This past weekend, we went back to the most kid friendly place in the Carolinas during the winter. {Drum rolls please} It’s Great Wolf Lodge, a kid friendly,highly animated, festively decorated and huge resort in Concord NC. It is without any doubt the place where kids are free ranged!
For the children it went like this – “We had a great time playing in the amazing indoor pools and throughout the kid friendly lobby”. My daughter added, ” I hope the next time we run into Fantasia, I hope she takes a picture with me.” The End.
Me: I which I’d used the $400+ differently for a one night 2 day stay. Or at least got a better deal. Our rate covered the standard room, and 4 kids waterpark passes. No meals. No extra passes or birthday door decorations or anything. In 2016, we were able to purchase a $15.00* package that covered milk & cookies being delivered to our room by a costumed character. This year it wasn’t even an option. Also in 2016, the Great Wolk characters came down during the dance party right after story time (or was it before)to get the dance party going. But nope- it didn’t happen this weekend either. I can not express how badly I wanted my money back.
Here’s my advice if you plan on going for your child’s birthday:
- Locate the Dollar General and Walmart. Get your cupcakes and rooms door birthday banner before arriving.Since you can get in the pool as early as 1 pm , send the kids to play and hook the room up yourself.
- The one in Concord is surrounded by great family and small business owned restaurants. These are cheaper than the ones inside Great Wolf Lodge, by far.
- You can have fun without purchasing any add on packages. Tell your kids what I tell mine, “We came to swim and play around in the lobby; that’s it!”
- This really should have went first but- hey, you’re still getting the good stuff- right? Ok, here it goes—> grab a lower rate from one of those 3rd party online websites. I seen the same room we got for almost $100 dollars cheaper! (And I used a coupon saying that our rate was 40% off)
- Last but not least, If you run into Fantasia, and she says” I’m mommy today,” respect that and keep it pushing. Childhood must be protected by all mommies!
Next time we go, YES, I said next time. WHY? Because my children ARE the boss of me and two of them are winter babies. So as I was saying, the next time we go……
👀 I’m going on the day of their birthday, assuming it’s a weekday. Being a homeschooler, this will work.
👀 We will arrive right at 12:30. This way we get to unpack, check in and still be one of the first people in the waterpark. On our check out day, because they check you out automatically*. We will pack and load our things, then head back into the pool until dinner time.
👀 Because each room has a microwave and mini fridge, there’s no need for restaurant visit. Pizza- sure, and they can deliver that!
👀 Use the activity sheet. There’s plenty of free planned fun available.
👀 I’m bringing an airbed. These kids sleep wild and the rooms are pretty big!
👀 I will again refuse Magic Quest, Scoops spa, and an arcade (it’s open 24/7).
QC Supermom 