With Great Wolf Lodge expanding to Orange County, Southern California residents and visitors will soon have a new family-focused destination to enjoy! Susan Storey, Communications Director for Great Wolf Lodge, states, "Great Wolf Lodge Southern California will be our largest destination to date, and it is California's first and only year-round, indoor water park." The Garden Grove attraction is expected to open in February of 2016, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times.
Bringing Great Wolf Lodge to the OC
The Orange County location will become the 15th Great Wolf Lodge resort. One of the other locations is in Canada and the rest are in the United States. The move into Southern California is both strategic and natural. Storey states, "Orange County is synonymous with family travel and we could not think of a better place to open our newest resort."
She adds, "Great Wolf Lodge Southern California will provide an exciting new 'staycation' option for local families looking for a convenient getaway. It will also be the area's newest destination for those visiting Southern California's various attractions and theme parks."
Visiting the Resort
Great Wolf Lodge Southern California is both similar to and different from other locations. Storey explains, "We have brought the very best of the Great Wolf Lodge experience to California, as well as several new experiences."
Water Park Features
A 100,000-plus-square-foot indoor water park is a focal feature of the resort, and it is exclusive to overnight resort guests. (Meaning that you can't purchase day passes.) "Our guests will enjoy exclusive access to our indoor water 12 months out of the year," Storey boasts.
She highlights, "In the water park, families can enjoy ten unique water slides and five pools, as well as the resort's signature Howlin' Tornado™ - a six-story thrill raft ride that takes riders swishing up and down its huge funnel before a thrilling splash-landing in the catch pool."
Additional water-based attractions include:
- Crooked Creek lazy river
- Big Foot Pass water obstacle course
- River Canyon Run raft ride
- Raccoon lagoon outdoor pool
- Much more
Dry Land Entertainment Options
Great Wolf Lodge offers many family-friendly attractions in addition to the massive indoor water park. Storey illustrates, "Great Wolf Lodge features more than 20 on-site attractions and activities throughout the property including Scooops® Kid Spa, Ten Paw Alley® miniature bowling, a huge arcade, the Howly Wood®XD Theater and an all-new chapter in the live action scavenger hunt experiential game, MagiQuest®."
Resort Experience
The resort includes comfortable all-suite accommodations that will appeal to kids and adults alike. It has more than 600 rooms, with options designed to house as many as eight guests. Some options have private bedrooms, semi-private living rooms and two bathrooms. Storey indicates, "The Great Wolf Kids character-themed Wolf Den and KidCabin suites feature interactive elements for guests right in the suite."
Resort guests will enjoy exclusive access to all on-site attractions and shows, including the water park, as well as a round-the-clock fitness center and free Wi-Fi. In addition, parents will enjoy the Story Time alongside their children each night in our Grand Lobby.
On-Site Dining
The resort is home to many excellent dining options, a feature that provides a great convenience for guests. Storey highlights, "We are excited to have Garden Grove's first and only Dunkin' Donuts as one of several on-site dining options for our guests, along with our signature Lodge Wood Fired Grill restaurant, Hungry as a Wolf pizza kitchen and more." In addition, the Loose Moose Family Kitchen is a great buffet-style option for guests who have worked up big appetites partaking in all the activities!
Meeting Facilities
Great Wolf Lodge Southern California is equipped to handle large banquets and group events with a 20,000 square foot conference center. Storey points out, "In addition to the many fun activities for families and leisure guests, we also have a full-service conference center for corporate groups and meetings."
Getting There
If you're looking for a home base for a family vacation in Southern California, this resort is a terrific option. "Centrally located in Orange County, Great Wolf Lodge Southern California is the ideal base for exploring the many sites and attractions that Southern California has to offer," states Storey. She explains, "The resort is an easy drive from Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Springs, and is located minutes from nearby theme parks. In addition, Great Wolf Lodge Southern California is convenient to families flying in through John Wayne Airport."
