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Full Guide 2023
Boasting a humongous heated indoor water park with enthralling slides, water activities, and many other fabulous amenities, Great Wolf Lodge is one of the top contenders for family-friendly lodgings in Grapevine.
The resort is a hit among families, especially those with kids aged around 7 to 13. Whether your gang travels solo or with a group, you will surely be entertained every hour of the day.
But even with such immense popularity and high ratings, Great Wolf Lodge has its fair share of negatives. Some might even get you thinking about booking a different hotel for your Texas getaway.
But hey, no one’s gatekeeping any information here, and so we have drafted the ultimate guide on Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine: pros, cons, and everything in between.
You will also find answers to any queries that may arise in your mind as we go forth and our top recommendations on where to dine, what to do, and which places to explore. And if you are still hesitant to book the hotel, you’ll find some alternatives at the end as well. Enough talking – let’s get started!
IMPORTANT: Our opinions are based on our real experience traveling and research on hotels. We do not have agreements with this hotel. Our goal is to help you find the best accommodation for your family and to keep you coming back to our blog for inspiration on your next vacation.
Good value for the money. Suites are adequately priced, plus promotional discounts are available throughout the year
From hot tubs, to thrilling 4-storey water slides, fun activities, and wheelchair accessibility, the resort accommodates all age groups
8 on-site restaurants means there is something for everyone. Though some items are high-priced compared to the quantity.
Enthralling 4 and 6-storey water slides, shallow kiddie pools, lazy river, tandem slides, and wave pool, suitable for all ages.
Summary:
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine is one of those ‘jack of all trades’ places that offer practically every amenity you can imagine inside a single premises. You’d assume that the water park is their main attraction, but the place has much more to offer in terms of relaxation and recreation. At least the hundreds of people who have left a review on Google agree that there are enjoyment opportunities for guests of practically every age group.
How many times have you planned a beachside vacation and canceled the plan at the last minute because of extreme weather, high tides, or safety concerns near the coast? As fun as it sounds, going to the beach isn’t always feasible, especially for families with kids.
I find resorts with indoor water parks an excellent alternative. Knowing that the little ones are safe inside the premises, having the time of their lives without getting sunburned, gives me a sense of relaxation that I’ll never find running after them with sunscreen and beach towels on the beach.
But even then, I knew I had to research and learn from other people’s experiences to reduce any chances of ending up at a trashy hotel.
After staying at the Great Wolf Lodge at Grapevine, I have decided to share my analysis as a guide for all those afraid of wasting precious time and money and ending up disappointed.
And if, towards the end of this guide, you feel like the Great Wolf Lodge is not the right place to spend your dream holiday, you can check out some excellent alternatives I have incorporated as a bonus.
The lodging is ideal for families with kids aged between 7 to 13. Most of their activities, including the slides and attractions in their indoor water park, rope climbing and rock collecting activities, and arcade rides, are aimed towards this particular age group.
Additionally, the resort accommodates aged guests by offering wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and special facilities for disabled guests.
I wouldn’t recommend Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine as a potential honeymoon destinor to couples in general. Though some amenities are claimed to be adults-only, like the hot tub area, those too are usually invaded by the kids.
Additionally, the quest stations for MagiQuest are located near the rooms. So, unless your idea of fun is hearing kids run up and down the hallway, Great Wolf Lodge wouldn’t qualify as an adults-only resort.
Yes! The hotel has something for everyone, even preschoolers. Kids aged 2 to 5 can enjoy the splash area in the water park, and the Build-a-Bear activity will keep them occupied for quite some time.
Some thrill rides and water slides have a minimum 42-inch height restriction, but the rest are good to go. You can also get a Day Pass if you’re not planning a stay, and in that case, kids under two years old will have free access to the water park.
Though Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine is not an all-inclusive system, the resort fee includes several amenities, including:
What does the package not include?
Great Wolf Lodge boasts an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park, ideally kept at an 84-degree temperature year-round. Accessible from 9am to 8pm daily, the water slides are the hotel’s crown jewel.
Here is a breakdown so you can know what you’re up for:
With eight on-site restaurants, you won’t run out of dining options during your stay. The experience ranges from buffets and casual dining to poolside snack bars and grab-and-go cafes.
Here is a run-down of the restaurants at Great Wolf Lodge and what they offer:
The Standard Suites are the most affordable and accommodate 4 to 6 people. These rooms have balconies and bathtubs.
The Premium Suites accommodate up to 8 persons and have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and balconies.
Personally, I would vouch for their Themed Suites – the experience makes every penny worth it! These rooms facilitate 6 to 7 people and are equipped with private whirlpools and log, cave, or tent-themed sleeping areas.
If you get bored of the water activities, although the chances are slim, you can explore the other fun activities the resort offers. Some of my favourites included:
Though all these activities are available a la carte, I suggest you get a pass to avail the fun at a discounted price. There are three levels of passes:
Insider Tip: You can split activities between multiple people, so if your kids don’t like an activity, you can enjoy it instead.
The hotel is conveniently located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas. A 30-minute drive will get you to Downtown Dallas, where you can access a world of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Dallas FortWorth International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the resort.
| Characteristics | Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine | Gaylord Texan Resort and Spa | Hampton Inn and Suites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone | Texas | Texas | Texas |
| Stars | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Worth. Google | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Price | Medium | High | Medium |
| Ideal age group | Ideal for all ages | Families with teenagers | Families with children 3-13 years old |
| Swimming pools | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Spa | no | yes | no |
| Quality price | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Water Park | on-site water park | on-site water park | not very close to water park but boasts a pool area |
If you ask me, Great Wolf Lodge is an excellent place to spend a weekend in Texas. The place boasts everything, from indoors fun to water activities, and a range of dining options.
Everything you could possibly need would be under one roof, so you won’t have to step outside the premises throughout the duration of your stay.
You’ll get to spend quality family time and indulge in enticing activities curated for all age groups.
Great Wolf Lodge is excellent in many respects, but the place doesn’t have that many adults-only recreational options. Some might even argue that the activities may be too overwhelming for kids.
So, as promised, here is a run-down of the top 3 alternatives to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine:
Featuring a huge outdoor pool area, lazy river, walk-in beach, and poolside bar, Gaylord Texan Resort and Spa is everything you wish for and more. Their copper and tan rustic-themed rooms are equipped with hot tubs.
You will have ample entertainment at the Glass Cactus Nightclub and six restaurants. And when you’re done, you can head towards their top-notch European-style spa for a rejuvenating massage.
Located within a 10-minute drive from Grapevine Mills Mall, Courtyard by Marriott is an excellent hotel for families who want a balanced holiday, with ample opportunities for entertainment and relaxation
The hotel offers airport shuttle service and access to an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and bar. However, the dining options here are limited to one on-site restaurant, which only has American cuisine on its menu.
If you’re planning to bring pets along on your holiday, Holiday Inn and Suites is the best option.
Mornings at Hampton Inn and Suites start with a hearty continental breakfast. You can access the indoor pool afterwards or head towards their fitness centre. The fireplace in the lobby creates a cosy ambience, nice enough to spend a relaxing evening.
Although there is no parking available, you can get a shuttle to and from the airport.
If you want to enjoy the amenities without staying the night, you can get your hands on Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine's Day Pass. Their full or half-day passes allow crowds to enjoy the pools and water slides. Oh, and children aged two and under are allowed free access to the water park.
Though parking is not included in the room charge, you can secure a parking spot for a surcharge. The premium parking at Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine costs $22 per vehicle per night.
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine is between Dallas and Fort Worth, offering convenient access to tourist spots and recreational activities. Some of our top recommendations include:
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine does not allow pets inside the premises. Service animals, however, are permitted inside the resort but not in the water park.
