Editors note: Y'all know we don't get paid to review stuff here on Baby Bunching, which means we can be totally honest and tell you about our love/hates. This is a story about both. Just a heads-up that this post is targeted towards older Bunchers who may be considering family vacation options. But younger Bunchers take heart as well - we saw lots of babies here and the youngest of my crew (just 2 1/2) had a blast - so you're not far off from a visit to Great Wolf Lodge!
Last week was Spring Break. With some pre-paid tickets to Disney that we needed to use up, we made a last-minute decision to head on over to Orlando. Last minute + grandparents who decided to tag along and help out = astronomical air fare, so we decided to rent an 8-passenger vehicle to get us all there (from Texas). Grandma was kind enough to do the research and scored a Yukon with unlimited mileage and no extra fees for interstate travel. She booked it online, reserved it with a credit card, called an hour beforehand to confirm availability, and then headed on over to pick it up.
And this is where the story gets nasty.
Upon arrival, Alamo car rental company offered us an upgrade to a Suburban for only $100, an offer we gratefully accepted. But then they couldn't find the Suburban. Or the Yukon. Fortunately, we were at the airport rental location, so the manager quickly went around to all the other rental car companies to find a car.
Unfortunately, since the entire state of Texas goes on Spring Break during the same week and approximately 50 percent of Texans were also undoubtedly Orlando-bound with grandparents in tow, there were no cars to be had. A frantic call to 1-800 numbers of three other major car rental companies confirmed our fears - that we were SOL. The Alamo manager, poorly schooled in the art of customer relations, provided the following proposed "solutions":
1) We could wait an extra day to leave and they would "try" to get us a car. A promise we (understandably) didn't feel held a whole lot of credibility. The only thing worse than telling your kids you can't leave for Disney is making them wait around to leave for Disney for a whole 'nother day and THEN telling them they can't leave for Disney.
2) They could give us TWO cars. At regular rates, of course. With gas hovering around $4 a gallon, chartering a freaking private jet would've been a cheaper options.
We briefly discussed the possibilities of taking our own two cars (which hadn't been serviced, since we weren't planning on driving them across five states) or leaving someone behind (Grandpa was overwhelmingly blackballed) but found neither of those satisfactory options, either. If it was the kiddos' first trip to Disney, I would have WALKED there, come hell or high water, but given that they've been several times, we decided to break the news that we would have to postpone the trip.
Fortunately, Grandma was thinking on her feet and booked us a trip at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas - just a few short hours away. And this is where the story gets happy again.
Talk about exceeding expectations. This indoor/outdoor water park is the ultimate resort for kids, and manages to pamper parents a little along the way. The place was spotlessly clean and since only guests of the hotel/resort can use the water park, crowd control is kept to a very reasonable level. The park features several dining and drinking options, with familiar, family-friendly brands such as Pizza Hut, A&W hot dogs, Starbucks, and Jose Cuervo. Each morning and evening there is a character-driven show, plus a night-time story hour, which children are welcome to attend in pajamas (much to the excitement of my eldest child, who I fear will show up for his own wedding in pajamas). Add in a scavenger hunt (plan ahead - it was all booked by the time we registered), an arcade, spas for both kiddos and adults, and even an evening kids club (for an extra charge) so mom and dad can catch a break - Great Wolf is practically a cruise ship on land.
Having been a former teenage lifeguard, I am not a fan. But the lifeguards at this place give new meaning to the word hyper-vigilant. One lifeguard at the Lazy River attraction was so laser-focused on manning his bend of the river that I actually wished he would relax a little - he was totally stressing me out with his quick, spaz-pacing of his zone. But once you become a parent, stress is a constant state, so I felt oddly reassured by our shared anxiety over my children's safety.
There are water amenities for everyone - death-defying water slides, a water obstacle course, a hot tub, a wave pool, a lazy river, a water fort - and even a miniature version of all these for the wee-est ones! Attractions are graded by height/swimmer skill level and your kids are banded with appropriate wrist bands when they walk in the door. Life jackets (clean! in good condition!) are available free of charge in a variety of sizes. And did I mention there's an outside replica of practically the entire park as well?
The 50 percent of Texas that was not in Orlando was at Great Wolf Lodge, so in our last minute haste to book a room, all that was left was the super posh Grizzly Bear Suite. Admittedly, the price tag attached to this baby would've given me pause, but fortunately for us Grandma was not above throwing money at the problem to make things right for the kiddos. Our two-bedroom suite had a little kitchenette and slept 8 (with a pullout sofa in the living room), so there was plenty of room for everyone. We lucked out because Grizzly Suite patrons can apparently check in whenever they want, but even regular guests can enter the water park at 1 pm, even though they may not be able to check into their room until 4 pm, depending on availability. You can swim until 9 at night, and then stay until 9 the next day (although you have to check out of your room by 11 am). So although it's not cheap, each one-night's stay is accompanied by a full 1.5 days of water fun!
In summary, Great Wolf Lodge:
Clean - check
Safe - check
Fun for all ages - check
Value for the chunk of money - still a check
Great Wolf is one place we'll definitely go back to! My mother, who reads this blog, made me delete the part where I tell Alamo National where they can go.
Wow! I can't believe Alamo did that. They should have offered a car free!
Glad you found a solution. We had a great time at Great Wolf lodge with our 2 and 4 year olds!
Posted by: Krystyn | Mar 24, 2011 at 03:41 PM
File a complaint with their corporate office...it might take a phone call or two, but if you hunt down the number of the CEO (no, you won't actually REACH the CEO at that number) you'll get a very schooled Exec Sec that will not only CARE about your problem and horrific experience, he/she'll also have the inside goods to get you to someone who will do something about it. I recommend a request for a free SUV/Luxury level voucher for however long you were supposed to have the car, without an expiration date, as a starting point.
I used to work for a Professor who flew over 250 days a year, and any time some company screwed with his plans I pull this little gem of a strategy out of my pocket. If you're polite and find a way to connect with the ES that helps too. I can say over 3 years I got at least 5 250$ flight vouchers and several free rental vehicles this way, among other things like comped hotel rooms or upgrades here and there.
Most of the Execs are more interested in keeping a really belligerent customer happy vs. getting their hourly paycheck. They all just assume that because you got ahold of their personal ES that you're that crazy belligerent person who won't let it go...doesn't matter if you haven't even called customer service before, lol. We had great success with Alamo in So. Cal. but we always traveled with military fare notes, so I think we got treated better than most.
Make sure to call and get the manager's name and have all your info ready on hand before you make the call - and don't get emotional or bring emotion into it. Just state what happened, that you lost your SB trip because of it, and ask the company to make it right by giving you XYZ. You can usually get to the ES by looking for a press contact number on the webpage. Start by apologizing for bothering the person but then say that you didnt know who to go to because you've had no help from customer service and feel like someone should be aware of the problem so that others don't have such a poor experience with their company..then make your case. (I'd delete this comment if you direct them to your blog though). It may not work, I've gotten a few calloused people in my time for sure, but most of the time this is the best way to go about it if Customer Service has been a joke. Its worth a shot!! (and, to make it easy for you..here's the person I'd start with. She's a media contact but she's also the contact point for the COO. Meghan Maguire
314-512-2040 (office)[email protected])
The corporate number is: Phone: 314-512-1000 (located in Missouri)
I'd call vs. email. It seems that people like to be more human by phone. Good luck!! At least you salvaged the vacation :)
Posted by: Audrey | Mar 25, 2011 at 12:34 AM
ALAMO SUCKS!!
ALMOST THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND WHEN WE TRIED TO CONFRONT THE LADY ABOUT OUR PROBLEM NOT ONLY WAS SHE RUDE BUT SHE WAS A CONCEIDED BITCH!
Posted by: Alina | Apr 04, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Thanks for the suggestions, Audrey. Time has healed my anger a *little* so I have cooled off enough to call now. And THANK YOU for taking the time to do the legwork for me - now I have no excuse not to call! I'll report back....
Posted by: Cara Fox | Apr 06, 2011 at 10:46 PM
The place was spotlessly clean and since the only guests in the hotel and resort can use the water park is to keep control of the masses to a very reasonable level.
Posted by: barnet minicab | Apr 19, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Limousine in long island, bachelor parties can start the evening off right, and keep you rocking, till early morning hours. Not only has a built in designated driver, because no one wants the special mobile patrol car of their special night.
Posted by: Limo in long island | Jul 12, 2011 at 02:35 AM
Thanks for sharing your personal experience here. But it is really surprising that such a large part of texas went on spring break in the same week.
Posted by: Hummer Limo Hire Melbourne | Oct 19, 2011 at 03:25 AM
I had the same experience where they gave the car I was suppose to rent to someone else.
Posted by: car finance | Oct 19, 2011 at 04:59 AM
You should file a complaint to their supervisors to gain a free voucher. If they don't budge then file a lawsuit against them so they will pay for damages.
Posted by: car loans | Nov 30, 2011 at 04:33 AM
Don't you recognize that this is high time to get the personal loans, which would make your dreams come true.
Posted by: HaydenMarquita19 | Dec 10, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Wow, amazed that it could happen. Hope the rest of your time was ok.
Posted by: Pink limo Hire Melbourne | Jan 24, 2012 at 03:15 AM
Spring break is a fun way to spend time with friends by traveling interstate. Glad you found a cozy place to stay despite of that bad experience with that rented car. I suggest that next time, finance a new or a pre-owned car for you to keep and maintain by yourself.
Posted by: auto finance | Apr 25, 2012 at 02:52 PM
Great many thanks! Your post contains information that brings me a step closer to getting the bigger picture. Cheers!
Posted by: Wholesale Cotton Bags | May 05, 2012 at 04:42 AM
The Air Jordan III's had poor sales when first retro'ed in 1994. On the other hand if they happen to be re-retro'ed they marketed outcheap http://www.jordan3cements.com design might be marketed for over 300 bucks on a variety of internet websites, one in particular remaining eBay.
Posted by: cheap jordan cement | May 15, 2012 at 09:04 AM
The Air Jordan III's had poor sales when first retro' http://www.jordan1onsale.com ed in 1994. On the other hand if they happen to be re-retro'ed they marketed http://www.retrojordan13.org might be marketed for over 300 bucks on a variety of internet websites, one in particular remaining eBay.
Posted by: cheap jordans 13 | May 15, 2012 at 09:08 AM
Just a quick note to tell you that your post made my day - have been looking for this type of info. Cheers!
Posted by: Wholesale Cotton Bags | May 24, 2012 at 04:45 AM
This is not what you can expect from a standard service provider. They must pay you for this.
Posted by: Limo Hire Leeds | Jun 22, 2012 at 04:44 AM
Artificial plants and silk plants have really gained in popularity and are even used for very formal events these days. How can you play with watches. The exact amount of liquid that ends up in the jar will depend on certain machine settings, as we'll see shortly. And then of course the furniture needs to get to you. he varieties they offer can even change the out look of your house. Hollister Brooks Beach Down Vests Blue. This is a very gentle product, and is a great choice for curly haired children as well.
Article Source: http://www.cheap-abercrombie-fitch.org/
Posted by: Abercrombie Fitch | Jun 24, 2012 at 10:57 PM