the great wolf lodge 2013.

Last December we took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte for a night and it was such a big hit that we did it again last week (has a whole year really passed?). If you aren’t familiar with this place, it’s a hotel that’s completely in character in a wolf/forest theme, with a water park inside.

The whole place is completely over-the-top (there are multiple restaurants, an arcade, a spa, bowling alley, etc.) But it is truly a child’s dream. Our kids have been counting down the days for a couple months now and David confessed to a friend that the Wolf Lodge might overshadow Christmas in their affections.

We spend all our time at the water park and there’s plenty to keep us busy. There are various pools, water slides, and a huge 1,000 gallon water bucket. This year Amie met the height requirement for all slides but one, and Judah could ride all of them. We had a great time last year, but this year was so much more fun with the kids a year older. David and I couldn’t believe how brave they were on the slides: I was too scared for the “Howling Tornado” which has a vertical drop, but Judah loved it and rode it 8 times with his dad.

At night everyone gathers in the hotel lobby in pj’s and there’s a character show and story time and Santa makes an appearance (that is a legit gingerbread house next to Santa made with real gingerbread and candy).

After that we get Dunkin’ Donuts (there’s one in the hotel) and decaf coffee and then the kids run around the lobby for awhile on their sugar high while David and I sit by the fireplace.

We’re learning hints to save money which include bringing our own breakfast, eating all our other meals out (it’s located at Concord Mills, Charlotte, so there are tons of eating options), and going to play free arcades at the Bass Pro Shop across the street (yeah we’re classy like that).

All in all, it’s a Christmas extravaganza. It’s so fun to see the delight on the kids’ faces the entire time, to try to keep up with them in the water park, and to hear them recount the adventure to friends after our trip.

I think it’s become a tradition!