Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, featuring 128,000-square-foot indoor water park, scheduled for August opening in Perryville
Jan. 13—Cecil County will become home to Great Wolf Resorts' largest and "most ambitious" lodge in company history when the resort opens in August.
"This is probably the most ambitious Great Wolf we have built before," said Jason Lesecki, vice president of Great Wolf Resorts corporate communications. "Not only is this our largest water park we have ever built, we are adding new elements to the mix like new slides. We also have a new lobby show, and we are bringing together 25 years of learning to Maryland at this lodge."
Great Wolf Lodge Resorts hired Turner Construction of Baltimore as its general contractor for the more than $250 million project, the 20th resort in its system, said Mackenzie Fox, Great Wolf Lodge Resorts spokesperson. Turner Construction used many local vendors and resources, Fox said.
Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be at 1240 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway in Perryville, a site that is accessible from Interstate 95 and is expected to attract families from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and New York.
Great Wolf plans to employ as many as 850 employees at the Perryville lodge. Although some leadership positions are open now, the employee application portal should be open six to eight weeks before the resort opens, Fox said.
The resort will offer 700 family-style suites in various categories and styles including themed suites with bunk beds and Great Wolf character theming.
"We really focus on creating a convenient and carefree escape for families," said Nadine Miracle, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge Maryland. "We focus on creating a resort destination for families and one of our biggest elements when families come to our lodge is our water park."
An overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland includes two days of its indoor water park with access starting after 1 p.m. on check-in day and the ability to stay until the park closes on the day of checkout.
There will be a variety of dining options ranging from pizza and burgers to upscale dining. Additionally, there will be 12,000 square feet of conference space with breakout rooms, built-in AV technology, and customizable catering options.
The 128,000-square-foot water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will feature two dozen waterslides for all ages with water heated to 84 degrees. The water park will also have two rides making their Great Wolf Lodge debut: High Paw Holler and Forest Flume.
High Paw Holler is a body slide that mimics the sensation of racing down a ski slope. Riders go through a dark tunnel and rocket onto a saucer, accelerating before experiencing a "drop and dive" sensation as they race along the outer wall.
Forrest Flumes is a 275-foot body slide that accelerates riders through open flumes into back-to-back turns, 360-degree loops and high-banking loops.
In addition to the water park, the resort will have a 57,000-square-foot family entertainment center known as the Great Wolf Adventure Park featuring MagiQuest (where players use interactive magic wands), bowling, an arcade and a high ropes course. The resort will also feature an outdoor, zero-entry pool (similar to a beach, with no ladders or stairs) and a hot tub surrounded by outdoor cabanas.
Complimentary events and activities available for families throughout their stay including Yoga Tails, a morning exercise program and story time for children.
"What we really look to do in our water parks and throughout our facilities is to provide elements that really capture all age groups," Miracle said.
For those who plan to make it a day trip, the lodge will offer full- and half-day passes, Fox said. These include: unlimited splashes in the indoor water park, daily events for families, onsite dining outlets (additional costs apply), free life jackets and towels in the water park, and free Wi-Fi throughout the lodge, Fox said.
