Water Park of America 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 | Water Park of America | Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Water Park of America
- season passes
Only at Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota
- cabana rentals
- hot tubs
Both parks share 2 amenities including Parking, Arcade.
About Each Park
Water Park of America
Minnesota
Water Park of America sits inside the Mall of America complex in Bloomington, making it one of the most unique water park experiences you'll find. This indoor park runs year-round, which means you can be splashing around in 84-degree water while it's snowing outside. The centerpiece is a massive wave pool that generates four-foot waves every few minutes - kids love body surfing while parents can wade in the shallow end. The lazy river winds around a good portion of the park and moves at just the right pace for floating on tubes. For thrills, there are several body slides and tube slides, including a couple that dump you into deep pools with a serious splash. The kids' area features smaller slides, water buckets that tip over, and plenty of interactive play features at different heights. What really sets this place apart is the convenience factor. You can literally park at Mall of America, shop, eat, and hit the water park all in one trip. The locker rooms are spacious and clean, though they can get crowded during peak times. Food options are typical water park fare but reasonably priced for being inside MOA. The arcade area gives kids something to do when they need a break from the water. Since it's indoors, you don't need sunscreen, but the air can get pretty humid. I'd recommend arriving right when they open to avoid the worst crowds, especially on weekends and school holidays. The park works well for families with kids…
Read the full Water Park of America 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 Water Park of America?