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Great Wolf Indoor Water Park
The indoor park has a plethora of water thrills, from the easy lazy Crystal River (perfect for adults to relax with their little ones) to the Canada Vortex (featuring a 40-foot drop) and the thrilling Niagara Rapids Run, which even takes you uphill at a few points.
The slides all have height requirements -- even the kiddie slides require a 36-inch height -- a real bummer for my petite three-year-old who loves to tag along with her big sister. If you have a range of ages and sizes in your crew, you may have some scrambling to do to keep them all happy and well-supervised.
You don't have to fret (too hard) about your family's safety there. Lifeguards are out in full force ensuring safety, and the park's state-of-the-art water treatment utilizes UV purification to eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria. And you can borrow one of the resort's life jackets to stabilize a weaker swimmer (they suggest them for anyone under 4-feet tall).
Keep in mind that you won't be able to bring any outside food or snacks into the park, so you'll need to either splurge on the somewhat pricey snacks from the Spirit Island Snack Bar (heavy on the burgers and hot dogs), or drag your kids out of the park for a quick bite.
Pool hours vary, depending on the season and whether it's a weekday or weekend, but you can plan on at least 11 hours of water time (from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) most days of the year.
Loon Lagoon
This is the most toddler-friendly pool in the park, with a baby slide right at the start of the zero-entry pool, along with water sprays and other fun water features to keep the kiddies occupied. Older kids will like the water basketball and poolside contests and activities.
Cub Club
This kiddie clubhouse for 3- to 12-year-olds allows kids to participate in a range of crafts and activities (some free, some for an extra fee). At most points, parents will need to be present with their kids, but check the daily schedule -- at certain points of the day, you can drop your (potty-trained) kiddo off at Cub Club for two hours of fun -- while you slip away for a spa treatment or a little downtime.
Scooops Spa
Perfect for girly girls, this ice cream-themed (and kids-only) spa offers sweet treatments in a range of "flavors" from chocolate to strawberry -- pedicures, manicures and makeup are on the menu, or you can splurge for the "Little Miss Great Wolf" package, which includes a tiara and updo, along with a mani-pedi.
Storytime
Bring your kids' best pajamas so they can head down to the 8 p.m. story time in the Grand Living Room every evening. Kids get to hear two stories with mascot Wiley Wolf and the rest of the Forest Friends.
Great Wolf Arcade & Mini Golf
The resort also features an animated "Wacky Wilderness" 18-hole golf course and the Northern Lights Arcade, which has the standard assortment of video and carnival-style games.
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