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detour destinations EXTERIOR: COURTESY PHOTO KIDS: PHOTO BY MIA PARK Party Like the Wolf A birthday getaway that's kid-approved and well planned for parents W HEN MY DAUGHTER'S BEST friend mentioned that he wanted to go to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate his ninth birthday, my ears perked up, as it's a destination we've been eager to experience as well. Located just minutes from downtown Anaheim in nearby Garden Grove, the lodge features a 105,000-square-foot indoor water park kept at a comfortable 84 degrees year-round, attractions for kids including an expansive arcade, character appearances, and a Build-A-Bear Workshop, as well as ample dining options — all under one roof. To accommodate our group of four children and three mothers, we booked a Wolf Den Suite, which features a cave-themed sleeping area with a bunk bed, and a nearby Family Suite. We added on the Birthday Bash package, offering a decorated door, balloons, birthday-themed plates, cups, and napkins, a large pizza and two- liter bottle of soda, and a $40 Paw Points game card for the arcade. After enjoying a character appearance in the lobby, we made our way to the main attraction. e fully contained water park has only one entry/exit point, a key detail that makes even this vast park a safe place for the kids to run free without parents feeling the need to track their every movement. e kids quickly ran off to discover their favorite elements: Fort Mackenzie, an interactive four-story water treehouse complete with slides; Slap Tail Pond, a wave pool with a max depth of five feet; and Crooked Creek, a meandering lazy river. ere are also many thrilling water slides for adrenaline seekers, but our crew preferred the more mellow offerings. After countless hours of water play, we returned to our dens, and discovered that the all-inclusive birthday package was incredibly convenient. We simply picked up the pizza, beverages, and birthday cake, and the kids had an incredible time celebrating and refueling. Summer Camp-In at Great Wolf Lodge kicks off on May 24. rough August 25, all 20 U.S.-based Great Wolf Lodge locations invite guests to enjoy the quintessential summer tradition of camping with themed programming. Highlights include arts and crafts activities, selfie stations, the Trailblazer Challenge (offering campers the opportunity to complete challenges to earn the title of Trailblazer), family-friendly fitness programming including yoga, Splash & Dance Pool Party, and Summer Camp-In Jamboree, a singalong in the lobby that includes choreographed moves. greatwolf.com/southern-california MIA PARK ranchandcoast.com 76 MAY 2024 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE