At 78,000 square feet, Great Wolf Lodge is one of America's largest indoor water parks. This family attraction, located in Mason, Ohio, features 12 water slides, six pools, a four-story tree-house water fort, water coaster and lazy river. Inside, it's always a balmy 84 degrees, and the 380,000 gallons of water swirl year-round. The Northwoods theme lodge, billed by management as ''rustically elegant,'' includes two restaurants, an arcade, spa and 400 guest suites. The facility opened in 2006.
The Triple Twist, the first ride of its kind worldwide, opened at Great Wolf Lodge in March 2010. Riders plunge five stories into a gigantic funnel, descending into twists, turns and two additional funnels. At night, LED lights illuminate the ride, adding a visual element to the adrenaline rush. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall.
Only hotel guests are permitted to use the water park at Great Wolf Lodge. Rooms begin at $189.99 and sleep four to eight people. Themed rooms are available, such as the Wolf Den Suite, which houses bunk beds inside a cave area. The Kids Cabin Suite replicates a Northwoods log cabin with bunk beds and daybed. Check-in begins at 4 p.m., but guests may arrive at the water park at 1 p.m. after obtaining a special bracelet at the desk.
Outside, guests may access a 122,000-gallon heated pool with zero-depth entry, water effects and a patio area with ample seating. The outdoor portion of the lodge is open only if weather permits. The lodge is adjacent to the separately owned Kings Island Amusement Park, which offers another full day of entertainment.
After a day of water rides, guests can take in a musical in the Grand Lobby. The 10-minute Great Clock Tower Show stars characters who sing about nature. Show times are 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Also in the Grand Lobby, a nightly story time begins at 8:15 p.m. for the pajama set. Crafts and activities for kids also are offered.
Great Wolf Lodge made history on March 26 and 27, 2010. All 11 Great Wolf Lodge locations in the United States and Canada broke the Guinness Book world record for ''Longest Distance Watersliding in 24 Hours in Multiple Venues.'' The 47,000 participants slid 3,651 miles, breaking the previous record of 843 miles, set in Germany in 2007. In Mason, sliders chalked up 92 miles. Proceeds were donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Great Wolf Resorts have 12 locations in the United States and Canada. The first opened in 1997 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Others are located in Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Michigan; Kansas City, Kansas; Sheboygan, Wisconsin (now called Blue Harbor Resort); Williamsburg, Virginia; Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; Niagara Falls, Ontario; Mason, Ohio; Grapevine, Texas; Grand Mound, Washington; and Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina.
