Trip Report The I'm Ditching the Spreadsheets....an Unrecognizable Trip!

We arrived home around 10pm last night from our Disney vacation. The planning for this trip started in March, but by September it was not even close to the original. So how did it all turn out? Did I make the correct decisions? Was this trip as hectic as the last one? Should I have cancelled so many dining reservations? Did we miss too much because upon arrival I decided to rip up the spread sheets..the same ones that I so painstakingly obsessed over?! I'm thinking about all of this as I am attempting to organize my 609,504,302 photos.

There were a few hiccups, including my Etsy order not arriving in time, sprinting to the Magical Express just as the doors closed, leaving our Elf on the Shelf in the room after check out, getting stuck on a ride, a missing boat captain, broken ornaments, and a horrible 3 hour lunch. All in all it was an amazing trip. I do not regret the decision to change from the original plans, or the second, or the 3rd, or even the plans I had when we were on the plane heading to Orlando. I decided to throw out most of them and take a (semi) wing it approach.

 

[21stamps]

Been a couple of times. No need to pack too much if you are really just going for the water park. I would pack 1 or 2 bathing suits, and then regular clothes for meals. Nothing fancy required. The one we go to is in Williamsburg, so we usually eat outside the Lodge and not inside, although we did order pizza from their pizza place once. Definitely don't overdo your packing, especially because yours is practically in your backyard.

Sorry.. I meant "pack" as in over schedule.

I have the birthday package booked..it comes with a stupid generic door decoration, generic cake, and 3 balloons on a stick-- BUT the only reason I'm getting it is because it also comes with a game card and a dining credit.. so it's really like $25 instead of the $99.lol. At least that's how I'm justifying it.

I just added the Paw Pass.

We will be there 2 nights, and I want to do the free activities as well- clock tower, yoga, dance party.

Will we even have time for the Paw Pass activities? Is it "worth it"?

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Sorry.. I meant "pack" as in over schedule.

I have the birthday package booked..it comes with a stupid generic door decoration, generic cake, and 3 balloons on a stick-- BUT the only reason I'm getting it is because it also comes with a game card and a dining credit.. so it's really like $25 instead of the $99.lol. At least that's how I'm justifying it.

I just added the Paw Pass.

We will be there 2 nights, and I want to do the free activities as well- clock tower, yoga, dance party.

Will we even have time for the Paw Pass activities? Is it "worth it"?

Ha ha! My mistake. I cannot comment on the Paw Pass as we mostly only used the Lodge to sleep and use the water park. We did do the arcade and spent way too much money on it, so your card is a good deal.

We did the clock tower although my kids found their mascots a little creepy. They are just too used to Disney.

Yoga and the dance party sounds fun though. I only started doing yoga about 6 months ago, but I am loving it. I would totally do that now there.

 

[21stamps]

Ha ha! My mistake. I cannot comment on the Paw Pass as we mostly only used the Lodge to sleep and use the water park. We did do the arcade and spent way too much money on it, so your card is a good deal.

We did the clock tower although my kids found their mascots a little creepy. They are just too used to Disney.

Yoga and the dance party sounds fun though. I only started doing yoga about 6 months ago, but I am loving it. I would totally do that now there.

3 posts incoming-

Here's the "free activities"

Daily & Special Events
8 a.m.
Spring-A-Palooza Yoga Tails
Kids will find their inner Zen during our fun and creative yoga class that is designed to stimulate energy, imagination and self-expression. Our fun breathing games and stories about The Great Wolf Kids will spark your child’s inner yogi. They’ll be fluttering like butterflies, rolling like happy bears and standing tall like trees.

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
9:30 a.m.
Wolf Hip-Hop
Make our Wolf Hip Hop part of your Spring-a-Palooza vacation fun. A morning hop around the Grand Lobby engages your kids in learning about baby animals. At the end, they’ll learn how to fold their very own origami bunny souvenir! Every morning, times may vary. Check your lodge life for details.

Great For:
Family
Teens
Children
10 a.m.
The Great Clock Tower Show
Watch in wonder as the Great Clock Tower friends come to life, enchanting your wolf pups with Northwoods songs, stories, jokes and more. Children cherish the opportunity to interact with these sweet, funny personalities, and laughter and joy make the best family memories!

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
11:30 a.m.
Paws-on Projects
Vacation fun without craft time would be like water park fun without the water! Kids will beam with excitement and accomplishment as bits and pieces come together into a beautiful new something. Make free Paws-on Projects a pawsitively fun part of your child’s Great Wolf Lodge experience.

Great For:
Family
Children
2 :30 p.m.
Spring Picnic
Dry off and recharge with an afternoon picnic in the Grand Lobby. Grab a drink from the Great Wolf Kids Lemonade Stand, sponsored by Coca-Cola, and play a few rounds of “Take A Wiley Guess” with the whole pack. Times vary. Check your lodge life for details.

Great For:
Family
Teens
Children
Toddlers
7 p.m
Bubble Dance Party
Our dance parties gets even better during the Spring as we've amped up the fun by dancing about in bubbles! Come float around the dance floor with us nightly in the Grand Lobby during Spring-A-Palooza.

Great For:
Family
Teens
Children
Toddlers
8 p.m.
The Great Clock Tower Show
Watch in wonder as the Great Clock Tower friends come to life, enchanting your wolf pups with Northwoods songs, stories, jokes and more. Children cherish the opportunity to interact with these sweet, funny personalities, and laughter and joy make the best family memories!

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
8:15 p.m.
Story Time
Nightly Story Time is the perfect ending to your fun-filled day at Great Wolf Lodge. Wear your favorite jammies and enjoy stories about your favorite Great Wolf Kid characters in our Grand Lobby. Stay afterwards and snap a photo with a special guest of honor… Nightly after the 8 p.m. Great Clock Tower Show.

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
9 p.m.
The Great Clock Tower Show
Watch in wonder as the Great Clock Tower friends come to life, enchanting your wolf pups with Northwoods songs, stories, jokes and more. Children cherish the opportunity to interact with these sweet, funny personalities, and laughter and joy make the best family memories!

 

[21stamps]

Right now I have the birthday package and Paw Pass booked.. should I cancel one? Or just do the Wolf Pass, I don't think we'll have time for Magiquest and CompassQuest though. We're only there 2 nights.. I did book the "late check out" option though, so we have til 2pm on the last day.

Oh it's 5 balloons on a stick.. not 3. Woot woot!! Lol

 

[Courtney6682]

I think the yoga and the dance parties sound pretty cool, don't you think he's a little too old for the clock tower thing? Although it's been 10 years since I've had a seven-year-old LOL so maybe I'm wrong on that one

 

[Courtney6682]

Every time you talk about these balloons on a stick I die laughing LOL, do you have a picture?

 

[21stamps]

I think the yoga and the dance parties sound pretty cool, don't you think he's a little too old for the clock tower thing? Although it's been 10 years since I've had a seven-year-old LOL so maybe I'm wrong on that one

Oh do you think he's too old for that? I thought the picnic and art events sounded fun too. They can get their face painted and learn to make balloon animals.

I don't know what a 7 year old does. Lol

Every time you talk about these balloons on a stick I die laughing LOL, do you have a picture?

I know me too. It's such a junk package lol.
I just stole this from google.

 

[21stamps]

Here's the door sign.

Should I just bring my own???? this is so lame. And we're going to eat like 2 pieces of cake. Lol

 

[Courtney6682]

the picnic does sound fun too, I forgot about that! Does he like costume characters at places like Disney or Chuck E. Cheese's? It just sounds a little young to me.

I was picturing the balloons on a wooden stick for some reason, and that just made it funnier but those aren't as bad as I thought

 

[Courtney6682]

Here's the door sign.

Should I just bring my own???? this is so lame. And we're going to eat like 2 pieces of cake. Lol

View attachment 199484

Not to be a downer, but that poster is hideous it looks like something that would have been at a birthday party when we were younger! So 80's!!!! Lol Definitely pack your own, that's what we do at Disney

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

3 posts incoming-

Here's the "free activities"

Daily & Special Events
8 a.m.
Spring-A-Palooza Yoga Tails
Kids will find their inner Zen during our fun and creative yoga class that is designed to stimulate energy, imagination and self-expression. Our fun breathing games and stories about The Great Wolf Kids will spark your child’s inner yogi. They’ll be fluttering like butterflies, rolling like happy bears and standing tall like trees.

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
9:30 a.m.
Wolf Hip-Hop
Make our Wolf Hip Hop part of your Spring-a-Palooza vacation fun. A morning hop around the Grand Lobby engages your kids in learning about baby animals. At the end, they’ll learn how to fold their very own origami bunny souvenir! Every morning, times may vary. Check your lodge life for details.

Great For:
Family
Teens
Children
10 a.m.
The Great Clock Tower Show
Watch in wonder as the Great Clock Tower friends come to life, enchanting your wolf pups with Northwoods songs, stories, jokes and more. Children cherish the opportunity to interact with these sweet, funny personalities, and laughter and joy make the best family memories!

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
11:30 a.m.
Paws-on Projects
Vacation fun without craft time would be like water park fun without the water! Kids will beam with excitement and accomplishment as bits and pieces come together into a beautiful new something. Make free Paws-on Projects a pawsitively fun part of your child’s Great Wolf Lodge experience.

Great For:
Family
Children
2 :30 p.m.
Spring Picnic
Dry off and recharge with an afternoon picnic in the Grand Lobby. Grab a drink from the Great Wolf Kids Lemonade Stand, sponsored by Coca-Cola, and play a few rounds of “Take A Wiley Guess” with the whole pack. Times vary. Check your lodge life for details.

Great For:
Family
Teens
Children
Toddlers
7 p.m
Bubble Dance Party
Our dance parties gets even better during the Spring as we've amped up the fun by dancing about in bubbles! Come float around the dance floor with us nightly in the Grand Lobby during Spring-A-Palooza.

Great For:
Family
Teens
Children
Toddlers
8 p.m.
The Great Clock Tower Show
Watch in wonder as the Great Clock Tower friends come to life, enchanting your wolf pups with Northwoods songs, stories, jokes and more. Children cherish the opportunity to interact with these sweet, funny personalities, and laughter and joy make the best family memories!

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
8:15 p.m.
Story Time
Nightly Story Time is the perfect ending to your fun-filled day at Great Wolf Lodge. Wear your favorite jammies and enjoy stories about your favorite Great Wolf Kid characters in our Grand Lobby. Stay afterwards and snap a photo with a special guest of honor… Nightly after the 8 p.m. Great Clock Tower Show.

Great For:
Family
Children
Toddlers
9 p.m.
The Great Clock Tower Show
Watch in wonder as the Great Clock Tower friends come to life, enchanting your wolf pups with Northwoods songs, stories, jokes and more. Children cherish the opportunity to interact with these sweet, funny personalities, and laughter and joy make the best family memories!

I would skip the Hip Hop thing. T might be too bored with that. The yoga sounds fun, but maybe do the water park afterwards, after all that is why you are spending the big bucks.

I would do the clock tower show in the evening before bed.

The bubble party in the early evening sounds fun. I would spend the time after yoga in the water park, then eat and do the arcade. Then get ice cream and go back to the water park.

They do also have their own game that is like Sorceror's of the Magic Kingdom but it works with a wand. That could be fun for T.

 

[21stamps]

the picnic does sound fun too, I forgot about that! Does he like costume characters at places like Disney or Chuck E. Cheese's? It just sounds a little young to me.

I was picturing the balloons on a wooden stick for some reason, and that just made it funnier but those aren't as bad as I thought

For $99. They should do normal helium balloons.

Ok so, I hate Chuck E Cheese, so we haven't been in 2 years. He always asks to go though...I always offer up somewhere else instead. Lol. Bad Mom . But there's always at least 1 wildly obnoxious kid at Chuck E Cheese!

 

[Courtney6682]

For $99. They should do normal helium balloons.

Ok so, I hate Chuck E Cheese, so we haven't been in 2 years. He always asks to go though...I always offer up somewhere else instead. Lol. Bad Mom . But there's always at least 1 wildly obnoxious kid at Chuck E Cheese!

No mother likes chuck e's, most of the children there are animals! Are used to take Brock right at opening when she was three and four, we would have the whole place to ourselves for an hour

But does he like meeting Mickey and other costumed characters? If so, then maybe he would like the clock tower thing. What's it called?

 

[21stamps]

I would skip the Hip Hop thing. T might be too bored with that. The yoga sounds fun, but maybe do the water park afterwards, after all that is why you are spending the big bucks.

I would do the clock tower show in the evening before bed.

The bubble party in the early evening sounds fun. I would spend the time after yoga in the water park, then eat and do the arcade. Then get ice cream and go back to the water park.

They do also have their own game that is like Sorceror's of the Magic Kingdom but it works with a wand. That could be fun for T.

That's the MagiQuest game that's include with the Paw Pass. I know that he'll love the game!
I wonder if I should just buy the wand and game while we're there and forgo the pass.

Not to be a downer, but that poster is hideous it looks like something that would have been at a birthday party when we were younger! So 80's!!!! Lol Definitely pack your own, that's what we do at Disney

I know!!!!!!!!!!!

The problem is- how am I going to sneak it in and set it up? I want it there before he gets to the room It's only the 2 of us.

 

[21stamps]

No mother likes chuck e's, most of the children there are animals! Are used to take Brock right at opening when she was three and four, we would have the whole place to ourselves for an hour

But does he like meeting Mickey and other costumed characters? If so, then maybe he would like the clock tower thing. What's it called?

Yes. He likes the Disney characters, and the Peanuts characters at Kings Island...at least he did last year.

 

[Courtney6682]

I know!!!!!!!!!!!

The problem is- how am I going to sneak it in and set it up? I want it there before he gets to the room It's only the 2 of us.

Yeah that's tough, but maybe he would enjoy decorating the room himself

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

That's the MagiQuest game that's include with the Paw Pass. I know that he'll love the game!
I wonder if I should just buy the wand and game while we're there and forgo the pass.

Yes, do that.

 

[21stamps]

Yeah that's tough, but maybe he would enjoy decorating the room himself

For his own birthday? I don't know...
maybe I could call tomorrow and find out if I can bring my own balloons and door decoration..at least with his name on it...I wonder if I'll still have to buy the entire package. I'd rather just do my own small cake too. But, I don't know how.

This whole thing is a surprise. He won't even know we're going until we pull in the parking lot.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

Believe me he is going to see the water park and just want to hang there all day. Don't waste your money. He may even get too tired from that water park and just want to get pizza from their pizza area. That is what happened with us one day.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

For his own birthday? I don't know...
maybe I could call tomorrow and find out if I can bring my own balloons and door decoration..at least with his name on it...I wonder if I'll still have to buy the entire package. I'd rather just do my own small cake too. But, I don't know how.

This whole thing is a surprise. He won't even know we're going until we pull in the parking lot.

Oh, I didn't know it was a surprise. Has he been there before? If not, then definitely don't overplan. He will enjoy the water park and the magiquest game.