italianchef Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 To celebrate Little Chef's upcoming 4th birthday and write an article, we went to the Great Wolf Lodge yesterday (3/22). We arrived early to pre-registed and then had lunch at Critters Bar & Grill and were done by 12 p.m. Since our room wasn't ready yet, we then played at Northenr Light Arcade, where we won 500 tickets. Though Little Chef isn't quite 4 yet, he loves kiddie games and won a small amount of tickets. After our room was ready, I carried all of our things in alone. It took 2 trips. Due to the nature of my article, we stayed in the Loft Fireplace Suite, the nicest room Mrs. Chef and I have ever stayed at in our lives! It has two floors (or levels) with a staircase, a fireplace, 3 queen sized beds, 1.5 bathrooms, 3 televisions, a balcony, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a Nintendo. After unpacking, we headed to Bear Track Landing (the 79,000 sq. ft. indoor water park) and spent most our time at Fort Mackenzie and the other kiddie areas to make Little Chef happy. By the time we were done, it was dinner time. So we cleaned up and then ate at The Loose Moose Cottage which offers and excellent buffet, unless you are trying to lose weight and can't resist good food. Little Chef wanted to return to the water park after dinner, so I went alone with him so that Mrs. Chef could rest. We played in the kiddle areas for over and hour and then left to see "Rythm of Nature", the animatronic musical at The Great Clock Tower at 8 p.m. Following the show, I purchase pizza for Little Chef and chicken wings for Mrs. Chef because my son was hungry and likes company when he eats. I dropped off Little Chef and the food with Mrs. Chef. Then I went back to Bear Track Landing to enjoy some BIG rides on my own. I rode Hydro Plunge (the water coaster), both slides at Totem Towers, the lazy river; relaxed in the hot-tub type pool; and did both obstacle courses that look like lilly pads. Then I went to Buckhorn Exchange to purchase clothes for Little Chef and Mrs. Chef. After that I went back to my room, showered, and shared a bottle of imported Moscato with Mrs. Chef after Little Chef went to sleep. *** I woke up early this morning to exercise at Iron Horse Fitness Center. Then I purchased breakfast for my family at Starbuck's and we ate in our room. I began loading the car, but stopped short so that we could make a last visit to the water park at 10 a.m. Mrs. Chef hung out with Little Chef for 30 minutes. During that time I rode Coyote Cannon (the toilet bowl water slide) and all 3 slides from Alberta Falls. We returned to our room, cleaned up, finished loading the car, and then checked out after that. Before leaving the Great Wolf Lodge, we visited Northern Lights Arcade one last time. *** On the way home we stopped by Chan's Asian Wok on Exit 19, in the same strip mall as Kroger. This restaurant has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten in Greater Cincinnati. I recommend it. HAPPY EASTER!!! Italian Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Nemo Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Wonderful report chef. I wish I could have worked there longer. I can only imagine what your room looked like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIBeast Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Sounds like you had a great time! I'll have to try and remember exit 19 as I love Chinese food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted March 23, 2008 Author Share Posted March 23, 2008 Chan's Asian Wok 8221 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040 513-770-6788 The food, prices, and service are excellent. Get on Exit 19 and drive to the Kroger in the strip mall. The 2 shops are mighty close to each other. Happy Easter! Italian Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZosoBeast Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Do you have stock in Great Wolf? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 Nope. no stock in GWL, CF, or any of the other entertainment venues that I write about. The only stocks that I own are in my IRA. Ironically, people think that I am much wealthier than I am because of how often my family goes out. Heck, I was laid off in January and start a temp job tomorrow. I am NOT wealthy and have been hit hard by my layoff and the recession. Keep in mind that I am a freelance writer, which means: 1. I am getting paid to write about the places that I am having fun at. 2. Most entertainment venues offer discounts to the media - and that means me. 3. I get to write off many expenses on my taxes. The same place that people spend money on for fun are business expenses for me. Now that I gave away my secret, I will probably face much more competition on the entertainment writing front. Happy Easter, Italian Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I have a question? If this is supposed to be a luxury type resort, why do they have cheap fake rock around the fireplaces, low grade couches and chairs and inexpensive decore' from Bass Pro outlet? I hope they're not charging a lot for the rooms? Hang in there with the job search Chef. Things really do happen for a reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I have a question? If this is supposed to be a luxury type resort, why do they have cheap fake rock around the fireplaces, low grade couches and chairs and inexpensive decore' from Bass Pro outlet? I hope they're not charging a lot for the rooms? For me, the decor is no big deal. But where I would have lost it is when I had to bring up my luggage to my room. If I had to pay $494/ night (I believe this is the room cost based on Chef's info) they had better bring up my luggage to my room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Nope. no stock in GWL, CF, or any of the other entertainment venues that I write about. The only stocks that I own are in my IRA. Ironically, people think that I am much wealthier than I am because of how often my family goes out. Heck, I was laid off in January and start a temp job tomorrow. I am NOT wealthy and have been hit hard by my layoff and the recession. Keep in mind that I am a freelance writer, which means: 1. I am getting paid to write about the places that I am having fun at. 2. Most entertainment venues offer discounts to the media - and that means me. 3. I get to write off many expenses on my taxes. The same place that people spend money on for fun are business expenses for me. Now that I gave away my secret, I will probably face much more competition on the entertainment writing front. Happy Easter, Italian Chef Neat, so what publication was this for and when will we see it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Just wait for his post saying he 'found' an interesting article on the Internets.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I have a question? If this is supposed to be a luxury type resort, why do they have cheap fake rock around the fireplaces, low grade couches and chairs and inexpensive decore' from Bass Pro outlet? I hope they're not charging a lot for the rooms? For me, the decor is no big deal. But where I would have lost it is when I had to bring up my luggage to my room. If I had to pay $494/ night (I believe this is the room cost based on Chef's info) they had better bring up my luggage to my room. I actually had not thought of that point. That's actually something that you'd expect at not only a resort but most better hotels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Great report. I've stayed and held meetings and conferences there over the last year.... I'm not certain the rocks are fake. The decor is really nice, at least I thought. The rooms all come with essentailly 4 two-day passes to the park and I'm not sure if I am allowed to divuldge the amount that our groups have paid for the rooms when we've used them (though I'm sure they are standard group/conference rates- but I still won't)- but after you figure in a 2-day pass to the park the room actually is VERY reasonable.... granted- I will mentiond that our cost is no where NEAR $494/night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I haven't been to a GWL, but from the photos the decor reminds me of Disney's Wilderness Lodge... I've discovered over the years that there is usually a big difference between a "family resort" and a "resort-resort" when it comes to hotel amentities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I haven't been to a GWL, but from the photos the decor reminds me of Disney's Wilderness Lodge... I've discovered over the years that there is usually a big difference between a "family resort" and a "resort-resort" when it comes to hotel amentities Family Resort have rooms with hot tubs in the middle of the room? Hello, the 70's are calling and they want their room back! Whirlpool Fireplace Suite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Where's the shag carpeting in bright green or hot burnt orange? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Where's the shag carpeting in bright green or hot burnt orange? In the room that Chef stayed in! Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 That ain't shag, youngun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 That ain't shag, youngun! It's probably the closest that they sell these days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplehaze Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 i don't know shag is making a comeback. I was looking at carpets a week ago and they have some very retro stuff on the market today. As long as it isn't burnt orange I am all set. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted March 26, 2008 Author Share Posted March 26, 2008 August 2008 issue of Cincinnati Parent Magazine will feature my story which includes th Great Wolf Lodge. And yes - it does remind me of Disney's Wilderness Lodge also. Best regards, Italian Chef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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