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Great Wolf Lodge is a kid friendly hotel and water park located near the Mall of America, in the location formerly occupied by the Water Park of America. The facility boasts amazing slides and pristine pools. They also offer kid friendly activities and dining options. Passes are included in the price of all suites.

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Gianna was invited to experience Great Wolf Lodge. And here is the inside scoop.

Check-in time is at 4:00 pm, but guests with reservations are invited to check in at 1:00 pm to start enjoying the park early. However, be aware that the line is extremely long at 1:00.  Extremely.  Also, it’s super busy at 4:00.  My suggestion for check in is to wait until 2:30 or 3:00 or wait a little later and come after dinner. If you do choose to come at 1:00, just know you will be waiting a long time in line. And on the day you check out, you will be checked out of your room by 11:00 am, but you are welcome to stay until the water park and adventure park close.

When you check in, your kids are handed wolf ears to enjoy during your stay.  You will see wolf eats all around the lodge–on staff, on guests, pretty much everywhere you turn, you will be surrounded by wolves.

Also, when you check in, everyone in your family will receive a wristband which is your pass to Wiley’s Waterpark and your room key.  Also, for the safety of all guests, if someone in your family  gets separated/lost, they can scan your wristband and get all the contact information to reunite you.

Throughout the day, guest enjoy many free family activities including the Northwoods Friends Show–an interactive story time–as well as Morning Yoga, Crafts, Games, and other fun events.

Other safety measures taken at Great Wolf include

• Only hotel guests are able to access the water park
• There is one singular entrance into the water park
• Life jackets are available for use at parents’ discretion
• They are a nut-allergy safe destination.  They are not certified allergen-free because they do have peanut butter cups for sale, but they are wrapped and behind the counter.

Water Park Attractions (included with Room):

1. River Canyon Run Family Ride with Splash Cinema
2. Alberta Falls Inner Tube Slides
3. Otter Run Classic Water Slide
4. Slap Tail Pond (wave pool)
5. Crooked Creek Lazy River
6. Wolf Rider Wipeout (Surfing Pool)
7. Fort MacKenzie
8. Big Foot Pass
9. Chinook Cove

Adventure Park (extra fee to use):

1. Northern Lights Arcade
2. Ten Paw Bowling Alley
3. Great Wolf Candy Company
4. Scoops Boutique
5. Dry Great Wolf Adventure Park  (open to the public)
   • Howler’s Peak Ropes Course
   • Oliver’s Mining Company
   • Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall
   • MagiQuest

Dining at Great Wolf Lodge:

The hotel has several onsite restaurants for family dining

• Hungry as a Wolf Pizza
• Kitchen Campfire
• Ben and Jerry’s
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Adult Beverages:
  • The Outpost
  • Barnwood Bar
  • The Watering Hole (inside Waterpark)
• Buckets Craveables (inside Waterpark)

Services and Other Offers

• Wine Down Package (includes wine & food)
• Free Daily Activities including Northwoods Family Show and table activities
• Birthday Parties
• Seasonal Spirit
• Giant Wood Burning  Fire Place
• Themed Family Suites
  for $50+/night
• Microwave and mini fridge in Family Suites

Is it possible to make Great Wolf Lodge Affordable?

It helps that they are now offering day passes. Watch for special coupons and low-demand days for the best deals. Take advantage of Discounted Passes.

Our family’s favorite features of Great Wolf Lodge:

• MagiQuest
• Fun lazy river and waterslides
• Bowling
•  Fireplace

Great Wolf Lodge Birthday Parties:

Work with a Birthday Coordinator to choose a party pack, which can include water park access or not. Packages include a dedicated party area for up to 1 and half hours, wolf ears for all attendees, special birthday wolf ears for the birthday child, 3 pizzas and beverages and a birthday cake. Depending on the package chosen, MagiQuest Games and Wands and/or water park admission are included and Build-A-Bear Kits can be added on for an additional price.

Useful Links:

• Great Wolf Lodge Activities
• Birthday Party Information