Is Great Wolf Lodge worth it?

[Anonymous]

I am considering taking my family for a few days over the holidays, but at $425 per night (including tax), it's more than we've ever spent for a vacation. Just wondering if it really is that great?

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids? I know 3 families who went and loved it. Kids ranged in age from upper elementary grades through middle school. These are not folks who generally love cruises, DisneyWorld, etc. -- not that there's anything wrong with those types of vacations, but my point is that these families are not necessarily into expensive, kidcentric, mainstream travel. 2 of 3 families combined Great Wolf with Williamsburg and/or Jamestown (though they did so at Spring Break when the weather was nice.)

[Anonymous]

My sister had a lot of fun with her elem. aged boys, but said the food is iffy. It's definitely not an upscale experience. You are paying (dearly) for the recreation.

[Anonymous]

Our family has enjoyed our trips to GWL, but I'd never spend that much to go there. We typically go in early March (they always send out a 20% off coupon) and we pay around $200/night.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. PP, where do you get the 20% off coupon?

[Anonymous]

We went with our 1 year old and 3 year old. The older one loved it but I definitely wouldn't spend that money on younger kids. If you can swing it, try to go during the week or have at least part of the time during the week (e.g., go there on a Thursday). Gets REALLY crowded in the winter on the weekends (or during school holidays).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. PP, where do you get the 20% off coupon?

Sign up for their mailing list on their website. I'd say I get 2-3 20% off coupons in the mail each year.

[Anonymous]

I went there and everyone had fun.
But I was wondering... wich kind of room you get for this price??? doesn't have anything cheaper?


Story time plus all the activities were GREAT!!!!

[Anonymous]

No I hated it

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the info about the coupons. I will be signing up on the website and looking for something less costly to do over the Christmas break. As for the room, it was the cheapest available over the Christmas holiday season. I have three kids and that eliminates some of the less expensive accommodations.

[Anonymous]

No it is not worth $425. If you really want to go there go at a time when it is around $150 a night. The food is terrible. It is the loudest place on earth. Our room smelled like mildew. The beds were awful. Its a big indoor water park but unless your kids are good swimmers you need to watch them closely. They have had a few drownings and its so chaotic the lifeguard teenagers can't see everyone.

[Anonymous]

It was fun, but not worth $400+ a night. The food is really pricey too and they hit you up for everything (Magiquest). We also went during down times for less than $200/night.