If you’re looking for a fun indoor family adventure, the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas, is an excellent choice. We recently spent an afternoon at the resort’s large indoor water park, and our kids had a blast on the slides, in the wave pool, and around the splash area. The park is perfect for families looking to escape the Texas heat or enjoy water fun year-round. Plan to spend at least four hours exploring all the water attractions.
What to Expect
The Great Wolf Lodge water park is a spacious indoor facility catering to guests of all ages. Upon entry, families will find a shallow splash pool with small slides that are perfect for toddlers and young children—our four-year-old loved this area. Next to it, a larger splash pad features multiple slides and a giant water bucket that tips over every few minutes, soaking guests below. Nearby, the wave pool and lazy river offer relaxing family fun. Our eight-year-old preferred the bigger water slides, several of which have height and tube requirements. Families can choose from more than five large slides, including the thrilling Howlin’ Tornado, a family favorite where riders swirl down a massive six-story red-and-yellow funnel. We visited during the Christmas holidays, and while the park was busy, slide wait times stayed around 15 minutes. Slides requiring tubes typically moved faster. We were also impressed by the number of attentive lifeguards, which made us feel safe throughout our visit.
Dining Options
Inside the water park, guests can enjoy casual dining at a quick-service restaurant offering pizzas, burgers, and fries, along with a separate kids’ menu featuring chicken nuggets. Orders are placed on computer screens, and a text notification is sent when your food is ready. We found the staff friendly and helpful. Seating near the restaurant fills up quickly, as many families leave belongings on tables, but plenty of chairs are scattered throughout the park. If you walk toward the back area, you’ll usually find more open seating.
Tips for Your Visit
Here are a few helpful tips for visiting the Great Wolf Lodge water park:
- Water shoes are optional since the floors aren’t slippery, but they can be useful.
- The park is stroller-friendly for families with younger children.
- Bring a waterproof phone pouch to take photos and place food orders.
- Pack goggles—the chlorine level can bother little kids’ eyes.
- Towels are provided near the entrance, so there’s no need to bring your own.
- A small shop sells swim gear, goggles, and water shoes.
- Paid lockers are available, along with showers and changing rooms.
- Cabanas can be reserved for guaranteed seating and storage space.
- Life jackets are available for children.
Other Amenities and Parking
Beyond the water park, the Great Wolf Lodge offers plenty of family entertainment, including a ropes course, arcade, bowling, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and laser tag. Guests can book different activity packages or purchase day passes just for the water park online. We opted for a water park day pass rather than an overnight stay and found it to be a great value. Parking is available in a large paid lot near the main entrance.
Final Thoughts
The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas, is an excellent choice for families seeking a fun, all-weather destination. We appreciated the wide selection of slides and activities, even though it was a bit crowded during the holidays. For a smaller nearby option, check out Keller Pointe, which offers fewer attractions but tends to be less busy. If you’re planning a family-friendly day trip filled with water fun and excitement, the Great Wolf Lodge water park is well worth a visit. For more recommendations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, check out our blog.