Travel With Me: Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas
As a mom to a 5-year-old who is always “bored” in our small town, I'm always on the lookout for affordable, family-friendly destinations within driving distance. Our recent trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas, checked all the boxes! The whole trip was so much fun and I made so many memories with my mom and little boy!
The adventure started the moment we walked through the doors of Great Wolf Lodge. Our trip was this past October, so the lobby was adorned with spooky yet kid-friendly Halloween decorations. The star of the show was a giant spider made from thousands of balloons suspended from the grand ceiling. The ambiance is definitely more geared towards children and it immediately captivated my son's imagination and had him eagerly anticipating all of the fun activities scattered throughout the resort.
Accomodations
The accommodations at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine offer the perfect blend of comfort and outdoorsy theming. We chose to stay in the standard family suite, which featured two queen beds and a roomy living area with a couch and coffee table. There was also a small table and chairs that were perfect for dining on the room service. The room also had a mini fridge which was great for leftovers and a coffee maker which was much appreciated, although it was hard to settle for regular coffee when there was a full service Starbucks in the lobby.
attractions
The water park at Great Wolf Lodge is a thrilling aquatic playground for adults and kids alike. Boasting a diverse range of water attractions, from exhilarating slides and lazy rivers to wave pools and water fortresses, the park is fun for the whole family. The little ones can play all day in dedicated splash areas while the bigger kids enjoy all the different slides. GWL has lifeguards stationed throughout the park, ensuring safety for the kiddos so you can put your mind at ease. My favorite attraction was the lazy river, while my son loved the giant slides! Climbing up the huge platform over and over is definitely tiring, but hearing his screams of happiness made it well worth it!
Beyond the water park, Great Wolf Lodge also offers a diverse range of activities scattered throughout the resort grounds. One of my son’s favorite things was looking for all the characters and going to different meet and greets. Fun fact, Great Wolf Lodge has their own TV show featuring all their characters called "The Great Wolf Pack," and you can watch it in your room throughout your stay. We got to see Violet Wolf at breakfast, and we saw Wiley Wolf in the lobby. Another exciting activity is the "Build-A-Bear Workshop," where kiddos can craft their own furry friends to take home as a memento of their magical stay. We, of course, chose Wiley the Wolf!
One of our favorite activities at GWL was Oliver's Mining Co. My son has always been obsessed with rocks and stones, so this was a must-do! This themed mining activity offers visitors a chance to step into the shoes of a prospector, immersing themselves in a hands-on gemstone mining experience. With mining sluices and colorful gem-filled dirt, guests can pan for treasures and discover an array of precious stones and minerals. It's a delightful and educational activity for both children and adults, providing a memorable experience. We loved comparing our gems to the gem guide and seeing what unique treasures were in our bag.
MagiQuest, an interactive live-action adventure game, allows kids to embark on a quest throughout the entire lodge, casting spells and solving challenges. This is probably better suited for slightly older kids though, we got pretty bored after a few quests. The large arcade, however, offers a plethora of games, providing hours of entertainment for all age groups.
A perk of staying at GWL during a holiday is all the special theming they put into your stay. Since we went in October, Trick-or-treat stations were set up every night and my son loved wandering the halls from station to station and collecting candy.
Dining options
Loose Moose
This casual restaurant is a buffet option located centrally above the lobby area. This restaurant serves up the biggest and best breakfast buffet with everything from a custom omelet station to a French toast bar. They are only open for dinner buffet if the lodge is occupied at a certain capacity, so don't make the same mistake I did and make reservations without checking to see if they will be open!
Buckets
Located inside the water park, Buckets is perfect for a grab-and-go meal. Offering crowd favorites such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads, the whole family will find something they love here.
Hungry As A Wolf
Hungry As A Wolf is the go-to spot for satisfying cravings after water park adventures. From pizza and pasta to sandwiches and salads, this casual dining option offers a variety of crowd-pleasing choices that are sure to appease even the pickiest eaters. The pizza selections here are huge, which is not clearly labeled. I ordered a pizza thinking it was a personal size and it could easily have fed the whole family.
Lodge Wood Fired Grill
For those seeking a more upscale dining experience, Lodge Wood Fired Grill is the perfect choice. This rustic-chic restaurant boasts a menu featuring sizzling wood-fired steaks, fresh seafood, and mouthwatering appetizers. We didn't eat here during our stay, but I would definitely check it out on my next stay.
Bear Paw Sweets & Eats
Indulge your sweet tooth at Bear Paw Sweets & Eats. This whimsical dessert haven features an enticing array of candies, fudge, and ice cream. It's not just a treat for the kids – adults will love coming here for a sweet treat each night too!
Overall, our stay at Great Wolf Lodge was well worth it! My son loved every minute and is already asking when we can go back! This resort is perfect for little ones because all the attractions are centrally located and you’ll never need to leave the property. I hope this post helped answer some questions, and as always, thanks for being here!
