Great Wolf Resorts, North America’s largest family of indoor waterpark resorts, officially opened the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois. The resort in Gurnee, Ill., offers a more contemporary design and variety of activities—both inside and outside of the water park—that appeal to both children and parents.
The new Great Wolf Lodge has an expanded 80,000 square-foot water park with two new family slides, a large wave pool, new toddler water play area and an outdoor oasis with a pool and cabanas. Additional new experiences include the Great Wolf Adventure Park, a 40,000 square foot family entertainment center with a ropes course, climbing wall, arcade and more. For culinary enthusiast, Great Wolf Lodge Illinois offers eight different eateries including Barnwood, an elevated, farm-to-fork restaurant located just off the lobby.
“We are excited to officially open Great Wolf Lodge Illinois and provide an unmatched resort experience for families – one that is close to home but miles away from the distractions of everyday life,” Murray Hennessy, CEO of Great Wolf Resorts, said in a statement. “Great Wolf Lodge Illinois perfectly blends together tried and true family favorites that guests love about Great Wolf with several updated attractions and amenities we recently introduced at our newer properties to create a truly unique getaway for families.”
“Guests are never more than a few feet away from the next great family adventure at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois,” Emilio Fabico, GM of the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, said in a statement. “With our diverse collection of water slides, pools, family-friendly attractions and complimentary kids’ activities, at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois the fun begins the moment our guests walk into the resort and continues from morning to night.”
The Great Wolf Lodge includes Wiley’s Water Park, an indoor water park offering water slides and kids attractions. Expanded to 80,000 square-feet, Wiley’s Water Park will include a lazy river, activity pool and slides including the twisting tube slides, body slides and the Coyote Canyon raft ride. Admission to the indoor water park is included as part of each overnight stay.
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois also has dozens of weatherproof, year-round activities and entertainment offerings throughout the resort. The Great Wolf Adventure Park houses several attractions, including the Rustic Ridge Rock Wall and the Howlers Peak Ropes Course climbing challenge. Guests can also search for keepsake gemstones at the brand’s mining experience, Oliver’s Mining Co., bowling at Ten Paw Alley, the Howl in One Miniature Golf Course and the Northern Lights Arcade. The property also offers the MagiQuest activity, a live-action adventure game.
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois offers 414 suites designed to accommodate families and groups. Families can choose from 13 suite styles, including the kid-focused Wolf Den and KidCabin suites that come with bunk beds and Great Wolf Kids character theming. The resort also offers multi-bedroom suites designed to accommodate larger families or friends traveling together. All suites come equipped with an in-room refrigerator and coffee maker.
The destination also offers eight dining experiences throughout the resort, as well as nearly 8,000 square feet of meeting and events space with built-in audio and video technology, customizable catering options and a team of industry professionals to assist with any meeting needs.