Is Great Wolf Lodge Good for Toddlers & Preschoolers? An In-Depth Review

Is Great Wolf Lodge good for toddlers and preschoolers? This is a common question I hear from parents looking for family vacations in Michigan, and that’s why I created this in-depth review. From bunk beds to the indoor water park, I review accommodations and attractions at Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City, Michigan for families with kids under five years old.

My family has visited Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City several times since 2023, when my daughter was three and my son was seven years old. It truly is my kids’ happy place, and It has become a favorite vacation destination for our family.

There are over 20 Great Wolf Lodge locations in North America. Much of this review universally applies. However, you may find that some accommodations and attractions at your chosen Lodge vary from the Traverse City, Michigan location. I encourage you to visit the Great Wolf Lodge website to learn more about the location you’ll be visiting.

Contents

• Themed Rooms and Bunk Beds
• Indoor Water Park
• Outdoor Pool and Splash Pad
• Dining and Food
• MagiQuest
• Northern Lights Arcade
• Build-A-Bear Workshop
• Oliver’s Mining Sluice
• Ten Paw Alley
• Howl In One Mini Golf
• Free Activities and Events
• Attraction Passes

Themed Rooms and Bunk Beds

Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City offers several themed room options, such as the Wolf Den and KidKamp suites. If you are able, it is worth booking one of these. Not only do they add even more fun (and, yes, magic!) for kids, but they provide some privacy for parents.

Both the Great Wolf Lodge Wolf Den suite and KidKamp suite feature one bunk bed. The bottom bunk is a good fit for toddlers and preschoolers. It is situated low to the ground and can accommodate a safety bed rail (we brought our own). Great Wolf Lodge guidelines state that only children ages six and up should sleep on the top bunk. If you need an additional kids bed that is safe for toddlers and preschoolers, you can book the KidCabin suite. The KidCabin suite features a bunk bed and a single twin bed.

Indoor Water Park

When I am asked, “Is Great Wolf Lodge good for toddlers and preschoolers?”, one of the first things I share is that the indoor water park is loud. The Lodge’s main attraction, the water park is a huge, cavernous space filled with people laughing, screaming, and splashing. It also features lots of gadgets that constantly spray water. This includes a gigantic bucket of water hanging at the top of a tree fort that dumps 1,000 gallons of water every five minutes. Getting sprayed and splashed is hard to avoid!

Water Play for Toddlers & Preschoolers

For little ones who don’t mind the noises and sprays, the indoor water park can provide countless hours of swimming and fun.

The Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City indoor water park is kept at a temperature of 84 degrees and offers a large, zero-depth entry Cub Paw Pool that is designed for the smallest kids. With a maximum depth of 18 inches, the pool has three slides, water cannons, a mini waterfall, and more. Toddlers and preschoolers can also swim in the bigger pool, Chinook Cove, and try the Totem Towers spiral water slides. There is not a minimum height for any of these attractions.

The Great Wolf Lodge water park has towels and a decent stock of kid-sized life jackets and swimmies that are available to use for free. It also has plenty of alert, well-trained lifeguards stationed throughout. (Seriously, I am nothing but impressed with the lifeguard staff!)

Water Play for Kids 42 Inches & Up

Kids at least 42 inches tall can also explore the Fort Mackenzie tree fort, Crooked Creek lazy river, and the four-stories-tall tube slides, Alberta Falls and River Canyon Run. These attractions are all really fun, but they are not a good fit for all kids under five. For example, at ages three and four, my daughter loved the lazy river. But, we didn’t attempt the tube slides even though she met the minimum height requirement. Not unlike a small roller coaster, the tube slides feature quick turns, speed, and lots of thrill.

Outdoor Pool and Splash Pad

Thunder Bay, the outdoor pool area at Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City, offers a pool with basketball hoops, a toddler-friendly splash pad with a slide, and a sand volleyball court. The area is adjacent to the indoor water park, and you can easily go back and forth between the two through an exterior door.

In the warmer months, the outdoor pool and splash pad offer a much quieter option than the indoor water park. I spoke to the mom of a four-year-old about her family’s experience at Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City. She told me that her child was afraid of the huge, tipping bucket of water and refused to swim at the indoor water park. Luckily it was August, and they were still able to swim outside. 

Dining and Food

Dining Inside the Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City has several dining options for guests. Some of them offer mobile ordering through the Great Wolf app. Families can dine in at Camp Critter Bar and Grille for dinner or the breakfast buffet. The restaurant has a children’s menu, and although pricey, the food is pretty good. The Lodge also has a takeout pizza place called Hungry As A Wolf, a Dunkin’, and a 24-hour, grab-and-go shop. 

In addition, there is a counter-service restaurant, Buckets Burgers & Bites, located just inside the water park. Buckets has kids hamburger/cheeseburger and chicken nugget meals in addition to regular-sized meals and snacks. Our family favorite is the soft pretzel!

When guests are craving dessert, they don’t need to go far. Bear Paw Sweets and Eats offers ice cream and a big selection of cupcakes, fudge, and other sweets. In addition, the Great Wolf Candy Company, located inside the Buckhorn Exchange Gift Shop, sells a variety of candy in bulk. 

Note that Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City has an Allergy Awareness And Dietary Accommodations policy. It states that Great Wolf Lodge branded restaurants do “not use or serve peanuts or peanut-based products” and that the chefs will work directly with guests to prepare safe meals. Also of note, is that package dining deals are available.

Dining Outside the Lodge

When we visit Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City, we have one or two meals at Lodge restaurants and treat ourselves to a few desserts and snacks. Otherwise, we bring groceries for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks and order out from nearby restaurants. This helps us save money and keep our picky eaters happy. The Lodge is located across the street from a large Meijer grocery store and is in close proximity to a fair selection of restaurants (i.e., Panera Bread, McDonald’s, Firehouse Subs, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Olive Garden). 

MagiQuest

MagiQuest is a live-action game that is played throughout the halls of Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City. Players must purchase a game and a wand at the MagiQuest Marketplace and follow the instructions in the “Ancient Book of Wisdom” to complete quests, save a pixie, and defeat dragons. In my family’s experience, MagiQuest is best for kids ages seven and up. At age seven, my son was able to read the instructions and complete the quests with minimal help from a parent. He played for (literal) hours.

When I’m asked, “Is Great Wolf Lodge good for toddlers and preschoolers?”, I like to share that toddlers, preschoolers, and kids under seven can have fun with MagiQuest, just in a different way than the older kids. Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City offers Mini Magi Mode, which allows little ones to interact with game elements throughout the lodge without the challenge of following instructions.

At ages three and four, my daughter loved casting (pointing) her wand at objects at random throughout the Lodge to make treasure chests open, crystals glow, and squirrels dance. I met an 18-month-old who was desperate to play MagiQuest like his older siblings. His parents bought him a wand enchanted with Mini Magi Mode, and he toddled around happily.

Potential scare factors to keep in mind when playing MagiQuest are that the game takes place in low-lit hallways and features some loud noises and mysterious voices. There is also a large screen where players battle fire-breathing dragons.

Northern Lights Arcade

The Northern Lights Arcade is filled with kid-friendly games. Some of these games are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, including a mini merry-go-round, ride-in fire truck, Ducky Splash, Snowball Toss, claw machines with Bluey and other stuffed animal prizes, and more. As with any arcade, however, there are blinking lights and loud noises that may bother some little ones.

As a kudos to Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City, I found the arcade to be well maintained and was impressed (and grateful!) to see a staff member regularly cleaning the games.

Build-A-Bear Workshop 

A great activity for toddlers and preschoolers, the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City is just like the traditional Build-A-Bear stores. Little ones can choose from a selection of characters, including some from the Great Wolf Pack, to make their own furry friend and dress it up. 

Oliver’s Mining Sluice

At Oliver’s Mining Sluice, guests are given a bag of dirt, a gemstone identification card, and a mining pan. As the dirt is sifted and washed away in the running water, a variety of gemstones are revealed. This activity is fun and only takes about 20 minutes. My daughter loved mining for gems at ages three and four. Parents should use their discretion, however, for young toddlers who may be tempted to put the gemstones in their mouths.

Ten Paw Alley

Ten Paw Alley at Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City is a bowling alley right-sized for kids. The lanes are short, the balls are small, and ball ramps are plentiful. At just five frames, even the length of each game is mini. This is a good activity for toddlers and preschoolers who have help from their parents or older siblings. My entire family enjoys bowling at Ten Paw Alley, although we are always disappointed when our game ends after only five frames! Games can be purchased and balls checked out at the Northern Lights Arcade.

Howl In One Mini Golf

Open to guests in the warmer months, Howl In One Mini Golf offers a fun outdoor activity for toddlers and up. This is a standard 18-hole miniature golf course located just outside the Lodge with simple, well-maintained greens that feature friendly animal sculptures. Kid-sized clubs and balls can be checked out and games purchased at the Northern Lights Arcade.

Free Activities and Events

Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City has a variety of family activities that are included with reservations. A daily schedule of these activities can be found in the lobby and in the Great Wolf mobile app. From morning yoga to arts and crafts, there are some fun options to help entertain little ones in between swimming sessions or while older siblings are obsessing over MagiQuest.

At ages three and four, my daughter loved meeting the Great Wolf Pack characters, doing arts and crafts, choosing a balloon animal, and dancing at the nightly Hustle and Howl Dance Party. She also enjoyed tagging along with her older brother to take part in the Master Magi Ceremony. This daily ceremony is geared towards kids who have completed the MagiQuest game, but any child is welcome to participate.

Note that Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City used to have an iconic Clock Tower Show in the lobby, featuring animatronic animals and trees that talked and sang. When I asked why this show is gone, an employee told me that Great Wolf Lodge can no longer maintain the Clock Tower Show because replacement parts have become obsolete.

Attraction Passes

Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City offers three attraction passes: the Wolf Pass, Paw Pass, and Pup Pass. The passes offer an opportunity for guests to purchase a combination of attractions and treats at a discounted rate. 

We have purchased the Wolf Pass, which includes the most attractions of any pass option: a MagiQuest game and wand, arcade card, bowling, mining for gemstones, candy cup, ice cream, and Great Wolf swim goggles. I do feel the Wolf Pass is worth it if you will be staying at least two nights. Not only does it help fill your days with fun activities, but pass holders can get additional discounts. For example, we were able to upgrade the included arcade game cards and candy cups at a discounted price. We were also able to purchase bowling and mini golf games for me and my husband at a reduced price in addition to receiving a discount on a Build-A-Bear outfit and MagiQuest items.

For families with young toddlers, the Pup Pass may be a good fit. The Pup Pass includes a Build-A-Bear animal, arcade card, candy cup, and ice cream. The Paw Pass is potential option for little ones who are interested in playing MagiQuest. The Paw Pass includes a MagiQuest game and wand, arcade card, candy cup, ice cream, and Great Wolf swim goggles.

Descriptions and pricing for attraction passes can be found on the Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City website. 

Thank you!

Thank you for visiting! Please leave a comment and let me know how this post helped you plan for your trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Also consider sharing this post with a friend or your network to help me reach even more families. Safe travels!!

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