Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a series about Florida’s first Great Wolf Lodge, one of the most important efforts in Naples history that is generating many questions from you. One of Collier County’s largest private workplaces, the 530,000-square-foot water park and retreat is slated to be Southwest Florida’s third-largest tourism employer, single-handedly attracting the same number of visitors in a year that all of Collier in its entirety attracts in almost three months.
While many of you have shared concerns about the Great Wolf complex with potential traffic and other factors we’ve mentioned here, the $250 million project and its massive indoor water park also have a large following, including fellow enthusiast Palma Calabro . Leeward.
“We just had our first experience at Great Wolf Lodge in Georgia,” he said. “We loved it and can’t wait for it to open closer to home.”
“I was thinking about driving to the one in Georgia,” said Janelle Hernandez, another fan. “I’m really happy they’re doing one in Florida. I wanted to go sooner.”
“Is the Great Wolf Lodge in Naples open yet?” asked Collier County resident Peggy Ross Munson.
Not yet, and for those like Hernandez, Lee and others who share the hope that Great Wolf will dramatically advance its late September debut in Southwest Florida at Collier Boulevard and I-75, don’t count on it. This is what you should know.
What is Florida’s duel with Texas over the growing Great Wolf Lodge?
You can blame Texas, if you want.
The Lone Star State and Florida had been neck and neck over which location would open first, and it looks like those Texans are winning the Big Wolf race to become the chain’s 20th U.S. flagship, number 21 overall and No. 2 in Texas.
“We have the complex being built outside of Houston; they’re making good progress,” said vice president Jason Lasecki. “The wait is shortened for families eager to experience the next generation of Great Wolf Lodge debuting in Webster, Texas.”
Which Big Wolf is coming out next? Naples, Florida or Houston, Texas?
The Space City area site is scheduled to launch on August 29, ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend, which is not a big deal here, where the winter months are important for tourism.
“We’re going to have to leave a gap between the two, the one that’s in Houston and the one that’s opening up here,” Lasecki said, noting the need for a three- or four-week separation. “Operationally, we cannot” have it any closer.
Complex:Great Wolf Lodge: How many millions of pounds of steel and concrete are in Naples? How big?
What are some grandparents saying about Great Wolf opening in Collier County?
Naples, which had a slight lead in construction before Hurricane Ian’s disruption, is on track for a Sept. 25 opening, just before the arrival of the flock of snowbirds, who are already talking about their grandchildren visit more often thanks to Great Wolf.
“I can’t wait until it’s finished,” said grandmother Rose Neidlinger. “I will definitely take my grandchildren.”
In the know:What are Kohl’s, Five Below’s plans for Southwest Florida?
Reader Karen Jaeger sees the indoor look as a plus for fall and winter days.
“As a live-in grandmother, (my) youngest grandchildren come to visit from October to December,” Jaeger said. “All the pools are closed out of season,” she said, and the water on the beaches is already too cold.
Based at the Naples Daily News, columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led efforts to win the Pulitzer Prize. He writes In the Know, one of the KeynoteUSA Network’s most read local news columns in the state. Support democracy. Subscribe to a newspaper.
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