When I first learned a Great Wolf Lodge was coming to Lagrange, a rural town about an hour from Atlanta, I was initially underwhelmed. As one who needs mega overdoses of sunshine and foliage, I figured this would be just a cheesy (think Chuck E.) version of another steamy, packed indoor-water park. I finally agreed to go when one of my most beloved young relatives was celebrating a 7th birthday. Let’s just say that I had such a howling good time that I’ve returned twice in the months since.
oh my hEART, this IS A LITTLE LIKE Disney’s wilderness lodge
While the exterior reminded me of a 2005 model casino on the Mississippi Delta, I was nearly brought to tears when I entered the lobby. Now it has nowhere near the scale of the detail and authenticity of Wilderness Lodge. But the comforting, Old Faithful feel was overwhelmingly familiar, and obviously inspired. Of particular note is the focal point – a stone fireplace (lit even in the summer) punctuated with oversized rocking chairs.
Room discounts are abundant and significant
Once I got on the email list, I have yet to pay more than half of the rack rate, and note that each room includes four water park passes for the length of stay. In the first instance, I spent $138 on a deluxe queen suite (2 beds and 1 sleeper couch). For ten dollar more (sometimes it’s more), I upgraded to a patio room. At the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, there are only 20 or so of these rooms, and they are by far worth it. Located on the ground floor level, it’s only a jaunt across a green lawn to the outdoor pool, the waterpark, and the outdoor bar. One way to get a discount is to book well in advance. But I’ve found that prices often go further down closer to the date, particularly outside of the busy summer and holiday times.
In addition to the deluxe king and queens, there are themed rooms (with bunks) as well as larger suites, sleeping up to 12. Most of the time, however, the price of two or even three rooms is less than the largest family suites.
easy-peezy birthday party for under $200
Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of birthday packages where you can reserve a room (these look a bit 1990s) and have pizza, cake, balloons, and other goodies provided. These appear to be quite popular, but not in line with my frugal habits. Here are ways to save a bundle off of this:
- Order pizza from the outside and have it delivered. For the kids party (8 children), we simply spread this across the generous counterspace in one of our rooms (the patio room was ideal). Once we devoured my homemade coca-cola cake, the kids headed over the lawn to the water park.
- For an adult party in November, we did a repeat, but this time the crowd was larger so we staked out a couple of indoor picnic tables just outside water park. With the patio room just across the lawn, we used our room as a base for grown-up beverages. We did do our part in being good patrons by purchasing a drink or two at the bar inside the water park as well as the stylish bar off the lobby.
A bar sits in the middle of the waterpark welcoming thirsty moms and dads.
there’s way more to do than the waterpark
During my visits, our groups have been made up of family and friends from age three to 56. While every single one of us spent some time in the lazy river, the long, wild slides (they are fast), or the wave pool, there were other things to do that those over 12 likely preferred. But this is where the extra money comes in. My teens were particularly drawn to the mini-bowling alley and climbing walls. A camping theme indoor putt-putt course left me completely enamored – and nearly made me feels as though I was indeed outside. In the summer months, I much preferred the outdoor pool.
We can purchase these extra activities a la carte, or as part of an add-on package. A la carte prices can add up pretty quickly. As of January 2020, these prices were listed for Georgia’s resort:
- Putt-putt ($8.99 for first game; $5 for second)
- Mini-bowling alley ($7 per game)
- Ropes course ($14.99)
- 21-foot climbing wall ($7.99 per game)
- Magic Quest game ($13.99) + one-time purchase of wand (starts at $17.99)
Now, for $59.99 (for length of stay), the optional Wolf Pass includes all of the above, plus Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and an arcade card. With our teen playing three rounds of bowling and doing the ropes course, we came out better without the Wolf Pass. However, I would consider it if I were staying three nights (instead of two), and if my kids were a little younger (perhaps ages 7 – 12).
storytime and snowflakes
If you have little children, you can count on plentiful times of sheer awe and innocent delight. It “snows” several times a day in the lobby, and children also gather for movie time (Great Wolf Lodge-themed cartoons). A night story time follows a Jammie Jamboree where pajama-clad youngsters dance off most of their remaining energy with GWL characters.
the green grass grows all around and around
Notice that many Great Wolf Lodges are located outside of large cities. In LaGrange, this means that the resort truly has an isolated feel, with not a lot to do nearby outside of the resort itself. But in this particular location, Callaway Gardens (one of my favorite places) is only about 25 minutes away. If your family is staying more than two nights, it’s probably worthwhile to research other activities in the vicinity.
Each lodge has its own large gift stores, with themed gifts and practical items. There are also several restaurant choices. In LaGrange, the Barnwood is the signature restaurant, and it does its pimiento cheese just right. Other options include a breakfast buffet, Dunkin Donuts, a pizza restaurant, Ben & Jerry’s and an old bus-themed “food truck.” If you do make it to the LaGrange/Atlanta one, be sure to take the 5-minute trip over to Charlie Joseph’s in downtown LaGrange. There’s probably not a better hot dog in America, and the establishment has changed little since it opened in 1920.
disney world hangover relief?
We all know that feeling when our vacation is over. When our kids were younger, we always made a short stop (usually the beach) for a couple of days at the end of our Disney World vacation. For those headed north, the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange is not a bad idea for a one or two-night stopover. If you are headed north on I-75 towards Atlanta, it will be about a 70-minute detour if you get off at the Griffin exit. When you leave, you’ll head north on I-85 and be back on I-75 in Atlanta in about an hour.
We have one here in Kansas City. It isn’t a nice looking at yours. I think ours doesn’t have quite the amenities. The kids like it, but I’m not as big of a fan. I guess I’m just a big stick in the mud.