Massive Great Wolf Lodge opening in Florida, but not in Orlando

Massive Great Wolf Lodge opening in Florida, but not in Orlando

When Great Wolf Lodge purchased 50 acres near Florida’s Walt Disney World in 2016, it was presumed the company would open its first resort in the Sunshine State there.

A Great Wolf Lodge will open in Florida this fall, but it won’t be in Orlando, the “Theme Park Capital of the World.”

Instead, a 20-acre site in Naples will be home to the new resort, which is currently under construction near Interstate 75 along Florida’s southwest coast, according to the company. It’s scheduled to open Sept. 25, the company announced Wednesday. The grand opening is set for Oct. 1.

Great Wolf Lodge is known for its rustic appeal and large indoor water parks, admission to which is included with all stays.

The new Great Wolf Lodge South Florida will be the company’s 21st in North America, featuring 500 guest suites and a water park of nearly 100,000 square feet, as well as a 60,000-square-foot entertainment center.

“We see that even in the warm-weather climates, the Great Wolf brand resonates just as strongly as it does in the Midwest, Northwest and Northeast,” said Jason Bays, general manager for Great Wolf Lodge South Florida, in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.

“The product is same. Our signature indoor waterpark is 84 degrees year-round, so it’s never too hot. It’s never too cold,” he said. “The weather’s perfect inside for what we do. It’s perfect on rainy days in the Sun Belt just like it would be perfect for snowy days in the Northeast.”

The property Great Wolf Lodge had purchased in Orlando was located across Interstate 4 from Disney Springs and was originally intended to be the site for an 800-room lodge. Instead, it has been sold to AIC Hotel Group, which intends to build four hotels on the site, according to the Sentinel.

On Wednesday, the company also announced details about the water attractions at the new park, which include a Rapid Racer tube-racing slide; an area named Otter Cave Waterworks; Crooked Creek lazy river; Slap Tail Pond wave pool; River Canyon Run, a family raft ride; North Hot Springs, an adults-only hot tub area; and numerous other attractions.

The entertainment center will include bowling, miniature golf and an arcade, as well as MagiQuest, an activity in which guests activate special effects throughout the resort via use of a wand.

Great Wolf Lodge South Florida is already accepting reservations. Those booking now can reserve a family suite starting at $152 per night, which includes water park passes.