This post is brought to you by Great Wolf Lodge, but all opinions are my own.
What is Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California? It is a Halloween-themed event called Howl-O-Ween, curated with decorations, Halloween activities, and special events for families. So, what happens during Howl-O-Ween? A lot!
The moment you walk in, you’ll notice decorations to get you in the spooky spirit! From spiders made of balloons to trick-or-treat stations with lots of different spooky but fun themes, you’ll spot lots of fun décor that you don’t normally find at Great Wolf Lodge.
Of course, one of the best things about Halloween time is the food- and that’s true at Great Wolf Lodge, too! They offer special food and beverages for the Halloween season, from a Pumpkin Pie Caramel Swirl Shake to a Howlin’ Wagyu Burger- there’s even a “Worms-in-the-Graveyard” dessert cup!
One of the things that makes Great Wolf Lodge unique year-round is the activities they offer for kids and families- and they make them extra special for Halloween! There are lots of fun Halloween activities to check out, like The Thrill of Howl-O-Ween Yoga Tails, a Monster Bash Dance Party, and even a Trick-or-Treat Trail. And all these activities are included in your stay!
Is Great Wolf Lodge Garden Grove Good for a Halloween Weekend with Kids?
Great Wolf Lodge is a great way to spend a Halloween weekend with your kids! Sometimes, Halloween can be a tricky holiday to celebrate with kids. Depending on your kids and their ages, they might be really into Halloween or a little nervous about scary characters and decorations. Halloween at Great Wolf Lodge is never scary, and even the trick-or-treating is calm with some very kind pack members manning the decorated but not scary stations! At each stop on the trail, your kiddo will get a sticker for their passport and some candy or other fun goodies. It’s all the fun of trick-or-treating, but right in the lodge!
On the flip side, my kids are teens, which can also make Halloween tricky! Sometimes, it’s hard to find activities that don’t feel too young for them. Great Wolf Lodge offers lots of options for different age groups, during Halloween and at other times of the year too. While my kids opted out of the themed yoga and the Monster Bash dance party, you’re never too old to trick-or-treat- in fact, I even got to trick-or-treat alongside them! A whole-family activity is part of what makes holidays so much fun, including Halloween.
We’ve been going to Great Wolf Lodge for a decade now, but this was the first time we went for Howl-O-Ween, and it was such a fun way to make my favorite vacation spot feel brand new! Want to know more about bringing tweens and teens to Great Wolf Lodge? Check out this post I shared all about why I still love bringing older kids to Great Wolf Lodge!
Indoor Water Park Fun Near Anaheim During Halloween Season
Of course, one of the best things about Great Wolf Lodge is the indoor water park! While the leaves are beginning to change colors and there’s a bit of a chill in the air outside, it’s always 84 degrees inside at Great Wolf Lodge! You can get a bit more use out of those bathing suits before you hang them up for the year when you spend time in the wave pool, lazy river, water slides, and toddler areas.
There’s truly something for everyone at the water park, whether you have tots who want to use the water playground or teens who want to do the family thrill rides. Our favorite ride is Howling Tornado- it always makes me scream at the drop, and then we all spend the rest of the ride laughing!
Aside from the awesome rides, one of our favorite things about the water park is the food! {Like I said, I have teens.} They have some absolutely delicious burgers, chicken strips and more at the Buckets restaurant at the water park and you don’t even have to dry off to fuel up. Learn more about the water park here.
Trick-or-Treat Trail, Monster Bash and Halloween Crafts at Great Wolf Lodge
One of the best things about Great Wolf Lodge is just how much fun is included in your stay. Not only do you get to use the water park- including the day you arrive and even until it closes on the day you check out- but they have so many free activities to enjoy too! They always offer yoga in the mornings and a dance party in the evening, and for their Howl-O-Ween event those are both themed.
You can start your day with The Thrill of Howl-O-Ween Yoga Tails, filled with playful poses and gentle stretches that will get the whole family ready for a day at the water park! After a day of fun, the Monster Bash Dance Party includes Halloween songs that will help them get their wiggles out just in time to get some sleep!
Throughout the day, you’ll also find themed arts & crafts like making Halloween buttons and origami, plus mini events and games like Boo Bingo and Howl-O-Ween trivia!
Some locations even have something special this year called the Ghostly Globes! It’s a first-of-its-kind immersive experience that includes private globes filled with glowing pumpkins, ghosts, flickering candles, and spooky bats. It’s an hour-long experience that includes a Halloween light show synced with spooky music and even an interactive dessert experience! While this experience isn’t available at the Anaheim location we visited, it’s available at the Pocono Mountains, Perryville, Grapevine, and LaGrange lodges if you’re near any of those!
Why Southern California Families Choose Great Wolf Lodge for a Fall Staycation
So, what makes Great Wolf Lodge such a great place for a fall staycation? Well, it depends on your family and what they enjoy, but I assure you, Great Wolf Lodge has something for you and your family!
Whether your family wants to spend the weekend lounging and enjoying seasonal beverages, enjoys doing activities together like mini-golf and bowling, loves the thrill of a good waterslide, or enjoys trying new foods, you’ll find it all at Great Wolf Lodge without ever needing to leave the building. And the best part of all? No matter what you find yourself doing, you’ll get to spend some quality time with your loved ones. And that’s why we absolutely love Great Wolf Lodge! Find out more about the Anaheim location and book your room here.
FAQS:
Q: When is Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California in 2026?
Howl-O-Ween is going on NOW through Halloween, October 31.
Q: Are Howl-O-Ween activities included with a Great Wolf Lodge stay?
Yes, the special themed Howl-O-Ween activities are included in your stay! When you check in, you’ll receive an event calendar that will show you when and where to enjoy these special events.
Q: Is Great Wolf Lodge Howl-O-Ween too scary for toddlers and young kids?
No, Great Wolf Lodge isn’t scary! You’ll find lots of fun themed activities without any of the scary stuff that sometimes comes alongside Halloween celebrations.
Q: Is Great Wolf Lodge Howl-O-Ween fun for tweens and teens?
My teens still love Great Wolf Lodge, including their special Howl-O-Ween event! Some activities will be more fun for teens than others, but everyone loves trick-or-treating, fun decorations, and limited time food offerings!
Q: What Halloween activities are there at Great Wolf Lodge besides trick-or-treating?
There are lots of Halloween activities at Great Wolf Lodge aside from trick-or-treating. In the morning you can do Halloween themed yoga, in the evening you can attend a Monster Bash dance party, and in between there are lots of activities like bingo and even crafts.
If you’ve been thinking about heading to Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim to celebrate Howl-O-Ween, I highly recommend it! It’s a great way to switch up your holiday celebrations and make memories together as a family.
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