3decades3kids
Great Wolf Lodge
Poconos
Snowland
Snowland
Years ago when I was a child, every Christmas season was spent in the magic of anticipation of the big day. The magic surrounded me and no matter where I was there was something to mesmerize me. Twinkling lights, festive Christmas trees, music, Santa, it was all part of the magic of growing up with Christmas.
Having three children has allowed me to see Christmas through their eyes over and over. With my oldest son being 20 and my youngest daughter being 5 we are still in Santa mode big time around here.
Recently, I have the pleasure of being mesmerized all over again, and this time, it was through my own eyes. My family and I were invited as guests to Great Wolf Lodge Poconos this past weekend. You won’t believe you are just about and hour and half from NYC in the heart of the Poconos. From our arrival at the lodge it was like being transported into a winter wonderland the lodge calls Snowland. Entering the grand lobby made me just stand in amazement and gaze all around me. Thousands of sparkling lights, a Christmas tree that went from floor to ceiling, the cozy warm fireplace surrounded me. I also immediately fell in love with the life size gingerbread house that each Great Wolf Lodge is showcasing in their lobby during Snowland. The gingerbread house was actually baked at the lodge and assembled by hand. It was a tempting work of art and dazzled with fruit slices, colored gumdrops, gingerbread men and much more. I don’t think I will ever forget it.
I could have stayed in the lobby forever(literally), but soon it was time to head to our room. This time we ventured into a room we’ve never tried before called the Wolf Den. The Wolf Den features a full size mini room within the regular room. The children had their own bunk beds and even their own television. The artwork in the Wolf Den surrounded the beds with wolves of many sizes and adorable wolf pups.
It wasn’t long after we settled in that we got our bathing suits and headed to the water park! Choices had to be made between hitting the wave pool, the Double Barrel Drop, Hydro Plunge, and Slap Tail Pond. Needless to say everyone had a blast or should I say, a splashing time!
After having our water park fun, it was time for more fun!
We check out the new
Main Street(Click here to find out all about Main Street in my special post all about Main Street!).
The kids picked out some new wand toppers, got their wands activated and headed into the hallways to play MagiQuest!
MagiQuest is a game located throughout the Great Wolf Lodge. The children use wands to activate special game pieces that are located throughout the different levels of the lodge, concluding with fighting against a life size on screen dragon! If you plan on playing please set aside about 3-4 hours! It’s well worth it and can be done over the extent of your stay. We peeked in at the new Ten Paw Alley and played the next day. Only one word could describe it- FUN- and for all ages!
We also checked out Story Explorers and interactive story adventure, with Emily, while the boys headed to Gr8 Space!
We all met back up in the lobby for Story Time at the Clock Tower in the Main Lobby. We were all treated to an extended story time including Christmas sing along tunes and my favorite part, SNOW in the lobby! The faces of the children and adults alike gleamed in happiness! What a precious moment!
Now, as if this was not wonderful enough, we also had the chance to visit with Santa right in the lobby. My daughter had her little list ready to go and was thrilled to see that Santa had stopped at GWL to check how all the boys and girls were doing. We were read a good night story by Rowdy the Reindeer and her friend fireside. What a way to hear the night story.
I guess I don’t have to say how easy bedtime went back in the room. Everyone decided on their favorite sleep spot and settled in for a cozy night of sleep. It was not easy to leave the next day to say the least. I am already trying to convince hubby that we need to go back very very soon!
For more information on Great Wolf Lodge please check out
Disclosure: Special thanks to Great Wolf Lodge for providing us with a special room and activities. Special thanks to
Michael De Julia (Director of Rooms Division) for his outstanding attention to detail. It was very appreciated.
All opinions are that of 3decades3kids/Diane Sullivan.
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