Great Forest Challenge, a High Tech Adventure at Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge has a high tech challenge that is a real workout. Great Forest Challenge is a new addition to the Grand Mound, WA  lodge and gives families a set of fun puzzles to solve as a team.

From the outside, it is difficult to tell what Great Forest Challenge is all about. There is a small TV that gives a slideshow of images, but it is hard to understand what is inside until you actually set foot through the doors. And when those doors do open, wow, it is pretty amazing.

Great Forest Challenge has four rooms, each with a different type of puzzle. In the first room, the logo on the floor soon disappears and you suddenly see fish swimming around your feet. Your family has to stop around to “catch” the fish for your wolf pack. After a few minutes, a second round begins, this time red fish are added to the mix. You’re challenge is to stomp on the white fish and avoid the red fish. It is quite a workout.

When your first challenge is complete, a door opens and you step into a room with a large table in the center. This challenge feels like a traditional video game as you roll the white ball around to move objects on the screen. The challenge had something to do with acorns and there were a couple rounds. On the far wall, there is a TV which plays an intro video and gives you instructions for the challenge. This was the least physically demanding of the challenges.

The third room is the laser room, and likely is the highlight for anyone who plays Great Forest Challenge. A few puffs of fog fill the air as you enter and then the laser beams appear. Your whole family has to step over or crawl under the laser beams to get from one side to another, where you can press the blue button. The mission is the travel back and forth as many times as possible before time runs out. It was difficult to get a photo inside this room, but hopefully this blurrycam image will give you an idea of what to expect.

The final room is another physical challenge. On the walls you’ll find boards with several light up buttons. As a team, you are supposed to press all of the buttons that light up. This often requires creative use of both hands and a foot as you try to hold down all the lit buttons. There are two rounds of this before the challenge ends.

Great Forest Challenge was a lot of fun, but be warned that you will be very tired by the end. This attraction is best when you have a few people in your group, so I recommend it for families of three or more (but parties of two can play). It is also a good option for families who have children with lots of energy. A round of Great Forest Challenge will wear them out, if the water park didn’t accomplish that already.

We had no idea what to expect before we entered, but left with smiles on our faces. Great forest Challenge is worth giving a try on your next visit to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA.