If you think Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is only for little kids, think again! After several stays, we’ve discovered it’s also a fantastic staycation spot for tweens and teens. From the water slides and arcade to the laid-back hangout zones and dining options, there’s plenty to keep older kids entertained. Here’s why Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is a top pick for a teen-friendly staycation especially for local Arizona families.
I’ve partnered with Great Wolf Lodge to share my teen staycation tips.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth It for Teens and Older Kids?
Yes, the Great Wolf Lodge is great for teenagers that love swimming and water slides. There are several large water slides, a large outdoor pool, a smaller pool with basketball hoops, a wave pool and a small lazy river.
There are also some great indoor activities that teens can enjoy like a ropes course, climbing wall, bowling and an arcade.
Plus, as parents you can easily grant them some independence as they wander around the mostly indoor resort. And if you want you can allow them charging privileges using their wristband so they can buy food on their own.
PS. Almost all indoors means this vacation works great year-round during the ‘bitter’ Arizona cold 😉 to the extreme summer heat and there is no need to nag the kids into wearing head-to-toe sunscreen (unless they use the outside pool of course).
How Can You Save Money on a Great Wolf Lodge Visit?
There’s plenty of ways to save money on your Great Wolf Lodge staycation. Since we’ve already established that teens can enjoy a Great Wolf Lodge staycation, let’s figure out ways to save money and help make it 100% worth the cost.
Book Weekday or Off-Season Stays
Staying at Great Wolf Lodge midweek can help you save quite a bit of money. Weeknight rates are often 30-40% off weekend visits, and the water park is way less crowded. Flexibility is usually the key to saving on any trip but for Arizona families, staying in state and not having to coordinate flights or cross-country trips makes it easier to snag a great rate when you see one.
Annual 84-Degree Sale on 8/4
Every year on 8/4 (August 4th) the Great Wolf Lodge celebrates its signature water temperature with some of the best rates of year with rooms starting at just $84 a night. It’s one of the best ways to book a trip on a budget!
Other Great Wolf Lodge Discount Ideas
AAA, military, first responder and teacher discounts are often available for your Great Wolf Lodge staycation and best of all, they could be stackable with seasonal offers. We don’t qualify for any of these so I can’t say for sure but it’s always worth a shot. Always check the Great Wolf Lodge Arizona deals page before booking.
Pack Breakfast and Your Teen’s Favorite Munchies
Every room comes with a mini-fridge, and every floor has a microwave available in the vending machine area. I suggest bringing easy breakfast options, drinks and snacks to help save money on food for constantly hungry teens! You can bring things from home or place a pickup order at the nearby Target, that’s my preferred method.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth the Price?
Short answer? Yes. Especially if you are an Arizona family trying to sneak in a fun family trip without boarding plane or taking a long road trip! With a single night-stay, you get access to two full days of water park access.
Yes, Arizona families like quick trips to California or even Vegas but both of those options require more travel, and more time off. And depending upon what you are doing, you’re also paying for shows, theme park tickets, etc. A Great Wolf Lodge trip is fun and much more practical for a quick staycation.
What’s the Best Way to Get the Most Out of a Great Wolf Lodge Vacation?
The best way to maximize your Great Wolf Lodge stay is to arrive early and stay late! Even if your room isn’t ready yet, you can access the water park as soon as it opens on the day of your arrival. Make sure to check the water park hours before you leave (it’s usually opens at 10AM).
Then stay late on your checkout day. That’s two full days of fun for one night of lodging! If you price out visiting a water park for 2 days, you can easily see the value of staying a night at Great Wolf Lodge.
Consider Splurging on a Souvenir Soda Sipper or Popcorn Bucket
If you are a soda family, consider splurging on refillable souvenir cups. Get free drink refills during your entire stay, if you drink a lot, you will easily come out ahead. They also offer a refillable popcorn bucket which would be a great snack option for hungry teens, these have free unlimited refills during your stay as well.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth the Cost for Just One Night?
Yes, Great Wolf Lodge is worth the value when you consider that one night will get you two full days of water park fun. Plus, it can be easier on the budget because there will be less pressure to pay for extra activities. It’s a great way to have a fun family trip in just one night.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth the Money for a Weekend Trip?
If your schedule is tight, then staying one weekend night also works great. Drive up after school on a Friday, swim and eat dinner. Then stay all day Saturday and enjoy the water park.
Weekends do typically cost more than weekdays but if that’s the best option for busy teens with extracurriculars then you would likely only travel on weekends wherever you went. A local staycation to Great Wolf Lodge Arizona still beats out other options!
Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth The money During Off-Season or Weekdays?
Absolutely, in some ways it’s even more worth it because there are fewer crowds and lower room rates. Less people means less waiting for slides are play time in the arcade. If you have flexible school or work schedules, definitely check out weekday and shoulder season stays.
Feeding Teens At Great Wolf Lodge Arizona
Teens are always hungry. Always. So researching and planning meals and food options is a great way to stay on budget. Luckily there are lots of options without leaving the resort.
What Food Options Are Available at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona?
There are quite a few food options located within the lodge.
- Campfire Kitchen is a full American breakfast buffet option. It’s typically open from 7am-11am. I’ve never seen it open for lunch or dinner at the Arizona location.
- Barnwood is full-service restaurant open for dinner. They typically recommend reservations, but I have seen walk-up availability, and you can order takeout from the bar.
- Buckets Burgers & Bites is available in the water park and offers burgers, chicken, salad, etc. Order in the app to avoid longer lines at lunch time.
- Timbers Tacos is another option available from inside the water park. They offer tacos, nachos, quesadillas and more. The sharable carne nachos is something we order every time.
- Hungry As A Wolf offers pizza, pasta and salad. They offer individual meals and family meal deals, perfect for when you are exhausted at the end of a long day at the water park.
- Dunkin’ is very popular every morning and as you’d expect offer donuts and coffee.
- Wood’s End Creamery sells hand scooped ice cream, soft serve ice cream and sundaes.
- Freshwoods Market is available just outside the lobby and offers easy grab and go snacks and drinks, think soda, water, sandwiches, fruit cups, cereal, etc.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Food Expensive/Worth It?
I think the food is worth it if you want to stay on site the entire time and never leave. Obviously, you pay more for a burger at the resort vs In & Out but the quality and convenience is well worth it. Bringing snacks and being strategic of where/when you eat can make a difference in the overall value.
Can You Order Food Delivery to Great Wolf Lodge?
Yes, there are quite a few food options nearby that you can pick up food from or order delivery from services like DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub. Just pick it up in the lobby, you can eat in your room or there is usually dining tables available inside the lodge from the lobby area all the way back to Campfire Kitchen.
What dessert options are at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona?
- Wood’s End Creamery is all about ice cream.
- Dunkin’ is all about donuts.
- Buckets Burgers & Bites currently has Dippin Dots, funnel cakes, milkshakes and chocolate chip cookies on their menu
- Hungry As A Wolf has quick dessert options for on the go
- Timbers Tacos currently has Dippin Dots, churros and chocolate chip cookies on their menu.
- Barnwood offers a variety of dessert options and take out is an option there if you don’t want a sit-down meal/dessert.
- Great Wolf Candy Company offers a wide assortment of sweets including bulk candy and chocolates.
Final Thoughts and Teenage Staycation Tips
Bring Friends
It’s a local (ish) staycation so bring a friend or two along with your teens to double the fun. We even managed to coordinate a trip with a few families with teens over Rodeo Break (unique 4-day weekend in Tucson) and my kids love having more people to hang out with.
Splurge On Breakfast Buffet
If you are planning on bringing breakfast, snacks, and eating on a budget, I recommend splurging on one meal. The Campfire Kitchen is a breakfast buffet that will give you the most bang for your budget with big teenage eaters.
Consider Room Options
The standard family suite sleeps up to 6 people and includes 2 queen beds and a sofa sleeper. This works great for a family of 4, especially since it’s a little larger than a typical hotel room.
Great Wolf Lodge offers many different upgraded family suites, most are geared towards younger kids with bunk beds. But there are options that accommodate up to 13 people with extra beds and bathrooms that can work great if you plan a trip with extended family or bring friends.
We shared one of the larger rooms at the Great Wolf Grand Mound location with my best friend’s family when our kids were little. It was a better value than 2 separate regular rooms and the kids had a blast.
Reserve Seating & Meal Deal
You don’t have to reserve seating in the water park but if you prefer a guaranteed table all day long, especially on busy days, consider the Reserve Seating & Meal Deal package. On busy days there is no need to try and stake out chairs as soon as the water park opens.
Plus, it’s yours all day (in addition to a pizza and soda), so if you take a break from the water park, you can always go back to your table later that day. I like the location at the Great Wolf Lodge Arizona much better than the cabanas and this is a cheaper splurge.
Check Out The Extra Activities
There are more activities available (for extra $$$) that teens like including an obstacle course, a rock-climbing wall, bowling, arcade and Magiquest. Check these options out before you buy a Wolf Pass. It might be a better value to just pay for things individually if your teen won’t do everything.
We have found the Adventure Pass a better deal now that the kids are older, it includes unlimited ropes course, climbing wall, mirror maze and mini golf for the entire family. The ropes course is my teens’ favorite extra activity there.
Looking for more Phoenix Area Fun?
If you want to extend your trip and find some fun in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area check out these ideas:
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