Let's take a walk around the waterpark

The wave pool at the Beartrack Landing waterpark of the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. Photo by Andy Mooney, Salisbury Post.

The waterfall mushroom in the Beartrack Landing waterpark of the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. Photo by Andy Mooney, Salisbury Post.

The waterslide at the Beartrack Landing waterpark of the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. Photo by Andy Mooney, Salisbury Post.

The swimming pool in the Beartrack Landing waterpark of the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. Photo by Andy Mooney, Salisbury Post.

By Susan Shinn

sshinn@salisburypost.com

CONCORD — The highlight of Great Wolf Lodge in Concord is its waterpark, and Phillip Cunningham, general manager, is anxious to show it off.

"Let's take a walk," he says, entering the 80,000-square-foot park.

With 400,000 gallons — 80 percent of which is recycled — it's one of the country's largest indoor waterparks.

It's staffed by some three dozen Ellis-certified lifeguards. More will be hired during the summer months, Cunningham says.

Within the waterpark, there are 11 slides, four pools, Fort McKenzie with its 1,000-gallon bucket that tips out every few minutes and ... well, it's a lot of water.

The outdoor pool is slated to open in mid-May. Adjacent to that is an 18-hole miniature golf course.

One of the most eye-catching water rides is the Howlin's Tornado, a six-story funnel slide. (Yes, I was invited to ride and no, there are still just a few things I won't do for the sake of investigative journalism!)

It's an amazing amount of aqua-based fun, all in an 84-degree weather-controlled environment.

"We're always open," Cunningham says.

Just think how much money you'll save on sunscreen!

You can even rent a cabanna for the day at $149. It includes a mini fridge, towels and a television.

"If dad wants to see the game, he can see it," Cunningham says.

Having lots of family fun on this particular Wednesday are Julia and Tim Rice and son Hunter, 21 months, who live near Burlington. They were there with Rice's two sisters, parents and nieces and nephews — six kids altogether.

Justin Holt, 11, and his sister, Courtney, 12, are homeschoolers. Their favorite part of the resort is by far the water park. Going down the slides with them was their cousin, Emily Byrd, 8.

"We saw it on TV and wanted to try it out," Rice says.

The grand opening specials made it affordable for the whole family, his wife adds.

"It's fun, it's neat," Rice says.

The family had considered going to Emerald Pointe water park in Greensboro, Julia Rice says, "but we wanted to go ahead and do something. This was the same price for two days."

The family was enjoying the armbands which served as their room key, waterpark pass and could be used to purchase anything throughout the resort.

"You don't need anything but the armband," Julia Rice says. "You walk out and you're ready."