Christmas @ Great Wolf Lodge

M Troop decended upon the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington for Christmas this year. We were invited by our wonderful and generous Aunt Diana (thank you!)


We spent three days and two nights in a family room which accomodated Ne and I and all five Malchertlings. This was our gift to our children in place of presents under the Christmas tree. I was dubious about the reaction of the Malchertlings Christmas morning, but am reassured after they insisted they "don't want presents anymore" and "just want to come here every year!" Apparently, they had a good time.


As you may, or may not, know, the Great Wolf Lodge is not only a family-themed hotel, but also includes an indoor waterpark, arcade, teen center, restaurants, and spa. The Malchertling favorite, by a significant margin, was the waterpark, which included the Howlin' Tornado water slide.


The waterpark had facilities to entertain persons of any age, including a treehouse water fort (Fort Mackenzie), River Canyon Run water slide, Slap Tail Pond wave pool, Frog Bog log walk (say that fast five times), Chinook Cove recreation pool, kiddie slides, Totem Towers water slides, and Alberta Falls tube slide to name a few.


Another favorite was the Northern Lights arcade. Most of the games (all of which were really cool) cost $.75 to $1.00 for each play. This probably kept the Malchertlings from spending too much time (and money) there.


My favorite, which was enjoyed by all, was the MagiQuest live-action adventure game. Kind of like an electronic scavenger hunt, you wave your battery operated infrared wand at interactive, talking devices, like gemstones, picture portraits, stuffed animals, and touch screen kiosks. The game is individualized for each player, allowing them to follow their own path, completing quests and adventures in whichever manner they please.


I was in a competition with Tim on who could obtain the most runes, gold, and points. Tim didn't think much of the competition and spent most his time in the waterpark...so he was easily defeated...ha ha ha! Here was my points standing against all the players for December.


This game is a great source of exercise as it spans much of the central portion of the first five floors of the hotel. There is much climbing and decending of stairs. I wasn't the only person who worked up a sweat, running from place to place with a beet red face, furiously waving my plastic wand. I must have been quite a sight to the muggle (non-MagiQuest playing) adults.


I've posted all our trip photos on my 4shared.com Web site. You can view them here.

Can't wait to go again!

- Big Daddy Andy