Great Wolf Lodge - Pocono Mountains

This is my second attempt at reviewing Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains because the first time we visited would have resulted in a short and not so sweet review reading like -- "As soon as we pulled into the parking lot at Great Wolf Lodge my two year old proceeded to vomit and then we spent the rest of the only night of our stay in our hotel room."

We decided to wait a month and return to Great Wolf Lodge Poconos to celebrate my other son turning five. That was a very good decision because this overnight stay was a nice way to celebrate.  All three of my children enjoyed Great Wolf Lodge even though we didn't take advantage of all the resort had to offer. (Their ages cause them to often be drawn to different rides and activities and the five of us stayed together the entire stay.)

Here's what you'll want to know about Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos -- there are ten other locations across the country (and in Canada) -- 

^{Getting to Great Wolf Lodge}

Great Wolf Lodge is located in Scotrun, PA or the Pocono Mountains depending on which GPS we used.  

^{_{Staying at Great Wolf Lodge}}

When you book a room through the Great Wolf Lodge website you can see which dates are peak season and which dates are discounted or their regular rate.  I don't believe there really is a bad room at Great Wolf Lodge. The room you reserve just depends on your family size and whether you mind if your child sleeps in a bunk bed.  

Both visits we stayed in a KidCabin Suite with Balcony/Patio room which meant each of the three children slept in their own bed and it was partitioned off from the adult's queen sized bed.  The kids had their own TV which during the first visit wasn't showing anything the kids were interested in watching but during the second visit, the movies (Stuart Little 2) were a hit. There's also an option for pay per view family movies and shows but we didn't purchase any.

Waterpark passes are included in the room reservation rate which is wonderful news for families no matter their budget.

Birthday 

Late check out 

 LInes  

Playing at Great Wolf Lodge

There's no shortage of entertainment and playtime options at Great Wolf Lodge. Of course the year round 84 degree water park is the main attraction but there are other places for the family to be entertained.

locker deposit 

check out at 11AM .. late check out.. play til 9pm 

Dining at Great Wolf Lodge

The first time we stayed at Great Wolf Lodge we arrived late afternoon but since we had a sick little one with us, we stayed in our room and had Pizza Hut.  But during our second stay, we ventured over to The Loose Moose for the breakfast buffet.  

 Divvies 

What You Need to Know

Wrist bands

Noise Level in rooms above 

DJ Dance Party

Pajama Story Time 

On the road?

Tired of hearing "Are we there yet?", The TomTom GO 700 will tell the kids how far they are from your destination and also make sure you don't get lost. It will also tell you about traffic and weather for the city you are driving through.

Soaring the skies?

Before you get on the plane, you will need to be able to bring Junior to Gate 4 using the Sit N' Stroll allows parents to stroll their child through the airport (very handy during layovers) but once it's time for take off the Sit N' Stroll turns into a car seat approved by the FAA for airplane seat use.

Familiar faces sometimes comfort those in unfamiliar places, a mirror and photo insert flip book can help make airplane travel easier with photos of the child's loved ones. Flip through pictures of daddy, grandma and other family members you are going to visit.

Boarding a train?

And if all else fails, The Single Parent Travel Handbook provides tips you can use while traveling with your child on a train. (Turn them into navigators, play "I Spy")

Navigating through the airport with one child in tow was difficult enough. But traveling solo with two is now going to be no-sweat.

With the help of Luggage Forward, I can look forward to going to the airport and boarding a plane to a child friendly travel destination without having to worry about standing on line to check or pick up my bags.

Visit the Luggage Forward website for more information on this sanity saving door-to-door luggage shipping service.