Great Wolf Lodge: Indoor Waterpark Getaway Family Vacation Fun!

Great Wolf Lodge offers an all-in-one family vacation destination with endless fun and adventure for the whole family! It’s also a great for a getaway in the winter months. This giant indoor waterpark has tons of fun things to do with kids. Check out our visit….

Recently, I took my two young boys to Great Wolf Lodge NC and I have to say, it was an experience we will never forget. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by friendly staff, who were always eager to help and make our stay as enjoyable as possible.

Great Wolf Lodge NC Concord Carolinas Water Park -Charlotte Family Travel blog frostedevents Misty Nelson

Great Wolf Lodge Concord

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The Great Wolf Lodge of the Carolinas is located in Concord, North Carolina. It’s less than an hour drive from the Triad area, so it’s perfect for a quick getaway adventure with kids. Ours had a teacher’s workday so we surprised them with an overnight trip to Great Wolf with two of their friends. Two moms, 4 boys, one packed SUV, 2 bathroom stops, one Chick-fil-A run and one hour later we were checking in.

We stayed in a Kid Cabin Suite , which sleeps 6-7 people. Our room had a bunk room with a set of twin bunk beds adjacent to a twin wall bed. The main sleep area had one queen size bed and a pull-out full sleeper sofa. The kids room had it’s own tv as well, which was nice so the kids could watch their own movies and shows.

You can get a great deal and discounts on rooms at Great Wolf through Groupon. They frequently run specials for the Great Wolf near me.

Our room also included:

32-inch TV
Internet
Security safe
Microwave
Mini-fridge
Coffee maker
Hairdryer

Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark

One of the main attractions of Great Wolf Lodge is their indoor water park, and it did not disappoint. With its huge slides, lazy rivers, and interactive play structures, it was the perfect place for my boys to run, splash, and have a blast. And the best part? No matter the weather outside, the water park is always a comfortable 84 degrees, making it the perfect place for year-round fun.

There are tons of splash areas, slides, swimming pools and fun things to do. Swim around in Slap Tail Pond, with zero-entry shallow that descends into a five-foot deep wave pool. Climb around Fort Mackenzie, a four-story water for treehouse with multiple slides and a giant water bucket that makes an enormous splash every few minutes.

Little ones will love the Cub Paw Pool, a soft splash pad play area perfect for infants and toddlers.

Older kids will go wild over Great Wolf’s many awesome water slides. Grab your whole pack for a white water rafting experience on River Canyon Run. Howlin’ Tornado takes you on swirling ride with a surprise plunge drop. Race your bestie on the toboggan style Mountain Edge Raceway. And ride down four stories of tubular excitement on Alberta Falls.

Food and Dining Options

Great Wolf Lodge has a variety of dining options to choose from. From the all-you-can-eat buffet, to the sit-down restaurant, to the grab-and-go options, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. And for families with young children, the resort offers a kids’ menu that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Inside the waterpark area you’ll find Buckets, a casual fast food style snack shop serving up burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and french fries. Grab pizza by the slice or order a whole pizza, salads, and pasta dishes at Hungry as A Wolf. Start your morning with a delicious and filling breakfast buffet at the Loose Moose Family Kitchen. And after a day of fun enjoy a delicious dinner buffet at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill, offering premium wood-fired steaks, fresh seafood, smoked ribs, salads and sides.

I LOVE that there’s a Dunkin’ Donuts in the Great Wolf Concord! It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and re-energize or get donuts for a quick snack. There’s also a sweets shop, Bear Paw, that serves up scoops of ice cream, cookies and cupcakes when you want a special treat.

There’s also a convenience store with grab and go meals, snacks, drinks and a decent selection of wine. I will warn you though, it’s expensive. A bottle of wine runs $36 to $40, and a chicken caesar salad was around $16. I highly recommend packing your own snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages before your trip. There’s also a BJs wholesale club right beside the Great Wolf of the Carolinas in Concord NC.

Great Wolf Attractions

In addition to the water park, Great Wolf Lodge also offers a variety of other activities and attractions that are sure to keep the whole family entertained. While water park admission is included with your resort stay, most of the additional attractions and experiences Great Wolf offers are an additional cost. You can save money by purchasing a Wolf Pass or Paw Pass (for younger pups.) These value passes combine many of the most popular attractions.

Wolf Pass – from $79.99, includes:

One MagiQuest or ShadowQuest game
Choice of classic wand, standard topper or Magi belt
One small souvineer Great Wolf cup filled with candy
One scoop of Bear Paw Ice Cream
One Northern Lights Arcade Paw Points game card ($5)
One Oliver’s Mining Sluice experience
One round at Howl in One Mini Golf
One movie at Howly Wood XD Theater
One game of bowling at Ten Paw Alley
One game at AtomicRUSH
One game of Laser Tag
**Tax not included. Packages are subject to availability. Close-toed, close-heeled shoes are required for some activities.

Paw Pass- from $64.99, Includes:

One game of MagiQuest or ShadowQuest
Choice of classic wand, standard topper or Magi belt
One small Great Wolf Lodge Candy Shop candy cup
One scoop of Bear Paw Ice Cream
One Paw Points game card for Northern Lights Arcade ($5)
One game at AtomicRUSH
One play in our interactive Howlywood XD Theater
**Tax not included. Packages are subject to availability. Close-toed, close-heeled shoes are required for some activities.

Pup Pass- from $54.99, includes

One Build a Bear animal (outfit not included)
One small Great Wolf Lodge Candy Shop candy cup
One scoop of Bear Paw Ice Cream
One Paw Points game card for Northern Lights Arcade ($5)

volunteers talking with people with down syndrome

Howl in One Mini Golf and Howlers Peak Ropes Course are exciting outdoor activities when the weather is warm. These are both seasonal and only available during certain times of the year. Check the schedule before you go.

We pretty much had to drag our kiddos out of the arcade. It’s lots of fun, and there are tons of games for kids of all ages. Fair warning, it can get expensive quick!

Story Time

And let’s not forget about the nightly Story Time, where the whole family can gather around to hear classic tales and sing along with the characters.

Tips for Visiting Great Wolf Lodge

Take advantage of early check-in in before you arrive – while check-in times are later in the day, you can access the water park after 1pm. Check-in online in case you’re able to get a room earlier.
Pack your swimwear and towels – Don’t forget your swimwear and towels, as you’ll want to make the most of the indoor water park. Goggles are a good idea if you’re eyes are bothered by swimming pools. And if you forget anything, don’t worry, the resort has a gift shop where you can purchase everything you need.

Plan your activities – With so many activities and attractions to choose from, it’s a good idea to plan out what you and your family want to do each day. This way, you can make the most of your time and ensure that everyone gets to do what they want. Also smart to try and budget if you’re trying to keep your spending down. All the extras can add up and surprise you at the end if you don’t keep track.
Bring your own food and drinks – While there are plenty of dining options at Great Wolf Lodge, it can be expensive to eat out every meal. Consider bringing some of your own snacks and drinks to save some money.
Take advantage of the evening entertainment – The evening entertainment at Great Wolf Lodge is not to be missed! From the nightly Story Time to the games and activities in the arcade, there’s always something to do after a long day of fun.

Overall, our stay at Great Wolf Lodge was an unforgettable experience. From the water park to the activities and attractions, there was never a dull moment. If you’re looking for a family-friendly getaway that offers endless fun and adventure, Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect destination. So, pack your bags and get ready for a vacation that your family will never forget!