Friday, January 11, 2008

The television commercials, with the jingle that's either very effective or very annoying, tout it as the perfect family getaway. Now with the holidays over and the long months of January and February stretching ahead, is a weekend at Williamsburg's Great Wolf Lodge -- featuring a rustic cabin exterior and a tropical indoor water park -- the perfect antidote for cabin fever? Weekend's Tracy Grant made the 2 1/2 -hour drive from Washington with a few 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds to find out.

What's it like? Once you arrive at the lodge, with its log-supported check-in desk and stuffed wolves peering from over the enormous stone fireplace, you've entered the definition of a kid-friendly, no-reason-to-leave-the-grounds domain. From the story-telling clock with animatronic critters that is the centerpiece of the lobby to the massive water park, arcade and assortment of restaurants, there is no doubt that this is a family resort. There is a spa, but let's be clear: No one in their right mind would come here without rugrats in tow.

What's the best part? The water park, hands down. From a four-story water fort complete with dumping bucket to a thrilling wave pool and the chance to ride the six-story Howlin' Tornado tube ride, there is fun for all ages and levels of water comfort. Teenagers were squealing as much as preschoolers. The water park is open only to hotel guests, but it can still get surprisingly crowded. Early morning hours and after dinner are the best times to avoid lines for the thrill rides.

What's the downside? Parents who have done the national park scene might be turned off by the faux quality of the place. Having said that, kids love that the treehouse characters are made of that gross-to-the-touch rubber stuff. It's also not cheap. A room for a family of four on a weekend night in January and February goes for $269. (They're cheaper during the week, so if there's a teacher workday on the school calendar, you might want to plan around that.) But a room includes passes for everyone to the water park, and the rooms are bigger and more family-friendly than at most hotels. It would be nice if the lodge didn't charge extra for in-room movies and video games, however.

Bottom line: It's hard to imagine a kid who won't love this place -- and adults who were in the wave pool looked to be getting back in touch with their inner 10-year-olds.

Find out more:800-551-9653 or http://www.greatwolflodge.com/Locations/Williamsburg.