Great Wolf Lodge Opens in Concord, NC

First Indoor Waterpark Resort in the Southeast Now Open in Time for Spring Break

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. April 03, 2009

APRIL 3, 2009 - Locals have been watching the project take shape for months, with sky-high stacks of rustic timbers and pool supplies transforming into a multi-story, 475,000 square-foot northwoods-themed family indoor waterpark resort the likes of which this part of the country has never before seen. And this week, just in time for spring break, Great Wolf Lodge -Concord, the newest property in the Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.(R) (NASDAQ:WOLF) portfolio, is ready to open its doors to families itching to break out of their winter doldrums and jump into the pool - make that four pools in a massive, four-story tall waterpark.

Great Wolf Resorts Chief Executive Officer Kim Schaefer knows a thing or two about family spring breaks. "I have children myself, and I know that by the time spring break rolls around, they're more than ready to shake off winter with a waterpark adventure," said Schaefer. "We are excited that the 22 local contractors and staff could open the Lodge in time for the school vacation, giving families in the southeast their first taste of what our family resorts are all about."

The Concord resort is over 100 million dollars' worth of pure fun. Geysers, huge dump buckets, slides, suspension bridges and every configuration of waterpark fun imaginable fill the 80,000 square-foot indoor waterpark. The waterpark landscape includes toddler-friendly areas, while other water attractions, like the Howlin' Tornado funnel tube ride and side-by-side racing slides, will have tweens and teens declaring the place "awesome."

When guests of the resort are ready to dry off, there are plenty of "dry land" activities to keep the family busy: The Howl-In-OneTM themed 18-hole miniature golf course; an arcade with more than 100 video games; a children's activity center called Cub ClubTM which includes programming developed by National Geographic Kids; a resort-wide, live-action fantasy adventure game called MagiQuestTM that leads players through themed challenges; gr8_spaceTM, a teen tech center with computers, karaoke and movies; and Scooops(R) Kid Spa designed for the under 12 years old crowd.

The resort has over 400 guest suites in nine different family-friendly configurations. When the weather really warms up, the outdoor pool will be another hot spot.

For grown-ups hoping to squeeze in a little downtime during their Great Wolf getaway, they'll be pleased to know there's a full-service spa featuring Aveda(R) products.

Great Wolf Lodge features two themed, on-property restaurants - a family restaurant and bar with sweeping views of the waterpark, and an action-style buffet, featuring a "Kids Only" food station. Guests on the move can also choose from Pizza Hut Express(R), a Dunkin Donuts(R) featuring gourmet coffee and "Just Baked" pastries, a confectionary caf'e for other sweet treats, and a snack shop located right inside the waterpark.

Schaefer was also pleased to point out the value inherent in a Great Wolf getaway, given that families are watching their expenses, while still looking for ways to spend time together. "Waterpark passes are included with the cost of the stay, good from the day you check in right through check-out day," said Schaefer.

She was also duly pleased about the resort's eco-friendly ways, especially since the southeast is just coming out of a drought. "The waterpark filtration system, the best in the world, makes it possible to reclaim and recycle nearly every drop of water in the waterpark every day," explained Schaefer. Additionally, new technology in the laundry area allows for recycling of 70 percent of the water used there. It's all part of the company's environmental program called Project Green WolfTM.

While the resort opened on March 31, a very grand Grand Opening is planned for late April. Phil Cunningham, general manager of the property, said invitations have been sent to families from all over the region for an April 24 blow-out featuring a concert by Walt Disney Records Recording Artist Mitchel Musso, known for his role as Oliver Oken on the Disney Channel sitcom, "Hannah Montana". The concert and other festivities that evening will be open only to guests staying at the resort that night.