Is Great Wolf Lodge worth it for a busy family?
We took the girls to Great Wolf Lodge and the number one question I get asked “Is it worth it?”. As a busy mom of a teen and a tween…YES! Great Wolf Lodge is 100% worth it especially for busy families. Let me break it down for you.
Why Great Wolf Lodge Is Worth It for Busy Families
We visited the Gurnee, Illinois locations, about an hour outside of our new home area of Chicago. We stayed for two days. To be honest, it felt like a week-long vacation because everything is in one location.
Great Wolf Lodge is a full-fledged resort! Everything you want to do on vacation is right there! You do not have to leave once you check-in. You can either relax in the indoor waterpark or enjoy all the activities they have to offer:
- Indoor rock climbing
- 5 restaurants to choose from
- Arcade
- Miniature golf
- Mini-Bowling (great for small kids)
- Dance Parties
- Shopping
- Desserts
- Games & activities
Best Family-Friendly Destination So Mom Can Relax
Since you don’t need to leave and pack up the kids you can enjoy all that Great Wolf Lodge has to offer for your weekend travel. For the cost of one round trip flight, you can load up family and drive to your nearest Great Wolf Lodge. Each room includes water park passes with unlimited access.
The whole family received these bands upon check-in. They give you access to your room, the waterpark and you can even pay for your meals and gifts with it. I opted out of paying for things with the band because I don’t trust my kids won’t buy a new wardrobe in the gift shops.
What Are the Dining Options at Great Wolf Lodge?
Speaking of meals, that may have been my favorite part. Gurnee Great Wolf Lodge has 5 different restaurants. You can grab a pizza, burgers and take back to your room or enjoy a little fine dining overlooking the waterpark. We also enjoyed their breakfast buffet. They had an omelet station!!! I never met an omelet I didn’t like. Before I forget… There’s a BAR!
At first, I was unsure if my 10- and 15-year-old girls would enjoy it but they had a blast. I was able to lounge and sip on some adult drinks while my girls enjoyed the water park. I even took a nap.
I’ll also leave you with this…those kids will sleep good at night after all the fun they had during the day!
Were you thinking about visiting Great Wolf Lodge? Well, you should! Check out the FAQ’s below.
Great Wolf Lodge FAQs for Busy Families
What should I bring to Great Wolf Lodge?
Bring swimsuits, cover-ups, flip-flops or water shoes, pajamas, comfortable clothes, and anything your kids need for downtime in the room. If you are visiting with tweens or teens, I’d also bring chargers, casual clothes for the arcade and activities, and a small bag for the water park.
Do I need to bring beach towels?
No. Great Wolf Lodge provides towels for the water park, so you do not need to pack beach towels unless your family prefers having your own.
Is food included at Great Wolf Lodge?
Food is not typically included with your room, but there are several dining options on property. At the Gurnee location, we had options like pizza, burgers, breakfast buffet, desserts, and a sit-down meal overlooking the water park.
How are the rooms at Great Wolf Lodge?
The rooms make the trip easier because you are staying right where all the fun is. After the water park, meals, arcade, and activities, it was nice to have a place to rest without driving anywhere. If your family wants more space, check the upgraded room options before booking.
Is Great Wolf Lodge good for tweens and teens?
Yes. I was not sure if my 10- and 15-year-old girls would enjoy it, but they had a blast. The water park, arcade, food, shopping, and activities gave them plenty to do, and I actually got to relax.
How long should busy families stay at Great Wolf Lodge?
Two days worked well for our family and felt much longer because everything was in one place. A weekend stay can be enough if you want a quick family getaway without planning a full vacation.
This post is sponsored by Great Wolf Lodge. All opinions are my own.
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