Even though we’ve been short on snow this year, winter never seems to end in Cincinnati, especially for those of us with little ones at home with excessive energy. If your children are anything like mine, they’ve been literally running around in circles and into walls, because it has been very difficult to get them outside in all of the cold rain. Just as I was about to invest in a treadmill to let them run out all of that energy, we decided it would be much more fun to pay a visit to Great Wolf Lodge in Mason. This amazing family-friendly destination is one of several exciting places to visit in Ohio’s Largest Playground, and it’s always at the top of our list when we need a close getaway. So we packed a bag and headed about 45 minutes away for some much-needed family fun time.
Our 7-year-old and 5-year-old were pumped to return to Great Wolf Lodge, and especially this time of year, to check out its new Spring Breakout Celebration! I couldn’t wait to escape the cold and feel like I was on vacation, but without any of the extensive travel, time or money that a typical getaway requires. That is the best thing about Great Wolf Lodge. No matter where you live around Cincinnati, it’s just a short drive away and in no time at all you can be lounging in 84 degrees and spending quality time as a family.
We checked in on a Friday afternoon and had big plans for the massive indoor waterpark and many other amenities offered at Great Wolf Lodge. We all loved our beautifully renovated suite, which was a great size for our family of four. The Great Wolf Lodge in Mason recently completed 9 million dollars worth of renovations on all the rooms, so you can expect updated furnishings on your next stay. Great Wolf Lodge offers many standard and themed suites to meet everyone’s needs and we found the room to be clean, comfortable and perfect for a relaxing getaway.
After checking in and receiving our wolf ears, we changed right away for the waterpark. Admission to this huge area, which includes 13 slides and 8 pools, is included with your overnight stay, and only guests can use it. That means even on crowded days, the wait times are manageable, especially when compared to lines at other water and amusement parks. When you consider a visit to Great Wolf Lodge, keep in mind that this is a wonderful place for all ages. We saw families with babies, as well as teenagers, and everyone enjoyed the wide variety of activities offered, including the waterpark.
Although we spent most of our time swimming, splashing and sliding, we did take the time to explore the other activities and amenities offered on the property. We were hungry after an active day, so we headed to the Loose Moose for dinner, which was right off the lobby. The dinner buffet, as well as the breakfast buffet offered each morning, are delicious and have so many great options from healthy choices to kid favorites. Any getaway isn’t complete without ice cream, so we grabbed some and then headed back to the lobby for the popular Clock Tower Show and Story Time with the adorable characters! As a part of the Spring Breakout event, you’ll also be able to have a blast with dance parties (complete with bubbles!), springtime crafts and much more. It’s all new this year, so even if you’ve been before, you’re in for a few surprises.
On our second day, we played in the Northern Lights Arcade, which had games for all ages and interests. This may have ranked right up with the waterpark for my son! We also tried out the bowling area and glow-in-the-dark mini golf, which were both fun breaks from the waterpark. There are plenty of other ways to take a break from swimming, including a visit to Build-A-Bear Workshop, free activities in the lobby, and MagiQuest. If you haven’t participated in MagiQuest, I highly recommend it for ages 6 or 7 and above!
We shared our weekend on Instagram and a few followers had questions about a stay at Great Wolf Lodge. The first question was: Is it crowded? The short answer is yes, but it’s still fun. Of course weekends are more crowded than weekdays, so if you can visit during the week, you can expect lighter crowds. Someone also asked for suggestions on keeping the cost manageable. Be sure to keep an eye out on the Great Wolf Lodge website for deals, and also always check Groupon! Weekday stays come with a lower rate, and be sure to pack snacks to enjoy during your visit.
Along with the slides, games, food, and everything else you’ll experience during a stay at Great Wolf Lodge, the best part of a getaway is the quality time with family. Amidst the busyness of sports, activities, work, and all of our day-to-day obligations, you can easily escape to this vacation destination that is close to home, but allows your family to simply focus on fun and being together. We thoroughly enjoyed our “staycation” at Great Wolf Lodge, and can’t wait to return again!
