A weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge

Spent the weekend running around the Great Wolf Lodge here in Concord. A few thoughts:

• Lots of things to do here: water park, Magiquest, putt putt, a gym, an arcade, an internet/games/karaoke cafe, fudge shop, Dunkin' Donuts, pizza, restaurant, stores, Build-a-Bear, coloring. I'm probably forgetting something; it's so big, there's likely a corner I didn't find.
• At night, they apparently do story time. I imagine that's kind of neat, around 8 o'clock, sitting in the lobby by the huge clock with some cocoa listening to an owl and a boy scout read a book. But since we were only there during the day, all we saw was the animatronic boy's head sticking out a stump. Which is kind of creepy.
• As for the water park, that's the biggest drawback -- this part you can't do without being a guest. And it's huge. Kiddie pool, wave pool, lounging areas, slides, tubing. You can stand at the windows of the second and third floors and look out over the whole of it and the size of the water park is just astounding.
• So it's kind of crazy to be walking around the hotel, late January, pretty cold outside but half the people you pass are in bathing suits. There's a feeling of why are they not wearing any clothes? and then you remember, oh yeah, you're the outsider.
• The other half of the passersby are waving Magiquest wands which is weird in its own regard. Before this weekend, I only knew of the free-standing locations (like Myrtle Beach and Pigeon Forge). So it was crazy visiting one of the Magiquest sites that is located inside a hotel. You're running around from treasure chest to crystal to dragons and you have to dodge some guy rolling a suitcase.
• If you do Magiquest here, be prepared to climb. A lot. I don't think there's one single quest located on only one floor. And forget waiting for an elevator because you're battling hotel crowds. Just take the stairs. Over and over and ...
• The food at the Loose Moose was surprisingly good for a hotel. A pretty decent burger and the kids portions are ample. And they get souvenir wolf ears which is a nice treat too.
• Last but not least, I am reminded of living in Nashville and visiting the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Maybe I can't afford to stay at the Lodge (hundreds of dollars a night) but visiting is still kind of fun. It costs nothing to walk around, you can have a treat, people watch and do some shopping. Not bad for a lazy weekend afternoon.