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FAMILY FUN WHAT WINTER?

Hibernate from winter at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg

Date published: 3/3/2007

BY KATHERINE SHAPLEIGH

WILLIAMSBURG

I sneak up to the first school just before the buses--like a wolf, you might say--and request the presence of my 9-year-old.

Hannah is surprised to see me--and even more surprised to see my co-conspirator, her grandmother. Nannie is outside in the car, beaming.

My 16-month-old niece, Jenna, is too young to conspire. But she knows the sun is shining on this winter afternoon and the snacks are plentiful, so she is smiling, too.

Next stop, big sister's school. Same reaction.

Confession time.

"Girls, we're taking you to Great Wolf Lodge."

We are dodging drudgery and frost by escaping to the great North Woods--right nearby in Williamsburg.

LET'S GO CAMPING

About an hour and a half later, we pull off Interstate 64 and wind our way to the imposing chalet-style resort we've previously only gazed at on our way to and from the beach.

We're so anxious to explore that we drive around the property, "ooing" and "aahhing" over the sprawling grounds and the bright water-park tubes that are visible out back.

We pull to the front and I step inside. I'm in a true "great room" with a three-story stone fireplace, elk-antler chandeliers and hand-hewn log furniture.

The check-in desk is housed in a hunting-and-fishing shack facade.

Customer service is first-rate--the whole place, in fact, reminds me of a Disney property.

Someone whisks our bags to our room as we park, then gives us a quick introduction.

The kids can't get into their bathing suits fast enough.

It's oddly liberating to be wearing a bathing suit in the middle of winter. Luckily, it's a weekday, so there aren't many people around to witness that liberation.

We pad down the halls in our flip-flops to the 55,000-square-foot indoor water park. Four-story interactive tree-house water fort with 1,000 gallon tipping bucket? Check. Adult and family whirlpools? Check. Wave pool and lazy river? Check. Ditto for the eight water slides--including two three-story body slides.

My girls get right to business while my mother and I dip Jenna's toes in the water in the baby area.

Great Wolf Lodge is located at 549 East Rochambeau Drive, Williamsburg, less than two hours from the Fredericksburg area. Find directions and details at greatwolflodge .com/Locations/Williams burg or 800/551-WOLF (9653). A quick check of March rates show them ranging from $164 for a basic room to $534 for two-bedroom suites. You can save $100 or more per night if you're flexible enough to visit during the week, when older children are in school.

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Date published: 3/3/2007