Before You Buy a Wolf Pass at Great Wolf Lodge, Read This! An Honest Review of Wolf Pass Options.

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Is the Wolf Pass Worth It at Great Wolf Lodge?

By Erin

* I am proud to serve as a Great Wolf Lodge Parent Pack Ambassador. As part of this ambassador program, I may receive complimentary experiences and/or other promotional consideration from Great Wolf Lodge. As always, all thoughts, opinions, and experiences shared on this website are entirely my own. I only recommend destinations, products, and experiences that I genuinely enjoy and believe will be valuable to my readers.*
Family making memories during a Great Wolf Lodge getaway with the Great Wolf Lodge Wolf Passes

After spending a few days exploring everything included with the Wolf Pass, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions we made. Not only did it keep us entertained long after we left the water park, but it also saved us from constantly pulling out our wallets. 

The Wolf Pass gave us the freedom to try more activities, create more memories, and enjoy our vacation without worrying about the cost of every little experience.

If you’re planning a stay at Great Wolf Lodge Southern California in the Anaheim area, you’ve probably wondered whether the Wolf Pass is actually worth the extra cost.

I asked myself the exact same question before our stay.

Here’s exactly what our Wolf Pass included, how much value we got from it, and whether I recommend adding it to your next Great Wolf Lodge vacation.

What Is the Wolf Pass at Great Wolf Lodge?

The Wolf Pass is an activity package that bundles many of Great Wolf Lodge’s most popular attractions into one discounted price.

At Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, the Wolf Pass starts at $89.99 per person (plus tax) and includes:

  • One MagiQuest game for your entire stay
  • One MagiQuest Vellara Wand, Evergreen Leaf Mod, or Belt
  • One Pass Exclusive Furry Friend at Build-A-Bear
  • Three Northern Lights Arcade games *Excludes virtual reality/headset games
  • One Candy Cup from Great Wolf Candy Co
  • One Kids Ice Cream from Wood’s End Creamery
  • One round of Howl-in-One Mini Golf
  • One Laser Tag game
  • One admission to Howler’s Peak Ropes Course*
  • One round on the Howler’s Peak Adventure Trail*

*Some attractions have height requirements and require closed-toe shoes.

Are There Any Extra Costs with the Wolf Pass?

Yes, but only if you decide to upgrade certain items. And let’s be honest, your kids will probably have their eyes on some of those upgrades!

During our visit, we upgraded our wands, added wand mods, and chose some premium Build-A-Bear characters, outfits, and accessories. We kept the included sizes for the ice cream and candy cups, so we didn’t spend extra on those treats.

Family adventures at Great Wolf Lodge with attractions for all ages using the Wolf Pass.

Overall, we still found the Wolf Pass to be an amazing value because it includes discounts on additional purchases. And let’s be real, if your kids already love customizing their toys, getting a discount on those extras definitely helps!

Your Wolf Pass includes a MagiQuest Vellara Wand, but if you have your eye on one of the premium wand designs, you can upgrade by paying the difference (typically around $5–10, depending on the wand).

Vellara Wand included with the Wolf Pass at Great Wolf Lodge
Wolf Pass Wand Upgrades and Mods. Optional add-ons available for an additional charge with the Wolf Pass at Great Wolf Lodge

The same goes for the Build-A-Bear experience. During our visit, the Wolf Pass included three adorable furry friends at no extra cost. If you want to choose a premium character or personalize your new friend with outfits, accessories, sounds, or scents, you can add those extras for an additional charge. Wolf Pass guests also receive a discount on these optional add-ons, making it easier to customize your furry friend and create an even more memorable souvenir from your trip.

The three adorable furry friends included with the Wolf Pass at no additional cost at Build-A-Bear
The three adorable furry friend choices that are included with the Wolf Pass at no additional cost.

The included Kids Ice Cream and Candy Cup also make great treats, but if you want to upgrade to a larger scoop of ice cream or a bigger cup of candy (and trust me, it’s tempting!), you simply pay the difference.

Kids filling their Candy Cups with colorful candy as part of the Great Wolf Lodge Wolf Pass experience.

None of these upgrades are required, and we never felt like we missed out by sticking with what came included. However, I loved having the option to splurge a little and customize the experience when we wanted to.

Do You Need a Wolf Pass to Enjoy Great Wolf Lodge?

Absolutely not.

The indoor water park alone can easily fill an entire day, and Great Wolf Lodge offers free daily activities throughout the resort that families can enjoy without an additional cost.

However, if your family wants to spend time exploring attractions outside the water park, the Wolf Pass unlocks many of the experiences kids get most excited about.

For our family, the Wolf Pass completely changed our stay.

Instead of stopping at every attraction and debating whether it was worth purchasing separately, we simply enjoyed everything included with our pass. We had the freedom to say “yes” more often, try new activities, and focus on making memories together.

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Tropical Island Escape in a Pineapple: Frozen Pineapple Mango Paradise Drink (Cocktail & Mocktail)

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Vacation in a Pineapple: Frozen Pineapple Mango Cocktail & Mocktail for Summer Parties

By Erin

Frozen Pineapple Mango Paradise Drink

Is anyone else dreaming of a tropical vacation right about now? Because between the summer heat and what feels like my 47th dentist appointment trying to get my wisdom teeth dealt with, I am officially in need of a tropical escape.

Since hopping on a plane isn’t exactly in the cards today, I decided to bring the island vibes home with this refreshing Frozen Pineapple Mango Paradise Drink. Served inside a fresh pineapple and topped with edible flowers, it’s basically the closest thing to a beach vacation you can make in four minutes.

The best part? This recipe can easily be made two ways:

🍹 As a tropical frozen cocktail for the adults

🍍 As a family-friendly frozen mocktail everyone can enjoy

Both versions feature sweet frozen pineapple and mango, creating a creamy, refreshing treat that’s perfect for backyard BBQs, pool days, summer parties, or simply pretending you’re somewhere with ocean views.

So grab your blender and let’s head to the tropics!

Frozen Pineapple Mango Paradise Cocktail

Yield

1 pineapple serving (approximately 8 oz)

Prep Time

4 minutes

Total Time

4 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • 2 oz sweet and sour mix
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 fresh pineapple, halved and hollowed out

Garnish

  • Lime wheel
  • Pineapple leaves
  • Mango slice
  • Edible flowers from Melissa’s Produce

Instructions

  1. Cut the pineapple in half and carefully scoop out enough fruit to create an 8-ounce serving bowl.
  2. Add tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour mix, frozen pineapple, frozen mango, and ice to a blender.
  3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour into the prepared pineapple.
  5. Garnish with a lime wheel, pineapple leaves, mango slice, and edible flowers.
  6. Sip and enjoy your tropical escape.

Frozen Pineapple Mango Paradise Mocktail

Perfect for kids, family gatherings, baby showers, pool parties, or anyone looking for a refreshing alcohol-free option.

Yield

1 pineapple serving (approximately 8 oz)

Prep Time

4 minutes

Total Time

4 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 2 oz mango juice
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 fresh pineapple, halved and hollowed out

Garnish

  • Lime wheel
  • Pineapple leaves
  • Mango slice
  • Edible flowers from Melissa’s Produce

Instructions

  1. Cut the pineapple in half and carefully scoop out enough fruit to create an 8-ounce serving bowl.
  2. Add pineapple juice, mango juice, lime juice, frozen pineapple, frozen mango, and ice to a blender.
  3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour into the prepared pineapple.
  5. Garnish with lime, pineapple leaves, mango, and edible flowers.
  6. Enjoy your tropical getaway, no plane ticket required.

A Taste of the Tropics

Whether you choose the cocktail or mocktail version, this Frozen Pineapple Mango Paradise Drink is sunshine in a pineapple. It’s bright, refreshing, beautiful to serve, and guaranteed to transport you somewhere tropical, even if it’s just your backyard.

Now tell me: if you could enjoy one of these anywhere in the world, where would it be? Personally, I’ll be dreaming of a beach chair in Hawaii with one of these in hand.

Pacific Catch Has Officially Arrived at Brea Mall

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Get Excited Brea! Pacific Catch Has Officially Arrived at Brea Mall

By Erin

Pacific Catch Brea

Brea foodies, you officially have a new happy hour obsession.

The newest Pacific Catch location has officially opened at Brea Mall, bringing fresh island-inspired flavors: sushi, seafood, tacos, poke, cocktails, and all the laid-back coastal vibes to Orange County and it’s such a fun addition to the area.

Located in the newer wing of the mall across from North Italia and next to The Melt, Pacific Catch blends Hawaiian, Japanese, Mexican, and California-inspired flavors all into one menu, making it the perfect spot whether you’re craving sushi, fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, tacos, or just a fun place to unwind after shopping.

One thing that immediately stood out during our visit was how spacious and inviting the restaurant feels. Whether you want to grab a seat at the bar for drinks and appetizers, enjoy the breezy patio, sit by the fire pit, or settle into the dining room for a full meal, the entire space has such an easygoing coastal energy that instantly makes you feel like you’re on vacation for a little while.

And now let’s talk about the real star here: Aloha Hour.

Pacific Catch’s version of happy hour starts daily at 3PM and features a huge selection of delicious bites ranging from $5–$10 along with $9 drinks, making it one of the best new happy hour spots at Brea Mall. It’s the perfect excuse to stop in for cocktails and appetizers after work, during a weekend shopping trip, or for a casual dinner with friends.

Guaca Poke on the Aloha Menu at Pacific Catch

Guaca-Poke-Original ahi poke, guacamole, and tortilla chips

The menu is packed with flavorful dishes inspired by Hawaiian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine, so there’s truly something for everyone. Expect fresh seafood, poke, sushi rolls, tacos, shareable plates, tropical flavors, and cocktails that pair perfectly with the relaxed island-inspired atmosphere.

Aloha Hour-Tacos: Crispy Cod and Seared Shrimp

We also had such a great experience with our server, Keyera, who was incredibly sweet, attentive, and super helpful throughout the meal. When we asked for recommendations, she gave us some fantastic suggestions and really helped make the experience even better with her friendly energy and knowledge of the menu.

Aloha Hour- Sticky Ribs

Between the fun atmosphere, great service, fresh flavors, and the incredible Aloha Hour deals, Pacific Catch is definitely a spot I can see becoming a regular go-to for both casual lunches and fun nights out.


Definitely save room for dessert because the Pineapple “Right Side Up” Cake was such a fun tropical and delicious ending to the meal. The warm brown butter cake paired with caramelized grilled pineapple was delicious on its own, but adding a scoop of vanilla gelato took it over the top. Sweet, buttery, slightly tropical, and the perfect balance after all the savory dishes.

If you’re heading to Brea Mall anytime soon, definitely add this one to your list. Now, who wants to go back with me to enjoy Aloha Hour?

Pacific Catch – Brea Mall
1065 Brea Mall, Suite 2050
Brea, CA 92821

ALOHA HOUR:
MON – FRI: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
SAT – SUN: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

For more info: https://www.pacificcatch.com/location/brea/