Complete (Man-Made) Kid Heaven

City-Kid Review:

Can we stay another night? Please?
(We did)

This is part of an occasional series on trips from NYC.

If there is a Kid Heaven -this is it.

I admit I was a snob. Yes, yes, I was completely wrong and completely judgmental, but I am atoning for it in the best possible way.

The Great Wolf Lodge way.

In my imaginary life, we have  live-off-the-land, back-to-nature vacations. They are completely revelatory and tick free.   The Great Wolf Lodge, PA is not that. It is an entirely not-natural, manmade fun water park, and it is great.

There is something pressure-easing about walking into a place which knows exactly what they are doing from the moment you enter, from the bear ears they give your child at the enormous, numerously staffed check in desk (no waiting), to the shows, to story time, to the rooms, to the surprisingly healthy food options and, of course, to the water park.

They have thought everything out. Everything. Including having someone in the lobby through the night for any wayward child who may want to wander outside.

They have activities for all ages and budgets including the secret treasure map journeys. But the star of the place is the water parks. Now in the UK we call them flumes but here they are called water slides. Either way, they have a great number of them here for all different ages and abilities and, frankly, nerves. (Like mine)

The pools are for all different ages, too and they have different experiences from the teeny-tot water slides to the massive, ride-in-a-boat water slides.

Once you are there, you never have to leave.

Need to Knows:

This is a franchise so I assume all the water parks are the same. I can only speak to the one in Pocono, PA.

Location:  1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA 18355

We had to rent a car to get there. I am not sure how else you would get there. It’s about a two hour drive from Manhattan. For some folks, it took longer, due to traffic.

Cost: They have all sorts of deals. At the time of writing, they offer a 50% off deal. Prices vary according to rooms. Check the website for details.

Food options are surprisingly varied. You can go for the SAD food (Standard American Diet) or they have a buffet option with a massive variety of options. You can also bring your own food as there is a small fridge and microwave in the rooms.

Information correct at time of writing. 

Top-Tip

Check your budget options – you can end up spending more than you think, if you are not careful. They really know what they are doing but they can accommodate every one and there are tons of free activities to do, as well as the water park.

Do you have a favorite Great Wolf Lodge experience, you would like to share? Please tell us about it in the comments section.

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