Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park | Illinois — Attraction in Gurnee

So... online it said there were rooms available. We arrived yeaterday, the 11th of August, and were rold there were no rooms available. That they were booked up. That we would need to go to an area hotel. So we did. Then we returned to swim and do water slides. Then return to our hotel, off property. We returned today. I asked, Just out of curiosity, did you have any rooms available last night. We are told, Yes. A few. So I explained what happened yesterday. The lady said, Sorry, sometimes rooms are blocked for maintenance. I go, OK. We want to get a half day water pass for us. We are heading back in a few hours. The lady at the front desk does it for me on my phone, saying, you buy those online. I say, OK. She helps me do it on my phone. Another front dest agent says, that half day pass starts at 4pm. Not 930 am ( which was now ). So I say, I need to come back at 4pm!? I tell him the problems I have had and that the other front desk helper had me but these. He says, One sec. I will fix it. HE DOES. We go swimming. The water park is great. So I gave...

We stayed two nights, Sun through Tues. The location looked great, layout, design etc. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Alot of activities for the kids to do outside of the main attraction.

My two main issues were how overcrowded it was within the water park area, especially in the lazy river and wave pool. If you don't arrive early, good luck finding a small table with chairs to place your kids drinks or snacks. You'll have to resort to paying $20 for a locker for the day.

This brings me to the other item; food was a bit pricey and you get charges you didn't expect when reserving...ex: additional $20 a night to use their parking lot.. $20 overnight stay fees.. these add up quickly.

At the end of the day, you begin to question if maybe for a little more money you could book a weekend trip elsewhere that may have...

This place would be great... if it wasn't for all the hidden charges! Think you're getting a promo room rate so you can afford it? Not so much! After 13% tax, and a $70 "resort fee", there's a $15 "overnight parking" fee in their own parking lot when you get there. They don't mention that until you show up and check in. Really? That should be part of the cost. Ridiculous.

... 'The Resort Fee includes services that are often charged individually, including water park amenities life jackets and towels, resort-wide wireless internet, virtual concierge service, in-room amenities such as a coffee maker and mini-fridge, and perks unique to Great Wolf Lodge like complimentary arts & craft projects provided during select kids’...