I recently took my kids to Great Wolf Lodge in Naples for a weekend getaway. This turned out to be…read moremore expensive than I was expecting. Overall, we had a good time and would return, but there are a few things I would do differently next time. Check-in was frustrating to say the least. The line was relatively short, but we still waited more than 35 minutes because the self-service kiosks were unavailable. One guest at the counter was making phone calls to resolve an issue for what seemed like 20 minutes while the employee waited. I felt he could have been moved to the side temporarily so the next family could be helped. Waiting that long with excited kids was not a great start.
Our room had a queen bed, a bunk-bed area for the children, a couch, and a dining space. It was more spacious than I expected, clean, and comfortable. We had a minor issue with the TV, but maintenance fixed it promptly without issue. You can watch Netflix and Disney!
The water park was the highlight of the stay. It was clean, and the staff throughout the park provided good customer service. There were plenty of family-friendly slides and attractions, indoor and outdoor seating, a wave pool, children's areas, and life jackets available. My daughter especially enjoyed the lazy river. I also appreciated that the park did not have an overwhelming chlorine smell.
The extra costs can add up quickly. A locker was around $28, so if you are staying at the hotel, I would leave anything valuable that you do not need in the room. Bring your own goggles, swim shoes, bubble toys, cups, and refillable water bottles. The convenience items and souvenirs are expensive and overpriced and cheap. I paid about $30 for two of the less expensive bubble machines and that was a deal!
My kids enjoyed the candy shop, but we paid almost $20 for an 8-ounce cup of assorted candy. I also saw children putting their hands directly into the candy containers and eating from them, which seemed like a sanitation concern. The unlimited popcorn bucket was around $20 and was a better value since we could refill it during our stay and we filled it at least 6 times. There are water dispensers throughout the resort, while bottled water was around $5 and reusable bottles for 17.99.
We ate at Fireside, and the food was decent. Make sure to make a reservation or go immediately when they open.
The workers seemed annoyed that we were waiting but oh well! The chicken wings were crispy, and I ordered a loaded burger with pulled pork and bacon. I requested the burger well-done, but it came out closer to medium-rare. The firecracker shrimp was delicious! The shrimp was crispy and the slaw paired perfectly! The food prices are high for fairly basic meals. Drinks were also expensive; a frozen alcoholic drink was around $20. The ice cream shop was a better experience, with friendly service and reasonable portions.
Our biggest issue was the Dunkin'. We ordered through the kiosk and waited over 40 minutes for two donuts, tater tots, and a croissant. I eventually complained, which was the only reason I received the order when I did. There is another Dunkin' less than a mile away, and it would probably have been faster to drive there. The location needs more staff, especially during busy morning and checkout hours.
The arcade had the usual games, and my kids enjoyed playing air hockey and choosing prizes with their tickets. There is also a ropes course and mini golf, although we did not try them. The interactive scavenger hunt requires purchasing a wand, with the least expensive option costing around $19.95. The Build-A-Bear Workshop was popular with my kids, but two bears cost approximately $130. I did appreciate that they offered a first-responder discount.
There were lobby activities, including games and coloring. The coloring activity was basic, with tables, coloring sheets, and crayons, and I would have liked to see more interaction from the staff. The lobby game activity was better. My daughter participated, interacted with one of the characters, danced, and played with other children. The Legend of Luna storytime was also a nice activity before bedtime.
Parking was an additional $25 and may be difficult if you arrive when the lot is busy. Checkout is at 11:00 a.m., and they are strict about the time. We were delayed that morning because of the long Dunkin' wait, and someone was knocking on our door at approximately 11:05.
The app was useful for checking activity times, ordering food, contacting the front desk, and keeping track of what was happening at the resort.
Overall, we had a good weekend. My kids enjoyed themselves, the water park was clean, and there was plenty for them to do. The main issues were the slow check-in, the long wait at Dunkin', and how quickly the additional costs added up. I would return, but next time I would bring our own goggles, swim shoes, bubble toys, and refillable water bottles, and I would avoid buying unnecessary items at the resort.