Although it's just off the interstate and next door to a Wal-Mart, the property is set back from the road and maintains its deep-woods ambiance. The log-cabin exterior subtly sets the tone, but there's no subtlety in the lobby. With its animated clock tower, wolves perched atop a mammoth fireplace, and children milling about, there's no mistaking the Great Wolf's focus on family fun. The fact that most of the kids are in bathing suits--no matter the season--gives away its unique brand of fun.
The resort is ideally suited for families with pre-teens. While some indoor water parks include funnel rides, surfing simulators, water coasters, and other attractions with thrill elements that might appeal to older kids, the rides at the Great Wolf Williamsburg are more on the tame side (although there are some lively tube slides and a family raft ride). Younger kids, however, will find a veritable children's paradise, and the whole family will enjoy the spacious suites, top-notch accommodations, and abundant amenities. Teens and other thrill-seekers can get their adrenaline fix on the wonderful roller coasters at Busch Gardens (during its operating season), which is only minutes away.
Slides, tides, and rides
The water park is the main draw, and the Great Wolf Williamsburg offers a generous 55,000-square-foot year-round facility it calls Bear Track Landing. Water park admission is included in the room rates. A pioneer and the largest operator of facilities in the booming indoor water park industry, the original Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells serves as a template for the resort chain. (The company's other hotel/water parks are in Ohio, Kansas, and elsewhere.) Like the other parks, the signature attraction at Bear Track Landing is Fort Mackenzie, a four-story interactive water play center with bridges, net crawls, and a bunch of sprayers, fountains, and other gizmos to get everyone soaked. With a constant 84-degree temperature, even in the winter, getting soaked is a good thing. If the gizmos don't quite do the trick, a huge tipping bucket unleashes a torrent of water every few minutes.Fort Mackenzie also offers a couple of body slides. In the rear of the park, larger slides beckon. Riders can grab single or double inner tubes to challenge the two peppy Alberta Falls slides. (The blue slide is especially peppy.) Or up to four can hop into a circular raft for River Canyon Run. As with most indoor water parks, the covered slides extend outside the building. Because they are enclosed, the slides stay toasty warm, even if the outdoor temperature dips below freezing. The Alberta Falls slides empty into the park's lazy river. While it's not particularly long (it is indoors after all), the river does include a few gotchas, including mini tipping buckets that empty onto riders.
Another highlight of the park is its wave pool. It's a fairly decent size for an indoor water park, and offers some good, rolling waves. Other features include an activity pool with water basketball and a pool and play area for young children. Tucked away in a more-or-less remote corner, Bear Track Landing offers two hot tub whirlpools, one for families, and one exclusively for adults (all together now: "ahhhhhhh"). For an extra fee, guests can give the park's rock wall a try. Unlike the rock walls found at theme parks, this one includes jets of water to trip up climbers. In the warmer months, the resort also offers an outdoor pool.
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Next page: Towel off. There's other stuff to do. And: How are the accommodations?
For phone, address, directions, and other quick facts, go to the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg Overview.
