Water Ways 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 | Water Ways | Great Wolf Lodge Mason |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | ||
| Arcade |
Only at Water Ways
- swimming pool
- picnic areas
- season passes
Only at Great Wolf Lodge Mason
- gift shop
- hot tubs
- Arcade
- wifi
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Water Ways
West Virginia
Water Ways sits on 15 acres of rolling West Virginia hills about 20 minutes north of Charleston, making it the go-to summer destination for families across the Kanawha Valley. The park's claim to fame is its massive wave pool that generates 4-foot swells every 15 minutes - big enough to body surf but not so intense that younger kids can't handle the shallow end. The slide tower anchors the center of the park with four different options: two traditional tube slides that twist through the trees, a racing slide where you can challenge your friends, and a kiddie slide that's perfect for first-time sliders. What really sets Water Ways apart is how well they've designed the kids' area. The Tadpole Pool has mini slides, fountains, and a giant tipping bucket that dumps 300 gallons every few minutes. Parents can actually relax on the surrounding lounge chairs and keep an eye on everything. The lazy river winds around most of the park and takes about 8 minutes to complete if you don't stop at the swim-up snack bar halfway through. Speaking of food, skip the usual water park pizza and go straight for their pulled pork sandwiches - they smoke the meat on-site and it's legitimately good. The best strategy for visiting is arriving right when they open at 10 AM. Grab your tubes early because they run out of the good double ones by noon on busy days. The concrete gets scorching hot by mid-afternoon, so water shoes are essential…
Read the full Water Ways 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 Water Ways?