Tips to Save you Time and Money at Great Wolf Lodge (Part 2)
We’re back from our trip to GWL-Niagara and we have some great new tips to help you enjoy your time at “The Lodge”.
From the Arcade to the Spa and from the Antler Shanty to Check-in, we asked the managers in each division to give us their best ‘secret-tips‘. So get ready to save even more time and money at Great Wolf Lodge!
Booking Tips
- We already covered different codes in Part 1 of this article. However, make sure you read the email confirmation they send you and check for any other offers. For example, with our ‘RETURNFEVER’ package, the confirmation email came with a link to a coupon which entitled us to a Free Kids Meal with the purchase of 2 adult entrees at the Antler Shanty. Thanks to the front desk at GWL who allowed me to print it off while at the Lodge!
Registration/Check-In Tips
- If you’re right handed, wear the wrist-band on your left hand to avoid awkward scraping when taking a shower, etc.
- When you enter, there’s a much shorter line reserved for return guests (located immediately to your right) but hardly anyone uses it!
- If you purchased a lower level room, you can ask for an upgrade and if a
higher level room is available, you may be able to upgrade for as little as $50.
Antler Shanty Tips
- For the breakfast buffet, ensure you’re there by 8:00am at the latest. Any later and you risk a long wait in line depending on the number of guests staying at the Lodge.
- For breakfast, if you’re a light eater but your kids are famished, you’re actually allowed to bring in a coffee and muffin you purchased from one of the other cafes on site (Canoe Coffee, Bear Claw Cafe) while your children eat at
the buffet! This can amount to some serious savings!
- For the dinner buffet, ensure you’re there by 6:00pm at the latest for the same reasons as above.
Bear Claw Cafe Tips
- The cheapest treat you can purchase is a brownie or a cookie at $1.99. This is cheap compared to some of the other things they offer.
- The Cafe actually has a combo available but it isn’t posted anywhere, it only pops up on the LCD screen by the cash register. It’s a combo where you can purchase a medium coffee and a muffin or bagel and butter for $4.99.
Arcade Tips
- If you decide to purchase a Paw-Pass, you can show it at the Arcade to immediately double your tickets at the prize redemption counter.
- According to the manager on duty, the two games that have the best odds of winning tickets for your tokens are ‘Red Hot’ and Hollywood Reels’!
Cub Club Tips
- There are many free crafts you can do with your child to take a break from the water-park from fruit-loop necklaces to painting, to little crafts, etc.
- There is actually in-room babysitting available for any aged child, just make sure you pre-book this service if you need it.
Elements Spa / Scoops Tips
- Mention ‘Lodge Life’ to receive 10% off any Scoops (Kids Spa) treatment. This code is hidden in one of the brochures and the manager at Elements said that barely anyone uses it.
- When booking a spa treatment, try to pre-book before you arrive (or do it on-line) and there may be free gifts or discounts available by booking ahead of time.
Check-Out Tips
- On the day you’re checking out, call early to request a late check-out (12:00pm vs. 11:00am) as they have a limited number of guests they can allow to do this. However, even though we missed this, the cleaning staff were very flexible in letting us stay to finish packing.
I’m sure there are a ton more tips that you’ve stumbled upon so please share them with everyone via the comments section below!
Happy trails fellow GWL travelers!
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We provide Busy Dads like you with the best tips in order to help you have more fun and be more successful as a father!
Certain times of year they offer $10 dollars in bonus bucks for each $50 you purchase towards gift cards. Gift cards can be used towards your deposit. Not nightly unfortunately. So I purchased $300 gift card put my deposit on it and was given $60 in bonus bucks to spend in the hotel.
Hey turns out you can use the gift cards for room rates. Im buying a $1250 gift card to pay for our room and getting $230 in bonus bucks. Im using them to buy breakfast for us for three days and 120 towards scoops spa
Thanks for the tips Brian. Have fun during your stay and let us know if it all worked out!
Is there a fee for requesting a late checkout? When I made my reservation it showed an option of getting a 1:00 checkout but I think it was an extra $60 for that feature. If I call the front desk the morning of, will I be charged?
To the best of my knowledge, depending on capacity at the Hotel the next day, they’ll allow you late checkout with no fee. Although you want to call as early as possible.
If you really need a late checkout, you can always try chatting with the front desk manager if you initially get rejected.
Have a great trip!