Great Wolf Lodge Tips & Tricks: A Mama’s Guide
We finally did it! For nearly eight years, my husband and I have driven past Great Wolf Lodge and always said, “Someday we’re going to stay there.” Well, the time finally came, and we have now completed our first Great Wolf Lodge stay!
We did a two-night stay at the Colorado Springs lodge with our twelve-year-old and one-year-old. We had an absolute blast and learned a lot. In this post, I’ll share what we learned and give you tips and things you should know if you’re planning a stay at Great Wolf! For my review of the Colorado Springs location, check out my post: A Mama’s Review of Great Wolf Lodge – Colorado Springs, CO
Want to see our Great Wolf Lodge adventure in action? Watch our fun, family travel vlog for a behind-the-scenes look at our stay, including the water park, activities, and more! Check it out here: Great Wolf Lodge | Family Travel Vlog | Colorado Springs
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Booking Your Stay
Get the Best Deal
Watch for deals and special offers before booking your stay. Great Wolf Lodge frequently runs promotions, including Black Friday discounts of up to 50%. Always check their website (greatwolf.com) and select your preferred location to see any current promos on the homepage banner. We booked our Colorado Springs stay during a fall promo and received 40% off a two-night stay in the Junior Wolf Pup Den Suite.
Join the Voyagers Club
Signing up for the Voyagers Club rewards program gets you an email with a discount code for up to 30% off. Be aware that this code expires two weeks after signing up, so wait until you’re ready to book. If no other promos are better, this is a great way to save! Members also earn reward points for future stays and gain access to exclusive deals and experiences.
Download the Great Wolf Lodge App
This app is a must-have! It helps with:
- Tracking your reservation
- Early check-in (up to 48 hours before arrival)
- Mobile food ordering
- Checking the daily activity schedule
- Viewing room charges and package credits
- Chatting with the front desk
Download it here:
- Apple users: Download on the App Store
- Android users: Download on Google Play
Plan Your Activities
Great Wolf Lodge offers tons of activities, but many come with an additional cost. The water park is included with your stay, but consider what else your family will enjoy before purchasing add-on packages.
We bought the Food & Fun Package, but in hindsight, we didn’t fully use it. Our son loved the ropes course and Oliver’s Mining Co., but we skipped mini golf, bowling, the rock climbing wall, and the arcade. If your family will do all the activities, these packages can be a great deal; otherwise, paying for individual activities might be more cost-effective.
Check-In & First Day
Arrive Early
Your room won’t be ready until 4 PM (sometimes earlier), but you can access the water park starting at 10 AM on check-in day. Pack a pool bag, check in, and head straight for the water park! Changing areas with showers are available in the water park if needed. If you check in early, Great Wolf Lodge will send a text when your room is ready.
Self-Check-In vs. Front Desk Check-In
Both options are available, but avoid self-check-in if you purchased add-on packages since the kiosks don’t distribute necessary vouchers and passes. Instead, check in at the front desk to ensure you receive everything.
Get Your Free Wolf Ears!
Every guest gets a free pair of wolf ears! At the Colorado Springs location, they’re no longer handed out at check-in but can be picked up at the Buckhorn Exchange gift shop.
During Your Stay
Enjoy Family Time in the Room
While there’s so much to do, don’t overlook some cozy family downtime. Grab a pizza from Hungry as a Wolf, snuggle up, and watch a movie together in your suite. It’s a simple yet special way to bond.
Take the Stairs to Save Time
If elevator lines get long, use the stairs! At the Colorado Springs location, there’s a hidden stairwell near the Barnwood restaurant restrooms. This saved us tons of time during our stay, especially when elevator lines stretched across the entire lobby.
Check-Out & Last Day
Stay Late & Maximize Your Fun
Even after checking out, you can continue enjoying the water park and other activities for the rest of the day! You can also request a 2 PM late checkout to extend your stay even more. Unfortunately, we had to leave early, but next time, we’ll definitely take advantage of this perk.
These are my top tips & tricks from our first Great Wolf Lodge experience. I hope they help you plan an amazing stay! If you’ve been to Great Wolf Lodge, share your own tips in the comments below.
And as they say at Great Wolf, “Howls and High Paws!” 🐺🤟
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