When my elder daughter (DD#1) turned four, we took her to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara. While my younger daughter ( DD#2) was just under two at time, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided we would go back when DD#2 turned four as well.
Recently, DD#2’s fourth birthday came around. So, off we went to Great Wolf Lodge. DD#2’s birthday usually falls during March Break but there was no way we were going to brave the crowds there (or anywhere) during that time. This year, her birthday fell a few days after March break, so the timing was just right.
We had lunch at Niagara prior to checking in. Good thing our room was ready because the girls couldn’t wait to go to the waterpark! Getting to our room on the 4th floor was quite the trek, as it was at the end of the hall. Thankfully, we discovered an elevator closer to our room which saved us a long wait for the main, central elevators. We had neat wristbands which served as our room keys and “charge account” for resort expenses. We could also use them to have our photo automatically taken at some of the waterpark rides.
We hit the Beartrack Landing as soon as we got our swimwear on. The girls stood against a board that measured how tall they were. Based on their height, they were each given a wristband that indicated which rides they could go on. DD#1 could go on any slide except the Kiddie Slides. DD#2, on the other hand, could only get on the Kiddie Slides and the Wooly Mammoth.
It was tough to get the girls away from Fort Mackenzie—a treehouse water fort—to line up for the Wooly Mammoth. As the crowd dwindled around lunchtime, we had to take advantage of the shorter queues (15 minutes vs. 30 minutes during peak time). Atop a winding staircase that went three stories up, all four of us rode on a big, circular raft which took us through twists and turns in an orange slide. Seeing the joy in the girls’ faces was just priceless! DD#2’s first words after we got down the slide: “Let’s go again!” So, we obliged. In the two days we were in the park, we rode the Wooly Mammoth about 6 times. We also scanned our wristbands before going on the ride each time so that we could get a decent photo. Sadly, no picture had a good shot of the whole family so we opted not to get any.
Since DD#1 could go on all the other slides, Hubby and I took turns in accompanying her. We went on the slides of Fort Mackenzie as well as the 1,100ft-long Eagle falls ride. Our favourites, however, were the Canada Vortex and the Niagara Rapids Run. I had to carry the double tubes up the many flights of stairs to go on the Canada Vortex. It was worth it. The thrill of the 40’ drop into a giant bowl was just awesome! However, it did leave that uncanny feeling that you were being flushed down the toilet. Hubby and DD#2 rode the Niagara Rapids Run so many times they lost count. I only rode that once with DD#2 and, I swear, I was screaming louder than she was. Well, what other opportunity do I have to scream as loud as that with the water all around to drown the sound, right? This thrilling water roller coaster ride features a 52’ drop!
The rest of the time we spent chilling at the Frog pond’s lily pads and water snake, being swept along the Crystal River, and playing water basketball at Otter Lake. After eating our dinner (the resort’s Antler Shanty was quite good the last time we were at the resort, but this time, we brought the girls’ favorite fastfood chicken), we were off to the Northern Lights arcade. The girls were quite happy with the stuff they redeemed from the tickets they earned. How wonderful it is to be a child and be happy with the simplest (and cheapest!) things. At 8pm, we went to the lobby for the story time session where the kids can come in their pajamas. It was very fitting that the story that was read was Robert Munsch’s Wait and See, which was about a little girl named Olivia who got her birthday wishes. The girls were looking tired, but they were such troopers and participated in the interactive story-telling.
We did the rides all over again the next day-- the actual birthday of DD#2. We swung by the Cub Club first thing in the morning to get a birthday balloon hat for DD#2. She also got her name written on the board for special greetings on that night’s Story time. After many more hours of water play (and check out in between), we headed home. We brought along snacks which we ate in the car. The girls took a nap promptly afterwards. Meanwhile, I did my side trip in Niagara-on-the-Lake (will write about this next time) to get some wine. When we got home, we did the whole birthday thing—cake, balloons, and gifts. DD#2 said it was her best birthday ever!
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