Jul 5, 2025
When it comes to family vacations that are easy, exciting, and totally kid-approved, Great Wolf Lodge is always at the top of our list. Our favorite location is in Wisconsin Dells, but we’ve also visited lodges in Mason, Ohio and Gurnee, IL. We love that these resorts are scattered across the country because it means we can plan mini getaways or road trip breaks no matter where we’re headed. With 21 locations (and more to come), there is sure to be a Great Wolf in route to one of your future travel destinations.
Check out the full list of growing Great Wolf Lodge locations
No matter where we go, Great Wolf gives us a familiar, fun-filled experience with cozy lodge vibes, waterpark thrills, and nonstop activities for the kids.
Why Families Great Wolf Lodge
When you stay at Great Wolf Lodge, there’s so much more than just a pool. The indoor waterpark features water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and toddler-friendly areas, all open year-round no matter what the weather is doing outside. It makes planning a family getaway simple in any season.
The family-friendly suites are designed with kids in mind, including bunk beds and themed “Wolf Den” rooms that make bedtime part of the adventure. Beyond the waterpark, there are daily activities like yoga, story time, dance parties, and crafts that keep the fun going throughout the day.
You’ll also find on-site dining options, an arcade, and plenty of sweet treat spots, so you rarely have to leave the resort.
If you’re visiting the Wisconsin Dells location, it’s right in the heart of the Dells, making it easy to pair your stay with other popular area attractions.
Tips for Visiting Great Wolf Lodge
Swim Before Check-In
You usually can't check in until 4pm, but you can swim as early as the park opens, which is typically 10am (times may vary by location). Our family has enjoyed doing this because it give us a full day in the water, which is all our kids want!
Download the Great Wolf Lodge App
You can use the app to send a quick chat with the front desk, see the events or activities happening that day, or order food while you are at the pool.
Sign Up for the Rewards Program
You will earn points to each stay & you can redeem them for free nights at any Great Wolf Lodge locations. Visit their website to learn more about the Voyagers Club.
Bring Breakfast and/or Lunch Foods
Eating out can add up, especially with kids. We prefer to bring our own breakfast foods (yogurt, fruit, pop-tarts, granola bars, etc.) and/or lunch foods (bread, ham, cheese, chips) to eat during our stay to save some money while we are there. We typically only stay 2 nights, so we don't have to bring a ton of food and it always works to keep it stored in our room refrigerator if needed.
Magic Quest Demo Mode
MagicQuest is one of the most popular activities at Great Wolf Lodge. It’s an interactive adventure played throughout the resort, where kids use a magic wand to complete quests, unlock treasure chests, and defeat dragons as they explore the lodge.
When we’ve visited with younger kids, they haven’t been as interested in solving the puzzles or following the storyline – they mostly just want to point their wands at things and make them light up or open. At some locations, staff can switch the wand to “demo mode,” which lets kids activate features around the lodge without actually playing through the full game. It’s a great (free) option for little ones who just want the fun of making things work without the more complex parts of the quest.
From our experience, the Wisconsin Dells and Gurnee locations have offered demo mode, while Mason, Ohio did not. Regardless if a location offers demo mode or not, bring your wands back to each location because you can use them to play the game.
Timing of characters and events
Great Wolf Lodge plans scheduled events and character meet-and-greets throughout the day, which makes it much easier to pull your kids out of the pool when needed. Instead of it feeling like “swim time is over,” there’s always something else fun to look forward to.
From morning yoga to evening dance parties, these activities keep the excitement going even outside the waterpark. It’s a great way to balance pool time with other fun experiences during your stay.
Book during the week or off-season for fewer crowds and better rates
When you’re searching for travel dates, look for the “Rate Calendar” on the room selection page. This tool shows the nightly price for each day of the month, making it easy to compare dates at a glance. It’s especially helpful if your schedule is flexible and you want to choose the most budget-friendly days for your stay.
Note: If you are looking for other things to do in Wisconsin Dells other than the waterparks, make sure to check out my blog post called "What To Do In Wisconsin Dells Besides Waterparks"
Location Reviews
Wisconsin Dells, WI
The Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells location is hands down our favorite. It truly has something for every age, especially toddlers.
The toddler area is one of the best we’ve experienced. There’s a fun fort with smaller slides that are perfect for little ones who are ready to move beyond the baby pool but aren’t quite ready for the big slides. They can go down on their own and feel independent, while you can still see them the entire time. It’s the perfect balance of freedom and peace of mind for parents.
Beyond that, there are lily pads, basketball hoops, a bucket room with another shallow baby area, and a larger fort with slides for a variety of ages. Our family especially loves the four “belly racer” slides. They are fast, competitive, and always a favorite. Add in several great tube slides and some bigger, more adventurous options, and there’s truly something for everyone.
There is so much to do at this location that you’ll never get bored, no matter how long you stay.
Mason, Ohio
We also stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge Mason and had a great experience. While it’s a bit smaller than the Wisconsin Dells location, it still offers all the signature water rides, slides, and splash zones you’d expect. One of our favorite features was the family raft slide that all five of us could ride together. The little kid slides were a hit, the hot tub was a nice bonus, and the lazy river had fun touches like small rapids and bucket dumps. The layout felt clean and well organized, and the staff was friendly throughout our stay. Plus, it’s right next to Kings Island, which makes it a perfect two-in-one getaway.
Gurnee, IL
We’ve visited several Great Wolf Lodge locations, and while the Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee location was still fun, it wasn’t our favorite.
One big surprise for us was that there were no hot tubs. They do have two family raft slides, which were a major reason we chose this location, but they were very strict on height requirements. Interestingly, the same family slide exists at the Great Wolf Lodge Mason location, and our son was allowed to ride it there at 3 years old. In Gurnee, at 4 years old, he was one inch too short and wasn’t allowed on. That was definitely a bummer for us.
If you’re planning to visit, I highly recommend checking the height requirements ahead of time and measuring your child barefoot before you go. It can make a big difference in expectations.
The kids’ slide areas also felt more crowded during our visit. Some of the smaller slides that our kids loved emptied into a very small pool area that filled up quickly. The baby and toddler section was more of a splash pad rather than a true shallow pool, which may be a factor if you’re traveling with very little ones.
They did have some fun slides in the fort area, and overall it was still an enjoyable stay. However, compared to other Great Wolf Lodge locations we’ve visited, this one just didn’t stand out as much for our family.
One thing we really enjoyed at the Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee was the extra indoor attractions. They have a fun mini golf course that’s perfect for a little friendly family competition and a high ropes course for kids who love a bit of adventure.
Both are great options when you need a break from the pool and want to mix things up. It added another layer of fun to our stay and gave the kids something different to look forward to.
As an added bonus, it’s located near Six Flags Great America, making it easy to turn your trip into a full weekend of fun.Near Six Flags Great America
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth It for Families? Our Honest Take
Would we go again? Absolutely, and we do! Great Wolf Lodge has become a tradition in our family. Whether we’re going back to Wisconsin Dells or checking out a new location, we know it’ll be clean, safe, fun, and full of memories waiting to be made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Wolf Lodge
What age is best for Great Wolf Lodge?
Great Wolf Lodge is designed for kids of all ages, but it’s especially fun for families with children between 3 and 12 years old. Toddlers can splash in the shallow water play zones, preschoolers love the smaller slides and character activities, and older kids enjoy the bigger water slides, MagiQuest, and arcades. Teens can still have fun, but the resort is best suited for younger kids.
How many days do you need at Great Wolf Lodge?
Our family has found that 2 days and 1 night is the perfect amount of time (both for fun and our wallet!). Check-in typically starts at 4 p.m., but you can use the waterpark as early as 1 p.m. on the day you arrive! On checkout day, you can stay and play until closing. If you want to experience everything at a slower pace (or add in nearby attractions like Wisconsin Dells or Kings Island in Ohio), consider 2 nights.
Can you bring outside food into Great Wolf Lodge?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks into your hotel room. Each room has a mini-fridge and microwave, which makes it easy to pack snacks, sandwiches, or breakfast items. However, outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the waterpark area. For meals, you can choose between on-site dining or nearby restaurants, depending on your location.
Is Great Wolf Lodge worth the money with kids?
For many families, the answer is yes – especially if your kids love waterparks and themed activities. The price includes unlimited access to the waterpark, daily events (story time, yoga, crafts, etc.), and the resort’s immersive atmosphere. To save money, visit during the week or off-season, bring your own snacks, and look for deals on package bundles. From our experience, the memories made are well worth the cost!