Splash Lagoon (Erie) vs. Great Wolf Lodge (Niagara Falls)

[biggroofy]

Can someone share their experience of the two water parks? We have been to Great Wolf Lodge a few times, and my DD7 loves it. We are planning a weekend trip to Grove City Outlet for shopping, and DW suggested Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort (Erie) instead of Great Wolf. Reason(s) being, we get tax exemption if we are out of Canada for 48 hours; and it is a break (we can cut the driving into half).

Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort - according to their website, it is not really a resort (like Great Wolf), but a Water Park that "partners" with hotels nearby. Am I correct?

Say, if I book Hilton Garden Inn, or Holiday Inn Express on my own, I have to drive to Water Park and buy admission tickets there?

How do you compare the cleanliness, fun for small kids, to Great Wolf Lodge? In Great Wolf, we always get change in our room and it is just a short walk to the waterpark.

Many thanks!

 

[caranne0314]

biggroffy - I can only speak to Splash Lagoon since we have been there several times.

There are 3 hotels connected to Splash - you walk through enclosed hallways to get to the water park. Holiday Inn is the newest hotel. You can buy a package that includes your water park passes, your hotel room and breakfast. Seems to be cheaper every time we check for reservations. You mentioned Hilton
Garden and I think you buy a package through them too and it includes shuttle service.

We always buy our packages on the Splash Lagoon website and never have had a problem. Great for our kids (age 4, 7, 9).

And I like the shopping - in Erie and Grove City outlets - no TAX on clothing is the best!

Happy vacation and shopping!

 

[iluveeyore]

Splash Lagoon, according to my sister, is way better than Great Wolf Lodge, and waaaay cheaper. For myself, I've been to Erie several times a year, (am actually staying this Thursday for our anniversary), and we love it. The hotels are very reasonable, and we love the Mill Creek Mall and all the nearby restaurants and other places to shop all along Peach Street.

 

[NAB]

We have done both , Splash Lagoon. It has been awhile but do know we really enjoyed it. And the tax free shopping. I do remember that the lazy river is much bigger there the Great Wolfe.

But do stay at the newer hotel. We stayed at the Econo lodge? or one like it that is attached and it was really old and dirty. The room was gross, the windows were black with mold and they didn't do anything for us. Said they would pay back the room and said it was $28. or something crazy like that. He said most of the cost was the lagoon.

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks guys!

Which would be a newest hotel? caranne0314 commented that Holiday Inn would be the newer hotel attached to Splash Lagoon, but looking at pictures (at their official website), it seems to be dated.

I've read that Hilton Garden Inn is slightly newer, but I guess it is not connected to the water park. We "used to" love Great Wolf Lodge because it was convenient, say my DD3 needs a nap and I can take DD7 to the waterpark. I guess if I stay in Hilton Garden Inn, the whole family has to enter/leave at the same time (since we have to drive & park).

Glad to know that many of you like Erie - I was a little concerned there is nothing else for my kids (and even considered driving to Pittsburgh). But if there is enough in the area, I'd prefer a shorter drive like this -

Day 1 Toronto -> Erie
Day 2 Splash Lagoon + MillCreek Mall (need to find Macy/Target/Walmart)
Day 3 Grove City Outlet
Day 4 Erie -> Buffalo (Walden Galleria) -> Toronto

 

[OntFamily]

We have done both, and there is no comparison -- Great Wolf is MUCH nicer.

1) GWL -- larger, and not as congested (we were @ Splash Lagoon in mid Feb -- Family Day long weekend, and it was crowded)

2) GWL - nicer staff (and seemed more professional) -- it had the Disney type touch

3) GWL - more expensive

 

[biggroofy]

We have done both, and there is no comparison -- Great Wolf is MUCH nicer.

1) GWL -- larger, and not as congested (we were @ Splash Lagoon in mid Feb -- Family Day long weekend, and it was crowded)

2) GWL - nicer staff (and seemed more professional) -- it had the Disney type touch

3) GWL - more expensive

OntFamily - did you stay in the resort (connecting to waterpark), or offsite? Wanted some hotel recommendation in the area

 

[TLPL]

Interesting, I have never heard of Splash Lagoon, I should research this place.
How big is it? like Fallsview Waterpark on top of the old Casino parking gaurage??

 

[OntFamily]

OntFamily - did you stay in the resort (connecting to waterpark), or offsite? Wanted some hotel recommendation in the area

Hi

We stayed at the Residence Inn (connected to the waterpark). It was a nice hotel (typical of most Residence Inn's). I would recommend it.

 

[iluveeyore]

Just FYI, hubby and I just got back today from a night in Erie - I would highly recommend the Comfort Inn on Peach Street - I booked a king suite (only paid $84 plus tax), and we were pleasantly surprised when we checked in - there was a small kitchen, a huge island with 4 bar stools, a living room with a desk, armchair, tv and pull-out couch, then a separate huge master with king size bed, separate vanity area, and a huge jetted tub with shower. This hotel is connected to the Residence Inn and Splash Lagoon. The breakfast was wonderful with many hot items (bacon, sausage, eggs, french toast, waffles and much more), so really good value and really nice room. I would check this out as it would have been perfect for a family staying more than one night!!!! And the new Walmart super center just opened one street down on Peach Street off of Downs Road - huge and beautiful and open 24/7!!

 

[who's ur daddy?]

We stayed a couple of nights in Erie over this last Labour Day weekend and had a good time at Splash Lagoon.

Maybe it was the the time of year, but it wasn't crazy busy. The Saturday was busy, but entirely manageable.

Here are my general thoughts:

1. Great Wolf is definitely bigger. The lazy river at Splash Lagoon is tiny - probably 1/4th of the size of Great Wolf's. Splash Lagoon does not have a wave pool like GWL. GWL tube rides seem just a tad longer. No outdoor area like GWL.

2. Line ups at Splash Lagoon were a lot shorter. Kids basically went up, came down, went up, came down. I hazard a guess that they must have done it 25 times a day. For those who have been to GWL, we all know it can be a long, long, long wait for the rides - wait 20 to 30 minutes for a single tube ride.

3. Wouldn't call the place grungy, but Splash Lagoon doesn't have the bright, airy feeling of GWL. Not a lot of natural light for such a big building.

4. Splash Lagoon lifeguards were very strict. Not that that is a bad thing, but no one seemed to be happy.

5. Splash Lagoon has a "treetops experience" which the kids liked. Basically an above ground tight-rope kind of experience from 12 ft to 20 ft above the ground. $10 extra.

6. All of the hotels seem to be a stone's throw from Splash Lagoon. They're all located on Peach Street. We stayed at the Hilton, which was very nice. Both the Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton are within 5 to 10 minutes walking distance (not that there are any sidewalks to do so, but you could walk if you wanted to).

So, acid test question - would I go back? If I had to be in the area, it is a great stopover. It's one of those gotta try it once type of things for us - plus it didn't hurt that we got $400 per person exemptions for purchased goods . For a pure indoor waterpark experience, I think I prefer GWL. As someone pointed out, GWL has that intangible Disney kinda feel to it.

 

[MedicGoofy]

We stayed a couple of nights in Erie over this last Labour Day weekend and had a good time at Splash Lagoon.

Maybe it was the the time of year, but it wasn't crazy busy. The Saturday was busy, but entirely manageable.

Here are my general thoughts:

1. Great Wolf is definitely bigger. The lazy river at Splash Lagoon is tiny - probably 1/4th of the size of Great Wolf's. Splash Lagoon does not have a wave pool like GWL. GWL tube rides seem just a tad longer. No outdoor area like GWL.

2. Line ups at Splash Lagoon were a lot shorter. Kids basically went up, came down, went up, came down. I hazard a guess that they must have done it 25 times a day. For those who have been to GWL, we all know it can be a long, long, long wait for the rides - wait 20 to 30 minutes for a single tube ride.

3. Wouldn't call the place grungy, but Splash Lagoon doesn't have the bright, airy feeling of GWL. Not a lot of natural light for such a big building.

4. Splash Lagoon lifeguards were very strict. Not that that is a bad thing, but no one seemed to be happy.

5. Splash Lagoon has a "treetops experience" which the kids liked. Basically an above ground tight-rope kind of experience from 12 ft to 20 ft above the ground. $10 extra.

6. All of the hotels seem to be a stone's throw from Splash Lagoon. They're all located on Peach Street. We stayed at the Hilton, which was very nice. Both the Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton are within 5 to 10 minutes walking distance (not that there are any sidewalks to do so, but you could walk if you wanted to).

So, acid test question - would I go back? If I had to be in the area, it is a great stopover. It's one of those gotta try it once type of things for us - plus it didn't hurt that we got $400 per person exemptions for purchased goods . For a pure indoor waterpark experience, I think I prefer GWL. As someone pointed out, GWL has that intangible Disney kinda feel to it.

So, I'm gonna ditto everything that has been said BUT gonna say that wait times do vary at GWL. I have been multiple times and have never waited 20 or 30 min for a slide. Go during March Break or a high visit time, and you might. But as a Niagara resident, I have been just on a day visit, and don't find it THAT busy.

I think you aren't doing great comparisons. You have to think about what you want to do for your visit. Do you want to spend some money and let your kids have a great night in a really neat hotel room...with a cabin like feel, sleeping in their own bunk bed room with games? Or basically stay in a motel like room for a cheaper rate. If you want to save money, get that breakfast included, and have no extras included, then Splash Lagoon and some shopping days would be great. It's a GREAT water park, you can spend a couple of nights without having to worry about spending too much money. You can get a hotel room attached to the park, or one the is just up the road or across from it. The Hilton is across and down the street. And several others to get the best rate, and many of them include a breakfast. The water park is good, not AS good as GWL but hey, it's kids and they will enjoy it!!!

GWL is like walking into Disney (not the same but themed). You walk into the hotel that is themed like an actual lodge, log chairs, tables are all logs. Rooms are all themed. Right up to having fireplaces. You can have a cheaper room or a much more expensive one. Yes, GWL sits kind out in the middle of nowhere by itself but it also 7 minutes from the FUNNEST street in Niagara Falls with TONS of family stuff to do. The water park is awesome.

The decision is shopping and water park and cheaper? Or more expensive and much nicer hotel and theming? I'll give ya that Grove City and Millcreek Mall are GREAT to shop at I've been there multiple times and am on my way back in a month!!! Can't wait. Will be at the Hilton. Stayed at the Comfort last year. Both are excellent.

Either way, have a great time!!!

P.S. Your driving plan looks good. And very doable