The life-size gingerbread house at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason took more than 1,000 hours to complete and includes more than 50,000 candies, 1,000 candy canes, 300 cookies, 100 pounds of chocolate and a whopping 1,900 pounds of gingerbread. Up to six diners can dine in the house for a reservation fee of $20. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Enquirer/Rachel Richardson
There’s no place like home for the holidays, especially if ‘home’ is a life-sized gingerbread house.
Great Wolf Lodge unveiled its “home sweet home” Saturday as part of the Mason indoor waterpark’s annual Snowland celebration kick-off.
The colossal two-story high 10-foot by 12-foot creation took more than 1,000 hours to complete and includes more than 50,000 candies, 1,000 candy canes, 300 cookies, 100 pounds of chocolate and a whopping 1,900 pounds of gingerbread.
Dozens of lodge guests and area residents attended the gingerbread house’s unveiling at the lodge’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday.
Similar structures were built at Great Wolf Lodge’s 10 other locations nationwide. The chain’s Snowland celebration, which includes daily seasonal activities, runs through Christmas.
“Each holiday season, we strive to surprise and delight our guests with all that Snowland has to offer,” said Tim Black, the resort’s executive vice-president of operations. “Bringing the magic and whimsy of a life-sized gingerbread house to life is an unforgettable experience and a first for our popular Snowland tradition.
The lavish architectural creation isn’t just festive, it’s also charitable.
Beginning Saturday and continuing through New Years, diners can reserve breakfast, lunch or dinner spots inside the gingerbread house, which seats up to six diners, for a $20 reservation fee.
(Although the site’s water park is available only to registered guests, meals at the gingerbread house and the resort’s restaurant are open to the general public.)
Proceeds from the reservation fees will be donated to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, said Mason General Manager Terrie Zajo. The organization is among Great Wolf Lodge’s charitable partners.
“We’ve never tried this before, so we’re really excited to see how it goes,” she said.
The confectionery cottage received rave reviews from spectators, including many children (and adults) who struggled with the urge to nibble on the house.
“I thought it was fake; everything is made so perfect,” said Christian James, 10, of Mason. ”It was actually pretty cool that they thought of it.”
To make a reservation at Great Wolf Lodge Mason’s gingerbread house, call 513-459-8885 or email masoninfo@greatwolf.com.
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