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Get some velocity going with family slide races at Great Wolf Lodge in Mashantucket.

Why Great Wolf Lodge is a Top Indoor Water Park Destination

Great Wolf Lodge is famously-known for its indoor water park, offering fun for guests of all ages. The water is kept at a consistent 84 degrees year-round, no matter the season. Both location offer cabanas for an additional charge. While both locations share many of the same features; the main difference between them is their size. Mashantucket's location is much larger. 

Day Passes are available at both locations for guests not staying at the hotel. Maybe a friend or family want to join you. Fitchburg's location is much cheaper than Mashantucket. 

 
Find a cute splash pad area to enjoy for little kids at the GWL in Connecticut.

What You'll Find at Great Wolf Lodge in Connecticut

Great Wolf Lodge at Mashantucket's Bear Track Landing spans 91,000 square feet, making it larger than the Fitchburg location. With a wider variety of slides (from mild to thrilling), it offers more water attractions overall. One exclusive to this location is the Pequot Plunge. Additional features include:

• Otter Cave Waterworks
• Otter Springs
• 13 slides: High Paw Holler, River Canyon Run, Pequot Plunge, Alberta Falls, Otter Run, Totem Towers, Rapid Racers, Otter Run, Totem Towers, Rapid Racers, and Forest Flume.
• Slap Tail Pond
• Crooked Creek
• Chinook Cove,
• Big Foot Pass
• Outside: North Hot Springs, Great Lagoon

What You'll Find at Great Wolf Lodge in Massachusetts

Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg's water park covers 50,000 square feet, making it significantly smaller than the Mashantucket location. The park offers fewer water slide options. However, in April, the park gained Otter Cave Waterworks, joining the existing water park. It's layout is definitely different than Mashantucket with being more spread out. Unique thrill rides at this location include the Howlin' Tornado and Wolf Tail. Additionally, Tadpole Pond, an outdoor splash pad, is exclusive to the Fitchburg resort. Features include

• Otter Cave Waterworks 
• Cub Paw Pool 
• 7 Slides: Howlin' Torrnado, Wolf Tail,  River Canyon Run, Alberta Falls, Otter Run, and Otter Run
• Slap Tail Pond
• Crooked Creek
• Chinook Cove,
• Big Foot Pass
• Outside (seasonal): Tadpole Pond, North Hot Springs, Great Lagoon

 
The arcade is enjoyable for all ages at Great Wolf Lodge in Connecticut.

Adventure Park and Attractions at Great Wolf Lodge in New England

Equally important as the water park is the indoor soft play area, Adventure Park, which keeps the fun going around the clock. Both locations offer Great Wolf Lodge’s popular attraction bundles (Wolf Pass, Paw Pass, and Pup Pass). It's designed to help families enjoy a range of activities tailored to their interests without paying for each one individually.

Mashantucket features the newest and most updated versions of many attractions, thanks to the advantage of being a recently opened location. Additional attractions unique to Mashantucket includes Ten Paw Alley (a mini bowling alley) and Virtual Frontier (an immersive virtual reality experience).

One of the most iconic experiences at Great Wolf Lodge is MagiQuest, where kids wave interactive wands throughout the resort. Each location offers its own version of MagiQuest, with Mashantucket boasting the latest version.

 
Family bowling at Ten Paw Alley is a great post-dinner activity after a day of water park fun!

Great Wolf Lodge CT: Adventure Park and Attractions

• MagiQuest (Evergreen) 
• Ten Paw Alley
• Howlers Peak Rope Coruse 
• Howler's Peak Adventure Trail 
• Howl at the Moon Mini Golf 
• Northen Lights Arcade 
• The Virtual Frontier
• Oliver's Mining Co
• Build-a- Bear Workshop

Great Wolf Lodge MA: Adventure Park and Attractions

• MagiQuest (Guardian) 
• Rustic Ridge Climbing Wall
• Howlers Peak Rope Course 
• Howler's Peak Adventure Trail 
• Howl at the Moon Mini Golf 
• Northen Lights Arcade 
• Megaventure
• Oliver's Mining Co
• Build-a- Bear Workshop

 
Kids like to howl during dinner at Fireside at Great Wolf Lodge.

Dining at Great Wolf Lodge in New England

A huge perk to families is you never have to leave the property since restaurants and quick eats are onsite. Both locations have a variety of sit down and quick easy options. Both offer dining deals to help save money in advance for families as well as mobile ordering to avoid lines. 

The biggest difference between the two locations is the significantly larger variety of options available at Mashantucket’s Great Wolf Lodge. Additionally, its location is next to Foxwoods Casino and Resort, providing even more dining options for guests. It offers more options to keep things fresh and exciting during multi-night stays.

Where To Eat at Great Wolf Lodge in CT

Mashantucket’s Great Wolf Lodge offers families a wide variety of dining options to choose from. Exclusive to this location are well-known brands like Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express, and Hot Dog on a Stick. Each serving lunch and dinner with a quality upgrade compared to Fitchburg’s Buckets Burger and Bites. Fireside, the resort’s upscale dining option, is open for dinner only. Whereas Fitchburg’s Lodge Wood Fired Grill serves all three meals. With more venues open during each mealtime window, it’s easy to enjoy several nights here without repeating a meal or lines. 

• Fireside
• Tide Wave Bar
• Timbers Table and Kitchen
• Fatburger, Buffalo's Express, and Hot Dog On A Stick
• Hungry As A Wolf
• Wood's End Creamery
• Dunkin'
• Freshwoods Market

Where To Eat at Great Wolf Lodge in MA

Fitchburg offers fewer dining options than Mashantucket. However, there are still plenty to enjoy without leaving the property. Wachusett Brew Barn, unique to this location, is a local favorite. The Lodge Wood Fired Grill offers a sit-down dining experience similar to Timbers, but without the buffet style. For dessert, Bear Paw is a hidden gem, serving up cupcakes, ice cream, fudge, and more. More than Wood's End Creamery in Mashantucket Great Wolf Lodge

• Wachusett Brew Barn
• Lodge Wood Fired Grill
• Lodge Bar
• Buckets Burgers and Bites
• Hungry As A Wolf
• Bear Paw
• Dunkin'
• Freshwoods Market

Staying at Great Wolf Lodge in New England

As a family-focused destination, Great Wolf Lodge offers accommodations designed to be both fun and relaxing. While the Fitchburg location feels more dated compared to the newer Mashantucket resort, it still delivers the signature Great Wolf Lodge experience. However, for those seeking a more modern and polished atmosphere, Mashantucket is the better choice. All locations offer a range of accommodations (standard, themed, and premium) to suit different family needs and budgets. 

Accommodations at Great Wolf Lodge in CT

Mashantucket Great Wolf Lodge is larger with 549 rooms. Additionally, the rooms are most up to date and modern. 

• 549 rooms
• Standard: Family Suite
• Themed: KidCabin Suite and Wolf Den Suite
• Premium: Grizzly Bear Suite, Deluxe KidCabin Suite, Deluxe Wolf Den Suite, Deluxe Grizzly Bear Suite, Deluxe Grizzly Bear Bunk Bed Suite, Great Wolf Geyser Suite, and Deluxe Great Wolf Geyser Suite

Accommodations at Great Wolf Lodge in MA

Fitchburg Great Wolf Lodge is a bit smaller with 406 rooms. There are more standard options, making it ideal for families seeking a more budget-friendly stay.

• 406 rooms
• Standard: Deluxe Queen Suite and Double Queen Suite 
• Themed: Wolf Pup Den Suite and Junior Cabin Suite, 
• Premium: Family KidCabin Suite, Grand KidCabin Suite, Grand Royal KidCabin Suite, KidCabin King Suite, Wolf Den King Suite, Royal Wolf Den Suite, Grizzley Wolf Den Suite, and Bear Cub Suite

All photos by author Kelly Patino.