By Kate Scriven
Sometimes your family just needs a vacation. Leaving behind all the work, schedules, activities, and laundry – the reality. But, hopping on a plane and jetting off to the nearest palm tree laden beach or family friendly theme park isn’t realistic for many of us. By the time travel expenses, lodging, parking, and numerous excursions are added in, the cost – and time – just don’t pencil out.
Those of us living in Thurston County, however, have an alternative in Great Wolf Lodge. Located just 20 minutes south of Olympia in Grand Mound, Washington, Great Wolf Lodge creates the illusion that you have landed in an amazing destination vacation, when really, you are less than an hour from home. In fact, people plan entire family vacations, plane tickets included, to visit the different Great Wolf Lodges located around the country. We simply have location working in our favor.
Great Wolf Lodge is a family centered getaway where everything you might want to do is located under one roof. “It’s all about family being together, sharing time together, having fun together. We offer the full vacation experience without the plane or a lot of the expense,” shares Susie Storey, Director of Communications for Great Wolf Lodge.
Wait a minute, you say. Great Wolf Lodge is expensive. Well, yes and no. If you look at the cost as simply the price of a hotel room, then yes, it would be steep. However, that price gains you access to all that Great Wolf has to offer, with the star of the show being their massive indoor water park. With passes running around $40 per person per day at most independent water parks, the cost to play in the waves for a family of four climbs quickly. Waterpark passes are good for the day you check in AND the day you check out. That’s a two-for-one in my book.
So, want to make the most of your Great Wolf Lodge Vacation? Here’s my Top Five tips for a great (and affordable) stay at Great Wolf.
- Check-in Early, Stay Late. Room check in begins at 1 p.m. Save time and check-in online at home. Hit the water park ASAP and log some hours on the slides before dinnertime. At check out the next day, bring a small bag or backpack with a change of clothes and put the rest of your gear in the car. You can play in the park as long as you want and locker rooms make it an easy transition back to dry land.
- Bring Food. The rooms at Great Wolf Lodge are all suites and include refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers. Get the most value from your stay and pack some snacks and drinks to save money on concession or restaurants. Breakfast is one meal I never enjoy paying for, especially for my kids, so we bring in muffins, yogurt and fruit and are powered up for a second day on the waves without spending a dime.
- Book a Mid-Week Stay. If your schedule allows, sale prices can be found by booking mid-week. Avoiding school holidays is another great way to save. And, while the Lodge is pretty popular year round, the summer season does see a slow-down, and some fantastic rates. Keep your eyes peeled for specials and you can score a memorable family trip for a bargain price.
Pre-Plan With Your Kids. Nothing creates success in a family outing more than pre-planning with your kids. When they know what to expect ahead of time, the fights and begging for “extras” are kept to a minimum. Watch the Great Wolf Lodge’s virtual tour. Talk with your kids about what they will be doing at the Lodge and what they will not. Options abound for additional fun, however they come at a cost and add up quickly. Focus on included activities – Story Time in your PJs, Dance Party in the lobby, The Great Clock Tower Show each morning and evening, and numerous crafts and special activities daily. Ask the front desk for a schedule and plan accordingly. - Visit During the Holidays or as a Celebration. After tallying the costs of my daughter’s last birthday party, I realized our whole family, plus her two “besties” could have all played at Great Wolf Lodge for two days for just a tiny bit more. Win-Win. If a birthday isn’t on the calendar for your family, head to the Lodge at a major holiday. I like to think it’s additional free activities galore. At Halloween, there is a month of trick-or-treating. After Thanksgiving, the Lodge transforms into “Snowland”. With a life-sized gingerbread house, daily snow storms in the lobby, visits with Santa and “Letter Depot” (write a letter to Santa and you’ll get a reply at home), a visit to Great Wolf Lodge during the holidays certainly delivers.
At its core, Great Wolf Lodge is really about families being together,” shares Storey. I’d have to agree. On our family’s last visit to the Lodge I just played – truly played – with my kids all day. Worth every penny.
20500 Old Highway 99 SW
Grand Mound, WA 98531
800.640.9653
