Great Wolf Lodge Poconos sets up classroom so kids can party at water park around remote learning
Heading back to school never sounded so good.
As many kids across the country are taking part in remote learning at least some of the time this fall thanks to coronavirus, hotel honchos have realized students can complete their digital lessons from just about anywhere — including steps from an indoor water park.
So the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos is offering just that since pupils are no longer tied to school buildings and properties are reimagining how to lure in guests amid the pandemic.
The kid-geared aquatic wonderland in Pennsylvania is introducing a Howl 'N Learn package at Wiley’s Schoolhouse, a quiet space carved out in the resort that’ll host students who need to e-learn while staying there.
Now available for booking for overnight stays starting Sept. 21, the experience can be added on to the cost of any room for $85. That additional fee includes attendance at Wiley’s Schoolhouse for all kids in your guest room, ages 5 and up, along with a pre-packaged snack and late check-out that extends your room availability from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wiley’s Schoolhouse will be open between 7 a.m. and noon, Mondays through Thursdays.
Staffers will be on-hand to keep an eye on the kids and offer some support to those that may need it. “Recess” breaks will also be granted so students can step away to take part in yoga, crafts or a character encounter.
The Poconos resort reopened in late June after coronavirus shutdowns, with new health guidelines to help keep guests safe. They include requiring guests ages 2 and up to wear a face covering in all public areas except while dining, in outdoor areas, or while enjoying attractions in the massive water park.
The property has also stepped up cleaning, minimized surface contact by requiring the use of credit cards/wristbands and not accepting cash, eliminating housekeeping unless you request something, and using a virtual concierge called “Willow.” Hand sanitizing stations are also spread throughout the lodge.
At Wiley’s Schoolhouse, desks will be placed several feet apart and have plexiglass barriers, and the areas will be sanitized in between student use. All participants must wear face coverings, and hand sanitizer will be offered upon entry.
And once lessons are wrapped, it’s on to the real reason people visit the Great Wolf Lodge — the indoor water park. Admission to the park is included with your room reservation and lets you enjoy the water activities at 1 p.m. on the day you check-in, and the full day on your departure date.
At the indoor oasis, heated to 84 degrees, you’ll find nearly 80,000 square feet of fun. There’s a wave pool, an activity pool with basketball hoops, a children’s splash area with little water slides, and a host of high-up water slides for thrill-seekers.
There’s an interactive treehouse-style fort that lets you aim water at people passing below, and a colossal bucket you can stand under that dumps out what feels like a waterfall. Those looking to relax can just head to the lazy river and slowly float around on a tube.
Once you dry off, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. Free experiences, some of which have had to be altered due to social distancing rules, include yoga, dance parties and crafts.
For those looking to splurge a bit more, add-on experiences range from an arcade to glow-in-the-dark mini golf, tot-geared bowling, a Build-a-Bear workshop, the chance to mine for gemstones, and an adventure that involves you buying a magic wand and using it to unlock wonders throughout the resort. Many of these extras can be bundled together on one of three passes, each a different price, that offer more savings than if you paid for each activity separately.
Outside, near the seasonal outdoor pool, is a ropes course that also comes at an extra price. Once guests are harnessed in, the aerial action includes flying on a zip line, balancing on ropes, crossing bridges and making your way through other obstacles. Just bring your sneakers. For guests over 48 inches, $19.99 gets you a single climb or spend $24.99 for unlimited climbing during your stay. There’s also a lower-level course that costs $4.99 for those under 48 inches.
And those booking a stay next month will have something extra to howl about. Starting Oct. 1, and running through Halloween, a scaled-down Howl-O-Ween encourages families to sport costumes and take part in a physically distanced Trick-Or-Treat Trail, themed crafts, a costume contest and more.
The resort’s lobby will be decked out with pumpkins, gourds, and other decor and Great Wolf Lodge characters will be in Halloween get-ups. There will be a nightly costume parade, a Monster Bash Dance Party and an UnBoolievable Story Time. All events will require advanced reservations, and the dance party and story time will make use of physically distanced markers.
Regardless of when you visit, there are several dining options. The Loose Moose Family Kitchen offers a breakfast and dinner buffet. To protect against coronavirus, guests don’t serve themselves. Instead, they sport masks and tell a server what they want.
More casual spots include the pizza joint Hungry as a Wolf, and Buckets Incredible Craveables, which is located in the water park and sells burgers, a hummus dish, sandwiches and more. There’s also an onsite Ben & Jerry’s and Dunkin' Donuts for your sweets and coffee fixes.
With all that to fit in, don’t be surprised if little ones are eager to rush through their lessons at Wiley’s Schoolhouse.
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