Part of the Pack
Your little ones will love everything about Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, Ohio. Here's how to make the most of your trip.
Even after kids’ fingers prune up at the indoor waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge has plenty of perks. Better yet, many of them are included in the price of an overnight stay. With these tips, your little cubs will be running with the pack in no time.
1. The minute you walk into the Northwoodsy Grand Lobby, you’ll notice a number of kids with wolf-ear headbands. Before the FOMO (fear of missing out) alarm goes off in your child’s head, rest assured that every guest gets a pair on check-in.
2. An overnight stay includes two days of waterpark admission. Rooms are not guaranteed until 4 p.m., but guests can head to the waterpark as early as 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and stay long after the 11 a.m. check-out time on departure day. Keep in mind that the Grand Lobby is busiest between 1 and 4 p.m. Save time by wearing your swim attire under your clothes.
3. Pack your pajamas, slippers and robe for story time in the Grand Lobby at 8 p.m. The fun starts the with Great Clock Tower Show, where animatronic forest creatures come to life and sing songs while kids stare in awe. The show is followed by a reading from a giant storybook. Afterward, an ambassador of fun reads a story from a giant book with the help of one of Great Wolf ’s characters, such as Wiley the Wolf, Oliver Raccoon or Brinley the Bear, who will stop for photos with kids before turning in for the night.
4. There are plenty of other free paws-on activities throughout the day, too. In the morning, kids take a morning prowl to learn about Northwoods animals or channel their inner yogi and roll around like bears. In the afternoon, they can do art projects and play games. Check the calendar for times.
5. You’re bound to see lots of kids running around with magic wands. They are the secret to playing MagiQuest ($14.99), a live-action adventure game that sends the kids on a scavenger hunt throughout the lodge. The game requires a one-time purchase of a wand (ranging from $15.99 to $22.99), which the kids can wave at pictures, statues and artifacts to collect runes, unlock clues or find puzzles to solve.
1. The minute you walk into the Northwoodsy Grand Lobby, you’ll notice a number of kids with wolf-ear headbands. Before the FOMO (fear of missing out) alarm goes off in your child’s head, rest assured that every guest gets a pair on check-in.
2. An overnight stay includes two days of waterpark admission. Rooms are not guaranteed until 4 p.m., but guests can head to the waterpark as early as 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and stay long after the 11 a.m. check-out time on departure day. Keep in mind that the Grand Lobby is busiest between 1 and 4 p.m. Save time by wearing your swim attire under your clothes.
3. Pack your pajamas, slippers and robe for story time in the Grand Lobby at 8 p.m. The fun starts the with Great Clock Tower Show, where animatronic forest creatures come to life and sing songs while kids stare in awe. The show is followed by a reading from a giant storybook. Afterward, an ambassador of fun reads a story from a giant book with the help of one of Great Wolf ’s characters, such as Wiley the Wolf, Oliver Raccoon or Brinley the Bear, who will stop for photos with kids before turning in for the night.
4. There are plenty of other free paws-on activities throughout the day, too. In the morning, kids take a morning prowl to learn about Northwoods animals or channel their inner yogi and roll around like bears. In the afternoon, they can do art projects and play games. Check the calendar for times.
5. You’re bound to see lots of kids running around with magic wands. They are the secret to playing MagiQuest ($14.99), a live-action adventure game that sends the kids on a scavenger hunt throughout the lodge. The game requires a one-time purchase of a wand (ranging from $15.99 to $22.99), which the kids can wave at pictures, statues and artifacts to collect runes, unlock clues or find puzzles to solve.