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In 2014, the popular Great Wolf Lodge chain brought its brand of indoor water park fun to New England. Previously, the property had been part of the Coco Key Water Resort chain (and before that it was an indescribable standard hotel). Great Wolf Lodge expanded the size of the indoor water park and the number of hotel rooms, as well as adding other amenities and remodeling the property overall.
The charming resort now sports a whimsical Northwoods theme and offers a variety of activities. It is the largest indoor water park in New England. It could be a great mini vacation getaway for families with children up to ten years old.
Description of the water park
Regardless of the season or weather (and the region is known for its often harsh and long winters), the Boston-area resort offers a heated way to jump into the water and have fun. The main water park, which is included in the hotel room rates, offers a variety of slides and attractions on all thrilling levels.
For the daredevils, Great Wolf Lodge New England has two main attractions. The Howlin ‘Tornado is a funnel ride. Passengers board four-passenger cloverleaf tubes, knock down a closed tube, and soar up and down the sides of a massive funnel. You can read up on the similar high anxiety funnel to get a feel for the concept. For Wolf Tail, intrepid riders climb into a launch pod and nervously wait for the hatch to open and release them onto a speed slide that includes a 360-degree loop.
More moderate thrills await at River Canyon Run, a family raft ride in a dark, enclosed tube. Alberta Falls offers two enclosed slides that rides can navigate in one or two passenger tubes. The park’s Otter Run is a body slide, no tube is needed on this ride.
The excitement is muted in a number of Great Wolf rides. Slap Tail Pond is the park’s wave pool, where the waves are quite gentle. The lazy river, Crooked Creek, allows cyclists to gently circumnavigate the park on an endless loop. At Chinook Cove, activities include water basketball. Guests can relax (metaphorically speaking) in the park’s North Hot Springs hot tub.
For younger visitors, Great Wolf offers Fort Mackenzie, a multi-level interactive water play center with sprinklers, small slides, and a huge tip bucket. Whooping Hollow and Cub Paw Pool are specifically designed for the little ones who go to the park with slides and small-sized activities. When the weather cooperates, there are some outdoor water activities geared towards young people at Tadpole Pond.
Indoor Water Park Picture Square
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Other things to do
The water park may be the main attraction, but Great Wolf Lodge has additional attractions. MagiQuest is an interactive gaming experience. Armed with a sensitive magic wand, participants engage with video stations located throughout the complex. Unlike the water park, which is included for all hotel guests, Magi Quest requires an additional fee.
Additional chargeable activities include Northern Lights Arcade, which offers redemption and other arcade games, Ten Paw Alley, which features bowling lanes for kids, Howl at the Moon indoor mini-golf, Lazer Frenzy laser maze, the Howly Wood (you must love these names!) XD Theater, a 4D ride, and Creation Station, a make your own stuffed animal experience. Scoops Kids Spa offers manicures and other services for young fashionistas.
Dry activities included with room rates include Yoga Tails classes for kids, a guided Wolf Walk through the resort’s Northwoods themed lobby, arts and crafts, face painting, group games, and late night storytelling. For adults, the complex offers a gym.
The hotel
Great Wolf Lodge New England offers more than 400 rooms, all configured as suites. Themed suites include whimsical touches, like a dedicated area for young children to look like a cabin. As with the rest of the resort, the rooms feature the chain’s signature deep, rustic look. Sizes range from standard family suites designed for four to premium Grizzly Wolf Den suites that sleep nine and include two bathrooms.
The complex includes a conference center and welcomes business meetings, events, weddings and other functions.
What is there to eat?
The main restaurant is Lodge Wood Fired Grill, which specializes in wood-fired meats, seafood (this is New England, after all), and barbecue ribs. Inside the water park, Buckets Incredible Craveables serves burgers, fries, and other lighter fare. There’s also Hungry as a Wolf, a pizzeria, Bear Paw Sweets & Eats, and a Dunkin ‘Donuts (like I said, this is New England).
Admission policy
The water park is open to registered hotel guests only and admission is included in the room price. Day passes are not available. The only exception is for birthdays and other parties. Packages are available for a minimum of 10 guests and include use of a party room, pizza, drinks, cakes, and water park passes.
Location
Fitchburg, Massachusetts (west of Boston, about 20 miles from Worcester). The address is 150 Royal Plaza Drive.
The complex is adjacent to US Route 2 at Exit 28. From points east: Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) west to I-495 north to US Route 2. To Exit 28. From Points West: Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) East to I-290 East to I-290 North to US Route 2 West to Exit 28.
Another water park in the Boston area is CoCo Key Water Resort Danvers. It is located about 20 kilometers north of the city (about 40 minutes by car).
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