliver’s Crazy About Bugs Jar, Violet’s Springtime Noodle Doodle, Brinley’s Don’t Blow Away Kite and Wiley’s Can You Spot It Binoculars.Along with the always complimentary water park entry for all overnight guests, all of the Spring-A-Palooza events are complimentary for guests staying at the resort. A complete listing of daily activities and times can be found in the Lodge Life event schedule provided to guests upon check-in.For more information on Great Wolf Resorts and its brands of indoor water park resorts, please visit greatwolf.com.

Some images are property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland Celebration Returns Nov. 24 – Jan. 4

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Great Wolf Lodge will, once again, ring in the howliday season with its annual Snowland Celebration this year from November 24, 2018 to January 4, 2019. Adults and children alike will be merry and bright as they arrive at Great Wolf Lodge’s winter wonderland complete with hundreds of twinkling lights, Christmas trees and other jolly decorations in the Grand Lobby.
Great Wolf Lodge is spreading cheer to families this year with such wondrous offerings as daily snow showers in the Grand Lobby, visits from Santa Claus, and the centerpiece of the Snowland Celebration, a life-sized Gingerbread House, constructed from more than 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, 1,300 pounds of sugar and hundreds of candies. Also, for a truly delectable experience, guests can dine in the life-sized gingerbread house with a small donation to the Ronald McDonald House. For reservations for this limited offering, please go HERE.
At Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland Celebration, visiting families will get into the spirit of Christmas and be able to splash in the 84-degree waterpark, all while creating special holiday memories together that will last a lifetime. Snowland will return this year with some of guests’ favorite complimentary activities including:
  • Hot Cocoa with a GreatWolf Kid – the weather outside might be frightful, but the Lodge’s delicious hot cocoa bar will warm even the chilliest of guests up;
  • Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where children have the opportunity to decorate cookies in the Gingerbread House with Santa’s leading lady.
  • The Polar Wolf Walk – a tour of the lobby that teaches children about polar bears penguins and more.
  • Festive Family Flicks  – Families can wind the night down by cozying up to watch a holiday movie in the Grand Lobby during Festive Family Flicks.
  • Santa’s Letter Depot, where kids can mail a letter to Santa in the Grand Lobby
  • North Pole University, where kids complete fun, holiday-themed assignments around the resort for the chance to earn a Snowploma.
Visits from Santa are also available for guests staying at The Lodge
During the howliday season, children’s activities such as Story Time, Yoga Tails and Paws on Projects will also get dash of Christmas cheer.
In addition to two days of play in the water park for each night stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, all of the Snowland activities are included complimentary as part of an overnight stay. Activities vary daily and based on location.  A complete listing of daily activities and times can be found in the Lodge Life event schedule provided to guests upon check-in, or verified in advance by calling the location directly.
For more information about Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland Celebration and to make a reservation for your holiday stay, please visit HERE.
Images are property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

Book a Stay at Great Wolf Lodge For Their Annual Howl-O-Ween Celebrations

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

As summer is coming to an end, we are getting excited for the arrival of fall and the start of the holiday season! First up, HALLOWEEN! Are you ready? We are! And so is Great Wolf Lodge! They’ll kick off kick their annual Howl-O-Ween festivities with seasonal celebrations all month long for guests staying at the resort. There’s nothing like 105,000 square feet of water park fun and Halloween-centric activities for the whole family. Throughout October, families can find special complimentary guest programming from a Howl-O-Ween House in the lobby to nightly Howl-O-Ween themed dance parties, Haunted Hustle scavenger hunts, boo bingo and more. How fun is that?

Great Wolf Lodge’s Howl-O-Ween festivities include:

  • Howl-O-Ween House in the lobby
  • Nightly Trick or Treat Trail from 5:30pm – 7:30pm
  • Nightly Howl-O-Ween themed games in the lobby including Witch Hat Ring Toss, Mummy Bowling, Feed the Monster, Boo Bingo, Candy Corn Guessing Game + more.
  • Howl-O-Ween themed dance parties
  • Haunted Hussle Scavenger Hunt and a Spooky Walk, replacing the Wolf Walk
  • An UnBoolieveable Character Meet, Greet & Treat
  • Howl-O-Ween themed Character Breakfasts

This all sounds like a lot of fun! Great Wolf Lodge’s Howl-O-Ween For more information and to book your family’s Howl-o-ween stay, please visit here.

Some images and video are property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

Great Wolf Lodge Announces Star-Studded Junior Chef Council

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

One of our favorite resorts to stay at, Great Wolf Lodge, just announced some exciting news!  They’ve formed of a Junior Chef Council, a panel comprised of the country’s top kid chefs and culinary tastemakers, who will come together to advise on and help develop a new kids’ menu for Great Wolf Lodge’s 17 indoor waterpark resorts!

“The idea of a Junior Chef Council is something we have been discussing internally for the past year. We’ve really enriched the culinary offerings for parents, and thought it would be fun to create a menu for kids, by kids. These are no ordinary kids, these are true junior chefs who have been around the culinary arts for years and will help create a kids menu unlike any other in the country.” – John Suley, Great Wolf’s Vice President of Food & Beverage

After an extensive search to identify youthful and passionate culinary talent who will bring a unique perspective to Great Wolf Lodge’s ever-evolving and innovative food and beverage program, the Junior Chef Council was formed. The six-person Junior Chef Council brings a diverse culinary background to Great Wolf, and will work together on developing a completely new kids menu.
Great Wolf Lodge’s Junior Chef Council members include:

  • MasterChef Junior Season 2 winner, Logan Guleff (15)
  • MasterChef Junior Season 5 winner, Jasmine Stewart (13)
  • Jonas Cora Ehrlich (12) and Gavin Cora Ehrlich (10), sons of Iron Chef Cat Cora and wife, Nicole Cora Ehrlich
  • Madeline Zakarian (11) and Anna Zakarian (9), daughters of Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian;
  • Conrad Elliot (8) and Jed Elliot (6), sons of Chef Graham Elliot.

The talent level of the council is impressive. Logan and Jasmine each won a rigorous TV cooking competition, while the other members of the Junior Chef Council bring a different degree of culinary experience to the group, being children of some of the world’s most talented chefs. While Conrad is an official member of the Council, Jed will serve as the Council’s official taster, ensuring his brother and other members are delivering on the culinary goods.Great Wolf Lodge has placed a tremendous emphasis on expanding and enhancing the culinary offerings found at its family-friendly resorts over the past two years. With the launch of its Colorado Springs resort 18-months ago, the company introduced an elevated farm-to-fork dining experience called Barnwood that has now expanded to three additional resorts; and it recently established a food hall style Tex-Mex restaurant called Timbers Tacos which debuted at new resorts in Georgia and Illinois. The new kids’ menu will initially be featured exclusively at full-service restaurants at Great Wolf Lodges across North America.The Junior Chef Council will get together as a group later this summer at one of Great Wolf’s world-class resorts in order to collaborate on their menu with the resort’s executive culinary team, with plans to roll-out the menu nationwide later this fall. For more information about the Junior Chef Council and Great Wolf Lodge partnership, please go here.

Logo is property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

 

Helpful Water Safety Tips from Great Wolf Lodge

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Did you know that May is National Water Safety Month? Are your kids “water safe”? It’s such an important topic and something we, as parents, need to be proactive about, early on!great-wolf-lodge-waterpark-bucketGreat Wolf Lodge, the resort that has welcomed millions of families since its first resort opened in 1997, shared some of its best water safety tips to help splash into this month and I want to share them with you.great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-facadeWith 16 resorts that stretch from coast-to-coast, Great Wolf Lodge is the largest family of indoor water park resorts in North America and a nationally recognized leader in water safety. Ellis & Associates, a renowned international organization focused on aquatic safety has recognized Great Wolf Lodge several years running with its top award for water safety. accumulated a wealth of tips to help keep families safe around water.great-wolf-lodge-water-safety-tips-2Whether planning a family vacation this summer to the beach, lake or one of Great Wolf Lodge’s incredible resorts, here are some great water safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Never swim alone. Always use the buddy system and be sure the area is well supervised by lifeguards before you or other family members enter the water.
  • Encourage your child to wear a life jacket. Many public pools and water parks provide life jackets for your use free of charge and it’s better to be on the safe side if your child is not a confident swimmer.
  • Never assume someone else is watching your child. Even with lifeguards nearby, you have the responsibility for your child. The best way to keep your child safe is to play right alongside them.
  • Stay hydrated. Swimming and playing takes a lot of energy, especially during the hot summer months. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks and rest in a cool location.
  • Forget the Bling. Before heading to the beach, pool or water park, avoid swimsuits that have ties, grommets or decorations that could get caught on something during water activities.
  • Skip the flip-flops. Look for sandals with a heel strap or a full-coverage slip-on water shoe that will stay in place both in and out of the water.
  • Too much sun is no fun. Be sure to limit your exposure during peak hours of 12pm-3pm and reapply waterproof/sweat proof sunscreen every 80 minutes.
  • Take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important in any environment. This is a skill we all can benefit from – on land and around water.
  • Read all of the signs before going on a waterslide, pool or attraction. Make sure your child meets the posted requirements. If you have questions about an attraction, ask an employee at the facility.
  • Plan ahead. As a family, decide on a meeting place to go to if anyone gets separated. Kids can take off in instant and crowded parks and beaches can make it difficult for little ones to find you. Choose an easy-to-spot location that can be easily found by all family members.
  • If you see someone struggling in the water, call for help. Remember “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go!” Even professionally trained lifeguards don’t enter the water without having the proper flotation devices to keep themselves safe.

great-wolf-lodge-water-safety-tips-1Great Wolf Lodge is a world-class family resort with spacious, family-friendly suites and a wealth of both wet and dry attractions for every age. The centerpiece of any Great Wolf Lodge is the indoor water park, featuring water-filled fun for every member of the family, from thrilling water slides and rollicking family raft rides to relaxing lazy rivers and bouncing wave pools. The water parks also feature zero depth toddler pools with age appropriate slides and water features for younger guests. With each overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge guests receive two days of play in the water park, having access to the water park until the park closes on the day they check-out.great-wolf-lodge-waterpark-2In addition to the water park, Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of family-friendly attractions and activities including MagiQuest, an exclusive interactive game where guests use a magic wand to collect relics and runes needed to defeat goblins and dragons.great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-grand-openingFor more information about Great Wolf Lodge, please visit greatwolf.com.

Connect with Great Wolf Lodge on Twitter and Instagram.

Spring-a-Palooza Returns at Great Wolf Lodge March 9 + New Mission to Fight Pediatric Cancer

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Spring is in the air at Great Wolf Lodge as their annual Spring-a-Palooza celebration returns March 9- April 15. Spring-a-Palooza is the perfect way for families to celebrate the changing of the season.spring-a-palooza-logo
Guests staying at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California can enjoy special offerings such as spring picnics and bubble dance parties, character-inspired flower gardens and more in the Grand Lobby.  great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-lobbyA highlight this year, for the first time Great Wolf Lodge is partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation at all 14 U.S. Great Wolf Lodge locations to generate funds and raise awareness to help end childhood cancer.spring-a-palooza-violets-lemonde-stand

“We’re honored to partner with such an important organization as Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation during our Spring-a-Palooza celebration. Our goal each and every day is to bring joy to families and what could be more joyful than for us to stand together as a pack to raise funds to end childhood cancer.” – says Erin Wallace, Chief Operating Officer of Great Wolf Resorts.

great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-lemonade-stand-2During Spring-A-Palooza, families can visit a lemonade stand in the Grand Lobby for complimentary lemonade to be enjoyed together picnic-style. As a special twist this year, exclusive color changing cups will be sold for $2.50, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the cups will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a charity whose mission is to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure cancer.  Great Wolf Lodge anticipates at least $15,000 will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through the sale of the keepsake Spring-A-Palooza cups.spring-a-palooza-violets-basketIn addition to the partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, other highlights of Spring-a-Palooza include:

  • Spring Cinema: Families can unwind after a fun-filled day and enjoy a family movie in the Grand Lobby.
  • Spring Picnic: A time-honored spring tradition gets a Great Wolf twist, as guests can grab a blanket, spread it out on the floor and enjoy an afternoon picnic in the Grand Lobby. Guests can sip complimentary Minute Maid beverage available from the Great Wolf Lodge character-themed Lemonade Stand and play a few rounds of “Take A Wiley Guess” card game.
  • Bubble Dance Party: This special Spring-a-Palooza event fills the Grand Lobby with cascading bubbles while Great Wolf Lodge’s Ambassadors of Fun keep energy-levels high with a family-friendly dance party.great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-bubble-dance-party
  • Spring-a-Palooza Story Time: Great Wolf Lodge’s nightly Story Time takes on a spring themed tale featuring the Great Wolf Lodge characters called “Natural Wonders.” Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite jammies to the Grand Lobby for this event and will have the opportunity to meet one of the Great Wolf Lodge characters in person.great-wolf-lodge-spring-a-palooza-storytime
  • Spring Scavenger Hunts: Great Wolf Lodge features two self-guided scavenger hunts as part of Spring-a-Palooza. The “I Spy Spring” scavenger hunt will have guests looking high and low in the Grand Lobby to find a dozen hidden objects. The “Spring Sprint” scavenger hunt has guests solving clues that will take them on a journey throughout the lodge. When all 10 clues are solved, guests are rewarded with a prize.
  • Character Themed Flower Gardens: A highlight of the Spring-a-Palooza celebration is the colorful springtime gardens found in the Grand Lobby. The gardens are designed and handcrafted by Pack Members from the resort. The collection of flower pots are inspired by the Great Wolf Lodgecharacters. Guests are encourage to stroll around the garden and vote for their favorite display.
  • Jelly Bean Guessing Game: A gigantic jar filled to the brim with jelly bean candies sits in the Grand Lobby and guests are invited to enter a contest guessing how many delicious treats are within the jar. The guests closest to the correct number without going over will be entered for a chance to win a Great Wolf Lodge Gift Card.spring-a-palooza-jelly-beans-guessing
  • Spring Themed Crafts: During Spring-a-Palooza, the resort’s Ambassadors of Fun will host several spring-inspired craft making events for kids of all ages. Character-themed crafting projects include Oliver’s Crazy About Bugs Jar, Violet’s Springtime Noodle Doodle, Brinley’s Don’t Blow Away Kite and Wiley’s Can You Spot It Binoculars.spring-a-palooza-spring-craft

In addition to two days of play in the water park for each night stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, all of the Spring-a-Palooza activities are included as part of an overnight stay for no extra charge. Activities vary daily and based on location.  A complete listing of daily activities and times can be found in the Lodge Life event schedule provided to guests upon check-in, verified in advance at GreatWolf.com or by calling Great Wolf Lodge directly at 888.960.9653.

spring-a-palooza-funFor more information on Great Wolf Resorts and its brands of indoor water park resorts, visit greatwolf.com.

Some images are property of Great Wolf Lodge and used with permission. 

I Braved The Howlin’ Tornado at Great Wolf Lodge!

As soon as we had dates for a stay at Great Wolf Lodge’s newest location in Southern California for the official Grand Opening weekend,my daughter immediately went online to their site to research all of the things she wanted to do during our “staycation” there. great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-grand-openingShe let me know all about her hopes and expectations, and specifically challenged me to a biggie: to ride the Howlin’ Tornado with her! Well, I guess that’s do-able for a mom, if you don’t mind dropping into “the six-story funnel of fun” (as Great Wolf Lodge describes the slide). great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-howlin-tornadoAt first glance, the Howlin’ Tornado can be a little intimidating. Ok it can actually be really intimidating. You can’t really see much of the waterslide from inside of the waterpark but when you drive up to the resort, you can see it from the outside, because it’s so gigantic that the main part of its structure is located outside. (although it’s completely enclosed so you’d never know that when you’re on it.). great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-howlin-tornado-outsideLet me just tell you a couple of things about myself as relating to water and swimming and waterslides…I actually DON’T usually do water. great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-i-dont-usually-do-waterI’m like a cat! I don’t like to get wet. I’m not super adventurous. Although I can swim, I just don’t favor it, which is ironic because my daughter is a swimmer and on a competitive swim team. great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-my-own-packI knew I needed to make a point of not only honoring my daughter’s wishes, but also to show everyone that I can be brave and conquer the Howlin’ Tornado.

great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-its-behind-meSo…I did it! Yep, on the first night we were there. It’s a very popular waterslide so we waited until after “Story Time” in the lobby because that’s when a majority of the resort goes to bed and the waterpark becomes less crowded. It took a bit of coaxing from my own “pack” to get me ready for the fun! great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-being-braveThe raft seats 4 and each person actually has their own little compartment to sit in, complete with handles to hold onto. I really didn’t expect what came next. Pretty much as soon as we took off, it felt like the floor just dropped out from underneath us! Your tummy feels like it would if you were riding on a rollercoaster that just took a big drop! It was crazy-amazing! It was also scary! I will say that I held onto the handles like we were about to go over Niagara Falls or something! Hehe!  I think we were up on the sides of the walls, I’m not sure! At some point, I may have closed my eyes and just held on. A combination of laughs and screams could be heard coming from our raft though. great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-i-did-itHowlin’ Tornado was so much fun! I was so proud of myself and my “pack” was too! They even took me out for some ice cream afterwards at Bear Paw Sweets & Eats, which is right inside of Great Wolf Lodge! great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-ice-creamI think I spent the next two days bragging to my family about it because I was so proud of myself! I really just wanted to be able to share that experience with my daughter though, which was my biggest motivator.  I do think there comes a certain point in your adult life when you stop doing those types of things. I guess I haven’t reached that point in my life though. great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-wristbandI can’t wait to go back to Great Wolf Lodge and ride Howlin’ Tornado again! Perhaps they should make stickers or buttons for brave moms like me who ride it! What do you think? Have you ridden it yet?

Connect with Great Wolf Lodge Southern California on Facebook..

I was invited as a guest of Great Wolf Lodge Southern Calfiornia to attend a the Grand Opening Weekend Celebration. All opinions are 100% my own.  

Southern California Great Wolf Lodge® Set to Open in February 2016! #GWLSoCal

great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-opening-soon

Great Wolf Lodge® is opening in Southern California and our family is ecstatic! I was invited to take a hard hat tour of the newest location, which is currently under construction in Garden Grove and I’ve never seen anything like it! Great Wolf Lodge refers to themselves as the ultimate family vacation destination and I can see why! They pride themselves on providing quality accommodations, exceptional services, and a variety of amenities and entertainment all under one roof.  The 603-room all-suite resort is going to WOW when they walk in!

great-wolf-lodge-Wiley-the-WolfAt the start of the facility tour, I got to meet Wiley the Wolf, who is the official Great Wolf Lodge mascot. As I was During my hard hat tour, I felt like my mouth kept dropped open around every new corner! Seriously, I cannot wait for it to open!

great-wolf-lodge-hardhat

the-water-park

The GIANT 105,000 square-foot indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge is the most popular amenity for resort guests. Water park passes are already included in the cost of your stay and are exclusive for the guests staying at Great Wolf Lodge.

great-wolf-lodge-waterparkThe water park itself is maintained at 84 degrees which means that weather will never affect your stay.  Unique water slides and attractions will offer something for everyone.

great-wolf-lodge-howlin-tornadoThe Howlin’ Tornado is the water park’s signature ride and is six stories tall! It sends riders swooshing up and down its enormous funnel before the final splash into the catch pool! I can’t wait to get on it!

accommodations

Let’s talk about the accommodations! There are more than a handful of different suite options to choose from at Great Wolf. Each suite offers a complimentary coffee pot, microwave, and refrigerator. Families have plenty of room to spread out and relax and can choose the accommodations that best fit the size of their family. great-wolf-lodge-beds

  • Double Queen Suite – Features two queen beds and sleeps up to 4 guests.
  • Family Suite – Features two queen beds and a full sofa sleeper and sleeps up to 6 guests.
  • Wolf Den Suite – Features a queen bed, full sofa sleeper and a themed Wolf Den, complete with a set of bunk beds. Sleeps up to 6 guests.
  • KidCabin Suite – Features a queen bed, full sofa sleeper and a Great Wolf Kids-themed KidCabin complete with bunk beds and a twin bed. Sleeps up to 7 guests. great-wolf-lodge-bunk-beds
  • Grand Bear Suite – Features a private master bedroom with a king bed and a full bathroom. The main area includes two queen beds, a full sleeper sofa and a second bathroom. Sleeps up to 8 guests.
  • Great Bear Suite – Features two queen beds and a semi-private living room, complete with a private master bedroom with queen bed. Sleeps up to 6 guests.
  • Great Bear King – Features two queen beds and a semi-private living room, complete with a private master bedroom with king bed. Sleeps up to 6 guests.

dining

The dining options at Great Wolf provide something for everyone in the family to enjoy. I like that Great Wolf not only acknowledges kids can be picky eaters but also offers options for guests with food allergies and have special dietary needs ,such as a gluten free diet. It’s something that moms can really appreciate as it isn’t often easy to dine out when your child has those kinds of needs.

  • Lodge Wood Fired Grill – A full serve a la carte restaurant open for lunch and dinner, with delectable shareables and unique signature items to create the perfect place to eat.
  • Hungry as a Wolf – Family meals on the go for lunch and dinner featuring fresh made pizza, sandwiches, salads, and pasta.
  • Bear Paw Sweets & Eats – A confectionary that offers a variety of treats, such as fresh-baked pastries, ice cream, lodge-made fudge and more. great-wolf-lodge-bear-paw-sweets-and-eats
  • Buckets Incredible Craveables – Located inside the water park, the casual menu offers burgers, hot dogs, french fries, cold beverages, ice cream, and more.
  • Loose Moose Family Kitchen – A buffet style restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner, that has options for the entire family.
  • Grizzly Jack’s Bar and Grill – Located by the outdoor water park, this is the place to refuel for more fun in the sun, offering a variety of food and drinks to choose from.
  • Dunkin’ Donuts – Located right inside the resort, this is America’s favorite all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. great-wolf-lodge-dunkin-donuts

attractions-and-entertainment

Although most people are going to spend a lot of time at the water park, there are a ton of other attractions and entertainment to enjoy during a stay at Great Wolf Lodge including:

  • Character Appearances – Daily appearances with Wiley the Wolf and Violet the Wolf.
  • Story Time – The entire family can gather in the Grand Lobby each evening to hear a story about the Great Wolf Kids characters before bedtime.
  • Wolf Walk – Learn about the many animals and wildlife living in the Northwoods and make an origami wolf to take home.
  • MagiQuest – Battle dragons, befriend a pixie and wave a magic wand in this live-action adventure game throughout the resort. The games feature three unique chapters, each with their own challenges and quests.
  • The Great Wolf Kids Program – Daily activities for kids that take place around the resort, including dance parties, face painting, and games such as Wiley Bingo, Character Floor Memory, and Character Trivia.
  • Howly Wood XD Theater – This motion thrill ride transports riders directly into the movie action with every effect amplified, creating an unforgettable experience.
  • Howl at the Moon Mini Golf – 9-hole themed indoor miniature golf course.
  • Northern Lights Arcade – More than 100 interactive video and redemption games that allow guests to redeem points for prizes. great-wolf-lodge-northern-lights-arcade
  • Scooops Kid Spa – A unique spa created for kids, complete with ice cream-themed manicures, pedicures, and more. Each service includes a real ice cream treat. great-wolf-lodge-scooops-kid-spa
  • Ten Paw Alley – Family-style bowling with pint-sized bowling balls.
  • Clubhouse Crew – Interactive Scavenger hunt through the resort starring the Great Wolf Kids characters. It’s the perfect experience for the resort’s youngest guests.
  • Laser Frenzy – An exciting arcade-style game with the latest in touch and LED technology. Players can see who is fastest as they dart between the “laser beams”.

conference-center

The Great Wolf Lodge Southern California also features over 20,000 sq. feet of meeting and banquet space. It’s the ideal location to host corporate meetings, youth excursions, family reunions, special occasions or more. With 12 separate and configurable meeting rooms, the resort’s team of experienced meeting professionals can create the perfect space to your needs.

great-wolf-lodge-southern-california-exterior

 

now-accepting-reservationsGreat Wolf Lodge Southern California is now accepting reservations for its newest location. You can book reservations for March 2016 through December 2016 by visiting http://www.greatwolf.com or calling 1-888-960-WOLF (9653).

So what are YOU most excited for at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California? My answer to that is “all of it!

Connect with Great Wolf Lodge Southern California on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.