Who's been to Great Bear Lodge?

I'm looking to take my wife there for our 3-year anniversary.

Surprisingly, I couldn't find a single review online. I tried the search on this site and it brought up like 150 pages worth of topics, so that obviously didn't work.

Anyway, do they have any seriously thrilling slides? Are there a ton of screaming kids everywhere? Is it really worth the outrageous cost?

Sorry if this is an inappropriate topic. If it helps, I *wish* they had an indoor coaster at GBL!

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

I have yet to go there but for the money I know you pay I assume you will be going to CP while your there and for the money I would look into a CP resort. Some of the slides to wind outside the building and then back in and it didn't look to thrilling. They had a sign out that said something about how big their water play ground/tree house is so you probably have it right when you talk about a bunch of kids running around.

-----------------
The cleveland browns suck, if its brown flush it down, Go Bengals!

It'd be the lazy river/heated pool/hot tubs that are the main draw for my wife and I, so I'm not *too* concerned about the slides. I was just curious.

We'll be going in December if at all, so no CP this time...

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

I have never actually stayed there but on a trip to CP last summer we stopped just to see what it was all about. They were nice enough to let us in and walk around the "park" and take a look at a couple rooms. I was not overly impressed. The water park really was geared more towards kids and as an adult I think you would get bored fairly quickly. It would make for some good "filler" time. The romms, however, are awesome, but you pay for it. Can't remember prices but do recall they were quite pricey. The ones we saw had fireplaces and whirlpools. Would be a nice place to bring the wife but don't expect to be impressed with the water park. I think it's a great alternative to staying on the point. I also remember the hot tubs being fairly small for the amount of people in the park. I would have though that they would have tried to put more things there for adults since they are the ones that bring the kids.

*** This post was edited by Giantwheeljay on 9/11/2002. ***

Thanks for the info.

Maybe we'll look into other options. Like a Holidome, those are cool.

How about the arcade at Great Bear Lodge? Do you remember if it was up to date? Spefically, with DDR? ;)

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

I have looked up prices and they are $250. for the cheapest room. KInda steep for a room 5 miles from the point.

The hotel is very nice.

I prefer Hotel Breakers or Sandcastles on the grounds. It depends on how much time you will be spending in the hotel. If you're going to Sandusky strictly to go to Cedar Point, then I suggest staying on the grounds or at least closer. The great thing baout Great Bear Lodge is 1) that if you're not going to spend all your day time at the park, you have something to do right at your hotel. and 2) it's right next to Steak N Shake =)

I stayed at Great Bear Lodge last March and I have to say that it's a really cool place! I had a blast at the waterpark, even though there wasn't alot to do. The arcade was mediocre, think of a mini-Dave and Buster's. There wasn't a DDR machine, but there is the Cedar Point CoasterSim. You win tickets to get a prize.

Kaldaim is also right about the Steak N' Shake. There's also a Bob Evan's and a Convenient Store down the road for bee-- er I mean beverages ;).

I found it fun to have a group of people rather than just one on one at the GBL. However, there is the adult hot tub where you can relax. I say go for it, the price range in rooms are $200-$400 per night so it's a bit pricy. But you get the waterpark to yourself and other patrons.

-----------------
I survived the Extravaganza!!
Parks this year: 35
Beatings from Kara: 13

Edit: the arcade did have a few DDRs, and if remember correctly DDR Max?

I stayed there this summer, and had a decent time. The room wasn't anything special, but did have a nice wilderness theme, but is seemed a little fake (most of the wood had a half inch coat of varnish). We stayed in a Family suit, which at $400 a night was somewhat pricey for an average to good room.

The waterpark has two main tube slides, which are fun. Two medium sized enclosed body slides, and a few other toddler slides. There is also the giant play area with the giant bucket that tips over periodically. The lazy river was fast, but really short (500ft?).

The hotel also had two restraunts, one was a buffet style, and the other a bar and grill with a cheap wilderness theme.

There was also a large arcade in the basement with many redemtion games, and the usually.

Overall the place was nice, but nothing spectacular. It really doesn't compare to it's sister resort, the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin.

*** This post was edited by CoasterMan- on 9/12/2002. ***

---

Den said:

I'm looking to take my wife there for our 3-year anniversary.

Surprisingly, I couldn't find a single review online. I tried the search on this site and it brought up like 150 pages worth of topics, so that obviously didn't work.

Anyway, do they have any seriously thrilling slides? Are there a ton of screaming kids everywhere? Is it really worth the outrageous cost?

Sorry if this is an inappropriate topic. If it helps, I *wish* they had an indoor coaster at GBL!

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

---

Soon we will have one here in Kansas City, KS (Yes Kansas) about 2-3 miles from where I live. I can't wait for our new indoor waterpark. I have heard places simular to GBL have been book up for 3 months so you have to get reservations for a stay 3 months from now. I doubt you can get a room right away.

-----------------
Chris Knight
The Mantis is real. The Mantis is out there. The Mantis is protecting my yard from West Nile Mosquitos (No Joke).

'Ello,

I can tell you Shawna and I stayed at the CP one right before the on season of CP. We had 50% off coupons...yes 50% off coupons. Topps Friendly market had them available at their service desk. We had a GREAT time and we found (for the price), Great Bear was FAR FAR better than CP's hotels (CP's are more convient though). The staff was nice, people were, just overall felt relaxing and down to earth. We came back home and picked up a few more coupons we figure we'll use in the fall. They are good until April 2003. I also know they had coupons in the mail for stay one night get one night free in the off season and 20% off in the on season. Have fun!!

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
http://OhioThemeParks.com

Not all that relevant just that my wife and I will celebrate our 3rd anniversary on Januray 1. We already got our present though - our Cedar Point Combo Passes for next year.

Thanks for all the help. But some of you are missing the point.

We will *not* be going to CP. I was wondering if the activities at GBL (water slides, pool, hot tub, arcade, food, etc.) will be enough to keep us occupied for 48 hours *without leaving the hotel.*

I guess I should have made that clear in the first post. ;)

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

NO, you will not have enough to do to fill 48 hours. Well, unless you plan on spending a lot of time on recreational activities in hotel room.

Giantwheeljay: Duh! ;)

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

WHile I havent been to the one in Sandusky (drove by it), I stayed at the one in the Wisconsin Dells (the original and smaller one) and it was a blast. I ended up going with a group from work so that may have made it that much more fun. If you are going for an intimate weekend I dont know how intimate the waterpark will be for you. The one at the Dells, however, had free hayrides in the fall and that was really nice. The service was also above excellent at the one in the Dells.

Cheers,

-----------------
Bob Hansen

A proud CoasterBuzz Member

Operation Wicked Twister - Goal: Lose 50 lbs by next season to ride it! (updates soon)

I don't think you will find hayrides in Sandusky. While I am a huge fan of CP, after working there for a few years in the mid-90's I soon realized what a dirty city Sandusky is. The drive into CP look OK but if you get of the main roads...look out. I really wonder what the crime rate in Sandusky is compared to cities of comparable size. I would be willing to guess that it is high.

Giantwheeljay,

A friend and I drove into Sandusky to go to the Point around 3 o' clock in the morning and decided to drive around a bit to get a feel of Sandusky. The downtown area is really nice, and there's some nice residential areas as well. Sure, Sandusky has its share of "shady" neighborhoods, but you'll have that with any town Sandusky's size. (40,000-50,000?)

As for Den's question if you don't have to be in Sandusky and just want to stay at a Great "Insert animal name here" Lodge then I'd have to agree with Kick the Sky and recommend the Great Wolf Lodge as the hotel is nice and the Dells should keep you occuppied even in the winter.

-----------------
Top 5 Steel: #1 Millenium Force #2 Phantom's Revenge #3 Ice Dragon #4 Incredible Hulk #5 Wild Thing
Top 5 Wood #1 Viper #2 Thunderbolt #3 Timberwolf #4 Outlaw #5 Screaming Eagle

Took the family there this past May and it was a blast. It would not be a great place for a second honeymoon. Its more of a very, very nice place for families.

BTW, watch out, I mean WATCH OUT for the tube flume on the LEFT. Took my 4 year old down on one of those double tubes and I have suffered from whiplash since. There's a serious curve/drop 3/4 of the way down and I got caught in a bad spot on the raft and ouch!

I need an attorney. Kids want to go back again though.

-----------------
Talk to the claw...