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It hasn’t rained in Southern California in months. This week we had a nice sized storm, and we were ecstatic! We’ve been waiting for water to fall from the sky for a long time. Day #2 of the storm was also the day we decided to “give” our kids their Christmas present…a visit to Great Wolf Lodge…a water park! Well, it’s an indoor water park…with a hotel connected to it. So, even though it was 56°F outside and raining, we were wearing swimsuits in the 84°F water park. It was an interesting juxtaposition…our rainy day at Great Wolf Lodge.
Because we homeschool, we had the flexibility to take advantage of mid-week rates and reduced crowds (supposedly only 30% of capacity when we were there). It was a little more crowded the time we went before Christmas.
Check-In
Check-in is officially at 4:00 p.m., but we were able to check-in around 1:30 p.m. Woot! We were issued wristbands that we all needed to wear for water park access. In addition, the parent wrist bands functioned as room keys and were room charge capable. Those features were really handy!
We were allowed to begin using the water park immediately!
And even though we needed to check-out by 11:00 a.m. on our departure day, guests are able to use the water park until it closes at 8:00 p.m. (check daily schedule to verify closing time). This may seem problematic. However, the water park area has lockers, bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, and even swimsuit spinners (to get the extra water out).
Food & Fun!
We spent the afternoon in the water park, including snacking at Buckets Incredible Craveables, which is right inside the water park area. We munched on nachos and the softest soft pretzel with the best dark ale mustard.
After several hours of water fun, we headed up to our room, changed into our clothes, and went to dinner at Lodge Wood Fired Grill (on property). After our hearty snacks, our kids shared a single kids meal for dinner, and my husband and I shared the “Backyard BBQ Platter,” which was more than enough food for both of us. It was a fairly good value for the amount of food that was served. Tired and full, back to our room we went for showers and an early bed time.
Our Room & Dunkin’
Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, CA (Anaheim area) has been open just shy of two years. We stayed in a Standard Family Suite, which has two queen beds, a sofa sleeper, table with two chairs, and the all-important mini-fridge. We brought our own yogurt to eat for breakfast, though we supplemented it by visiting the on-site Dunkin’ Donuts! Besides offering donuts and breakfast sandwiches, mom and dad were able to get our morning coffee. We took our DD purchases back to our room, as there is no formal seating area at DD.
Day 2 & Check-Out
The water park opened again at 10:00 a.m. Dad and the kids went back into the water park, while I checked out of our room. I wasn’t planning to get back in the water. We were going to stay until lunch time, leave the property, eat lunch somewhere in the surrounding area, and drive home. What actually happened was that we decided to stay until dinner time, and I did end up getting back in the water! We found a great Mongolian BBQ place not too far away, then a great dessert place, and finally made our way home.
It was a great, water & fun-filled 33 hours or so…our rainy day at Great Wolf Lodge. One of the other amazing aspects for me personally was that, since the water park is indoors, I didn’t have to totally cover up in all my swim gear!
Have you ever been to an indoor water park? Please share in the comments below!
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I’ve never been to an indoor water park. I’m going to share this with my daughter-in-law. Our twin 3-year-old grandsons absolutely LOVE water and SLIDES!
It was fabulous for all ages!
Looks like so much fun! I love that it’s indoors – you can go anytime! And good call with the mid-week rates. I love saving money, but also appreciate avoiding crowds equally as much!
That’s cool that you have access after checkout! I would prefer an indoor one because I try to keep out of the sun when unnecessary. Saves me some sunscreen too! Looks like a totally fun mini family trip! =)
Hi Lynn! It is great for those of us that are sun sensitive!
This looks Super fun and so amazing. We live in cold country so an indoor park is wonderful!