If you’ve ever looked into taking your family to Great Wolf Lodge, you probably know it isn’t exactly a cheap getaway. Between the hotel room, food, drinks, and all the extras, the total can add up pretty quickly. But after several visits to Great Wolf Lodge Arizona, we’ve figured out quite a few ways to save money without feeling like we’re missing out on anything.
We’re a family of seven, with five kids ranging from toddlers to teenagers, and we live more than three hours from Scottsdale. When we make the trip, we want to get our money’s worth! We’ve stayed in different rooms, tried the activity passes, brought our own food, eaten at the resort, and learned a few things along the way.
We’re actually planning another visit as part of our kids’ Christmas gifts this year. It’ll be our last trip as a family of seven before baby number six arrives in February, and I’ll be about 34 weeks pregnant. So while I’m looking forward to watching the kids have fun, I’m also appreciating the idea of a vacation where everything is under one roof and I don’t have to plan a million different activities.
Here are the things we’ve learned that make Great Wolf Lodge more affordable, especially for bigger families.
Finding the Best Deals Before You Book
If you can travel during the week, do it. This has been our biggest money saver by far. We’ve seen differences of more than $1,000 between weekday and weekend stays, depending on the dates and the room we’re booking. We’ve even let the kids miss a little school to take advantage of a better rate. When you’re saving that much money, it’s certainly something to consider!
Before choosing your dates, spend some time playing around with the booking calendar. Look at different arrival days and compare one-, two-, and three-night stays. Great Wolf Lodge frequently offers promotions with up to 50% off when you book three or more nights, so it’s worth checking whether an extra night makes sense for your family.
We usually book two nights since we’re driving more than three hours to get there, and that’s been a good amount of time for us. But I actually think three nights would be a lot of fun, especially if you wanted to add some evening activities outside the resort, like ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, during the holidays. You could spend your days swimming, head out for an evening adventure, and still have plenty of time to enjoy everything Great Wolf Lodge has to offer without feeling rushed.
Just be sure to compare the final total. Even with a bigger discount, three nights may still cost more than two, but the additional time could be worth it!
Always look for a promo code before booking. Great Wolf Lodge runs sales throughout the year, including some pretty substantial discounts around Black Friday. We’ve seen promotions advertising 40% off or more, although you’ll want to pay attention to the actual total for your family. Those advertised rates starting at $109 aren’t necessarily what you’ll pay when you need a larger suite for seven people.
And here’s something you might not know: you can sometimes get an even better deal after you’ve already booked. If you reserve your room with a 40% off code and later see a promotion for 50% off, try calling or chatting with Great Wolf Lodge customer service. We’ve done this before, and when the new promotion qualified for our reservation, they were able to give us a credit for the difference. It’s not guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask.
I’d also recommend joining the free Great Wolf Lodge Voyagers Club before booking. Members can receive exclusive offers, special rates, and points toward future stays. Even if you only go once a year, it’s worth comparing the member deals with the public promotions.
Why We Pay Extra for Flexible Booking
This might seem like a strange tip in an article about saving money, but we actually choose to spend a little more on a flexible reservation.
With five kids, there’s always the possibility that someone will come down with the flu right before we’re supposed to leave. And with our sixth baby due in February, there’s also the chance she could decide to make her appearance earlier than expected!
The last thing I want is to lose hundreds of dollars because our plans suddenly change. Paying for flexibility won’t save us anything if the trip goes exactly as planned, but it gives us peace of mind knowing we have options if something unexpected happens.
Just make sure you read the cancellation terms carefully. Not every rate has the same rules or deadline, and you’ll want to know exactly how close to your trip you can cancel or reschedule.
Choosing the Right Room for Your Family
We’ve stayed in the themed suites with bunk beds, and the kids love them. If your children are old enough to sleep in the same room without needing complete darkness or a sound machine, they’re a really fun option.
But with a toddler, we’ve learned that having separate sleeping spaces is worth spending a little extra.
Our favorite is the Grizzly Bear Suite, which has a king bedroom, another bedroom with two queen beds, and a living area with a sofa bed. Our 18-month-old still sleeps in a travel crib with a sound machine and a dark room, so being able to put her to bed while the older kids stay up is a huge benefit.
Otherwise, we’re all sitting silently in a dark hotel room at 7 p.m., hoping nobody wakes the baby. Not exactly my idea of a relaxing vacation!
For families with older kids, a smaller suite might be perfectly fine. I’d look closely at the room layouts before booking and think about how your family actually sleeps. And if you’re bringing a baby, make sure everyone is included in the reservation and that the room’s occupancy limit works for your family.
How We Save Money on Food
Food is probably the easiest place to overspend at Great Wolf Lodge, especially when you’re feeding seven people. We’ve tried a few different approaches over the years, and what works for us now is a combination of bringing our own food and purchasing some meals at the resort.
Breakfast Is One Meal We Almost Always Skip at the Resort
The breakfast buffet isn’t necessarily a bad deal, especially if you have kids who eat a lot in the morning. Ours just don’t eat enough to make it worthwhile.
Instead, one of us usually makes a McDonald’s run. Using specials in the McDonald’s app, we’ve sometimes been able to grab breakfast sandwiches with deals like two for $5. Add a couple of hot coffees for Mom and Dad, and we can usually feed everyone for around $25.
We also pack a cooler with easy breakfast foods like milk, juice, yogurt, applesauce, cut fruit, cereal, muffins, and sometimes donuts. The rooms usually have a small refrigerator, and we’ve found shared microwaves in the vending areas on the hotel floors.
It’s easy, inexpensive, and the kids can eat while everyone gets ready for the waterpark.
Bring Food from Home, but Be Realistic About How Much You’ll Use It
Before our trips, we usually make a Costco run for things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, trail mix, muffins, crackers, fruit, Lunchables, and tortilla roll-ups. Great Wolf Lodge allows you to bring food into your hotel room, so there’s no reason you have to purchase every meal at the resort.
We’ve also had Jimmy John’s delivered to the lobby before, which worked out great when nobody wanted to get dressed and go somewhere for dinner.
One thing to keep in mind is that outside food and drinks generally aren’t allowed inside the waterpark. That means heading back to your room when everyone is hungry, which sounds simple until you’re trying to convince five kids to get out of the pool.
We learned that lesson the hard way!
Why We Now Buy the Dining Credit
Great Wolf Lodge has offered a dining package where you can purchase $200 in food credit for $170, essentially saving $30 on food you’re already planning to buy. Check the current offer and terms, since packages can change.
On previous trips, we skipped the dining credit because we figured we’d save more money by eating what we brought from home. And we probably did save a little more.
But what we didn’t factor in was the hassle of getting everyone out of the water, drying off, going upstairs, eating, changing, and heading back down to swim again. By the time we finished, it felt like we’d spent half the afternoon getting everyone situated.
Now we’re more inclined to buy the dining credit and use it for lunch or dinner while we’re swimming. We still bring breakfast and snacks, but being able to grab a few pizzas or some nachos without interrupting everyone’s fun is worth it to us.
There are several dining options at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona, including Hungry As A Wolf Pizza & More, Timbers Tacos, and Buckets Burgers & Bites. You can also find Dunkin’ for coffee and breakfast treats and Wood’s End Creamery for ice cream.
We usually order things everyone can share rather than buying seven individual meals. A few pizzas or some nachos go a long way, especially when the kids are more interested in getting back to the water than sitting down for a full meal.
You can see all of the Great Wolf Lodge Arizona dining options here.
Don’t Spend a Fortune on Drinks
There are free water dispensers and cups throughout the waterpark, which is what our kids usually drink while they’re swimming. We’ve brought our own water bottles during previous visits without any issues, although I’d check the current rules about outside beverages before packing them.
If Mom and Dad want soda, we may purchase refillable cups, but there’s no reason for us to buy seven of them. Our kids are usually too busy swimming to stop and drink soda anyway (not to mention they get dehydrated fast spending all day at the park). They can have one from our cooler when we get back to the room.
Great Wolf Lodge Arizona also has a waterpark bar called The Watering Hole, where you can purchase beer, margaritas, and other drinks. My husband and I have enjoyed a drink or two there on previous visits and have used our dining credit for eligible purchases. I won’t be partaking this time around, but it’s worth factoring into your budget if you plan to purchase drinks. They are definitely pricey!
Getting the Most Out of Your Waterpark Time
One of my favorite things about Great Wolf Lodge is that you don’t have to wait until your room is ready to start swimming.
Hotel check-in is generally at 4 p.m., but overnight guests can use the waterpark when it opens on arrival day. We pack a separate swim bag with everything we need so we can change and head straight to the waterpark without digging through our suitcases.
The same goes for checkout day. Even though checkout is generally at 11 a.m., you can continue using the waterpark until closing. There are changing rooms and showers, so you can get dressed before heading home.
Since we live more than three hours away, we sometimes skip swimming on checkout day and do something different, like visiting the Phoenix Zoo. But if your kids want every possible minute in the waterpark, take advantage of it!
We’ve Never Rented a Cabana
Not once. We’ve always been able to find a table or lounge chairs where we can leave our pool bag with towels and other nonvaluable items. If we need to secure valuables, we use a locker.
I can see how a cabana might be nice for families with babies, grandparents, or someone who wants a quieter place to relax, but we’ve never felt like we needed one. It’s an easy extra to skip if you’re trying to keep costs down.
Great Wolf Lodge also provides life jackets and pool towels, so you don’t need to purchase or pack those. Just make sure you return the towels according to the resort’s procedures to avoid any charges.
You Don’t Have to Purchase All the Extra Activities
We’ve bought activity passes before and tried things like rock climbing and bowling. The kids had fun, but we’ve learned that they really just want to swim. And when you’re paying for five children, all those extras add up quickly.
Now we generally skip the activity passes, arcade, and other paid attractions. There’s already so much to do in the waterpark that we don’t feel like we’re missing anything.
If your kids are really excited about MagiQuest, bowling, mini golf, or the other attractions, compare the cost of individual activities with the available passes before purchasing. But don’t feel like you need to buy them just because they’re there.
There are also complimentary activities throughout the resort, which may include storytime, dance parties, crafts, and character appearances. They’re fun for younger kids who need a break from swimming, and they’re already included with your stay. Check the activity schedule when you arrive.
I’d also recommend talking to your kids about what you’re planning to purchase before you get there. It’s much easier to explain that you’re skipping the arcade at home than when everyone is standing in front of flashing games asking for money.
Watch Those Wristband Charges
One of the conveniences of Great Wolf Lodge is that you don’t have to carry your wallet or room key around. Your wristband gives you access to the waterpark and your room, and authorized wristbands can also be used to charge purchases to your room.
It’s wonderful not having to keep track of a room key while swimming, but it can also make spending a little too easy. Make sure you know which wristbands have purchasing privileges and keep an eye on your charges throughout your stay. A few little purchases here and there can turn into a surprisingly large bill at checkout.
What I Always Pack for Great Wolf Lodge
I don’t think you need to pack your entire house for a Great Wolf Lodge trip, especially since the resort provides towels and life jackets. But there are a few things I’ve learned to bring after traveling with kids of all different ages.
Water shoes or Crocs are great for walking between the room and waterpark, and I like having hooded towels, ponchos, or robes for the kids because those hallways can feel chilly after swimming. We also sometimes pack goggles, an extra swimsuit for the little ones, and a waterproof bag for wet clothes on the drive home.
For babies and toddlers, don’t forget diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and swim diapers. On previous visits, Great Wolf Lodge has actually had individually packaged swim diapers available at no cost, which was a nice surprise! I don’t know if that’s something they always offer, though, so I’d still recommend bringing your own. Current resort information may list them as an item available for purchase.
We also bring our toddler’s travel crib, sound machine, and a nightlight. If you’d rather not pack a crib, you can ask about the availability of a complimentary Pack ‘n Play, but I’d confirm before your trip.
A few other things I like having are a small folding step stool for the bathroom sink so little kids can reach, moisturizer and lip balm after all that swimming, and books or cards for downtime in the room. And definitely check the height requirements for water slides before promising your younger kids they’ll be able to ride everything. The bunk rooms have always had a television so the kids bring their video games to hook up.
My Favorite Hotel Laundry Hack
This isn’t specific to Great Wolf Lodge, but it’s one of my favorite mom tricks for any hotel stay: bring a large garbage bag for dirty laundry.
Those tiny laundry bags hotels provide might work for one or two people, but with seven of us, they’re practically useless.
We throw everyone’s dirty clothes into the garbage bag throughout our stay, and when it’s time to leave, I just tie it up and toss it into the car. When we get home, the whole thing goes straight to the laundry room. No digging through suitcases trying to figure out what’s clean and what’s dirty!
I also bring a separate waterproof bag for wet swimsuits so they don’t soak everything else on the drive home.
Giving Great Wolf Lodge as a Christmas Gift
This year, instead of buying more toys, we’re giving our kids another Great Wolf Lodge trip for Christmas.
With five kids, we already have plenty of toys in the house, and I love giving them something we can all enjoy together. We can spend a few days swimming, eating pizza, and making memories instead of adding another pile of stuff to the playroom.
One of the fun things we do is put a $25 Great Wolf Lodge gift card in each child’s stocking from Santa. That gives them their own money to spend on a souvenir, treat, or something special during our trip.
With five kids, that’s $125, but it also means we have a set budget for those little purchases. Instead of everyone asking Mom and Dad to buy something, they can decide how they want to spend their own money. And if they don’t want to spend it you can put it towards your bill and offer them an IOU.
Another idea is to purchase gift cards throughout the year. If you’re planning a trip several months away, picking up a $25 or $50 gift card occasionally can help spread out the cost. Just make sure you check the terms for how gift cards can be used, especially if you plan to put them toward your hotel reservation.
You can find Great Wolf Lodge gift cards here.
And if you’re surprising your kids with a trip, you could wrap up a homemade certificate, new goggles, or swimsuits so they have something to open on Christmas morning.
A Few More Questions Parents Ask About Great Wolf Lodge Arizona
Can you bring your own food? Yes, you can bring food and drinks into your hotel room. We regularly bring breakfast foods, snacks, and easy meals. Outside food and beverages generally aren’t allowed in the waterpark itself. You might luck out and find some lax attendees but I wouldn’t risk it.
Can you swim before check-in or after checkout? Yes! Overnight guests can generally use the waterpark from opening on arrival day until closing on departure day, even though the room check-in and checkout times are different.
Do you need to bring towels or life jackets? No. Great Wolf Lodge provides both for guests. Just remember to return your towels.
Do you need an activity pass? Not at all. Waterpark admission is included with your overnight stay, and there are free resort activities as well. The extra attractions are optional.
Is it cheaper to visit during the week? It certainly can be. We’ve seen savings of more than $1,000 by choosing midweek dates instead of weekends, especially when booking a larger suite.
Can you get a better promo code after booking? Sometimes! We’ve had success contacting customer service when a better qualifying promotion became available. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Arizona worth it for a large family? For us, absolutely. We don’t have to plan a bunch of separate activities, the kids are entertained for hours, and we can spend as much or as little on the extras as we want.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth the Money?
For our family, it is. But I think the key is figuring out which things are worth spending money on and which things you can skip.
We’re happy to spend a little extra on a room where our toddler can sleep comfortably, dining credit so we don’t have to drag five kids out of the water every time they’re hungry, and a flexible reservation in case someone gets sick.
On the other hand, we’re perfectly content to skip the breakfast buffet, pack a cooler full of snacks, pass on the cabana, and avoid paying for activities our kids aren’t that interested in anyway.
The kids don’t care whether we booked the most expensive room, ate at every restaurant, or purchased every activity pass. They remember the waterslides, the time together, and all the fun they had.
And that’s what makes the trip worth it to us.
Have you stayed at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona? I’d love to hear your favorite money-saving tips and tricks!
