Great Wolf Lodge La Grange, GA Review: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Great Wolf Lodge LaGrange, GA Review: Worth the Trip?
We've now stayed at Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Georgia twice, and overall we've had a lot of fun. While there are definitely some frustrations, our kids still talk about the water park long after we get home.
The Good
The water slides are genuinely impressive, and there's a great variety for different ages.
Our 3-year-old's favorite area is the Cub Paw Kiddie Pool, which features three small slides, a pool and jet skis equipped with water cannons designed for younger kids. It's the perfect spot for toddlers and preschoolers.
Our 5-year-old loves just about everything in the water park, especially Fort Mackenzie and Rapid Racer. There are also several larger thrill slides for older kids and adults that we haven't tried yet, but they look like a lot of fun.
The outdoor pool area is another nice feature when it's open, giving families a little extra space to spread out and relax.
One thing that surprised us is how much our kids enjoy the arcade. Honestly, they may love it almost as much as the water park. There are also other activities available, including MagiQuest, rock climbing, and gem mining, although we haven't tried those yet.
They have plenty of free activities for kids throughout your stay. We always stop by the 8pm Bubble Dance Party, our 3 and 5-year-old love it.
If you can find a promotion or travel during the right time, room rates can be surprisingly affordable.
And as a parent, I have to mention the Dunkin' near the lobby. Every morning my 3-year-old and I grab a donut while my wife gets coffee and a breakfast sandwich. It's a convenient way to start the day.
The Bad
Both times we've visited, the resort has been very crowded. To be fair, both trips were during the middle of June, so crowds may be lighter during other times of the year.
On our most recent visit, the outdoor pool closed due to weather. That pushed everyone inside and made the indoor water park feel much more crowded.
Even when the outdoor pool is open, the better lounge chairs fill up quickly, which can be frustrating if you don't arrive early.
The food and drinks are expensive, and most of what we've tried has been average at best. The premade cocktails from the pool bar were particularly disappointing.
The Ugly
The check-in process has been our biggest complaint.
Both times we arrived around the official 4:00 PM check-in time and were told our room wasn't ready. On both visits, we didn't get access to our room until nearly 6:00 PM.
Another frustration has been the towel system. During our first visit, they tried to charge us for towels despite returning everything we checked out. The same thing happened to us at the Naples, Florida location, which left a bad impression.
To avoid any issues, we now bring our own towels and skip the towel checkout process entirely.
Tips for Your Stay
Skip the Pool Bar Margaritas
During our last visit, I ordered a regular margarita from the pool bar for about $15 and received what tasted like a premade mix.
For my second drink, I ordered a margarita from Barnwood, the resort's nicer sit-down restaurant. It was the same price but dramatically better. If you're planning to enjoy a cocktail, head there instead.
Bring Your Own Towels
We've started bringing a bag of towels from home and leaving them on our chairs. It's one less thing to worry about, and we've never had an issue.
Bring Your Own Food
On our first trip, we spent around $50 on pizza, chicken tenders, and fries that were pretty forgettable.
Now we stop at Publix on the way and stock up on snacks, drinks, popcorn chicken, subs, etc. The rooms include a small refrigerator that holds more than you'd expect, and there's a microwave near the ice machine if needed.
Watch for Deals
Room prices can vary significantly depending on dates and promotions.
On our most recent trip, we paid just $165 for a Wolf Den Suite, which included water park access. The suite was one of the highlights of the stay. It features a separate kid-themed sleeping area with bunk beds and its own TV, plus a queen bed, sleeper sofa, and TV in the main room.
Would We Stay Again?
Probably not.
While we've had fun both times, we prefer the Great Wolf Lodge in Naples, Florida. The overall experience felt less crowded and more enjoyable for our family.
That said, if you can find a good deal and your kids love water parks, Great Wolf Lodge LaGrange is still worth considering—just go in with realistic expectations and a few of these tips in mind.
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