A family favorite weekend trip may be coming
closer to home!
County Executive Steve
Neuhaus announced on Wednesday that Great Wolf Resorts, a chain of the largest indoor
water-parks in North America, has plans to build in southern Orange County. He
said that while he has been talking with Great Wolf representatives for the
past year, his conversations on Monday will give him enough confidence in the
company's interest here to make a public presentation in the next month or two.
Read More on Steve Neuhaus: I
Am A Hudson Valley Parent
Great Wolf’s main
attraction is an enormous, family-friendly, indoor waterpark featuring an
expansive collection of slides, pools and play areas designed for kids of every
age. In addition to the waterpark, families can partake in an array of other
attractions including arcade games, ropes course and MagiQuest, a mystical
adventure game where players use interactive magic wands to defeat goblins and
dragons.
Great Wolf Resort also offers
numerous restaurant options, all of which are nut-free.
Your Ultimate
Guide to Local Theme Park Adventures for Families
Great Wolf CEO Murray
Hennessy said in a statement that he sees "tremendous future
potential" in the New York area. With 16 resorts in the United States, one
in Canada, two more in planning stages and an announcement earlier this month
to break ground on a Great Wolf Lodge in northern California, it is clear the
company is growing rapidly. Hennessy believes that Orange County is an ideal
location for a potential Great Wolf Lodge due to its family friendly environment
and close proximity to NYC.
Photo Source: Facebook
Other officials
including Orange County Legislature Steve Brescia and Blooming Grove Supervisor
Rob Jeroloman support this project stating that it will “further enhance our
ability to attract tourists” and will be a major economic draw for the region.
But there is no doubt that this will cause a bit of competition for Kartrite
Hotel & Indoor Waterpark that has a nearly $200 million project in the works
in Sullivan County. Both parks are also in close proximity to the new Legoland
Theme Park currently under construction in Goshen, NY.
Related: 5 Hidden Gems
in Orange County, NY
So what do you think of
Great Wolf Resort coming to Orange County? We’d love to hear your opinions,
leave a comment below.