If you’re still trying to decide where to vacation this summer, consider putting Great Wolf Lodge, Grapevine TX on your radar. We spent a weekend exploring the property, and we’re happy to report the biggest of all the Great Wolf Lodge resorts has added new and exciting perks to its already impressive list of amenities. Keep reading to discover what’s happening this summer, and why a visit just might be that trip you’ll always remember (we know the kids will!).

photo: Gabby Cullen

1. Everything is bigger in Texas.
The DFW-based waterpark is the biggest property of them all, offering 605 rooms, including the ever-popular suites like KidKamp™, Wolf Den Suite™ and the KidCabin®. These suites have special areas just for the kids, while adults enjoy perks like fireplaces, whirlpool baths and semi-private sitting areas. Every room in the hotel offers the ever popular Wine Down Service: you choose between four different wines and a sweet or savory side to pair with it. And, after you’ve finished wrangling your bear cubs into bath and bed, your treats will be waiting outside the door—because you’ve already scheduled the arrival time. Genius.

The 80,000 square foot indoor waterpark has all the classic attractions, like Fort Mackenzie, Crooked Creek, Cub Paw (zero-depth entry children’s pool) and Racoon Lagoon—the impressive outdoor pool zone that offers water basketball, kiddie activities, spray features and even heated water!

Insider Tip: The property sits on a total of 51 acres, which means there is room for even more additions in the future!

photo: Great Wolf Lodge

2. You’ll be able to build your own fort this summer.
Starting May 25, you’ll be able to pick up a custom-designed fort kit for your room, that comes complete with two colored sheets, clothespins for pinning, a camp lantern and a Fort Kit tag. Pick from various colors including red, beige and grey. The best part? The forts are washable and reusable, which means you’ll be able to take them home to continue the fun. Find them at the Buckhorn Exchange retail store for $30.

photo: Gabby Cullen

3. Kids with allergies have a friend at Great Wolf Lodge. 
Great Wolf Lodge wants to make sure everyone has a break from the grind of daily life. Everything cooked and prepared on-site is nut free (and no peanut oil). If your kid is dealing with different type of allergy, simply email the chef your concerns—he’ll work with you to prepare a menu that’s safe for your child.

photo: Great Wolf Lodge

4. The same activities and perks you know and love are still here. 
Great Wolf Lodge is known for their non-stop, action-packed days of fun. There’s the Clock Tower Show that starts at 9 a.m. every day. There’s also Wiley Bingo, face painting, hula hoop contests, chemistry fun, Glow Dance Parties on Friday and Saturday nights (don’t be surprised if it becomes a bubble dance party!), the Master Magi Ceremony and much more. Did we mention there’s still an 80,000 square foot water park to explore?

Insider Tip: For a small fee you can ask for late checkout (2 p.m.), giving you more time to get your stuff together before you leave for the day. But even if you check out at 11 a.m., your wristband gives you access to the waterpark until closing that day! Stash your luggage in the car and then hit the waterpark, where you can shower before getting dressed and prying yourself away from the property (lockers are available for a small fee).

photo: Great Wolf Lodge

5. Great Wolf Lodge takes safety seriously.
When you hit the water at Great Wolf Lodge, you’ll see the numerous lifeguards constantly on the lookout. They “scan” continuously, which means they’ve always got eyes on their section of the park. Each and every lifeguard goes through hours of training, are graded by an outside company, and have never garnered less than platinum status. And, while all kids ages 18 & under should be accompanied by an adult at all times, you can rest assured knowing that the on-site staff is well prepared for an emergency. They even offer up handy water safety tips for summer!

photo: Great Wolf Lodge

6. It’s easy to get there.
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine is 6.7 miles away (15-minute drive) from DFW International Airport. Shuttle services are plentiful and available at bargain prices. It’s also just a few miles off the freeway (Texas 121), making the drive a breeze.

photo: Great Wolf Lodge

7. There are great deals happening right now.
Right now, Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine is offering 25% off the standard rate for a visit in July and 50% off the standard rate if you book up to 60 days early.

Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine
100 Great Wolf Drive
Grapevine, TX 76501

Call: 800.693.9653
Online: greatwolf.com/grapevine 

— Gabby Cullen

RELATED STORIES:

Water Safety Tips from the Great Wolf Lodge

Why the NEW Great Wolf Lodge Should Be on Your Bucket List

16 Family Resorts with Jaw-Dropping Water Features

15 Water Slides You Have to See to Believe

Thanks to Great Wolf Lodge for hosting; while portions of this trip were paid by Great Wolf Lodge, the opinions expressed here are the writer’s own. 

 

Let’s face it. We can’t ALWAYS be the perfect parent; and it’s okay! Bunmi Laditan, author of Toddlers Are Assholes; It’s Not Your Fault and mother of three, took to Facebook to remind us in a sarcastic (yet hilarious) post the reality of parenting.

Her caption reads “Dinner is served! The chicken nuggets are organic, free-range, rescue chickens who communicated to me in chicken language that they wanted to die to nourish my children. I coated them in gluten-free almond meal and probiotics before baking them on a tray lightly sprayed with coconut oil and colostrum.

Those aren’t fries, they are rutabaga spears from my garden lightly fried in peanut oil from my peanut grove. The box was a craft I did with my children this afternoon while I was being mindful with them in our television-free living room.

Those aren’t grease stains on the box, they are tears of joy from my toddler. He’s so thankful for every meal. Just now he said (tearfully), “Mama, thank you for giving me life during my homebirth and this delicious, homemade dinner. I love you, goddess.” Feel free to pin. #blessed #gratitude #family #homelife#justaregulartuesday

Many parents are applauding Bunmi on her quirky post. What do you think?

When it comes to parenting, what are your guilty pleasures? Tell us in the comments below!

 

— Noelle Buckband

January 19 is National Popcorn Day. While some like to celebrate with popcorn related activities like popcorn air hockey, popcorn relay races, and popcorn haikus, we at Red Tricycle have a different suggestion: How about just eating it? (But do it quickly, and possibly furtively, there are some voices in NYC government who would like to add popcorn to the list of banned substances, right alongside big sodas.) On the other hand, if you’re going to become a Popcorn Outlaw, you want to make sure you are downing the very best stuff possible. Here are our picks for some great spots to satisfy your snack fix when hunger strikes.

Garrett Popcorn
242 West 34th Street
Though it launched in Chicago, it didn’t take Garrett Popcorn long to conquer The Big Apple with their classic, cooked in old-school copper kettles, thank you very much, delicacy. Favorite flavors at their Penn Station location include Chicago Style (cheddar and caramel), Gingerbread, Macadamia, Cashew, Hawaiian Islands Cane Sugar, and more.

Good to Know: The Penn station locale means delicious popcorn is only a short train ride away on the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E,  B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R. And if Oprah puts it on her list of favorite things, it’s got to be good!

Pop Karma
95 Orchard Street
With a menu that boasts Zen Cheddar and Pure Caramel alongside Mediterranean and Masala flavors, you can be certain to find a unique taste to tickle anyone’s palate at this Lower East Side establishment open seven days a week from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Good to Know: Don’t feel like schlepping downtown? Pop Karma delivers! Choose a flavor, choose a size and call in your order before 7 pm to get door to door service (there’s a $10 minimum) not only in Manhattan, but also in Brooklyn and Queens!

Populence
1 W 8th St (between 5th Ave & MacDougal St)
Calling themselves Popcorn Artisans, this is a Greenwich Village spot that takes their corn making very seriously. Favorite hand-crafted flavors include Ginger Caramel, Raspberry, Cinnamon, Sundried Tomato, Smoked Jalapeno and Garlic Rosemary. For those having trouble making up their minds, samplers are also available.

Good to Know: Perfect for the civil-minded. Once you purchase your first gallon tin of popcorn, you can keep returning to have it refilled, adding a little fun and flavor to your recycling!

Kettle Corn NYC
It’s a quintessential New York Story: Fresh faced youngster comes to New York City with nothing but some unpopped corn, and a dream. Fresh faced youngster opens Kettle Corn truck to drive around the city, hawking his wares. Kettle Corn truck gets stolen.  The now jaded, formerly fresh faced, youngster decides – no more! And proceeds to sell his popcorn on-line. Along the way, his flavors of Cherry Chocolate, Sour Cream and Chives, Cotton Candy, Frutti Bam Bam, Egg Nog and Spicy Ranch pick up the Food Network’s seal of approval as New York’s Tastiest Popcorn. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere…with or without a truck.

Good to Know: In addition to their on-line shop, Kettle Corn NYC runs stands at NYC street festivals all summer long. Keep an eye on their schedule and, odds are, they’ll eventually land on a block near you (alongside those knock-off T-shirts and bargain bundles of socks).

Of course, no overview of popcorn options could be complete without mentioning the family’s primary site for chewing down: Movie theaters.

The temptation is to assume that all theater fare is the same (over-greased, over-salted, and possibly several days old, to boot).

However, a few movie palaces in New York do buck the trend, offering not merely palatable, but downright tasty snacks along with your cinematic escape. Try:

  • The Film Forum. Not only do they pop fresh and top with only peanut oil and sea-salt, but they also host a Film Forum Jr. of classic movies like “The Red Balloon” and “King Kong” just for kids!
  • IFC Center brings organic kernels and real butter to the table, along with flavorings like cinnamon sugar, and documentaries like the popular 7 Up series you’ll be hard pressed to find screening anywhere else.
  • Of course, when nothing but a chain will do, opt for Landmark Theaters. In New York City, they offer their trademark Rattle & Reel Screenings where adults pay full price, but babies are free… and, more importantly, welcome, along with their popcorn cooked in coconut oil and topping selections of sour cream and onion, jalapeno, barbecue, Cajun, apple cinnamon, chocolate marshmallow and more!

Where do you go when you need your salty snack fix?

— Alina Adams

photo credit: Genevieve C. via yelp, Pop Karma facebook page, Populence facebook page, Kettle Corn NYC facebook page