Ann Le Do
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A Winter Family Getaway // Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos, PA

The whole family loved making a splash in the middle of fall/winter.

We recently took the family to the Poconos to visit Great Wolf Lodge, a renowned family-friendly destination. Having heard about it for years, we were thrilled to finally explore it, especially during their winter Snowland event. The resort has been newly expanded and renovated, featuring a multitude of dining options and attractions, like its expansive indoor waterpark, making it an excellent destination all year round. With the convenience of passes and food packages, Great Wolf Lodge provided the perfect all-inclusive feel, ideal for our family of five.

Casual family vibes in our cozy living room at the suite! Pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome and food platter. The thoughtful details made our stay extra special.

This was a hosted stay, and the opinions expressed are solely my own.

Location

Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos is located just two hours away by car from Philadelphia making it a quick and easy trip for families seeking a hassle-free getaway. Their Maryland location opened this year, offering an additional option for those in the Philadelphia area.

Lobby

We were thoroughly impressed the moment we walked into the beautifully decorated grand lobby. The holiday spirit was in full swing with a gigantic Christmas tree and glowing hanging ornaments. The large fireplace added a cozy touch, keeping us warm and comfortable. Plus, there’s an interactive stage in the lobby that hosts events like storytime, dance parties, and other fun activities.

The decked out grand lobby.
The stone fireplace kept us warm and toasty.
The front desk of the lobby was nicely decorated as well.

There’s a lot that goes on in the lobby so I recommend downloading their mobile app to keep up to date on all the daily entertainment.

The stage is where all the magic happens.
Storytime featuring Luna was very exciting to watch.

Rooms

In the newly upgraded Mountain Tower, you can choose from the Family, KidCabin, Wolf Den, and Grizzly Bear Suites. Our family of five stayed in the spacious Grizzly Bear Suite, the only option that has three separate sleeping areas, two bathrooms, and additional amenities like a living room, and an extra nook with a sink and refrigerator. There was also a microwave near the ice machine, which made it easy for us to heat our home-cooked baby food.

Keep in mind, the Mountain Tower is a new extension so the distance to the main lobby and attractions varies depending on your room location. In our case, our room was situated at the highest and farthest point of the Mountain Tower. It took us nearly 10 minutes to walk and use the elevator before reaching the waterpark.

When we go again with our extended family or friends, we will look into the new Woodland Villas. We took a tour of the new concept as part of the media event and we were impressed with the decor and layout. The Grand Villa sleeps 8-10 and includes a full kitchen, living room, dining space, and terrace. Families with even larger groups can opt for the Deluxe Woodland Villa, which combines two Grand Villas for a more expansive space.

The master bedroom room was so stylish and so was the connecting bathroom.
The second bedroom with bunk beds, bean chairs, and a crafting table.
The third bedroom with very spacious with two queen beds.
The dining room table was massive and the kitchen has everything you need.
Living room had a larch sectional, fireplace, tv, and kids table.
The outdoor terrace added a very nice touch. Lots of comfy seating and a roaring stone fire sets the scene.
Haden already made himself feel like home.
The food was catered by Fireside and it was a delicous assortment of small bites.
Lea enjoying the food, drinks, and activites at the villa.

Waterpark

The main attraction at Great Wolf Lodge is its vast indoor waterpark, featuring multiple sections suitable for the entire family. With plenty of open seats and the option to reserve cabanas, families can comfortably spend their entire day enjoying the water activities. While our children didn’t explore every section of the waterpark, they thoroughly enjoyed the parts they did get to experience.

It took some time for Hailey to get use to the water.
If you forgot your goggles like we did, you can purchase them here but the quality is average.
The waterslides here are insane! It looks like it never ends.
The lazy river is more up my alley.

Entrance to the waterpark is included in your stay, and day passes are also available for visitors.

We didn’t spend a lot of time in our cabana but it was nice to have for when the baby was sleeping and to sit comfortably to eat.

Attractions

Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of attractions to keep kids entertained. Families can opt for pay-as-you-go experiences or choose from three different pass levels: Wolf Pass, Paw Pass, or Pup Pass. During our visit, we opted for the Wolf Pass, which provided access to all attractions. I love that the pass includes admission, souvenirs, and food. Our kids particularly enjoyed Build-A-Bear, Ten Paw Alley, and sweet treats from Wood’s End Creamery and Great Wolf Candy Co.

Their favorite take home present. It was the first thing they wanted to do.
The ice cream at Wood’s End Creamery was so good we went for seconds.
They got to fill a cup with any candy they wanted.
The kids had so much fun at Ten Paw Alley and it was easier to play than regular bowling.
The arcade had tons of games and spending an hour here gets very pricey.
The Moonstone Mine mirror maze was actually so fun!
Howl at the Moon Glow Golf

Snowland

For those visiting between Nov 24 and Jan 8, Great Wolf Lodge into an immersive winter wonderland. This Snowland event includes visits with Santa, seasonal specialty drinks, and unique experiences like reserving a private Snow Globe. The Snow Globe package, priced at $129, offers a warm and cozy space with a hot cocoa bar and a cookie decorating kit, accompanied by a glittering 30-minute light show. Families also receive a keepsake ornament to cherish.

The kids were so happy that Santa made an apperance all weekend.
Concentrating on cookie decorating before devouring hot chocolate and the smores dip.
A special and private experience that’s both festive and fun for the whole family.

Restaurants

Great Wolf Lodge has a range of dining options for even the pickiest eaters. The new Fireside Restaurant, where we enjoyed both breakfast and dinner, stood out with its delectable gourmet dishes. Other highlights included burgers and fries at The Outpost, a buffet breakfast at Timbers Table & Kitchen, ice cream at Wood’s End Creamery, and my coffee fix from Dunkin.

Salmon, roasted potatoes, green beans with a creamy lemon dill sauce.
Warm grain bowl with shrimp, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, and cranberries.
Rigatoni with sun dried tomatoes, chicken, and green beans in a pesto cream sauce.
The ambiance matched the culinary delights at Fireside.
Family breakfast meal at Fireside Restaurant.
Enjoying our food from OutPost in our cabana.
Breakfast buffet at Timbers Table & Kitchen.

Our family’s stay at Great Wolf Lodge surpassed our expectations, providing a delightful mix of fun and relaxation. With a range of accommodations, attractions, and dining choices, it caters to families seeking an easy and enjoyable getaway. While we typically gravitate towards warmer destinations, Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor water park makes it a compelling choice for a quick winter or spring break retreat. Without a doubt, we would consider returning year after year, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to other families in search of a memorable and stress-free experience.

Until next time!

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