CALI TRIP: GREAT WOLF LODGE

I didn't intend to make this a three-part blog post, but the trip sort of lends itself to that with all that we experienced. First up, Great Wolf Lodge on day one and day two. Every other year, our family ventures to a theme park or bigger attraction in California. Four years ago, we went to Aquarium of the Pacific and the Discovery Cube. Two years ago, we went to SeaWorld (and then took a spontaneous trip to Disneyland a few months later). This year's theme park? Knott's Berry Farm. But here's the thing: after experiencing all of the magic that Disneyland had to offer, I didn't think I would be able to turn around and go to Knott's. It didn't feel like it met the same standard. So I weighed the options available and ultimately we decided on Great Wolf Lodge. The funny thing is, a few weeks after we made our decision, a Great Wolf Lodge location was announced in Arizona. UGGGGGGGH (insert eyeroll emoji here). Whatever.

Here's what our $900 trip to Great Wold Lodge got us: 

a one night stay in a double room suite with themed bunkbed cave, two day use of their epic indoor waterpark (technically just over one and a half days of use given waterpark check-in access time), wolf ears for all of the kids, free activities throughout the day (yoga, crafts, dance party, story-time, etc), towel rental, and life jackets for littles. 

Things that were not included but available for an additional fee: 

glow golf, a 24 hour arcade, mini bowling, a hotel-wide scavenger hunt, and food. 

My parents had given each kid a Great Wolf Lodge gift card for Easter, so they were each able to buy ice cream and a souvenir. I bought some family size fries on our second day to share, but we otherwise ate what we brought (and let me note now: you are not allowed to bring outside food into the waterpark area but instead must either relocate yourself to eat OR buy what they offer at the waterpark). 

So. Was it worth it? Yes and no. Yes because the kids had a blast and played for HOURS. There was something for everyone. And Great Wold Lodge has really thought of everything. They have even synchronized their system down to only needing a wristband (which is your waterpark pass, room key, and hotel credit all in one - the latter two on adult bands only). It's basically the Disneyland of waterparks. But. BUT. With the good comes the bad. Everything is based on height. If your child is taller than 48", you are in the clear. Green. They are able to ride on everything that Great Wolf Lodge has to offer. If your child is between 42"-48", you are a bit limited. Yellow. They have to ride with an adult (or person over the age of 14) for most of the tubes AND have to wear a life jacket in the wave pool. And if your child is below 42", you are totally limited. Red. They cannot ride on any of the large slides or ride on the surf simulator. They must wear a life jacket at all times, too. But there are still plenty of options, such as the toddler splash pad, wave pool, lazy river, and water tower with smaller (still decently sized) slides. 

Okay, so why am I saying this is a con? Well, if you have more than one child and at least one of those kids is 42" or shorter, you can really only best enjoy the park by splitting up. Our family consisted of three greens (over 48"), two yellows (42"-48"), and one very red (under 42") little girl. So we spent the entire two days split up, taking turns enjoying the many different slides. Having one of our kids under 42" really limited things during our stay and made it so that the mr. and I didn’t have the chance to enjoy any attractions together. It was still a very fun experience - I would just wait until my littlest reaches 42" and my fourth reaches 48" before doing it again. ESPECIALLY for the price we paid for the California lodge. In the end, it was definitely an awesome once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
And, as always, here are a ton of pictures - starting with our annual tradition of In-N-Out in California to kick off our vacation. Also, a little *extra* story is featured at the bottom. 

So. That wolf Christmas ornament. That ornament was a lesson for my oldest in having courage to do the right thing. While browsing the gift shop, looking for trading pins for our travel backpacks, the kids - like any kids - were touching things of interest. My oldest somehow accidentally dropped this GLASS ornament on the floor, shattering it to pieces. When we calmly asked him to let one of the cashiers know, he got HYSTERICAL. He was mortified and didn't want to admit to his mistake. After much coaxing (and physically getting him in the right direction), he was able to inform them of the accident. They didn't bat an eye or charge a cent. I only found it fitting to sneak into the gift shop  right after checking out of the hotel to purchase the same ornament as a reminder of not only our time spent at Great Wolf Lodge, but also as a reminder to be courageous and honest.