What it is like staying on the Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland

Lodging test the containers, and themed rooms are definitely worth the improve

In our Wolf Den Suite (reserving information under), my two children had their very own sleeping house out of view of our mattress. The room had a minifridge and a espresso maker, and the bathe head was excessive and had good stress. Nevertheless, the youngsters almost got here to blows within the first 5 minutes, and there have been just a few performance flaws beneath the lovable theming and wooded wonderland murals.

Let me again up. Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland has three major classes of rooms. Normal rooms are primary lodge rooms with two queen beds, a single or pullout sofa with a full-size mattress, a spherical desk with two chairs and a cut up tub with the sink in the principle room and the bathe and bathroom behind a door. Themed suites have bunk beds for teenagers in walled-off areas embellished as both a log cabin or woodland cave. Premium suites are additionally themed, however as an alternative of sleeping 5 to 6, they’ll sleep six to 13 company, relying on the structure, with precise partitions between rooms.

All rooms have related furnishings with a country, Northwoods vibe, no matter their class. On condition that the lodge opened in June, all the pieces appeared model new with out the damage and tear of a whole bunch of household visits.

Our suite was a Wolf Den Suite, with the cave-themed bunk mattress room. The youngsters’ space was cozy with gentle pink blankets and a three-wall mural depicting a woodland stream and waterfall with Wiley Wolf and buddies mountain climbing via the forest. It was a little bit child’s dream room — and so, in fact, my youngsters needed to struggle about it.

“I need the higher bunk! You bought first selection of rooms final time!” Sadly, there was no door we might near allow them to duke it out on their very own.

As soon as the mattress choice had been settled, we had to determine the place to place all our stuff. Children vote: The center of the ground. Mother and father vote: Wait, the place ought to we put all of the stuff? There have been no drawers, simply 5 giant cabinets, two stuffed with large pillows, and an open-concept closet with just a few hangers. We settled on the duffel-as-drawer strategy and tucked our baggage in opposition to the wall.

Fortunately, the suite was spacious, with loads of room to unfold out. The youngsters have been excited they may watch YouTube on the big, flat-screen digital TV. I appreciated the big eating desk for snacking, although a microwave would have been helpful for leftovers or consuming in. I additionally appreciated that the flooring have been vinyl tile and never carpeting, higher for spills.

Nice Wolf Lodge being a water park, our first order of enterprise was to check out the slides. However when our waterlogged selves returned to the room, I found that our household suite was missing in locations to hold moist bathing fits. The bathe room had simply two two-pronged hooks, however no clothesline within the bathe.

For the following two days, I hung swimsuits on these hooks and over the bathe rod and the remainder we slung over the hangers and allow them to drip on the non-carpeted closet ground. Even with a military-like drying protocol, sadly, it meant we solely had damp choices by our third day.

We additionally went via our share of tub towels, however a housekeeper did knock on our door and swapped contemporary towels for used ones. After I requested her if she wanted entry to the room, she mentioned no — company do not obtain housekeeping service past the towel swap. (She did give me some further espresso cups once I requested, although.)

One remaining nitpick: As a glasses, hair bonnet and evening guard wearer (superb visible, I do know), I used to be thrilled that the room had nightstands on both facet of the mattress to stash my stuff, in addition to my telephone. Nevertheless, my husband’s desk had two 110V shops in-built plus a clock on high with a USB, a USB-C and two extra 110V shops. My facet had none of these.

The included water park is enjoyable for all ages

Clearly, the rooms will not be what convey you to Nice Wolf Lodge. What does? The 128,000-square-foot water park you can entry along with your room fee.

The fantastic thing about Nice Wolf Lodge is that with a one-night keep, you get two full days on the water park. On day one, you’ll be able to test in to make use of the water park as early as 9 a.m., although you may not get into your room till about 4 p.m. On day two, you need to vacate your room by 11 a.m., however you’ll be able to keep on the property till the park closes at 8 p.m.

And in case your children are like mine, they’re going to wish to keep.

Over our two-night keep, we visited the water park every day for 3 days straight. Collectively, we tried all of the slides. My favorites included Coyote Cannon (with a 40-foot drop right into a toilet-bowl-style vortex) and the Chesapeake Plunge, the quicker of the 2 five-person raft slides (the heaviest individual has to take a seat backwards and may get queasy). My daughter was a fan of the drop slide (been there, not doing that), in addition to the lazy river.

Different sights embody a toboggan-style racing slide, a splash play space for toddlers and a bigger splash zone for older children, a wave pool and a pool with basketball hoops, a brief rock-climbing wall and “lily pads” to run throughout such as you’re on a kind of recreation reveals primarily based on bodily challenges, the place the viewers is in it for the epic slips and dunkings.

The property additionally has a stunning, giant outside pool with a small kid-temperature “scorching” tub, however we by no means made it exterior. In actual fact, over the course of our two-night keep, we hardly went exterior into the contemporary air in any respect.

Each the indoor water park and the outside pool supply cabanas to lease for the day. These include a shaded sitting space with patio-style couches and loungers exterior, a fan, an outlet, a secure, a TV and a minifridge with water. A server may convey you foods and drinks.

These might come in useful in the event you’re visiting the water park earlier than your room is prepared, or in the event you’re dedicated to spending the day by the pool or on the water park. My household did not spend sufficient time in a single place for it to make sense. It’s also possible to lease lockers for $15 to $20 to retailer valuables for the day.

Towels are supplied however you want to signal them out, and can be charged in the event you do not return them. Youngsters underneath 52 inches tall can be measured earlier than getting into the water park and given completely different coloured wristbands to point which sights they’ll use and whether or not they want a life jacket (supplied within the park).

Professional tip: Carry a water-proof case on your cellphone so you’ll be able to maintain it useful for footage and to inform the time as, like in Vegas, there are not any clocks within the water park.

The journey park and indoor sights are an expensive combined bag

The water park is just not the one attraction at Nice Wolf Lodge. Between the principle foyer and the water park is an indoor journey park with quite a few actions and sights for teenagers of varied ages. Most include a further charge, although you should buy passes that bundle admissions right into a set worth.

For my children, it was all about MagiQuest, a scavenger hunt with interactive digital shows. The primary problem is for the dad and mom: Do you settle for the fundamental wand included within the bundle worth, or do you improve to the flowery wand with a power-enhancing topper that may set you again roughly $20 so your children get further magic within the recreation?

We stood our floor and caught to the fundamentals. Sulking ensued.

As soon as that gauntlet was run, MagiQuest was the most effective factor ever. Each my 9-year-old and 12-year-old have been totally engaged in operating backwards and forwards throughout the indoor public areas, looking for runes and battling bosses with their non-designer wands. For my older son, it was an exercise that gave him independence and received him away from us boring adults, in addition to one thing to maintain him occupied whereas we waited for meals or completed dinner. My youthful daughter cherished the story and the looking out.

Mother and father of youthful children do want to hitch the search and help within the quest-ending battles. My recommendation? Butt out in case your children are school-aged — the one boss battle my household misplaced was the one I “helped” with. Be ready to attend in line at a number of the quest-directing and boss battle stations at peak instances — I imply you, adults, as a result of your children will set you up in line after which go run off to wave their wands at treasure chests and funky fungi whilst you maintain their place.

I used to be additionally impressed with the two-level ropes course that had some fascinating challenges (like a suspended skateboard) and took a very good 20 minutes or so to finish. Every stage additionally had a harnessed worker readily available to assist out when your baby balks at “strolling the plank” and wishes their hand-held.

Beneath the ropes course, a cute forest-animals-go-camping-themed minigolf course is a enjoyable diversion with modern obstacles similar to beaver-chewed logs and a bear sleeping in a tent. I did not see scorecards, so the youngsters cheated shamelessly.

Different sights embody a mirror maze (a enjoyable novelty however not a must-do), panning for gold (principally, you purchase a bag of grime and pebbles to kind via), short-lane bowling and an arcade ($5 of play was equal to 2 or three video games).

As a result of Nice Wolf Lodge means that you can purchase admissions individually, as a household or bundled right into a cross, you will want to concentrate to your finances, or you could possibly end up paying a lot further for numerous actions with out even realizing it.

My children every had a Wolf Cross, which entitled them to the next actions and inclusions with the corresponding values:

• One MagiQuest recreation ($16.99)
• One primary MagiQuest wand (or the fundamental topper or belt for teenagers who already personal a wand, which is reusable from lodge to lodge; valued at $17.99 to $24.99)
• One recreation of bowling ($7)
• One spherical of miniature golf ($7.99)
• One traverse of the ropes course ($14.99)
• One admission to the mirror maze ($10.99)
• $5 arcade recreation card
• One single scoop of ice cream in a cup ($4.99)
• One small cup crammed along with your selection of bulk sweet ($13.99)

The Wolf Cross additionally provided numerous reductions, similar to 20% off a Construct-a-Bear, 25% off a personalised leather-based bracelet, 20% off swim goggles and 20% off a glow or bubble merchandise. As an grownup and not using a cross, I used to be given a reduction to hitch my youngsters, so I paid simply $4 every to go on the ropes course and into the mirror maze. This cross prices $85.99, which was marketed as saving you greater than 20% over particular person costs.

But when I add up the price of the person gadgets, I come out near $100. Presumably, the extra financial savings are from the opposite reductions you may get on further purchases.

Nice Wolf Lodge presents two different passes, the Pup Cross for teenagers too younger to do the journey sights ($59.99 for sweet, ice cream, arcade and free Construct-a-Bear) and the Paw Cross ($75.99 for the 2 treats, arcade, MagiQuest recreation and wand, and a leather-based bracelet).

My recommendation is to plan out prematurely which sights you’ll do (and the way many individuals will do them versus simply watching) after which determine if particular person admissions, household charges or a cross makes probably the most sense.

Relying on which cross you purchase, you may want to organize your children in order that they’ll get no matter is included within the cross, and all the pieces else is off-limits.

Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland does run every day free applications focused at youthful youngsters, together with morning yoga, arts and crafts, character meet-and-greets, a night dance celebration and a pajama storytime that is a brief animated video with cool particular results. So not all the pieces will add to your backside line.

On-site eating places serving theme park-style meals are costly

“Look — there are rooster tenders on the breakfast buffet,” my husband identified to my daughter on our final morning. “You could possibly eat rooster tenders for each meal right here.” His remark sums up the Nice Wolf Lodge restaurant scenario. It is a children’ dream — and a health-conscious, cost-conscious father or mother’s dilemma.

Though you could possibly definitely enterprise out to eat, the comfort of eating on-site will get you each time. You are unlikely to drag your children from water park enjoyable to drip your means out of the lodge and drive 5 minutes to the closest meals choices: a Subway, a Denny’s and a taqueria, in keeping with Google Maps. You possibly can convey your individual meals and stash them in a cooler, however you’ll be able to’t eat meals you convey your self contained in the water park.

In brief, count on to pay upwards of $60 for 4 folks to eat pizza, nuggets or burgers by the pool with nary a non-fried vegetable in sight.

Your children will love the choices. Timbers serves up rooster tenders and nuggets, burgers, fries and nachos with counters and seating each contained in the water park and by the journey park. Its nods to wholesome delicacies embody a bunless burger, a rooster Caesar salad and a veggie burger.

Hungry as a Wolf, with its not-so-subtle nod to Duran Duran, sells pizza for eat-in and takeout, plus pasta, wings and garlic bread. They do supply a gluten-free crust.

The Campfire Kitchen is a breakfast buffet for $25 per individual (half worth for teenagers) with breakfast and all-day staples similar to rooster tenders, macaroni and cheese, tater tots, dry scrambled eggs, bacon, Froot Loops and not-fresh-baked croissants. I applaud Nice Wolf Lodge for together with a stunning fruit and yogurt counter with contemporary berries, pre-packaged gluten-free Udi’s muffins and a few devilishly tasty French toast sticks.

Campfire Kitchen transforms into Campfire Cantina serving tacos within the night.

By far, the most well-liked breakfast vacation spot on the property is Dunkin’ Donuts. It is not simply because everybody loves Dunkin’ and wishes their giant morning latte to outlive a day chasing toddlers round a water park, but in addition as a result of it is probably the most inexpensive Nice Wolf Lodge restaurant. We spent $25 on two bagels with cream cheese, two egg-and-cheese bagel sandwiches, a big espresso and a big chai tea latte — the identical worth for breakfast for 4 as one grownup buffet admission.

I positioned my order on the Nice Wolf Lodge app and was advised it will be prepared in quarter-hour. In actuality, it took 25 for the drinks, one other 5 for the sandwiches, and so they received the order fallacious, so I had to return for the lacking egg-and-cheese bagels. Nonetheless, I might do it once more over the buffet in a heartbeat.

All of those venues are counter-service institutions, and you will be consuming at tables both within the water park or alongside the principle thoroughfare of the journey park space. (Or bringing meals again to your room.) It will likely be loud and crowded, and youngsters may be operating by with wands. Then again, older children can run round MagiQuesting whilst you wait on your order.

Nevertheless, Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland does have one waiter-served, sit-down restaurant referred to as Barnwood. It’s the elevated, but nonetheless informal and family-friendly, venue on-site.

Its menu was a biggest hits record of common American meals: roast rooster ($20.99), Atlantic salmon ($43), steak and fries ($32.99), a cheeseburger ($18.99). The standard was middling, however the costs have been excessive — not an important mixture, however at the very least one thing to supply selection from the extra informal meals.

My son and daughter swapped dishes however the steak and rooster nuggets weren’t as huge hits because the choices on the different eating places. My burger was skinny and dry, however my facet salad with contemporary greens and cherry tomatoes, together with an appetizer of Brussels sprouts with scorching honey glaze and yogurt sauce, have been scrumptious.

Each children ate shortly then ran off with their wands to search out extra digital runes. I assume you’ll be able to name that date evening? Too dangerous as a result of the s’mores-inspired fondue dessert appeared tempting, however I wasn’t going to order it and not using a crowd to share with.

For all of your snacking wants, Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland has a small market promoting primarily booze, popcorn and chips, but in addition just a few pre-packaged sandwiches, salads and breakfast gadgets. The present store has a bulk sweet part, and the Woods’ Finish Creamery will fulfill all of the candy enamel with ice cream, sundaes and shakes.

Suggestions for hacking your keep

Listed here are my high suggestions after my weekend keep at Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland.

• Make a Nice Wolf-specific packing record and remember your waterproof cellphone protecting case, closed-toe sneakers for the ropes course and cover-up for trekking from room to water park. Personally, I might add a foldup drying rack to tuck right into a nook of the room to cope with all of the moist swimwear. I additionally wouldn’t decide any father or mother who brings a toddler leash for his or her baby. Vivid and distinctive swimsuits and outfits will assist you discover your loved ones after they run off.
• BYOB (convey your individual breakfast) and presumably lunch meals, snacks and fruit to save cash. You possibly can carry a cooler into the foyer and your room, however not the water park. I’ve heard a number of the different lodges have microwaves within the rooms, however the Perryville location didn’t.
• In case your older children will roam free, arrange assembly instances and locations as a result of we spent a number of time strolling in circles till we rounded up everybody. Cell telephones are useful, however my children haven’t got them.
• It may be difficult to navigate Nice Wolf in case your children are of varied ages or want one-on-one consideration. Contemplate roping grandparents into your plan or teaming up with one other household, so that you presumably take pleasure in a while along with your partner or take a look at out the fun rides your children are too younger to journey.
• Obtain the app. You possibly can test occasion instances and opening hours, in addition to order meals — a should for Dunkin’ Donuts.

Causes the Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland may not be for you

My household had a blast, however a Nice Wolf Lodge trip is just not for everybody. Listed here are some issues that you must contemplate earlier than a keep right here.

• Room charges and different costs are excessive for the fundamental lodging and meals: Rooms are spartan, and the meals is normal for a theme park, however you’ll be able to nonetheless drop a major chunk of change in your room and on-site purchases. Your keep will be good worth, particularly in the event you rating a room fee deal and max out your water park time, however it’s not essentially an inexpensive getaway.
• You’ll seemingly spend all the weekend indoors: The Perryville property has a stunning outside pool and a fake grass garden you’ll be able to play on, however most of its sights are inside. On the finish of our first full day on website, we realized we had run ourselves ragged with out ever taking a breath of contemporary air.
• Your children will not be into water parks: Let’s be trustworthy — you are not hitting Nice Wolf for a romantic getaway along with your partner. So, in case your children do not love water and journey play, you’ll not have a very good time at Nice Wolf. The identical goes for age: The candy spot is 3 to 12 years previous. A keep right here with a toddler and a child sounds exhausting; your teenagers may be too cool for magic wands and character hugs.
• You possibly can’t deal with crowds and noise: Like a cruise on a big ship, the expertise at Nice Wolf Lodge will embody a lot of different folks. They may reduce in line and hog the floats. They can even collectively make noise, making the indoor areas, although cavernous, extremely loud. If in case you have sensory points or have turn out to be a hermit for the reason that pandemic, you must search out a quieter resort expertise.

Rooms are accessible, however the slides will not be

Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland presents many accessible options, however they appear extra related to strollers or of us in wheelchairs accompanying a household (vs. guests seeking to take pleasure in all of the lodge has to supply). The property could also be wheelchair pleasant, and I noticed a number of company utilizing them, however lots of the actions will not be.

The resort presents 27 ADA-compliant rooms throughout a number of suite sorts (Household Suite, Grizzly Bear Suite, Junior Cabin, Deluxe Queen Suite, Wolf Pup Den, Deluxe Junior KidCabin, Deluxe Queen KidCabin and Deluxe Wolf Pup Den). These rooms supply accessible bathtubs and/or showers, with further house and handrails within the lavatory.

All of the swimming swimming pools on the water park have accessible entrances through a raise, chair bump step or zero-depth entry for water wheelchairs. Nevertheless, you can’t entry the massive slides with out climbing a number of flights of stairs. The journey park actions will not be wheelchair pleasant, although MagiQuest could be.

The property is one giant open house with extensive hallways and elevators to the higher lodge flooring. The principle lodge and water park doorways are extensive automated sliding doorways, and the entryways to eating places, retailers and sights are at all times open.

The lodge additionally presents sensory guides for each slide, pool, journey, attraction, exercise and present, developed in partnership with the Worldwide Board of Credentialing and Persevering with Schooling Requirements (IBCCES), a frontrunner in autism and neurodiversity certification.

Methods to ebook the Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland

Most individuals ebook the Nice Wolf Lodge immediately via the web site, however the property will quickly be listed on Expedia and Reserving.com, as nicely. Rooms are listed as a hard and fast nightly fee as much as a sure variety of occupants, however further company are a further cost. For instance, a household suite has the identical nightly worth whether or not you’ve got received two, three or 4 company sharing it, however the fifth and sixth company within the room will price a further $50 every.

Normal suites begin at $199.99 per evening however can price upwards of $500 per evening at peak instances. E-book early for the most effective charges, although you could possibly discover last-minute offers, particularly for off-peak dates.

Examine for offers earlier than you ebook, both via the Offers part of the web site or on Groupon, the place Nice Wolf Lodge properties seem often. Do not miss the annual 8/4 flash sale on Aug. 4 (usually with rooms from $84), which celebrates the resort’s indoor water park temperature of 84 levels.

AAA and AARP members, active-duty or veteran/retired navy and emergency service personnel (fireplace, police, EMS, medical doctors, nurses, 911 dispatchers, correctional officers) are additionally eligible for reductions.

Nice Wolf Lodge does have its personal loyalty program referred to as the Voyagers Membership. Each time you ebook a two-night or longer keep on-line on the Nice Wolf Lodge web site, you’ll earn one level for each $10 you spend in your room fee and for packages, cabanas, late checkout, retail and meals charged to your room. You possibly can redeem these factors to pay for future stays, however they expire inside 15 months of your checkout date.

Alternate options to Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland

Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland is just not the one indoor water park resort within the space. Relying on the place you reside, you may additionally be inside driving distance of Nice Wolf Lodge properties in Williamsburg, Virginia, or the Poconos, Pennsylvania.

After I requested in a mothers’ group concerning the Nice Wolf Lodge, many individuals responded that they most popular the Kalahari Resort within the Poconos. It has many related sights, but in addition has a spa and health heart for extra adult-focused leisure. The Camelback Resort, additionally within the Poconos, has each indoor and outside water parks.

Testing

After a weekend at Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland, my children are plotting a return, presumably to the Williamsburg location if they’ve a unique MagiQuest journey. I am signing up for offers emails, and my husband is calculating how a lot we might save by solely staying one evening and bringing all our personal meals.

The getaway was a win in my books as a result of each children have been proud of the expertise. The journey’s success was resulting from all of the superior actions on the resort and the independence from us and from one another the contained house allowed them. Plus, I received to journey some enjoyable slides and even spend a little bit of time with my husband.

The Nice Wolf Lodge Maryland is just not a spot you select for its luxurious digs or tremendous eating. You come for a fast weekend jaunt that requires minimal analysis. You come on your children to be pleased and for his or her pleasure to maintain you relaxed, even when the meals and lodging price ticket feels excessive.

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