Looking for a great staycation option in Texas for the family? Can't afford a Disneyworld budget? Don't have vacation time but need a weekend getaway with the kids? Look no further than Great Wolf Lodge! Just a 4.5 drive from Pearland, this family resort includes all the amenities to make your stay both fun AND relaxing. I have a close friend that lives just 45 minutes outside of Grapevine, the home of Great Wolf Lodge, so this was a great excuse to spend time with her and have some fun away from home. Upon check in on Friday night, we received wolf ears for every guest in our room the Pup Pass for our 5 year old daughter, that included some great perks for her. A Dance Party was in full swing in the lobby at 10 pm so after walking around and familiarizing ourselves with the hotel layout, our daughter and her wolf ears enjoyed some music and dance moves. Due a minor mistake at check in, we enjoyed a complimentary breakfast buffet on Saturday morning for all 3 adults and 2 kids. The buffet included full breakfast options including stations for omelettes, breakfast burritos, waffles, eggs, bacon, fruit and paw print waffles - the perfect size for little ones.
After breakfast, we took the Pup Pass to get a wand and purchase a wand topper (a separate $17 charge) then started the quest with the wand - an electronic game that lit up gems, opened treasure chests with the flick of the wand! At the end of the quest, there was a battle with a dragon on a large screen. Other pass perks included a Great Wolf Kids character (similar to a Build-a-Bear setup), a 3D photo (with a dragon superimposed in the backdrop as a keepsake), a pair of swim goggles, a glitter tattoo, and souvenir bracelet with name included. Other small souvenirs we purchased included a kids shirt and a character shirt at the craft area, and a robe for the keepsake stuffed animal. There is also a water park onsite at the resort and you can enjoy that amenity as early as 1 pm on the day you check in, even though you can't access your room until 4 pm. The water park includes both an indoor and outdoor portion. For our 5 year old, there is a playground section, two water slides, the wave pool, the lazy river, the kids section with small slides and water spraying areas and hot tub that she could use - all plenty of fun and contained in an indoor section. There are 3 dining options on 3 different levels, a Starbucks inside the gift shop, a treat shop, a Scoops spa (for kids) and an Elements Day Spa for adults. There are also a full schedule of activities including Character Meet n' Greets, drawing time, Bingo, Storytime, and a Clock Tower Shower complete with music and animated figures.
During our stay, we never left the resort and also had a microwave, fridge, and separate living room area with a partition in our room, plus a view of the outside water park area. There is plenty to see and do, and I had as much fun as the kids! It's worth the drive and the price, and memories as a family we will never forget.
