Long's Retreat Family Resort vs Great Wolf Lodge Mason
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Long's Retreat Family Resort | Great Wolf Lodge Mason |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Long's Retreat Family Resort
- swimming pool
- splash pad
- picnic areas
- season passes
- hiking trails
Only at Great Wolf Lodge Mason
- wave pool
- gift shop
- hot tubs
- Arcade
- group rates
- wifi
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Long's Retreat Family Resort
Ohio
Long's Retreat Family Resort sits on a sprawling property in rural Latham, Ohio, and it's exactly what the name suggests - a genuine family retreat that happens to have some excellent water attractions. This isn't your typical massive commercial water park with towering slides visible from the highway. Instead, it's more like a summer camp for families, where the water features are just one part of a bigger outdoor experience. The main pool area centers around a good-sized swimming pool with a separate shallow end that works perfectly for younger kids. You'll find a couple of moderate water slides - nothing that'll terrify a 7-year-old, but fun enough to keep tweens entertained for hours. The real gem here is how uncrowded it stays, even on busy summer weekends. While other parks have you waiting 20 minutes for a slide, you can usually walk right up here. The lazy river winds through some nicely landscaped areas, and they've done a smart job incorporating natural shade trees rather than building expensive structures. Kids love the splash area with its smaller slides and water features designed for the under-10 crowd. What sets Long's Retreat apart is the full resort experience. You're not just getting water park access - there are picnic areas, hiking trails, and that relaxed atmosphere where parents actually seem to unwind instead of stress about logistics. The food situation is basic but reliable - think burgers, hot dogs, and pizza rather than gourmet options. Pricing stays reasonable because they're not…
Read the full Long's Retreat Family Resort guide →Great Wolf Lodge Mason
Ohio
Great Wolf Lodge Mason delivers the classic Great Wolf experience with a massive indoor water park that stays 84 degrees year-round. The centerpiece is Fort Mackenzie, a four-story interactive treehouse with water buckets, slides, and that giant tipping bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons every few minutes. Kids go absolutely wild for it. The Howlin' Tornado is their signature family raft ride that sends you through a huge funnel, while River Canyon Run offers a more traditional tube slide experience. For little ones, Cub Paw Pool is perfect with mini slides and shallow water. The lazy river (Crooked Creek) actually moves at a decent pace and winds around most of the water park. I always recommend hitting the bigger slides first thing in the morning when lines are shortest. The park gets packed by late morning, especially on weekends. Since you're staying at the resort anyway, take advantage of early water park access for hotel guests. The arcade gets expensive fast, so set limits with kids upfront. MagiQuest is their signature interactive wand game that keeps kids busy for hours outside the water park. Food is typical resort pricing but the pizza at Loose Moose is actually decent. Rent a cabana if you're visiting during peak times or have a large group. The water park closes to outside guests at various times, with hotel guests getting exclusive evening access. What sets Great Wolf apart from other indoor water parks is the full resort experience with themed rooms, character meet-and-greets, and activities…
Read the full Great Wolf Lodge Mason guide →Ready to visit Long's Retreat Family Resort?