Great Wolf Lodge Perryville, Maryland, Review: Tips for Visiting With Kids
- kindlittleexplorer
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
Planning your first trip to Great Wolf Lodge Perryville, Maryland? If you’re wondering Is it worth it?, What should I pack? Or how do I avoid overspending? You’re in the right place.
Our family stayed at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland in Perryville in late July to celebrate a birthday with our two kids (ages 8 and 12). We learned a lot during our stay — from which room to book to how to make the most of the water park — and I’m sharing everything I wish I had known beforehand.
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Choosing the Right Room at the Great Wolf Lodge Perryville, Maryland
We stayed in the Wolf Den Suite, which was a huge hit with our kids. The private bunk bed area is decorated like a wolf cave, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the trip.
However, our 12-year-old (already 5’3”) almost didn’t fit in the bunk bed, so taller kids may outgrow this setup quickly. Next time, we’d likely choose a standard Family Suite for more space.
Tip: If you have younger kids, themed suites like the Wolf Den or KidCabin are worth the splurge. For older kids or teens, stick to the basic suites.
Resort Cleanliness & Convenience
One of the things we loved most was how clean and well-run the resort felt:
No mildew smell despite being water-heavy
Quiet hours from 11 p.m.–7 a.m. = great sleep
Friendly staff throughout the resort
We also loved the wristbands, which work as room keys, water park passes, and a cashless payment system. No need to carry a wallet or room key!
How to Save Money on Your Stay
Great Wolf Lodge can get pricey, but there are ways to make it more affordable:
Book midweek. We went from Wednesday–Friday and avoided big crowds.
Arrive early. You can use the water park starting at 1 p.m. on check-in day (even before your room is ready).
Military Discount. We booked about a month in advance and used the Howling Heroes discount, which saved us 40% (available until 01/31/2006)
Birthday Packages & Wolf Passes: Worth It?
We purchased both the Birthday Package and Wolf Passes for our kids.
Birthday Package: Overpriced! You are better off stopping by the Dollar Tree and decorating the room yourself.
Wolf Pass: This gave our kids access to MagiQuest, ropes course, arcade, bowling, ice cream, and more. While it was great for a first trip, I wouldn’t buy it again. Next time, we’d just pay separately for the attractions they loved most.
Tip: If you’re staying 2+ nights, the Wolf Pass can be a good deal. For shorter stays, just buy activities à la carte.
What to Pack for Great Wolf Lodge
Packing right makes a big difference! Here’s what we recommend:
Must-Haves:
2+ swimsuits per person (things stay damp)
Swim cover-ups for walking through the resort
Waterproof phone pouch ( We were able to go down all the slides while keeping our phones using the waterproof phone pouches)
Snacks and refillable water bottles
Wish We Brought:
Quick, microwavable meals (like oatmeal cups) – there are microwaves in the ice rooms
More affordable meal options from outside the resort
Skip Packing:
Towels and life jackets (provided)
Hair dryer (in room)
The Water Park Experience
The indoor water park is the heart of Great Wolf Lodge. Our kids were entertained 100% of the time.
Favorite Ride: The Wolf Tail drop slide — a thrill for both ages 8 and 12.
Best Time to Go: Early mornings had the shortest lines.
Pro Tips:
Towels and life jackets are free, but don’t lose them or you’ll be charged.
Don’t leave towels unattended on chairs — they can disappear. We learned that it is best to ask for the towels once we are ready to leave the water park.
Wear water shoes if your kids don’t like walking on slick floors. I saw many people on the water slides wearing water shoes.
Activities Beyond the Water Park
Great Wolf Lodge Perryville has plenty of dry activities, too. Our kids loved:
MagiQuest (a must-do for ages 6–12)
Howler’s Peak Ropes Course
Arcade
Candy & ice cream treats
Free activities like story time are cute, but they’re geared toward younger kids (under 7).
What Our Kids Loved Most at Great Wolf Lodge Perryville
Every family has different highlights, but here’s what stood out for our 8- and 12-year-olds:
The Ropes Course – Challenging enough for our 12-year-old but still doable for our younger one. They both felt proud after finishing it.
Arcade Time – A great break from the water park, and they loved trading in tickets for prizes.
Family Water Slides – The multi-rider slides meant we could most rides together, which became some of their favorite memories.
Lazy River & Wave Pool – Perfect for downtime when they needed a break from the big slides.
Onsite Ice Cream & Treats – A highlight was walking straight from the water park to get ice cream without ever leaving the resort.
All-in-One Fun – They especially loved that everything was under one roof, so there was no need to drive anywhere or interrupt the fun.
Dining at Great Wolf Lodge Perryville
Food is one of the biggest expenses at Great Wolf Lodge. Here’s what we tried:
Campfire Kitchen: Basic buffet, but not memorable.
Hungry As a Wolf: Family meal deals were the best value for our family of four.
Money-Saving Tip: Bring fridge-friendly snacks and quick meals. Outside restaurants are limited, and onsite dining adds up fast.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Perryville Worth It?
For us, Great Wolf Lodge was a great one-time birthday trip. The sweet spot is ages 7–10: old enough to enjoy the water slides and MagiQuest, but still young enough to love the magic.
Value: With our 40% military discount, it was worth it. Without a discount, the food and extras can add up quickly.
Would We Return? Maybe — but we’re glad we experienced it once.
Final Tips for First-Time Visitors
Use the water park before check-in and after checkout
Bring your own breakfast/snacks to save money
Consider the Wolf Pass if staying 2+ nights
Don’t leave towels unattended
Be ready for kids to get hooked on MagiQuest
Things to Do Near Great Wolf Lodge Perryville
If you want to extend your trip beyond the lodge, here are some nearby attractions:
Baltimore, MD (45 minutes away):
Local Perryville Area:
Hollywood Casino Perryville (not for kids, but nearby)
Susquehanna State Park (great for hiking and picnics)
Honestly, our kids didn’t want to leave the resort at all — but if you’re staying longer or traveling from out of town, it’s nice to know you’re close to Baltimore’s top family attractions.
Happy Travels!