Photograph Credit: Great Wolf Lodge

Though our stay at the Great Wolf Lodge was only about 30 hours, we had a great time playing and enjoying the waterpark.

With Miss 4 not liking water in her face, she started off very timid but grew braver the longer we stayed.

By the time we were ready to leave, she had all the buckets timed to where she knew how much time she had before the next splash. 😀

Having shared an overview of our time at the Great Wolf Lodge followed by posts on making a reservation, navigating the arrival procedures, and scheduling activities, we land on the fun of the waterpark amenities.

Part Four: Waterpark Amenities

Photograph Credit: Great Wolf Lodge

Setup into main sections, the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte/Concord, NC, offers these 11 amenities to guests:

1. Cub Paw Pool

Located close to the entrance/exit and the restrooms/changing area, the Cub Paw Pool is designed for children under 54” tall. The pool is only 18 inches deep with lots of activities and 2 slides.

This area is where Miss 4 enjoyed staying as she slid down the blue slide without fear of water dumping on her. The yellow slide is the Whooping Hollow where periodically buckets of water dump very near the slide splashing water.

Though the slides are sturdy, the lifeguards will not allow parents to slide down with their children. The parent needs to stand next to the slide, hold the child’s hands, and walk or scoot sideways as the child slides down. The lifeguards spent so much of their time blowing their whistles at the parents, who were not paying attention.

I found this pool cooler than the other water areas. When we got cold, we warmed up in the wave pool.

2. Slap Tail Pond

This pool is the most centrally located attraction in the waterpark and the largest pool. Ranging from 0 inches to 5 feet, there is a spot for everyone. Approximately every 15 minutes, the waves begin for about 5 minutes.

As the waves get larger, I gave my non-swimmers instructions to stay within the 2-foot markers during wave times and within the 3-foot line during non-wave times.

Usually all of us congregated around the 6-inch area during the waves as Miss 4 could easily get knocked down.

We loved this area as my children were practicing how to float, the water is really warm, and nothing squirts, dumps, or splashes in this area.

3. Large Slides

To the right of the Slap Tail Pond are five large slides where each requires a raft, mat, or tube.

a. Mountain Edge Raceway

Allowing up to 4 individuals to race to the bottom at the same time, this slide requires a mat whereby the rider lays face down holding onto the mat’s handles.

The mats are located at the end of the ride. You get a mat and walk to the stairs. Make a right before the staircase by the tubes for Alberta Fall. Then head up the stairs following the signs for the Raceway.

This ride is fast as it slides up the sides of  the tube before running down the humps to the end. Water sprays in your face making it difficult to see, and be careful to keep your head up as I did bump my chin against the mat on a sharp turn. Of all the rides, this was my least favorite, but I still liked it and found it fun.

Spoiler Alert: The heaviest one will make it down first as the two times I rode this, I was the only adult. Though I was the last one to leave the top, I was the first one to the bottom.

b-c. Alberta Falls

Both of these slides are fun! They both require either a one-person or two-person tube. These tubes are picked up where the riders are exiting which is right next to the stairs.

To get to these tubes, one would walk down the side of the Mountain Edge Raceway and turn right in front of the stairs. The tubes are stacked against the wall. Then you go up the stairs following the signs to Alberta Falls.

This is the fastest line as there is one line but two slides. When you get to the slides, you will either go down the yellow or the blue slide. These slides start inside the lodge, but quickly twist and turn outside the lodge. You can better tell during the day whether you are inside or outside.

Both of these end in a pool of water (about 3-foot deep) where an attendant oversees the exiting process. After exiting, you either keep your tube and go again or return your tube to the pile.

d. River Canyon Run

Canyon is green, and Tornado is yellow.

All the way at the top of the stairs are the two large slides.

You only need to hike up the stairs as the white conveyor belt brings the rafts to the top.

This slide seats up to 4 riders in one big raft. There are no drops, but it does get dark at night.

We loved this ride, and I could ride this one all day. Miss 6 really liked it because only the big kids could ride, and she did so without getting scared.

e. Howlin’ Tornado

Yellow slide is the Tornado – see the drop.

Most daring slide at this location, the Howlin’ Tornado starts out in the dark – whether day or night.

By the time you count to 10, you will drop into the 6-story funnel and swish back and forth getting water sprayed in your face until you slide through the rest of the ride into a pool of water.

Both the River Canyon Run and the Howlin’ Tornado end up in the same 3-foot deep pool of water.

Where the raft of the River Canyon Run is one big raft, the Howlin’ Tornado 4-person raft is 4 tubes together. Each person sits in their own tube.

The rafts of both are placed on the conveyor belt by the Pack Member to save guests the hassle of lugging these 4-person rafts up the stairs.

Miss 6 was really nervous to try this ride, but she, Mr. 8, and I went together. I made sure I held her legs with mine and covered her hand making sure I held on to her handle as the drop is a doozy.

After her first run, Miss 6 was good to go. She rode many times and loved it.

4. Fort MacKenzie

This 4-story structure has water spraying all over the place. There are lots of hoses and guns to spray your friends and family members, but beware because even strangers will get you.

There are two slides available for little ones with a red, yellow, or green band as well as adults.

Some water may spray in the rider’s face if lying down, but sitting up is a nice slide down.

The Totem Towers slides are for individuals, so parents cannot ride the same slide with their little one. The parent can ride one slide while the child rides the other and meet at the bottom.

The end of each slide is just a shallow area, no more than a foot deep. However, the large bucket on top dumps 1,000 gallons of water. The brave ones, including Mr. 8, gather at the bottom when they hear the dinging sound warning that it is about to dump.

It is fun to watch the water just drips from those who get soaked. If you are on the fort, you will get wet, but some coverage is available directly under the bucket.

5. Chinook Cove Activity Pool

With a number of basketball hoops and a Big Foot Pass with lily pads to test one’s balance, this 4-foot pool is great for older elementary-aged children.

If one is tall enough, there are ropes above the lily pads to help one get from one side of the pool to the other.

There was much fun and competition going on in that pool each time we passed. Our family never ventured into that pool area.

The green slide in the background is the River Canyon Run, and the cabana is one of a few that can be rented per day.

6. Raccoon Lagoon

Offering a bit of sun, this outdoor section is typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This area was closed during our March visit, but the information explains that it has basketball goals, a 0-inch to 4-foot deep pool, and a section of geysers for fun.

7. Spirit Island Snack Shop

Refueling is possible without leaving the waterpark. This snack shop offers burgers, hot dogs, pretzels, and soft drinks.

We brought in our picnic basket with turkey, cheese, crackers, and fruit. We also brought drinks as we still got thirsty and needed hydration – though we were surrounded by lots of water.

8. Seating

There are lots of chairs and tables available. Finding one in the afternoon is more difficult than finding one first thing in the morning or in the evening.

We used our shoes, picnic basket, and towels to save our seats. No one bothered our stuff even though Sunday was packed.

9. Towel Station

Located when you enter the waterpark are carts of clean, folded towels. You do not need to bring any linens with you to the Great Wolf Lodge.

Just pickup the number of towels you need, and take them to your seat. After drying off, you can just deposit them in the used bin as you exit the waterpark area.

Other items in this area include life jackets for those who need them, and lockers for a daily fee.

10. Restrooms, Showers, and Changing Areas

These areas are spacious. I was glad to have a changing space with a curtain where the girls and I could change together.

I packed extra plastic bags for our wet items including flip flops, so we only had one or two bags of wet items to take home.

Within these restrooms and changing areas are swimsuit wringers that spin out the water from your swimsuit. I found this device pretty neat as the swimsuits were not soaking wet for the trip home.

11. Safety Central

This post would not be complete regarding the waterpark without mentioning the wonderful job the lifeguards do to keep everyone safe. They have a very specific cadence to their area.

They bob their heads up and down as they scan from the middle to the edge of the pool while walking the length of their area. When they get to the end, they sweep their head around in a circle to check for anyone on the edges, turn, and repeat. They stay alert and watch carefully as families play in the water.

These waterpark amenities kept our family busy during our 1-night and 2-day stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte, Concord, NC. The amenities vary from location to location.

Our family found the Cub Paw Pool, the Slap Tail Pond, Fort MacKenzie, and the large slides our favorite amenities at this Great Wolf Lodge location. Happy Howling time!

Question: Do you mind water splashing in your face while at the waterpark?