Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth It for Families? (2025 Guide)

Yes, Great Wolf Lodge is absolutely worth it for families with children of all ages, especially if you love a getaway that blends fun, convenience, and all-season play. We’ve not only gone with a variety of kids ages (from about six months all the way up to almost 13), but we’ve also brought along our extended family with other adults. I can say with confidence: it’s one of those rare places that really works for everyone.

I’ve had many friends ask me, “Is the Great Wolf Lodge worth it if my kids are ____ age” (insert any age from baby up through teenager). And my answer is always, “Yes! It is with the right expectations because the resort offers a different experience for every age group of children.” 

When the Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs first opened, I was SO excited. I’d heard such great things about this indoor water resort, and I couldn’t wait to take my kids. At the time, they were four and one. 

It was magical and fun and the perfect getaway for our little family – and since then, we’ve gone back several times. As you’d expect, our family has grown in size and ages during that time, but each time has been just as fun as the last time. 

Great Wolf Lodge offers a different experience for every member of the family and because of this, it’s essential to manage expectations. As a parent, I think your expectations and your attitude go a long way. But I can honestly say that my family has always had a great time, and I think yours can, too. 

What Makes Great Wolf Lodge Special?

One of the biggest reasons we keep going back is the value of the trip. We always book during a sale because it makes it more affordable. Since we only live an hour away, we can save big on airfare or long-distance gas costs. 

It’s not just a hotel, either – it’s a resort and water park! Unlike a traditional water park, staying at Great Wolf Lodge means:

1. Unlimited access to the indoor water park – as early as it opens on check-in day until closing on check-out day. To get the most value from your Great Wolf Lodge stay, arrive early and depart late enjoying full days of the water park.
   
2. No weather worries, sunscreen battles, or packing up wet towels for a second day.
   
3. Tons of built-in activities beyond the water, like story time, dance parties, yoga, MagiQuest, mini golf, and more.
   
4. Cozy, comfortable rooms big enough for families (which seems to be rare with most hotels these days!). We always love the rooms with bunk beds!

For the price of a single-day visit to many outdoor parks, you can enjoy two full days of fun and a relaxing stay. It makes the trip feel less stressful and high-stakes to fit everything into a few-hour timeline, because you know you can spend more than just a few hours there. 

Age-by-Age Highlights at Great Wolf Lodge

How to Maximize Toddlers and Preschoolers’ Value at Great Wolf Lodge

Bringing a little one? Great Wolf Lodge is incredibly toddler-friendly. These are the best attractions for babies and toddlers at Great Wolf Lodge:

• Splash areas and fountains designed just for little ones.
• Smaller slides they can ride on over and over again (which they do).
• Storytime in the lobby with characters – along with other fun, free activities (depending on time of year)
• Life jackets are available.

I especially appreciated how clean and warm the toddler areas were. My kids never like cold water when they are little (I mean, who does), so I appreciate the temperature-controlled nature of Great Wolf Lodge. 

School-Age Kids Fun at Great Wolf Lodge

Once your kids hit the 5–10 age range, I feel like you hit the sweet spot for the Great Wolf Lodge. There are so many options—whether your child is a thrill chaser or a little more cautious. 

• Race down the thrill slides and splash in the wave pool.
• Play on the water play structure with larger slides that aren’t quite as scary as the larger slides, but more exciting than the toddler section 
• Play water basketball for hours
• Jump across the aqua obstacle course
• Conquer the ropes course, the climbing wall tag, and the MagiQuest adventure.
• End the day at the dance party (and stay up later than usual).

At this age, they can explore more independently, and that means parents can relax a bit more, too.

How Moms, Dads, and Grown-Ups Enjoy Great Wolf Lodge

Let’s be real – a family getaway is only as good as how stress-free it feels. For parents, the value is huge:

• No need to plan multiple outings or haul everyone around.
• The water park is included – no extra costs need to be factored in
• Food and drinks on-site are actually pretty tasty
• There are comfy spots to sit and relax while the kids play.

We’ve found that traveling midweek or off-season makes it even more affordable and less crowded, which is a huge win.

Are Indoor Water Parks Clean and Safe for Kids?

This is one of the most common questions I get – and it was a top concern for me, too. I’ve consistently found GWL to be very clean. The lifeguards are well-trained and stationed at every pool. They even have a high-tech water-safety system to further assist lifeguards in monitoring the water.

The toddler areas are warm and spotless, and the restrooms and walkways are cleaned frequently. They’ve also got a nut-free kitchen and allergy protocols. While my family doesn’t have allergies, I know it’s0 a reality for many and knowing that it’s a top priority for GWL can help you feel safer when going with your family. 

I’ve always felt safe bringing my little ones here – even when they were just toddlers learning to walk.

What’s the Best Age for Kids to Go to Great Wolf Lodge?

Honestly, there’s no wrong age to take your family to Great Wolf Lodge. But here’s my personal age-by-age list of Great Wolf Lodge activities: 

• Toddlers (1–3): Perfect for splashing, exploring, and short water-play sessions.
• Preschoolers (4–5): Big enough for more slides, still easy to please with the lobby fun.
• School Age (6–10): Peak magic! They can do almost everything, and the excitement level is unmatched.
• Tweens & Teens (11+): Still a blast – they love the slides, ropes course, arcade, and other fun experiences.

If I had to pick the sweet spot, I’d say ages 5–10 are ideal.

Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth the Money?

In my experience, yes, Great Wolf Lodge is worth the money, especially when you plan smart. Here’s how you add up the value of a Great Wolf Lodge vacation:

• A one-night stay equals two full days of water park fun.
• Packages like the Wolf Pass save money on extras like MagiQuest, mini golf, ropes course, and sweet treats.
  • We really loved getting the Adventure Pass at the Colorado Springs location last time. It gave us unlimited access to mini golf, mini bowling, the ropes course, and the climbing wall, from which we definitely got our money’s worth. Availability of these passes can vary from location to location, but when we went, they were only available at check-in.
• Midweek or off-season trips are often significantly cheaper.
• You don’t need to splurge on extras to have a great time – the included activities are plenty to enjoy.

I’ve gone with babies, school kids, teens, and adults, and we always leave feeling like it was money well spent. Our kids often ask us, “When are we going to go back?!”

FAQs – Quick Answers

Is Great Wolf Lodge worth the money for a weekend trip?

Yes! You get two full days of fun with one night’s stay, and you’ll get even more value for two nights. I honestly think a weekend trip is the perfect amount of time to spend at The Great Wolf Lodge. 

Is Great Wolf Lodge worth the price with kids under 10?

This is about the range that I think have the most fun at the GWL – they often are a little more adventurous and willing to (and tall enough) to try the more thrilling rides, but they are young enough to appreciate just swimming around, playing some mini golf, and enjoy some of the free events hosted around the resort. 

Is Great Wolf Lodge worth it for toddlers and preschoolers?

Yes. Toddler splash areas, warm pools, and gentle activities make it great for this age. When my kids were this age, they would spend all day on the smaller slides if we let them!

Is Great Wolf Lodge worth it for teens and older kids?

Teens are always a little hit-or-miss. While I’m sure there are some teens who would find it “totally lame”, I think they can really enjoy it. They may have more fun if they have a friend, sibling, or parent willing to go on the thrilling rides with them. Most of the events in the resort are going to be a little out of their age range, but if you have a kid like my teenager, they can make the most of it! 

Is Great Wolf Lodge worth the money during off-season or weekdays?

100%! This is my favorite time to go for lower rates and smaller crowds. We honestly would never consider going not during this time. 

Is Great Wolf Lodge safe for toddlers?

Yes. With trained lifeguards, plenty of free life jackets, and a clean swimming pool, I’ve always felt comfortable bringing my littles. Obviously, you need to watch your kids – the lifeguards aren’t babysitters! But 

So, Is It Worth It?

Every time we visit Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs, I’m reminded why we keep coming back. It’s family-friendly, easy to plan, fun for all ages, and honestly – it gives us memories that last. I love how close it is to home and how we are almost always able to take advantage of a deal. 

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth it… my answer is a very enthusiastic YES.

Pro Tips for Your Visit:

• Go midweek or off-season for the best deals – check online regularly for deals. The best deals and packages are usually posted right on the GWL website.
• Pack water shoes! This makes me feel a little more secure and safe, as well as my kids. Keep in mind that they generally aren’t allowed on
• Don’t skip the nighttime dance party with younger kids – it’s always a hit.
• Consider the Adventure Pass for your family, or another pass, especially if you are staying for more than one night.