Great Wolf Lodge Manteca’s Howl-O-Ween is a family-friendly Halloween getaway in Northern California that combines indoor water park fun with trick-or-treating, Halloween activities, entertainment, dining, and an easy overnight stay.
My husband and I had the opportunity to take our girls to Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca, CA to start off the Halloween season. Our girls are 11 and 13 years old, so they are on the older side of the Great Wolf Lodge demographic. We have always wanted to go to Great Wolf Lodge because my kids love water parks!
We arrived late on a Friday night, and the lobby was decorated with giant balloon spiders hanging from the ceiling, low purple and orange lighting, loud music, and a dance party with tons of kids and their parents dancing. The atmosphere was fun, festive, and slightly overwhelming. 😂
Once we checked in and found our room, we were surprised with the cutest Halloween desserts and a Howl-O-Ween Pack for each of the girls, which made Piper and Kenzie’s day. These were gifted to us as part of our stay. Of course, the waterslides were their favorite part, and mine too.
Trips like this are fleeting as my kids get older, and I’ll take every chance I can to see them giggle down water slides and get excited at the sight of treats.
Table of Contents
- What Is Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca?
- What We Loved About the Halloween Atmosphere
- Is Great Wolf Lodge Manteca Good for a Fall Weekend with Kids?
- Indoor Water Park Fun During Halloween Season in Northern California
- Halloween Activities at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca
- Trick-or-Treat Trail and Monster Bash
- Our Halloween Treats and Howl-O-Ween Pack
- Why Great Wolf Lodge Works for Families with Kids of Different Ages
- What to Eat at Great Wolf Lodge During Howl-O-Ween
- Our Great Wolf Lodge Manteca Room
- Tips for Planning a Great Wolf Lodge Howl-O-Ween Getaway
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts: Is Great Wolf Lodge Manteca a Good Halloween Getaway?
What Is Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca?
Howl-O-Ween takes over Great Wolf Lodge Manteca from September 24 through October 31, 2026. It’s a not-so-spooky Halloween adventure with seasonal decorations, themed activities, crafts, games, dance parties and trick-or-treating throughout the resort.
Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca is a fun way to kick off October and get into the Halloween spirit.
From early morning until bedtime, there is something special happening around the lodge during the Halloween season.
And because everything is at the resort, you can go from the waterpark to a Halloween activity, grab something to eat and then head back to your room without having to load everyone into the car. As a mom, I appreciate that kind of convenience.
What We Loved as Parents about the Halloween Atmosphere at Great Wolf Lodge?
The minute we walked into the lobby; it was obvious that Great Wolf Lodge had gone all in on Halloween.
There were giant balloon spiders hanging from the ceiling, purple and orange lighting, Halloween decorations and music playing while kids and parents were dancing in the lobby.
It was definitely festive and so fun!
Once we got settled into our room, it really started to feel like a Halloween getaway. We had Halloween treats waiting for us, as a thank you for this blog post. The girls had their Halloween Packs, that you can purchase from the gift store or ahead of time when booking your room as an add on, and there were decorations and activities throughout the resort.
It was a fun way to start the Halloween season without having to wait until October 31st.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Manteca Good for a Fall Weekend with Kids?
Everything is under one roof — the indoor waterpark, Halloween activities, entertainment, food, and your hotel room- making it the perfect Fall weekend for the whole family. You can go back and forth between everything throughout the day and take breaks whenever your kids need one.
I think this is one of the biggest advantages of doing a fall getaway at Great Wolf Lodge. You really don’t have to plan much.
And the indoor waterpark makes this especially easy for a fall trip. You don’t have to cross your fingers and hope for warm weather to have a pool day.
For our family, the waterpark was definitely the main event. The girls loved the slides, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had too.
Our Favorite Parts of a Great Wolf Lodge Fall Getaway
Favorite attraction: The family waterslides were my favorite. There are two slides that a family of four can go on together, which meant all four of us could actually ride together.
My 11-year-old’s favorite was the green waterslide the “Wolf Tail”, which is the scariest of all the waterslides. Imagine a loud heartbeat as you stand in a tube with your arms and legs crossed, waiting for the floor to drop out from under your feet, and then you go blasting down the slide.
This one is definitely for the older kids at the waterpark!
Favorite Halloween activity at Great Wolf Lodge: The candy. Obviously. 😂 The girls loved getting candy from the trick-or-treat trail and the on-site candy store.
Favorite treat: The Halloween desserts were all so good. We especially liked the Worms in the Graveyard.
Favorite family moment: Getting to go on the family slides together. I loved that my girls still wanted me and their Dad to ride with them.
Biggest surprise: How much I enjoyed the waterpark myself! I knew the girls would love it, but I ended up having just as much fun.
Something we’d do again: We’d go back for a day trip to the waterpark. You don’t have to stay the night every time.
Indoor Water Park Fun During Halloween Season in Northern California
If your kids love waterparks, this is going to be a big part of your Great Wolf Lodge experience.
The indoor waterpark is heated to 84 degrees, so even when the weather outside starts feeling like fall, you can still have a full waterpark day.
My girls loved being able to go on the fast waterslides, and I loved that we could all enjoy it together. We could take breaks, dry off, grab something to eat and then head back to the waterpark when we were ready.
I also think having an indoor waterpark makes a fall trip so much easier. You don’t have to worry about whether it’s going to be hot enough outside to keep everyone entertained.
And yes, we all went on all the slides!
Halloween Activities at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca
Howl-O-Ween isn’t just about decorations. There are Halloween activities happening throughout the resort during the season including a trick-or-treat trail, plenty of treats and Monster Bash dance party.
Some of the activities are definitely geared toward younger kids, while others are fun for a wider range of ages.
Trick-or-Treat Trail
The trick-or-treat trail was a hit with my girls because, well… free candy.
Great Wolf Lodge sets up themed trick-or-treat stops throughout the lodge where kids can collect treats. There are also allergy-friendly and non-candy options available so more kids can participate.
My girls are 11 and 13 and absolutely still wanted to participate. I think that’s one of those things that doesn’t have an age limit. Give a kid a bag and tell them there is candy inside, and they’re probably going to be interested. 😂
If you have younger kids, this would be especially cute because they can wear their Halloween costumes, put on their wolf ears, and make a whole little Halloween adventure out of it.
Monster Bash Dance Party
Monster Bash is a Halloween-themed dance party with Halloween songs and plenty of kids getting their wiggles out before bedtime.
My girls were a little too old for this one and weren’t interested in joining the dance party, but I could see younger kids absolutely loving it.
Howl-O-Ween Arts & Crafts
There are also Halloween-themed crafts and activities throughout the resort, including things like coloring and pumpkin-themed crafts.
Again, this is one of those areas where I would look at the activity schedule when you arrive and pick the things that fit your kids’ ages and interests.
Boo Bingo, Howl-O-Ween Trivia & Other Games
There are smaller Halloween games and activities happening around the resort too, including Boo Bingo, Howl-O-Ween Trivia, and other Halloween-themed games.
There is a lot going on, especially if you have younger kids, so I wouldn’t try to plan every minute of your stay.
Our Halloween Treats and Howl-O-Ween Pack at Great Wolf Lodge
When we got to our room, as a thank you for this blog post, we were surprised with some of the cutest Halloween treats waiting for us.
The girls each received a Howl-O-Ween Pack, and these were super cute! You can add a Howl-O-Ween Pack to your room when booking online and redeem it in the gift store upon arrival. They have a seasonal pack for almost every holiday, making it extra special.
The Howl-O-Ween Pack is a Halloween themed clear plastic backpack, and inside each pack was:
- A mystery Halloween plush
- Candy corn wolf ears that light up
- A cute lantern with a free fill-up at the candy store on property
The lantern was probably the biggest hit because the girls could take it to the candy store and fill it up as part of the package. It also lights up!
And if you know my girls, you know that CANDY was going to be a favorite. 😂
Why Great Wolf Lodge Works for Families with Kids of Different Ages
Halloween at Great Wolf Lodge offers plenty of activities for young guests including character meet-and-greets and kids’ dance parties. But for my tweens, there were also plenty of fun activities centered around the waterpark.
Our family visit differs a bit from some Great Wolf Lodge reviews you’ll see. My girls are 11 and 13, so they are definitely on the older side of the typical Great Wolf Lodge crowd.
The waterpark was the big winner.
They loved being able to go on the bigger slides and have me and their dad join them on the family slides. There are also other activities around the resort for older kids, including the Adventure area and arcade.
For younger kids, I think the Halloween side of the experience would be even bigger. They can dress up, wear their wolf ears, go trick-or-treating, make crafts and participate in all of the little Halloween activities happening around the lodge.
A few Great Wolf Lodge locations are taking the Halloween fun up another level this year with Ghostly Globes. These private globes are completely decked out for the season with glowing pumpkins, ghosts, flickering candles, spooky bats, and plenty of fun Halloween touches. The hour-long experience also includes a Halloween light show set to spooky music and an interactive dessert experience, making it a fun addition to an already packed Howl-O-Ween visit.
You can find the Ghostly Globes experience at the Pocono Mountains, Perryville, Grapevine, and LaGrange lodges this year. Definitely something to add to your list if you’re visiting one of those locations!
So, if you’re wondering whether an 11- or 13-year-old will have fun at Great Wolf Lodge, I’d say yes — especially if they love waterparks.
Halloween fun for Younger Kids in Northern California
Younger kids have plenty to keep them busy at Great Wolf Lodge from the water activities to crafts and Halloween programming.
If you have little ones, bring their Halloween costumes! This is the perfect place for them to dress up, put on their wolf ears and enjoy all of the Halloween activities around the resort.
Halloween fun for older kids in Northern California
The bigger kids will want the waterslides.
There are also other activities around the resort, including the Adventure area and arcade, so they have options when they need a break from the water. My kids had a good time climbing on the ropes course. It doesn’t look very big, but it is really high up there and loops back and forth. I was surprised by how long it took them, and they really enjoyed it. I’d say it was a worthwhile add on to our stay.
What Parents love about Great Wolf Lodge Northern California
As a parent, I loved not having to drive from activity to activity.
You can stay at the resort, eat there, play there, go back to your room when you need a break and then head back out when everyone is ready.
With kids, especially when they’re at different ages and stages, that makes a big difference.
What to Eat at Great Wolf Lodge During Howl-O-Ween
We didn’t plan our meals around the Halloween menu, but we did get to try some seasonal treats. Great Wolf Lodge has dining options throughout the resort, so you don’t have to leave the property every time someone gets hungry.
For us, the Halloween themed desserts were enough to make the girls feel spoiled.
Our Great Wolf Lodge Manteca Room
We stayed in a basic family suite, and it was great for our family of four.
The couch pulls out into a bed, so the girls each had their own sleeping space, and there was plenty of room for all of us.
I loved the little wolf-themed details throughout the room, from the soap to the paw prints on the mirrors. Those little details make it feel more fun than staying in a regular hotel room.
One of my favorite practical things was the wristbands they give you when you check in. They act as your room key, so you don’t have to carry your wallet or a traditional room key around the resort.
Everyone in your group — or “pack,” as Great Wolf calls it — can get into the room with ease.
You also have the option off adding the ability to charge things to your room using your wristband. We added this feature to the adults’ wristbands so we could really leave our wallets behind.
Tips for Planning a Great Wolf Lodge Howl-O-Ween Getaway
Here are a few things I’d keep in mind before you go.
Before You Go
- Pack multiple swimsuits. The waterpark is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and while I can’t imagine staying in there the entire time because everyone would be exhausted, having a dry swimsuit to change back into after a break is really nice.
- Bring closed-toe shoes and sandals. You’ll be walking around the resort and going back and forth from the waterpark plus the ropes course requires closed-toe shoes.
- Pack comfortable clothes. There is no need to dress up for the resort. The vibe is casual and comfortable.
- Bring Halloween costumes if you have younger kids. They’ll love dressing up and getting into the Halloween spirit around the resort.
- Food on property. The lodge has plenty of options from breakfast to dinner and even late-night snacks. I counted six different places to eat. And each room has a small refrigerator so you can store your leftovers. So, you don’t have to worry about planning meals, it’s all right there!
The First Activity to do Upon Arrival at a Great Wolf Lodge
Grab your free wolf ears from the gift shop and take some photos!
It didn’t happen if you don’t post it, right? Haha.
After you drop your luggage off in your room, I’d walk around the resort and check out the activities. There is a lot to do, especially if you have younger kids.
I’d also look at the activity schedule, so you know what you actually want to do rather than trying to fit everything in.
Don’t Try to Do Everything
There are always activities happening in the lobby, but not everything is right for every age group.
My girls are older and weren’t interested in the dance parties or character meet-and-greets. They liked getting candy, taking pictures in their wolf ears, climbing around on the Howlers Peak Ropes Course, of course, spending time at the waterpark.
If you have younger kids, bring their Halloween costumes and let them have fun wearing them for all the Halloween-themed activities on site. There are a lot of them!
This is the perfect place for dress-up and wearing wolf ears all day long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Wolf Lodge Manteca Howl-O-Ween
What dates is Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca?
Howl-O-Ween runs from September 24 through October 31, 2026. The resort is decorated for Halloween and offers seasonal activities throughout the event.
Is Howl-O-Ween included with a Great Wolf Lodge stay?
Many of the Howl-O-Ween activities are included as part of the Great Wolf Lodge experience, including seasonal entertainment, games, crafts and the Halloween programming.
What Halloween activities are offered at Great Wolf Lodge Manteca?
Howl-O-Ween activities include the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Monster Bash dance parties, Halloween-themed crafts, Yoga Tails and games such as Boo Bingo and Howl-O-Ween Trivia. Activities can vary, so check the schedule during your stay.
Is Great Wolf Lodge Manteca good for kids of different ages?
Yes. Based on our experience, the waterpark is a big draw for older kids and parents, while younger kids have lots of Halloween activities, crafts and age-appropriate water attractions to enjoy.
My girls are 11 and 13, and while some of the Halloween activities felt too young for them, they absolutely loved the waterpark.
Does Great Wolf Lodge Manteca have an indoor water park?
Yes! The indoor waterpark is heated to 84 degrees, which makes it possible to enjoy the water even when the weather outside feels more like fall.
Final Thoughts: Is Great Wolf Lodge Manteca a Good Halloween Getaway?
The biggest surprise for me was how much fun I had.
I knew my girls would love the waterpark because they love waterslides, but I ended up having just as much fun. I LOVED that my daughters wanted me and their dad to join them on all of the slides that were made for more than one person.
My girls loved that they could play in the water on fast waterslides when it wasn’t super-hot outside. Since the water is heated to 84 degrees, you can have the waterpark experience no matter what the weather is.
And then there was the candy.
The Howl-O-Ween Pack was a great add on, and the candy store fill-up was definitely a favorite. The light-up wolf ears, Halloween plushies, and little lanterns made the whole experience feel extra festive.
What I Loved Most as a Mom
What I loved most was how easy the whole weekend felt.
We didn’t have to get in the car and drive somewhere for Halloween activities, find a restaurant, drive somewhere else for entertainment, and then figure out what to do when the weather changed.
Everything was right there.
We could go to the waterpark, dry off, grab something to eat, walk around the resort, do a Halloween activity, and then go back to our room.
And when you have kids who are constantly going in different directions, having everything under one roof is a pretty great thing.
But more than anything, I loved getting to see my girls just have fun.
They’re getting older so quickly, and I know these are the kinds of trips I’ll look back on and wish I could do one more time.
Who I’d Recommend It For
The Halloween experience at Great Wolf Lodge is especially great for families with younger kids. If you have kids around 4 to 9 years old, I think they will get a lot out of the Halloween activities, trick-or-treating, costumes and all the little extras happening around the resort.
The waterpark is good for all ages.
I had so much fun as a 40-something-year-old mom on all the waterslides, and I loved that my daughters wanted me and their dad to join them.
For us, Howl-O-Ween wasn’t just a Halloween event. It was a whole family getaway where Halloween was part of the experience, and that’s what made it so much fun.
Sometimes you just have to take the trip, eat the candy, ride the water slides, and enjoy having everyone together. ❤️
Where to next?
Check out more places to visit in California here or gift ideas for girls here.
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