Photograph Credit: Great Wolf Lodge
Our stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte/Concord, NC, was fantastic. From the moment we placed our reservation, we knew this place was special.
With a desire to help those who visit this location, I have thoroughly shared our family’s fabulous experiences in the prior posts:
Today, I will focus the final post of this series on an overall review of our stay, including items left out and changes we will make in the future.
Overall Review
We are gearing up for our next visit. The best review a business could ask for is to have customers eager to return. Before arriving home, my children were asking when we would visit again.
The lodge’s atmosphere was inviting and welcoming. All the Pack Members were very helpful and willing to offer assistance. One gentleman stopped to take our picture for us.
Even after our visit, I found the staff very helpful in getting the information requested and getting me directly to those who have the answers.
We found the Great Wolf Lodge very organized, clean, and a water bucket of fun!
Checking out
Speaking of organized, I have not mentioned the checking-out procedures. The reason is because there are none.
I asked a Pack Member where we needed to checkout, and I was told that there was no need as our wristbands deactivated at 11:00 a.m.
Though we stayed at the waterpark much longer than 11:00 a.m., we made sure we had all our belonging out of our room by the 11:00 a.m. checkout time.
Communication after our Stay
1. Survey. Within a few days of our visit, we were sent a survey regarding our stay. I appreciated their willingness to hear feedback on how their location carried out their mission.
2. Receipt. After giving the lodge a week or so to release the $300 authorization on our credit card, I just checked our credit card activity and verified that we were only billed the taxes of $41.51.
Since I did not get a receipt, I used the Live Chat option through their website to inquire. I was informed that I needed to contact the lodge directly. I called, and the efficient Pack Member sent a receipt by e-mail immediately. Within a few minutes, I had my receipt in hand.
3. $25 Credit. A couple weeks later upon reviewing the finances from our trip and going through all the paperwork we received, I remembered that I never received any information on how to use the $25 credit that came with our Amazon Local deal.
Back to the Live Chat option I went, and my request was passed along to the corporate office. Within hours, I received a call from a Pack Member apologizing for the error. He explained that we should have used our wristbands to make purchases and the first $25 that we spent would have been free.
Since that was not explained to us and we did not use the one-visit-only credit, the Pack Member gave us a $50 credit towards our next booking and his direct line as he will make our reservation with the credit for us.
This was a generous offer as I should have followed up when I did not get any instructions after picking up our check-in packet. However, the Pack Member acknowledged the misunderstanding and made me a loyal customer with a discount on another stay.
Deals Offered after our Stay
Within our check-in packet, the lodge offers a 20% savings if you book your next stay before you leave.
We did not take this offer as we were visiting on a 48% discount through Amazon Local.
Upon returning home, we received a promotional code for 25% off our next reservation with a $30 credit to use during that stay.
When that deal expired, we were sent a 40% off promotional code. The deals will come, so don’t feel pressured into purchasing your reservation before you are ready.
Planning our Second Visit
Though we had a great time and found places for our 4-year-old to play, we plan to return to the Great Wolf Lodge but at another location.
We are considering the Cincinnati/Mason, OH, location where there is a lazy or crooked river. We loved the experience we had at the lodge in Charlotte/Concord, NC, but each location is different.
Having discovered the ebb and flow of the lodge’s activities, we would plan our visit a bit differently from our original schedule. The following is a revised schedule for a one-night stay:
Our Revised Schedule of Activities
- Eat a big lunch before arriving at the lodge.
- Enjoy the dry activities prior to getting our room at 4:00 p.m.
- Get our room, change into our swimwear, and bring a few snacks down to the waterpark.
- Swim, play, eat when needed, and enjoy the waterpark into the evening.
- If we want to attend the Story Time, then head back to our room round 7:30 p.m. to change into pajamas for the 8:00 p.m. showing.
- If no Story Time but the Clock Tower show, then head back to our room around 8:30 p.m. to change into pajamas.
- If no shows, then just play until the waterpark closes at 9:00 p.m. (or 8:00 p.m. depending on the day of visit).
- If we choose to participate in MagiQuest, then we would play after the 9:00 p.m. Clock Tower show.
- In the morning, eat breakfast in our room and attend the 9:00 a.m. Wolf Walk.
- Pack and load up our vehicle, except for a packed lunch and clothes in which to change.
- Enjoy the waterpark until everyone’s tired.
- Change and finish any dry activities before leaving the lodge.
- Eat a good meal before heading home.
On our first visit to the Great Wolf Lodge, we had a blast. With plenty of time in the waterpark, my children still talk about the rides and slides. We are ready for another Great Wolf Lodge adventure.
In keeping an eye on the deals and checking our calendar, I’m sure our next visit will occur within the next few months. When that happens, I will post another series on that experience.
If you visit the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte/Concord, NC, then enjoy yourself. And please share any additional tips and tricks by leaving a comment.
Armed with a plan, guests can better navigate the rough waters of crowds, information, and procedures. I hope that this series gives you most of the information you need prior to your arrival. Wishing you a wonderful visit using time wisely at the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte/Concord. Happy Howling time!
Question: What tips and tricks would you add to this series?