by Mark Smiley and Eleanore Smiley (10 years old)
Wave Pool: Catch a wave and splash and play as the swells sweep in from the five-foot deep end to the zero-depth-entry shallows. Wave pools are a fun family vacation favorite for kids of all ages. The rollers flow in every five minutes to lift and transport you on the surge of the ocean’s tide.
Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs, has reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lodge, offers families a viable option for a “staycation.” The family vacation resort opened in January 2016, and features a 50,000-square foot indoor water park. The $100 million resort is situated North of Colorado Springs and is just over a one-hour drive from Denver making it a logistically simple getaway.
The check-in process was seamless with the exception of the room not being ready. However, there is plenty to do while one waits for their room. And, upon check in, all members of your party are given wristbands which serve as your room key.
The main attraction is the indoor water park which has slides and thrill rides for kids and adults of all ages as well as a wave pool. In addition, after checkout, guests can continue to enjoy the water park until it closes at 8 p.m. “In my opinion the water park is the best part of Great Wolf Lodge,” said Ellie Smiley, a 10-year-old guest of the hotel and this author’s daughter. “Once you walk in you will see Fort McKenzie which is fun for any age. There’s a bucket that fills up with water then dumps on your head.”
The surprising part for most guests is there is more to do beyond the water park. The resort features a climbing wall, ropes course, a digital scavenger hunt which electronically captures achievements of its participants with a tracked score, a Build-a- Bear workshop, mini golf, bowling, and an arcade.
In addition to the above offerings, the resort features dance parties and story time. It is an easy way to wind down while having the children in pajamas with a short elevator ride up to the guest room.
Wolf Tail: Once the floor drops out from under you on this adventure ride, you’re hurled into a nearly vertical, 20-foot free fall followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop.
Guest rooms range in size from a standard room to suites including a separate den for the kids to offer privacy for the parents. They include a separate television with plenty of kids’ programming offered. They all offer mini fridges and microwaves. “In my opinion the best room there is the Wolf Den because it has a tiny built-in room called Wiley’s Den for your kids with bunk beds, a TV, and decorated walls with all the Great Wolf Lodge characters,” said Smiley. “There’s also a window which you will find the remote to the TV. Next to Wiley’s Den is the bed for the parents and a TV for them. The room also has a microwave, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker. Though the Wolf Den room costs more money, ages 13 and under will have the best time at Wiley’s Den!”
There are ample dining options inside the resort including pizza, quick appetizers, and a buffet geared mostly to the younger population. Ben and Jerry’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are guest favorites located on the way to the water park. They are convenient options to grab a cup of coffee or a cold treat.
While convenience is one of the selling points to the Great Wolf Lodge, some guests opt to visit nearby restaurants for lunch and dinner for a change of scenery. There are a number of restaurants and businesses nearby including The Summit, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse, and Jersey Mike’s.
The most notable attributes of the resort are the friendly staff members, clean suites, and an immaculate lobby that also has a big fireplace. Big windows give guests nice views of the Rockies as well.
If a family is looking for a quick getaway offering convenience, fun, and thrills, it is tough to beat the Great Wolf Lodge. For more information, visit www.greatwolf.com/colorado-springs. Follow them on Twitter @GreatWolfLodge and Facebook @GWLColoradoSprings.