GRAPEVINE, Texas — If a resort can be judged by how tired you are when you leave, Great Wolf Lodge is spectacular beyond measure.
The Northwoods-themed chain of resorts opened here in January.
It is home to one of the largest indoor water parks in the United States. Great Wolf's concept was so impeccably thought-out that you never get the chaotic feeling that often comes with being at a themed resort or amusement park. The capacity of the hotel does not overwhelm the water park, and the resort provides ample space and plenty of adult retreats.
Babies and small children will enjoy the zero entry pool that reaches a depth of 1 foot, 6 inches. There are enough slides, buckets, ropes, levers, water guns and climbing and riding activities to keep a busy 5-year-old entertained for hours, while a younger sibling splashes lazily in fountains, all within arms' reach. Parents will enjoy the 40 to 45 on-duty lifeguards who ensure that the big kids stay out.
Older children have five six-story slides to choose from that wind their way in and out of the building. There also is a pool with basketball goals, away from crying toddlers.
The resort's signature tree house towers 12 levels over the water park floor and features ropes, pulleys, buckets, spigots and knobs that allow you to douse those below. This part of the water park allows the ornery 7-year-old boy in all of us to shine.
Swinging bridges and steps lead to two more of the water park's slides that are perfect for younger thrill seekers. And perched atop the tree house is a 1,000-gallon bucket that spills its contents every 8 to 10 minutes. The tree house combines the interests of all ages, but especially those older than toddlers but below 48 inches in height who are often forgotten in the design of amusement parks.
When the little fish get waterlogged, there is Cub Club — a children's learning and activity center. Unlike areas of similar names at other resorts, this is not a child-care service. Cub Club offers crafts, games and "edutainment” programs — including Junior Lifeguard training and nature walks through the five-story atrium lobby. Four times a day, the lobby comes alive with a singing moose, owl and Pocahontas in an 8-minute "Rhythm of Nature” show set against the backdrop of the Great Clock Tower. An evening show is followed by pajama story time, led by the lodge's activities director and mascots, Wiley and Biko.
Throughout the hotel, children pretending to be warlocks and fairies can be found waving their magic wands in front of pictures, statues, plants and treasure boxes in a live-action fantasy adventure game. The game takes players through the entire resort and the landing areas of all eight levels of the guest room floors. Some items are hidden in the stairwells to keep hunters from tying up elevators. MagiQuest is quickly becoming as famous as the resort's water park, said Ken Broom, Great Wolf Lodge director of sales and marketing.
Older gamers will be pleased to find Gr8 Space Teen Center, where they can face off in a "Guitar Hero” tournament, upload footage of their Great Wolf experience to their MySpace page or belt out some karaoke. The center features flat screen televisions, Internet stations and movie and musical entertainment, all overseen by the watchful eye of a staff "tech jockey” who makes sure that users engage in appropriate Internet activity.
For some peace and quiet, adults can retreat to a 21-and-older hot tub in the water park or find some real serenity in the spa. Elements offers a full menu of treatments from Caribbean and Swedish massages to facials, all using all-natural Aveda products.
Even the spa is not without a treat for the little girls. Scooops Kid Spa caters to those 12 and younger and features ice cream-themed manicures and pedicures complete with a coupon for a real ice cream. It is redeemable in the resort's confectionary cafe.
Besides ice cream, the confectionary cafe offers cold-cut sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, pastries, chips, candy and other snacks. The smell of fudge and waffle cones being made behind the counter is hard to resist. Also, you can grab a slice of pizza at the Pizza Hut Express. If you can't tear yourself from the water park for food, two concession windows offer amusement park-style snacks such as corndogs, funnel cakes, nachos, frozen drinks and even beer.
The two restaurants at Great Wolf Lodge should not be passed up during a stay. Loose Moose Cottage is a buffet-style restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. The selections range from eggs and bacon to eggs Benedict and lox in the morning, and old-fashioned comfort food for dinner. It also is the location of Great Wolf Lodge's first lobby bar.
"In all of our other locations, the bar is tucked into the Camp Critter Bar and Grille,” said Broom, "but you can't open a hotel in Texas without a lobby bar.”
Camp Critter Bar and Grille is open for lunch and dinner. It features traditional Texas favorites, including roasted chili corn chowder. Other menu choices include gourmet macaroni and cheese, steaks, shrimp, burgers and salads. A side of green chili smashed potatoes is a definite must, as is the "Want S'more Fondue.”
And when it is time to turn in, even the children might be excited. Great Wolf's themed rooms and suites give youngsters their own theme-decorated nook, complete with bunk beds and a flat screen TV.
It's a nice extra touch, although little ones will be so tired from all the fun that they'll collapse happily into bed anyway.
For information and reservations call (800) 693-9653 or visit www.greatwolf.com.
Accommodations provided by Great Wolf Lodge.
