This post was created in partnership with Great Wolf Lodge but all opinions are my own!

My family and I are becoming Great Wolf Lodge veterans!  Over the past five months, we’ve made three trips to the Williamsburg location. And over the course of our trips, which of course I’ve documented heavily on Instagram ?, I’ve received a ton of questions from y’all about what to expect, what to pack, and even when the best time to plan a trip is! I’m so glad that y’all are as pumped about Great Wolf Lodge as I am! So, to get y’all ready for your first (or tenth!) visit, I’m answering your Great Wolf Lodge frequently asked questions!

Great Wolf Lodge FAQ’s

I listed all of the questions I’ve received from you most often over our trips! But I also did a quick call for questions on Instagram Stories as well! If you don’t see your question answered here, it’s probably because I already included it in my Top Great Wolf Lodge Tips post! Be sure to check that out for even more valuable information!

Is the waterpark admission included in the price?

Yes! With your booked room, you get admission into the waterpark and all the kids daily activities. There is something happening nearly every hour! There are craft times, the Great Clock Tower Show, character appearances, morning yoga and adventure walks, pajama parties, and story time with one of the characters! Layla and I agreed that story time and character breakfasts are a can’t-miss!

Is there something for my toddler to do? My teenager?

I 100% believe there is something to do for kids of every age (and adults too!)! For toddlers and younger children there is a “Cub Paw Pool” complete with mini kiddie water slides. There is also a wave pool that’s zero depth, meaning kids can play in the most shallow areas! (It also howls before the waves come in case smaller kids want to get out of the water!) And the lazy river is always a hit too!

Slightly older kids will enjoy the waterpark’s  giant tree fort, the “Big Foot Pass” lily pad obstacle-type course, the pool with basketball and floats, and the bigger water slides!

Teenagers (and adults!) will love the more daring water slides. My husband and I kept going on the Howling Tornado, which spins you around inside a six story funnel! (I’ll be honest: I screamed every time! ?)  There is also the arcade and Magiquest that will appeal to older kids. And yes, there are even a few bars for the adults.

How did your baby do over the trip?

Eliana has been with us for all three trips at four months, at seven months, and at eight months. Besides letting it be known that she hates being splashed, she did wonderfully every time! When she was smaller, she didn’t have a set schedule and would just nap in my arms while I lounged by the wave pool. The running water was her own personal sound machine.

As an older baby, we did our best to stick to her nap and nighttime schedule. This meant Aaron and I were tag-teaming kids, but everyone was happy! We also brought our own 4moms breeze for sleep, but you can request a pack and play from Great Wolf Lodge!

How long do you typically stay?

Every trip we’ve made, we’ve stayed two nights. For Layla, we could probably stay three, but with Ellie two is about the limit for us for now!

What if my child doesn’t end up liking the water?

There is so much more than just the waterpark! In fact, we only spend a few hours in the water a day. (I recommend splitting it up into two waterpark visits per day for shorter time periods!) The rest of the time we spend doing the activities, playing games at the arcade, and resting in the room.

There is also Ten Paw Alley, which is a mini kid’s bowling alley. The Howler’s Peak ropes course is great for bigger kids. And I’m still bummed we haven’t made time for the Howl in One mini golf! Also– Magiquest, y’all.

If you’ve never heard of Magiquest before, there is no way to leave Great Wolf Lodge without learning about it! It’s basically a magical-themed giant scavenger hunt throughout the halls. Layla just started showing interest in participating in the challenges on our last trip! But she also simply enjoyed using her Magiquest wand to see the creatures come to life, open treasure chests, and make pictures talk!

What about food? Should I plan on eating there?

We really enjoy the food at Great Wolf Lodge and have eaten all our meals on the property during our stays. Also you seriously cannot beat the convenience. After hours at the waterpark, we love not having to think about getting everyone dressed, in the car, and out to a restaurant. Our favorites are The Loose Moose Bar & Grille, which is a buffet-style restaurant, and Hungry As a Wolf. We always end up having pizza over our stay! It’s perfect to grab and eat in the waterpark as a rest from play! Also, mama 100% appreciates the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. ?

If you do plan on eating all your meals on the property, purchasing the dining plan is the way to go. I would also recommend bringing your own snacks. If your kids are anything like mine, they like to eat every two hours or so! Having applesauce pouches, some crackers, and fruit helped keep them full between meals!

Summer Camp-In food preview!

When is the best time to go?

Over our visits, I’ve got to experience Snowland, Spring-a-palooza, and most recently we previewed the Summer Camp-In! I have a feeling our next trip will probably be a birthday trip for Layla this August! There really isn’t a bad time to go!

You can see more photos from Snowland here. I loved the lights, snow, and visit from Santa! But Summer Camp-In is equally as fun! There are daily pool parties, a rubby Ducky 500 race (the rubby ducks “race” in the lazy river!), campfire activities (yes, s’mores included!), and BBQ dinners! Kids can also complete the Trailblazer Challenge by participating in activities over the stay for badges just like real summer camp!

Summer Camp-In themed suite!

What are your tips for saving money?

I definitely recommend signing up for Great Wolf Lodge‘s emails. They routinely send out deals to subscribers! You can also check out Groupon for promotions! Booking in advance is another way to save! There is currently an Early Saver promotion, which can save you up to 50% off your room if you book 60+ days in advance.

Do you have to stay on property to use the waterpark?

In most cases, yes! There are a limited amount of day passes available for purchase, and there also also exceptions for birthday parties and other special events. By mostly limiting park access to guests, it ensures that the park never gets overly crowded!

And don’t forget to check out my Top Great Wolf Lodge Tips post for packing advice and more!

Thank you to Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg for hosting my family for the Summer Camp-In Preview Weekend!