Wilderness at the Smokies Review {Giveaway ended}

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, Wilderness at the Smokies provided my family a complimentary stay at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort to facilitate my review. As always all text and opinions are my own.

Wilderness at the Smokies Review on time2saveworkshops.com

This was our first trip to Wilderness at the Smokies, Tennessee’s Largest Waterpark Resort and Family Adventure Center. Although we had driven by it many times on our way into Pigeon Forge, and our kids had oohed and ahhed over the giant red and white striped waterslide they could see from the road – it was our first experience. My son turned seven earlier this month, it was the perfect birthday surprise. We didn’t tell the kids we were going until the morning we left. They were beside themselves with excitement. Amazing how fast kids can move when they really want to go somewhere!

We had so much fun! Great timing to celebrate both a special birthday and the end of summer.
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In case you aren’t familiar Wilderness at the Smokies includes:

  • The Smokies largest, year-round indoor waterpark
  • Two outdoor waterparks (seasonal)
  • Waterparks included with your stay and are exclusively for Wilderness guests
  • Adventure Forest Family Adventure Center and Mega Arcade
  • Lodging, sleeping up to 15 guests
  • Restaurants and Lounges
  • 3 Poolside Snack Bars
  • Paint Your Own Pottery
  • and much more

Riverview Lodge pic

We arrived before check-in but were pleasantly surprised to hear that our room was ready. Besides an overnight stay in a hotel on the way to Disney World, this was our first experience in a hotel room with the kids for several days. My in-laws own several timeshares, so we usually stay in at least a one bedroom condo. Even though our room was smaller than what we are used to, we barely noticed. Most importantly, the room was immaculate it also included a mini fridge and pull out love seat.

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My hubby came prepared with his very own headlamp. When the kids went to bed at night, he was able to read without keeping them up. Had to share with y’all. I laughed and laughed at him.

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This was our view from our balcony. Seriously, could not have asked for a better view. Every morning before the park opened a crew would arrive early to make sure that everything was clean something this mama was happy to see. Remember that loopy blue waterslide; there is a video later in this post of me riding it!Wilderness at the smokies2

We spent most of our time in the Wild WaterDome, the Indoor Waterpark. It included our favorite waterslide, the Storm Chaser. I liked that we were able to ride the two biggest slides as a family in a four-person raft. I didn’t get a pic of any of the indoor waterslides because my hubby and I were too busy riding them! We were there to play with our kids, and let me tell you we played our hearts out!

To say that my kids enjoyed the Wave Pool at the indoor waterpark would be a gross understatement. It was their favorite! I cannot count the number of times we played in the wave pool. The waves were huge, up to five feet tall.

indoor pool

Caleb had so much fun climbing on this humongous snake. Part of this pool is inside the indoor water park; the rest is outdoor covered by a huge tarp. There are basketball nets at the other end of the pool.

outdoorpool

Same pool, just the other side. You can see the passageway to the indoor pool. Since both of my kiddos are huge basketball fans we spent quite a bit of time here shooting hoops. There are four basketball goals back to back making it easy for lots of people to shoot at once.

 

We did spend a couple of hours one afternoon at the Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark. From our balcony, we had been watching people slide down The Wild Vortex, a brand new loop waterslide. It’s 66 ft tall and is the only near-vertical, translucent waterslide in the Southeast. Let me explain how it works; you climb inside a capsule at the top of the slide by standing on a translucent trap door. The capsule door shuts, you hear a 3,2,1 countdown, and suddenly, the trap door is released and you free fall for 39 feet before reaching the inclined loop. I have to admit, when I got to the top of the stairs and saw the floor dropping and people free falling I seriously wanted to back out. The only reason I made myself was so I could show y’all this video. I’m probably not going to ride this ride again. If you are a thrill seeker, this waterslide is for you.

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*Kids Eat Free!

There are several restaurants at the resort. For each adult breakfast or dinner buffet purchase, receive a children’s (age 11 and younger) breakfast or dinner buffet FREE! When the buffet is not available, the promotion applies to Children’s ‘off the menu’ items. Holiday and special buffets are excluded.

We enjoyed the breakfast buffet one morning at the Thirsty Miner Restaurant. I think my daughter liked every single item on the buffet.

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My family likes crispy bacon. Really crispy bacon. The bacon on the buffet wasn’t quite as crispy as we like it. (Did I mention we really like our bacon crispy?) I asked our waitress if there was any way they could cook a couple of pieces of bacon for us a little crispier than the bacon on the buffet. I expected one maybe two pieces for each of us. Oh no, she brought back an entire plate. I wish I would have captured the whole plate of bacon in this pic. Seriously, it was piled high. Although we didn’t begin to put a dent in it, I appreciated her generosity. We got our money’s worth.

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This was our view from the window at breakfast.

Polka Dot Pottery

The Wilderness in the Smokies also features a Paint Your Own Pottery Studio, a  Wilderness Adventure Forest. Although not included in your stay, great family fun entertainment. The Wilderness Adventure Forest did look like a lot of fun; it includes a three-story ropes course, an indoor climbing wall, miniature bowling, black-light miniature golf, and an arcade to name a few.

 

homeschool

Since I’m a homeschool mom, I’m super excited about Home School Days coming up Nov 10-14th! Rates start at only $79 a night!

Wilderness at the Smokies and Titanic Museum Attraction are teaming up to provide fun and unique educational and historical lessons while enjoying a Smokies Get-A-Way!

 Take advantage of some of  The Wilderness at the Smokies lowest rates of the year!

  • Stay for as low as $79 per night in Stone Hill Lodge (plus tax, rates are based on 4 people, extra people up to the maximum in a room style – add $10 per person, per night)
  • Online Booking for Stone Hill Lodge – Please use Group/Block Code: 1311HOMESC_002
  • Stay for as low as $99 per night in River Lodge (plus tax, rates are based on 4 people, extra people up to the maximum in a room style – add $10 per person, per night)
  • Online Booking for River Lodge – Please use Group/Block Code: 1311HOMESC
  • Call 877.325.WILD (9453) and mention the Home School Days room block
  • Must Reserve By: Saturday, October 26, 2013

*Based on availability

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14 Comments

  1. Thanks for the chance! I’ve been wanting to take the kids there but never seem to have the extra funds. Looks like ya’ll had a BLAST!!!

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