Anyone go to Great Wolf (or similar destination) over break?

[Anonymous]

We are thinking of getting out of town for a night or two after Christmas 2018. Kids will be 2 and 5. Wondering if you went, how were the crowds, would you do it again and how were the Christmas activities/decorations etc?

[Anonymous]

We spent 12/26-27 at GWL Williamsburg. It was our first trip, so I can't compare the crowds, but the water park wasn't overwhelmingly crowded. We did wait 10-15 minutes for the most popular water slide. We mostly ignored everything other than the water park. My general take on GWL was that the waterpark was fun, but their attempts at characters and theming were third-rate cheesy. It was fun to surprise the kids at Christmas with "we're going to a waterpark tomorrow!", but I don't know that I would pay their inflated holiday rates again.

[Anonymous]

Also, GWL is not very big so really all you needn’t is one night.

[Anonymous]

We did winter breaks to GWL years ago when my kids were younger. Ignore the haters. Your kids will be 2 and 5 - it isn’t like your kids will be character snobs who think the theming is cheesy. I seem to remember indoor snowfall and that was fun. Book far in advance so the prices are a bit more reasonable. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Ignore the DCUM haters of GWL on this site. It is a lot of fun for kids and we always had fun as adults. We always spent two nights and got there on either a WEd or a Thurs so we weren't there over the weekend. The place gets really crowded on the weekends.

I think the thing to remember is that it is totally cheezy, and totally fun, that's it. It isn't Disney, do don't go expecting that.

The food in the resort itself is pretty bad, so I'd recommend going elsewhere (there's chains right down the street). Also, bring short sleeves for inside. It is hot in the lobby.

And don't pay the inflated rates. Call the 800 number and let the ladies on the phone work you a deal.

My DS is sad we didn't go this year, but we're tapped out financially. It is a fun few days.

[Anonymous]

Try Masanutten. Great water park plus tubing and a bunch of other things to do.

[Anonymous]

Kalahari in PA is a much better value and a bigger water park. No stupid magicquest either....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try Masanutten. Great water park plus tubing and a bunch of other things to do.

This is what we did. Go snow tubing during day and then do the twilight hours (starts at 5 pm) at water park. Lot less people in evening. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online for water park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try Masanutten. Great water park plus tubing and a bunch of other things to do.

This is what we did. Go snow tubing during day and then do the twilight hours (starts at 5 pm) at water park. Lot less people in evening. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online for water park.

My 3 year old would meet the height requirement for tubing-but is it really ok for a three year old? Would he just go with me?

It looks like there are a bunch of different lodging options. For those that have been there-any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did winter breaks to GWL years ago when my kids were younger. Ignore the haters. Your kids will be 2 and 5 - it isn’t like your kids will be character snobs who think the theming is cheesy. I seem to remember indoor snowfall and that was fun. Book far in advance so the prices are a bit more reasonable. Have fun.

Thanks! Indoor snowfall sounds like something my kids would love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did winter breaks to GWL years ago when my kids were younger. Ignore the haters. Your kids will be 2 and 5 - it isn’t like your kids will be character snobs who think the theming is cheesy. I seem to remember indoor snowfall and that was fun. Book far in advance so the prices are a bit more reasonable. Have fun.

Thanks! Indoor snowfall sounds like something my kids would love.

I’m that poster again - there is a cheesy animatronic show every evening my kids loved. Do 2 nights - we always enjoyed not having to pack/getting in the car on the second day.

Food - yes everyone complains about it. Personally, I did not mind it if it meant I didn’t have to bundle up my young kids and drag them into the cold for a place to eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try Masanutten. Great water park plus tubing and a bunch of other things to do.

This is what we did. Go snow tubing during day and then do the twilight hours (starts at 5 pm) at water park. Lot less people in evening. You can purchase tickets ahead of time online for water park.

My 3 year old would meet the height requirement for tubing-but is it really ok for a three year old? Would he just go with me?

It looks like there are a bunch of different lodging options. For those that have been there-any recommendations?

We have a time share there passed onto us by grandparents, nothing fancy. There is a mix of places on mountain, or stay in Harrisonburg at Doubletree, courtyard etc. about 15 minutes away.

Kids can't sit in lap for snow tubing. So if they don't meet the requirement they would not be able to go. Tubing is a two hour session. I have see. Families with one kid that does meet the requirement and one that doesn't take turns. They book back to back session for the kid that does meet the requirement (four hours) and then each parent book one of the 2 hour sessions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did winter breaks to GWL years ago when my kids were younger. Ignore the haters. Your kids will be 2 and 5 - it isn’t like your kids will be character snobs who think the theming is cheesy. I seem to remember indoor snowfall and that was fun. Book far in advance so the prices are a bit more reasonable. Have fun.

Thanks! Indoor snowfall sounds like something my kids would love.

I’m that poster again - there is a cheesy animatronic show every evening my kids loved. Do 2 nights - we always enjoyed not having to pack/getting in the car on the second day.

Food - yes everyone complains about it. Personally, I did not mind it if it meant I didn’t have to bundle up my young kids and drag them into the cold for a place to eat.

Thanks! I think we'd do 2 nights. Mostly because I don't feel like driving/unpacking and then doing it again the following day.

[Anonymous]

We were also there this week and have been a number of times. Kids love it. I expected it to more crowded and it was fine.

I agree that one night is absolutely enough! We left in the morning and the kids went to the park right At 1 pm. By 7 or 8 they were done. We did a few hours the next morning and Checked out.

Food is bad but who cares. We just ordered the pizza and took it to our room. There is a decent size refrigerator so you can bring your own snacks and drinks.

Note that your three year old will be too small for several rides.

[Anonymous]

Also noting that rooms are 500 per night plus during that eeek. So again, not worth a second night.