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The Great Wolf Lodge: A One- Of-A-Kind Resort!
Our family recently traveled to Kansas City, Kansas to
stay at The Great Wolf Lodge. This family-oriented resort
makes its first impression with a soaring four-story-high
lobby filled with rustic touches, such as four large
antler-adorned chandeliers, a massive fireplace, stuffed
animals and lots of handmade, log-style furniture. On one
wall is a large animated display with singing-talking trees,
an owl and a bunch of other mechanical critters that will
launch into an eight-minute routine. The "Great Clock Tower"
will delight and entertain you four times a day. The show
entitled, "Rhythm of Nature," runs at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 8
p.m., and 9 p.m. in the Grand Lobby.
The rustic theme goes beyond the lobby area into the
suites. Many of them will have special areas for children to
bunk, designed to look like miniature log cabins, a tent or
a wolf den. Each are equipped with televisions and video
game players. We stayed in the Wolf den and the kids LOVED
the bunk beds and separate T.V. Suites are plush in a rustic
sort of way with some including a separate loft or
fireplace. All have balconies or patios. The largest can
sleep up to eight. Room rates start at $279 per night but
check out the Great Wolf Lodge website (www.
greatwolflodge.com ) for special rates!
Inside the colossal indoor water park, Bear Track
Landing, the temperature is always 84 degrees. For parents
who might not plan on wearing a swimsuit, you’ll still want
to wear summer attire. It gets warm in the water park area!
Featuring eight waterslides and five pools, the water park
submerges guests in over 200,000 gallons of fun. The
four-story Fort Mackenzie has more than 60 interactive
geysers and sprays. Atop the 48-foot structure is the
signature "tipping bucket," filling with water every few
minutes, tipping at the sound of a bell, and drenching
everyone gathered below with nearly 1,000 gallons of water.
"The overall safety of kids is foremost in our minds," said
Russ Archuleta, General Manager. Therefore, there are over
60 lifeguards nationally certified by Ellis & Associates
overseeing the water park.
The rustic ambiance of Camp Critter Bar & Grille is
perfect for families who love campsite dining but prefer the
comfort of being indoors. The kids especially enjoyed eating
at a table under a tent top! For a quick and convenient meal
selection, Great Wolf Lodge offers Pizza Hut Express, Bear
Claw Café and Spirit Island Snack Bar. The Bear Claw Cafe
bakes four kinds of muffins and cookies fresh every day. You
can get an early start on your day with your choice of
Starbucks coffee or cappuccino, pastries or our fantastic
cinnamon rolls. You’ll find over a dozen of your favorite
flavored fudges including mint chocolate and peanut butter.
I highly recommend the coconut fudge! The Buck Horn Exchange
gift shop let’s you take a piece of Great Wolf Lodge home
with you. The shop offers memorabilia including fashion
T-shirts, bathing suits, hats, mugs, stuffed animals and
much more. We picked up several Great Wolf logo t-shirts for
$9.99 each.
If black lights and glowing carpet coupled with numerous
arcade games are of GREAT interest to you, it's at the Great
Wolf Lodge. The Northern Lights Arcade is a 6,000 square
foot game room for you to try your luck at over 100 ticket
redemption games where the prizes are endless. Or try your
skill at the Eagle Peak Rock Wall. The innovative, life-like
rock structure is 26-foot tall and molded with fossils,
cracks and overhangs. The challenging experience can be done
for $5.00 or three climbs for $10.00. Up to four guests can
test their rock climbing skills together, as flowing water
separates each climbing route.
Overall, this is a great place for anyone looking for a
little or big family getaway. Not too many places give you a
variety of things like The Great Wolf Lodge does, from the
Water park to the restaurant to the arcade and the spa!
The Great Wolf Lodge is located in Village West next to
Cabela’s and Nebraska Furniture Mart at 10401 Cabela Drive,
Kansas City, KS 66111. For more information or to make a
reservation, visit
www.greatwolflodge.com or call
1.866.608.WOLF (9653).
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