When you’re looking for a drop your bags and have fun immediately vacation, you can’t beat Great Wolf Lodge. And with locations spanning across the country, it’s not hard to find a lodge near you. But if you want to add some G-rated terror to your trip, you can book a vacay at Great Wolf Lodge during their Howl-O-Ween experience. Running throughout the month of October, Howl-O-Ween at the resort is a devilishly fun delight.
Think about it. Great Wolf Lodge is already set up for success. After all, its theme is a wolf. From the moment you enter the lodge, you know that you’re in for a lot of fangtastic fun. For starters, a huge Howl-O-Ween banner welcomes you, you’ll feel the Halloween vibe right away. Decorations abound, but they aren’t creepy, so you won’t have to worry about your child getting spooked.
During your stay at Howl-O-Ween, you’ll find plenty to do for kids of all ages. If your 4-year-old Frankenstein wants to do the Monster Mash, head down to the Monster Bash Dance Party. Located in the lobby of Great Wolf Lodge, you’ll find lots of other costumed characters dancing to everything from “Thriller” to “Who Let the Dogs Out?” Kids and parents dress up in costumes and everyone has a spooktacular time. Note: the Monster Mash Dance Party typically runs from 8:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., so if your little ghoul has an earlier bedtime, you might want to adjust their sleep schedule so you won’t miss out on all the fun.
Another event that will ensure a Happy Halloween is the Great Wolf Trick-or-Treat Trail. You’ll line up in a hallway to get on the Trail, and thankfully, the lines moves pretty quickly. (There is a small bar cart outside the Trail for parents who need an adult bevvie.) The Trick-or-Treat Trail actually begins in one of the rooms at the Lodge — although it’s somewhat dark , it’s beautifully decorated for Halloween (read: it’s not scary at all). You’ll immediately be greeted by a staffer who will hand your child a goody bag for their treats.
Once you walk through the room, you’ll exit at the back of the room, and head around a beautifully lit trail towards the outdoor pool. There, you’ll find that the cabanas each have a Halloween theme with staff there handing out candy. While the Trick-or-Treat Trail runs from 5:00-7:00 pm, it will only take you about 15 minutes to complete this activity. Since you’ll be outside at some point, make sure that your child is dressed properly so that they’re not shivering while they score some Snickers.
If your caped crusader loves a good craft, there are plenty of them to do at Great Wolf Lodge. Your child can do everything from color in Halloween-inspired designs or make other crafts. Boo Bingo is another fun option. And be sure to snap a shot of your whole fam in costume at one of Great Wolf Lodge’s Halloween-themed backdrops.
Now, if you thought that you’d have to pay extra for these activities, think again. The Monster Bash Dance Party, Howl-O-Ween Crafts, Boo Bingo, and even the Trick-or-Treat Trail are all included in your stay.
Of course, there are always the standard attractions at Great Wolf that run during Howl-O-Ween. The first stop: the Indoor Waterpark, which has something for everyone’s thrill(er) level. For adventure seekers, have a blast on the Hydro Plunge or the Double Barrel Drop, which has exhilarating big drops as well as twists and turns. The younger set will enjoy Fort Mackenzie, the four-story water fort treehouse full of sprays and sprinklers. And if you wait for it, your crew can get soaked under the TK Bucket, which dumps a staggering 1000 gallons of water on giddy guests. Plus, Slap Tail Pond, (Great Wolf Lodge’s wave pool) is perfect since it has a zero-depth entry point and wonderful waves to play in.
Aquatic activities aside, wannabe wizards will love MagiQuest, one of the dry activities at Great Wolf. Once you’ve purchased a wand and topper at the store, your child can explore the lodge as they search for clue and treasures. While MagiQuest is a fun activity for any age, you’ll often find older kids wandering around the lodge in the evening when the water attractions are closed.
Your family can get a strike at Ten Paw Alley, a custom designed bowling alley with shorter lanes to accommodate itty bitty bowlers. The Northern Lights Arcade has all the bells and whistles that you’d expect at an arcade. (Be prepared to keep loading your kid’s card up since it’s easy to burn through your credits quickly.) At Build-A-Bear Workshop, your child can get the perfect plushie that they can dress up in cute clothing and costumes.
While a stay at Great Wolf Lodge is one-stop-fun all on its own, its Howl-O-Ween ups the excitement level, and just adds to the enjoyment of your stay. With so many extra activities, your own pup is sure to snooze on the car ride home, which is a total treat for every parent — and that’s no trick.