We decided to end our California trip with something extra special (to make the transition home, after having to leave family, a little easier - you know, something to look forward to) and celebrate Cora's birthday while we were at it! Great Wolf Lodge is quickly becoming one of our favorite places for a short family getaway. It's close(ish), it's reasonably priced (always look for coupons!), and there are so many things to do at the resort that you can easily spend 2-3 nights there and not even need to leave the premises (which is what we did last time we visited, on our first trip here during the ice storm), though just up the road there are plenty of other activities if you need a break from the waterpark (Lego Discovery Center, IMAX theater, aquarium, etc.). This time, we booked just one night at the resort (since we knew we were getting in very late from California on our first night back to the South, and we wanted to get the most bang for our buck). If we could have spared another day of annual leave (we couldn't), we'd have stayed longer. This place just works for our family of four... Wristbands to make access to your room and buying food/drink (well, anything, actually) super easy, no need to dress up or put on makeup (or real clothes at all, really - swimsuits and coverups are perfectly acceptable, even in the fancy upstairs restaurant), waterslides and waterpark features fit for everyone (the kids love the wave pool and "crazy river" best, Jay and I love the big waterslides), life jackets available for when someone needs a little extra reassurance to join daddy on the big slides, and plenty of non-waterpark stuff to do when your eyes need a break from the chlorine (this year, the kids started a MagiQuest adventure and LOVED it, but there's also an arcade, separate spas for little girls and moms, a workout room - not that we used it this time either, 3 restaurants, an ice cream shop and bakery, a pizza take-out counter, and plenty of character led events and crafts for kids to do throughout the day and into bedtime). Because the kids knew what to expect going into it this time, they were super excited and couldn't wait to get checked in and get to playing!
We arrived at the perfect time (12:59pm) and were first in line to check in. And our room happened to be ready (perhaps because we'd splurged on a theme room on the lobby level this time?), so the kids each pushed a cart of suitcases and coolers down the hall and we were all set!
The birthday girl got a special set of wolf ears (and a free ice cream token)
The splurge was for a semi-private bunk bed room for the kids. They didn't have to share a bed, and they had their own TV (which they barely watched, but in theory, they loved it - and it helped them settle in for bed last night and kept them busy while we packed).
Returning the carts and heading to the waterpark!
Ready to adventure (in a near empty waterpark since most folks were still checking in)
(See how much smaller they were just 2.25 years ago?!)
Playing in the toddler/preschooler area while daddy went out to get closed-toe shoes for an unplanned outdoor adventure (we didn't know they had it, or that either kid would want to try it)
Daddy's back! All roped in and ready to climb! Howlers Peak is a self-guided (meaning, you can drag your line with you in any combination of directions as you choose, for as long or short as you choose) ropes course just outside the wave pool. We don't remember it being there last time we visited, but that may just be because NOTHING was open outside in March, when everything was covered in ice...) Jay and I were really impressed (and surprised) with how much James loved this (and how much he did - every single challenge except for the ziplines, on all 4 levels!) Luckily, the wristbands you buy for this activity are good for the duration of your stay, so we were able to convince him to come down by promising to go back the next morning).
No cameras/phones were allowed on the course, so after I jumped off the top ledge (once was more than enough for me for that particular adventure... there is video of Jay doing it below), I took some pictures from below.
Eating free ice cream while we waited for daddy to take a flying leap...
Birthday cupcake after dinner at the buffet
Getting started with MagiQuest (we ended up playing 3 different times, for 30-60 minutes each time, and the kids got through about 70% of the first game)
Lego model of the Grapevine Great Wolf Lodge (back out to play again after more swimming, this time in pajamas while mama and daddy followed them around with a beer - you can play only between the hours of 9am-11pm, since the resort has very strict rules in order to let folks sleep)
Cora tried to convince James to quit after they passed the 5th quest (photo left), but he insisted on "just one more!", so after that one (photo right), she closed her eyes and refused to move until daddy picked her up and carried her back to the room. At 10:55pm. EXHAUSTED kids. But very happy kids!
Back at the waterpark as soon as it opened at 9am
While mama checked out (we'd already taken all our stuff to the car before we started swimming, just leaving out bags of shower stuff and clean clothes so we could clean up in the big waterpark restrooms before heading home at 1pm - you can stay ALL DAY if you want to though, until the waterpark closes at 9pm, we just had to get back for work), the kids went to the arcade and Scoops spa (for a princess "sprinkle").
And then we grabbed ChickFilA for lunch on the way up to the highway, and the kids were passed out within 20 minutes (and slept for 3 straight hours!)
Great Wolf Lodge, we'll be back for you this fall! (But shhh, don't tell the kids, we're going to try and keep this next visit a surprise - for MY birthday!)
