This is going to be about preparing to go. It can be as complicated as Disney, but your bags "into the park" dont have to be as extensive.
Lets talk about what you need to pack.
If you are going in in anticipation of saving money you'll want to bring food. Obviously I dont know what that looks like for YOU, but I will tell you what that looked like for us.
I know you are jealous of how organized the bins are. You want to be me dont you.
I got smart this last trip and took plastic sterilite three drawer bins (I usually have in our camper) and packed those puppies full of snacks, breakfast, lunches and cleaning supplies. On this trip I had lots and lots of medications because we were ALL sick on this trip. We brought home more medicines from this trip than we did souvenirs! What you dont see in the fridge is precooked bacon, crack an egg, eggs, pancakes (the frozen kind) and water bottles.
This trip I added these little guys and it was a game changer for my littles. Yes they are frozen, but they dont have to be. Throw these in the microwave for a few seconds and sprinkle some syrup on them and they will think you are a gourmet cook! (our local Walmart $3.68)
Also new on the breakfast menu this trip were these bad boys. I have tried a lot of precooked bacon. As I get older I realize a few things. 1. I like bacon. 2. I dont like cooking bacon. 3. Not all bacon cooks the same way. I honestly dont have time for that. So when I discovered this brand I tried it and I haven't looked back. (I am sure it has preservatives) When you are in a hotel room, and trying to save money!! This is the best bang for your buck. ($3.88 at our local Walmart).
Obviously dont forget paper plates, plastic ware and napkins. We brought lots of sippy cups and our Ozark trail cups so we could have cups to drink out of. I want to also add I brought a dish wand and clorox wipes to clean up with.
For lunch we had leftovers and or pizza from the hungry as a wolf. Which is a bit expensive, if you are buying by the slice, so go ahead and buy the entire pizza and eat on it for a few days. Their salad from the salad bar is SOOOOOOO good. I ate on that for two days. Everything was very fresh. Again pricey but fresh. (a small salad was $11) While we are at the Pizza place I want to make a plug for their souvenir cup. It is $16 but after that you get free refills your entire stay-including slushies. (I have an easy way to get these for a great deal just keep reading on to part 3.)
I wanted to talk about THEIR food. I want you to know we have eaten their food. It wasn't that it was BAD, but the price of the food is so outrageous that I had a hard time eating it. I could have fed my family for 4 days for the price of breakfast. When it is stuff I can make in my room I wont pay for that. Its not bad~just way overpriced. Its a buffet and most of it is pretty fresh. They also have lunch and dinner buffets open according to how high the occupancy is.
The GWL in Colorado also has Happy Hour at The Barnwood, drinks are half off- If I remember correctly it was from 3:30-5. There are several bars and areas to get adult beverages, that is just ONE location that has happy hour.
I am going down a rabbit trail, lets get back to preparing.
- Pack extra clothes
There is NOT laundry facilities at the lodge in Colorado. Which posed a problem for me because I only packed enough clothes for the days we were going to be gone, and my husband decided to stay longer. I would pack extra clothes. I like to put the days worth of clothes in a gallon size ziploc bag so my kiddos can just pull a bag out and that is everything they need for the day.
- Your swimming suits (or two).
If you are a swim shoe kind of family I would pack those also. Dont forget the swim diapers if you have littles in diapers with an EXTRA swim diaper cover. You'll need that as well. Obviously you wont need sunscreen, because you wont be outside. While we are on the subject of swimming suits, I packed those 3M hooks for the wall at the hotel room. I am not sure why, but the lack of hooks in their rooms is very frustrating. I brought enough hooks so everyone could have their bathing suits hung up ALSO a hook for their paw passes. I didn't damage their wall taking them off, just be mindful of that when you are slooooooowly taking them off the walls. ***Also bring a swimming bag. Something that is waterproof to take into the swim park. You will want to keep your phone and other items in this bag. If you rent a cabana (I will talk about that later) they do have safes. You can check out towels at the swim park-they are free to check out, BUT if you do not return them they will be charging your room $15 per towel! You can also bring in your own towels if you decide to do that.
-Bathing suit cover up to go to and from the room.
Its COLD in the lobby!! It is VERY warm in the park. Trust me you want something warm on.
- Pajamas!!
Your kids will be going downstairs at night for story time in their pajamas! They also have a dance party right before everything closes down and they will also want to be in their pajamas for that!
- Bathroom bag
Dont forget your usual bathroom stuff, shampoo, soap, makeup, razor (they do have a blow dryer in the room). *They do have complimentary soaps and shampoos, but I always like to bring my own.
- Dont forget your chargers.
- Clothing that is required.
Closed toed shoes are required for the ropes course. Dont forget to at least bring them.
-Dont forget your reusable items from your last trip if you have any!
Your wand, your souvenir cup can be "reactivated", your belt for MagiQuest and your cape!
-Small first aid kit
-Workout clothes
Some people are super dedicated to their health. I am proud of you. They do have a workout room.
I wanted to add that they do have a few toiletries in their gift shop so if you forget a few things they have them (for a price!!! but retail stores are always really close by.)
Hope that gets you one step closer.
Pelley
