Soak City vs Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
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 | Soak City | Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Soak City
- swimming pool
- picnic areas
- season passes
Only at Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
- lazy river
- hot tubs
- Arcade
- wifi
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Soak City
Minnesota
Soak City at Valley Fair gives you two parks for the price of one, though honestly, most families spend their whole day just at the water park. The wave pool here is legit - it creates decent-sized waves every few minutes, and kids love jumping into them while adults float on tubes nearby. The water slide collection covers all the basics, from gentle family slides where parents and kids can ride together to steeper speed slides that'll get your heart pumping. The kiddie area is where Soak City really shines for families with toddlers. It's got miniature slides, water fountains, and shallow pools where little ones can splash around safely while parents relax on nearby lounge chairs. The whole setup feels connected but not overwhelming, which is perfect when you're trying to keep track of kids of different ages. Since it's part of Valley Fair, you get that amusement park level of maintenance and staffing, so the facilities stay clean and the lines move reasonably well. The food situation is standard water park fare - burgers, pizza, nachos - but it's filling and you don't have to leave the park. Pro tip: arrive right when they open to snag the best lounge chairs near the wave pool. They go fast on busy summer days. The concrete gets scorching hot by afternoon, so water shoes are a must-have. If you're planning to make a full day of it, consider splitting time between Soak City and the main Valley Fair rides. The…
Read the full Soak City guide →Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
Minnesota
Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota brings the classic indoor water resort experience to Bloomington, just minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul. The 38,000 square foot water park stays a consistent 84 degrees year-round, making it perfect for escaping Minnesota winters. The centerpiece is Fort Mackenzie, a massive four-story interactive treehouse with water cannons, rope bridges, and a giant tipping bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons every few minutes. Kids absolutely lose their minds when that bucket tips. The Howlin' Tornado is their signature funnel slide where families ride together in four-person rafts through a massive funnel before splashing into the bowl below. River Canyon Run offers gentler tube slides for younger kids, while the Crooked Creek lazy river gives parents a chance to float and decompress. The Wolf Tail is their body slide with a trapdoor floor that drops you straight down - definitely not for the faint of heart. Beyond the water park, Great Wolf Lodge does the whole themed resort thing well. Kids get obsessed with the MagiQuest wand game that has them running around the lodge casting spells and solving mysteries. There's also mini bowling, an arcade, and story time in the lobby. The rooms are what you'd expect - themed suites with bunk beds that kids love and parents tolerate. Food options include a buffet restaurant and grab-and-go spots, though prices are resort-level steep. The best strategy is arriving right when the water park opens to claim your spot, especially around the kiddie areas which fill up fast. Consider splurging…
Read the full Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota guide →Ready to visit Soak City?