Home"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket › AZ Insider: Great Wolf Resorts Opens in Scottsdale with Charitable Event
 
 
 

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Great Wolf Resorts kicked off its grand opening in Scottsdale with quite an exciting and meaningful charitable evening! 

Three-time Olympic gold-medal gymnast Gabby Douglas joined Great Wolf Resorts’ CEO, Murray Hennessy to officially open the company’s first location in the Southwest, and the first indoor waterpark resort within the state of Arizona.  

Gabby is pictured below with CEO Murray Hennessy  Kendall, a Make-A-Wish kid,  and Alice O'Rourke from Make-A-Wish. Gabby kicked off the “slide-a-thon” accompanied by 10-year-old Kendall, who received a kidney transplant and whose wish to meet the gymnast was granted at the grand opening event.

In fact, Great Wolf Lodge’s Scottsdale “slide-a-thon” generated a donation to Make-A-Wish of $44,900! 

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“We have been overwhelmed by the community’s enthusiasm for this resort, and we are equally excited to open our doors and provide some howling good fun to families across the Southwest,” says Hennessy. “Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is sure to be a favored staycation destination for families in the Valley, with attractions, dining and entertainment offerings specifically designed to create treasured family moments.”   

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Following the poolside ceremony guests indulged in the howling fun at the 85,000-square-foot indoor water park with slides and water features for every age. Among the favorites is the Talking Stick Treehouse is Great Wolf Lodge Arizona’s signature, multi-level water play structure featuring suspension bridges, slides, spray stations and other water elements.

The adventure didn't end once resort guests dry off. Coupled with the 27,000-square-foot Great Wolf Adventure Park, the family-friendly attractions boast  a ropes course and miniature golf.  

As part of the grand opening festivities, Great Wolf Lodge also offered a special weekend “slide-a-thon” to benefit the Phoenix-based Make-A-Wish. Great Wolf Lodge Arizona donated $20 every time a family took a trip down the all-new Diamondback Drop slide (the four-person high speed raft ride.)

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“Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is family paradise with a wealth of activities for every age and interest,” says General Manager Brian Johnson. “Climate controlled to a comfortable 84-degrees, our waterpark will be the perfect place to beat the desert heat, or chilly winter weather. "

Those at the grand opening had the chance to experience all the family fun under one roof - in every corner of the resort – whether that’s sinking a hole-in-one at mini-golf, scaling new heights on the Howlers Peak ropes course, saving a pixie playing MagiQuest or enjoying a scoop at Ben & Jerry’s.”

kathy shayna shocket copy  Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer, and TV- Field Producer. The former TV-Reporter has written for publications such as TIME Magazine, MONEY Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. You can reach her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it