Great Wolf Resorts looking to build indoor waterpark at Pittsburgh Mills (Erie: 2014, mall)

[creepsinc]

I stayed at a GWL in Wisconsin once. I was on a road trip and it was a stopping point, and it was the off-season for the Dells, so it was (somewhat) reasonably priced. The "water park" really isn't very big, just a glorified, if impressive, pool area for the hotel. The food SUCKED and overall it wasn't worth the $120 to stay there for the night. Luckily, all the tourist families coming to Pittsburgh on vacation will have an overpriced place to stay. I agree, Kalahari looks nicer, bigger and makes more sense because anybody can go there for the day.

[slamont61]

Originally Posted by creepsinc

I stayed at a GWL in Wisconsin once. I was on a road trip and it was a stopping point, and it was the off-season for the Dells, so it was (somewhat) reasonably priced. The "water park" really isn't very big, just a glorified, if impressive, pool area for the hotel. The food SUCKED and overall it wasn't worth the $120 to stay there for the night. Luckily, all the tourist families coming to Pittsburgh on vacation will have an overpriced place to stay. I agree, Kalahari looks nicer, bigger and makes more sense because anybody can go there for the day.

So how long ago was this? I've stayed at the Kalahari and the GWL in the Dells. The three big indoor parks at the Dells are the Kalahari, GWL and the Wildeness Resort. Each one has to update to try and keep a head of the other. Each Resort is with in the others in Price. The Kalahari by far has the better indoor park but the Great Wolf Lodge is nothing to sneeze at. 120 in the off season is one of the better rooms I believe. Nothing better than a waterpark in the winter.

Great Wolf Lodge is a stable company so the Pittsburgh Development should provide an decent overnight-trip destination for years to come. Yeah food's expensive with in, why not go out or call Dominos?

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by slamont61

So how long ago was this? I've stayed at the Kalahari and the GWL in the Dells. The three big indoor parks at the Dells are the Kalahari, GWL and the Wildeness Resort. Each one has to update to try and keep a head of the other. Each Resort is with in the others in Price. The Kalahari by far has the better indoor park but the Great Wolf Lodge is nothing to sneeze at. 120 in the off season is one of the better rooms I believe. Nothing better than a waterpark in the winter.

Great Wolf Lodge is a stable company so the Pittsburgh Development should provide an decent overnight-trip destination for years to come. Yeah food's expensive with in, why not go out or call Dominos?

It was around 2002, in the fall. It was also the only indoor water park I've ever been to, so I don't have anything but pictures of the other ones to compare it to. However, it wasn't nearly as big as the one in Erie seems to be, or the Kalahari locations seem on their website. I couldn't imagine charging admission for the day, is what I was trying to say. It's much more of an amenity for the hotel than an actual destination like the others.

[bradjl2009]

The thing I notice is the GWL are in more touisty areas and Pittsburgh isn't so i think it won't work if they only let you use it if you have a hotel reservation. Who would want to pay $120 to spend the night in a hotel to use a water park when you live in the general area? I think I'd rather go to Erie where I would actually need to use the hotel room.

[5stones]

As I said we live about 15minutes away from the one hjere in GRapevine TX. It is ALWAY'S packed.

Plenty of "local" people use it and spend 1-2 nights there. We stayed 1 night, my sister and I got 1 room and we had 4 kids. Girl scout troops use it for overnighters (some rooms sleep8) I even know of one family that did a birthday party there (overnighter)

It's 75% indoor and has about 25% outdoor. Even in the hot Texas summer the parking lot is packed. It is located just down the road from Grapevine Mills mall.

NO DAY passes. (its just not that large)
It is small ESP for the ammount of rooms.
They have a kids "spa"
Story time under the big tree
Magic Quest (buy a wand and go on a quest throughout the Hotel) Kids did this and Loved it...Kids were running everywhere in the Hotel at night doing all the "quests" (until 11pm then it's "quiet time)
An Arcade
Sit down Resturant
Bar area

Like I said before it is REALLY geared for the under 12 set. They have a couple of good tube rides, but no big body slides etc... the lazy river is tiny, the wave pool isn't very big and get very crowed.

[neurodistortion]

So to set the record straight, I emailed Stephen Zamias and this is what he told me about the waterpark:

Gary, thank you for your e-mail. In answer to your question. The Water Park will be attached and have an entrance from the mall and to the mall. If you recall we were planning on putting in Nascar where the theatres are located that is where the Water Park will be located. If you need to speak to me please feel free to call my office. my direct line is 1-814-532-6161 thank you again for hitting our web-site and asking us your question. All the best SGZ

And someone I've talked to told me that they might implement day passes because Splash Lagoon already does, not to mention this would be one of their first locations that's not located in a big tourism area.

[robrobrob]

I would prefer that they not implement day passes. Frankly, for my young childrens sake I would rather have it less crowded. Why would people book a room if they can buy a day pass?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by 5stones

As I said we live about 15minutes away from the one hjere in GRapevine TX. It is ALWAY'S packed.

Plenty of "local" people use it and spend 1-2 nights there. We stayed 1 night, my sister and I got 1 room and we had 4 kids. Girl scout troops use it for overnighters (some rooms sleep8) I even know of one family that did a birthday party there (overnighter)

Pittsburghers tend to be frugal people. That's kind. Pittsburghers can be downright cheap. (Pittsburghers are rather proud of that!)

They'll go to the outdoor water park in the summer where they can buy a day pass.

If they have to rent a room, they'll go to the indoor water park in Erie---so it feels like a vacation.

[rothbear]

They opened one down here in Charlotte, NC not that long ago. (I moved from Pgh area, so that's why I'm here at the board).

Anyway, I guess the interviewing process was "wild" literally! They had the people actually pretty much act the part and had to dance around, and "howl" like a wolf, show their energy and showmanship, etc. Kind of like what I imagine a Disney interview on steroids would be like. But apparently they had huge amounts of people applying. It was even written up in the newspaper. I see their ads on TV all the time and apparently are doing OK even down here with tons of other tourist destinations. I would think that would be a nice attraction for there. Not that far from the zoo, either, which would be nice for families.

[momof03]

I hope to God this happens. We need some indoor adventure attractions for active kids in the winter.

Who cares if you have to stay in the hotel it could be a little vacation.