This weekend my family is going to one of our favorite places for a mini-vacation.

Great Wolf Lodge!

We have been going here since my oldest was 2. We fell in love the first visit and have since tried to go twice a year. If we could afford it, we’d go much more often that that!

If you’ve never been, Great Wolf Lodge is a resort for families with a huge indoor water park you can visit year-round. It also has lots of other great amenities like an arcade, movie theatre, mini-golf, ropes course and more. The rooms are large and comfortable, and designed with a kid friendly, rustic theme, that makes it seem as though you were staying at a traditional “lodge.” The resort is has locations throughout the U.S. making it a quick, easy trip for lots of folks.

This post is the first in a 3 part series on the Wolf Lodge. This, the first post, is about ways to save when booking a trip. The 2nd post contains tips to maximize your visit. The 3rd, a free printable, packing list and things you should NOT bother packing.

If you are interested in visiting, but perhaps a little deterred by the cost, keep reading to find out ways to save!

1. Give them your email address!

No, I’m not setting you up for spam. Well, maybe a little bit, but so worth it. Some of the best deals we have ever gotten from Great Wolf Lodge came from e-mail. This most recent trip was booked through an email promotion on Black Friday. We saved a ton!

2. Book far in advance.

The further you are able to book in advance, the better! This will also increase your savings. I’ve gotten email offers for up to 60% off rates when booked two or more months in advance. If your schedule allows, this is a great way to get a good deal!

3. Book in the Off season.

Obviously, a place like Great Wolf Lodge is going to be a big attraction in the summer. In addition to indoor parks, you will also find an outdoor area, that is only open a certain portion of the year. Obviously, this draws a bigger crowd. In addition, summer’s out of school mean more vacations during the week for families, hence the lodge will book quicker, and at a higher price. It is a little more difficult (though not impossible) to find a good deal in the summer. It can also be difficult to get good deals around holidays, as lots of families visit then as well.

4. Stay during the week

If you can stay during the week there are 2 big benefits to this. First, you will find that it is much cheaper, as most people book on weekends. In addition, it is much less crowded. We love to go during the week for this reason alone! We have been there on Tuesdays and the park has been practically empty!

5. Check Groupon, Zulily and Living Social.

These sites will often partner with Great Wolf Lodge and run specials. I have seen Groupon run many $99 deals. Keep in mind though that these deals do not include the resort fee which is typically about $50. Despite being $150 after fees, you will still find that this is a good deal. Essentially you are getting a hotel for the night and 2 full day passes to a water park for your whole family. When you think of it that way, it doesn’t seem that expensive at all!

6. Check with your company or other affiliations for discounts.

Several large companies offer employee discounts at the Lodge. You can get discounts through travel associations like the AAA. If you are a member of the Armed forces, or a Police Officer, Firefighter, or EMS worker, you can also get special rates. Be sure to ask around before your visit. You might be surprised!