Photos from our trip here.
The review
Lobby/Check-In & Out:
Check-in was quick and without issue. Staff was very friendly and well-trained. I loved the wristband to get into the room, lockers, etc and the fact I could link my credit card to it which meant I could also purchase anything I needed with my wrist band. No room key or wallet to carry around and potentially get stolen. If you don't want to link all the bands to a CC - you can link only the adults. You can even load cash to your children's card for them to spend in the arcade, etc.
The Lobby was very well organized and had so much for the children in it. Story time is in the lobby every night at 8pm. Arrive early - it crowds up fast. It opens with the robotic animals doing a story for 20 minutes and then Wylie the Wolf arrives and the storyteller reads two books. Kiera LOVED it.
During the day the kids can press hand prints on the animals and they will talk to them. The lobby also has very comfortable seats and huge fireplace great for relaxing.
(Kiera in the middle with a MEOW face).
We checked out through the TV which was simple and accurate to avoid the lines at check out time.
Room:
We stayed in a family suite, the most basic room available, and it was far from basic. It contained two Queen size beds, a pull, out, TV, Mini-fridge with freezer, microwave, etc. All the amenities we need and a good deal of room. Also had a desk which we placed the laptop on and free Wi-Fi in every suite. The room was great, kept clean by the staff and we were very happy with it.
Food/Restaurants:
We did not have breakfast in the restaurant but heard from other guests it was excellent. Instead we brought up food for breakfast and stored it on the counter and in the fridge. We also brought up snacks with us, etc to reduce on the costs of buying food on site. Kids 3 and under eat free.
One night we have Pizza Hut, and the other two nights we ate the dinner buffet which was a really good value. The children's area is at a height they can help themselves and contained peas, corns, mac/cheese, chicken nuggets, pizza, french fries, etc - even the pickiest child can find something to eat. The adult buffet was impressive, roast sweet potatoes, stuffed peppers, striploin, blackened catfish, salmon, stirfries, soup, salad bar, desserts - there was NOTHING deep-fried on the adult buffet which is such a refreshing change to the usual crappy fried buffet fare. The meals change every night on the buffet - so it's not the same two nights in a row.
Waterpark:
No need to bring your own towels - they had plenty to supply you with. If you needed a locker - you could activate one for free with your wristband. There is a shop that sells anything water related you may have forgotten that seemed to have prices comparable to the mall - aka they were not ripping you off. They also have a limited number of free life jackets for use.
I loved the water park - there were more life guards present then I think were needed but that made it very safe. Older children were not permitted in the toddler area - no running around as a result. I could sit in the water area which is only 18" deep and watch Kiera exit, climb the stairs, come down slides on her own, land on her own, and repeat without the need to chase behind her and hold her hand for safety. To me, this speaks volumes as to how safe the waterpark is. It also made it a very enjoyable and relaxing vacation for Frank and I.
There was plenty for a child of 2.5 years old to do - Kiera even went on a large water slide with us in which you sit in a orange round raft and come spiraling down a massive tube from the top of the resort that winds outside and then back in the resort. She loved it and we went on it a lot.
The wave pool was nice. The swimming pool was great with these docked floating animals for the kids to climb on. The lazy river was a lot of fun also. And the tree fort with splash areas, etc was a hoot.
Other Activities:
We did not go to the arcade but it was always full of people and seemed to have so much to do.
The Cub Club was awesome and we spent a fair amount of down time there. Kiera loved getting her face painted every day - for FREE. And there are plenty of free activities, painting, drawing, stickering, etc to do. As well as, foam blocks, tree house, and some paid arts and crafts which were again fairly priced IMHO.
The Spa:
Mom went to the Aveda spa for a lovely hot stone massage whilst Daddy and Kiera napped. It was heaven :)
In conclusion, I highly recommend a vacation at GWL Niagara - and we're going back in three weeks time!
Honestly, it was the most relaxing vacation we have had as a family - more relaxing than going to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. There was just so much entertaining Kiera that she never acted up, never got bored, was always safe, that we could just sit back an enjoy being together in such a great setting.
We're going to make GWL at least a once a year visit for our family - maybe we will see you there!
