Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					4 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	May 04, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Rooms	$ 52,223					$ 63,793			$ 137,358
Food and beverage	13,414					17,273			36,020
Other	13,601					15,920			35,638
Management and other fees	1,181					1,398			2,319
Management and other fees - affiliates	1,002					1,414			2,984
Subtotal revenue	81,421					99,798			214,319
Other revenue from managed properties	3,129					4,193			8,751
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates	2,811					3,901			8,091
Total revenues	87,361					107,892			231,161
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms	7,082					9,458			19,299
Food and beverage	9,603					12,946			27,067
Other	10,621					13,450			28,305
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	18,104					42,205			49,261
Property operating costs	9,471					11,347			25,824
Depreciation and amortization	11,766					16,469			41,362
Loss on disposition of assets	151					47	151		1,368
Total other operating expenses	67,806					105,922			192,486
Other expenses from managed properties	3,129					4,193			8,751
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates	2,811					3,901			8,091
Total operating expenses	73,746					114,016			209,328
Net operating (loss) income	13,615					(6,124)			21,833
Investment income - affiliates	(220)					(303)			(682)
Interest income	(48)					(82)			(156)
Interest expense	10,015					16,016			36,174
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	3,868					(21,755)			(13,503)
Income tax (benefit) expense	250	375	218	348	273	269		621	839	1,132	785	180
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	138	(93)	(101)	(344)	(107)	(559)	(260)	(451)	(552)	13	648	2,432
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax						(551)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	3,756	(9,174)	1,376	(6,947)	(8,219)	(21,473)		(15,166)	(13,790)	(26,365)	(56,823)	(30,475)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(2)			65	6,744	23			(6,704)		(509)	(27,917)
Net (loss) income	3,758	(9,210)	1,271	(6,882)	(1,475)	(21,496)	(1,515)	(8,357)	(7,086)	(19,731)	(57,332)	(58,392)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(14)	(12)		(23)	(9)	(15)		(32)	(14)	(18)
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	3,772	(9,198)	1,253	(6,859)	(1,466)	(21,481)		(8,325)	(7,072)	(19,713)	(57,323)
Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	1,008
Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms			50,340				80,277
Food and beverage			12,829				21,535
Other			12,920				20,868
Management and other fees			912				1,661
Management and other fees - affiliates			957				1,537
Subtotal revenue			77,958				125,878
Other revenue from managed properties			2,969				5,007
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates			2,624				4,540
Total revenues			83,551				135,425
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms			6,676				11,304
Food and beverage			9,318				15,732
Other			9,743				17,206
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			15,356				31,480
Property operating costs			8,544				14,345
Depreciation and amortization			14,799				19,545
Loss on disposition of assets			330				151		1,368
Total other operating expenses			64,766				110,771
Other expenses from managed properties			2,969				5,007
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates			2,624				4,540
Total operating expenses			70,359				120,318
Net operating (loss) income			13,192				15,107
Investment income - affiliates			(220)				(357)
Interest income			(50)				(79)
Interest expense			11,969				16,274
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			1,493				(731)
Income tax (benefit) expense			218				529
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax			101				264		653
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			1,376				(1,524)
Discontinued operations, net of tax			105				(9)
Net (loss) income			1,271				(1,515)		(7,086)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax			18				(25)
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.			1,253				(1,490)
Predecessor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative							1,008
Parent [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms	0					0			0
Food and beverage	0					0			0
Other	0					0			0
Management and other fees	169					191			466
Management and other fees - affiliates	0					0			0
Subtotal revenue	169					191			466
Other revenue from managed properties	0					0			0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total revenues	169					191			466
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms	0					0			0
Food and beverage	0					0			0
Other	0					0			0
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	2,970					15,470			2,192
Property operating costs	0					0			0
Depreciation and amortization	1					53			115
Loss on disposition of assets	0					0	0		0
Total other operating expenses	3,786					15,523			2,307
Other expenses from managed properties	0					0			0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total operating expenses	3,786					15,523			2,307
Net operating (loss) income	(3,617)					(15,332)			(1,841)
Investment income - affiliates	0					0			0
Interest income	(41)					(74)			(145)
Interest expense	1,532					2,179			4,752
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	(5,108)					(17,437)			(6,448)
Income tax (benefit) expense	26					66			60
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	8,906					3,978	5,897		564
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax						3,978
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	3,772					(21,481)			(7,072)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income	3,772					(21,481)	(1,490)		(7,072)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	3,772					(21,481)			(7,072)
Parent [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	815
Parent [Member] | Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms							0
Food and beverage							0
Other							0
Management and other fees			183				221
Management and other fees - affiliates							0
Subtotal revenue			183				221
Other revenue from managed properties							0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total revenues			183				221
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms							0
Food and beverage							0
Other							0
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			654				4,319
Property operating costs							0
Depreciation and amortization			38				1
Loss on disposition of assets							0
Total other operating expenses			692				5,135
Other expenses from managed properties							0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total operating expenses			692				5,135
Net operating (loss) income			(509)				(4,914)
Investment income - affiliates							0
Interest income			(48)				(72)
Interest expense			1,584				2,463
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			(2,045)				(7,305)
Income tax (benefit) expense			(4)				82
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax			3,294				(5,897)		(564)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			1,253				(1,490)
Discontinued operations, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income			1,253				(1,490)		(7,072)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.			1,253				(1,490)
Parent [Member] | Predecessor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative							815
Issuer [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms	0					0			0
Food and beverage	0					0			0
Other	0					0			0
Management and other fees	0					0			0
Management and other fees - affiliates	0					0			0
Subtotal revenue	0					0			0
Other revenue from managed properties	0					0			0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total revenues	0					0			0
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms	0					0			0
Food and beverage	0					0			0
Other	0					0			0
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	35					59			103
Property operating costs	0					0			0
Depreciation and amortization	2					480			1,021
Loss on disposition of assets	0					0	0		0
Total other operating expenses	230					539			1,124
Other expenses from managed properties	0					0			0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total operating expenses	230					539			1,124
Net operating (loss) income	(230)					(539)			(1,124)
Investment income - affiliates	0					0			0
Interest income	(3)					(7)			(5)
Interest expense	4,920					9,136			19,909
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	(5,147)					(9,668)			(21,028)
Income tax (benefit) expense	0					0			0
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	14,053					(5,690)	14,073		(20,464)
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax						(5,690)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	8,906					(3,978)			(564)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income	8,906					(3,978)	5,897		(564)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	8,906					(3,978)			(564)
Issuer [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	193
Issuer [Member] | Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms							0
Food and beverage							0
Other							0
Management and other fees							0
Management and other fees - affiliates							0
Subtotal revenue							0
Other revenue from managed properties							0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total revenues							0
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms							0
Food and beverage							0
Other							0
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			35				55
Property operating costs							0
Depreciation and amortization			348				2
Loss on disposition of assets							0
Total other operating expenses			383				250
Other expenses from managed properties							0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total operating expenses			383				250
Net operating (loss) income			(383)				(250)
Investment income - affiliates							0
Interest income							(3)
Interest expense			6,637				7,929
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			(7,020)				(8,176)
Income tax (benefit) expense							0
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax			10,314				(14,073)		20,464
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			3,294				5,897
Discontinued operations, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income			3,294				5,897		(564)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.			3,294				5,897
Issuer [Member] | Predecessor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative							193
Subsidiary Guarantor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms	27,426					30,243			69,815
Food and beverage	7,081					8,399			19,068
Other	6,327					7,206			16,257
Management and other fees	7,222					8,872			18,321
Management and other fees - affiliates	1,002					1,414			2,984
Subtotal revenue	49,058					56,134			126,445
Other revenue from managed properties	3,129					4,193			8,751
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates	2,811					3,901			8,091
Total revenues	54,998					64,228			143,287
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms	4,226					5,325			11,280
Food and beverage	5,112					6,466			14,433
Other	4,872					5,908			12,927
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	12,172					20,803			36,417
Property operating costs	4,583					5,266			12,562
Depreciation and amortization	5,788					8,391			19,154
Loss on disposition of assets	0					47	0		21
Total other operating expenses	36,753					52,206			106,794
Other expenses from managed properties	3,129					4,193			8,751
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates	2,811					3,901			8,091
Total operating expenses	42,693					60,300			123,636
Net operating (loss) income	12,305					3,928			19,651
Investment income - affiliates	0					0			0
Interest income	0					0			0
Interest expense	0					0			2
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	12,305					3,928			19,649
Income tax (benefit) expense	172					141			386
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	0					0	0		0
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax						0
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	12,133					3,787			19,263
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income	12,133					3,787	14,474		19,263
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	12,133					3,787			19,263
Subsidiary Guarantor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	0
Subsidiary Guarantor [Member] | Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms			26,387				42,684
Food and beverage			7,001				11,372
Other			5,907				9,760
Management and other fees			6,689				11,052
Management and other fees - affiliates			957				1,537
Subtotal revenue			46,941				76,405
Other revenue from managed properties			2,969				5,007
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates			2,624				4,540
Total revenues			52,534				85,952
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms			4,031				6,617
Food and beverage			5,063				8,435
Other			4,585				7,795
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			11,928				21,967
Property operating costs			4,450				7,236
Depreciation and amortization			6,420				9,615
Loss on disposition of assets							0		21
Total other operating expenses			36,477				61,665
Other expenses from managed properties			2,969				5,007
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates			2,624				4,540
Total operating expenses			42,070				71,212
Net operating (loss) income			10,464				14,740
Investment income - affiliates							0
Interest income							0
Interest expense			1				0
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			10,463				14,740
Income tax (benefit) expense			159				266
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			10,304				14,474
Discontinued operations, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income			10,304				14,474		19,263
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.			10,304				14,474
Subsidiary Guarantor [Member] | Predecessor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative							0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms	24,797					33,550			67,543
Food and beverage	6,333					8,874			16,952
Other	7,274					8,714			19,381
Management and other fees	6					7			29
Management and other fees - affiliates	0					0			0
Subtotal revenue	38,410					51,145			103,905
Other revenue from managed properties	0					0			0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total revenues	38,410					51,145			103,905
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms	3,903					5,412			10,775
Food and beverage	4,491					6,480			12,634
Other	5,749					7,542			15,378
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	8,096					12,266			24,206
Property operating costs	4,888					6,081			13,262
Depreciation and amortization	5,975					7,545			21,072
Loss on disposition of assets	151					0	151		1,347
Total other operating expenses	33,253					45,326			98,674
Other expenses from managed properties	0					0			0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total operating expenses	33,253					45,326			98,674
Net operating (loss) income	5,157					5,819			5,231
Investment income - affiliates	(220)					(303)			(682)
Interest income	(4)					(1)			(6)
Interest expense	3,563					4,701			11,511
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	1,818					1,422			(5,592)
Income tax (benefit) expense	52					62			393
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	138					(559)	(409)		(552)
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax						(551)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	1,904					1,911			(5,433)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(2)					23			(6,620)
Net (loss) income	1,906					1,888	(426)		1,187
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(14)					(15)			(14)
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	1,920					1,903			1,201
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms			23,953				37,593
Food and beverage			5,828				10,163
Other			7,013				11,108
Management and other fees			5				9
Management and other fees - affiliates							0
Subtotal revenue			36,799				58,873
Other revenue from managed properties							0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total revenues			36,799				58,873
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms			3,654				6,297
Food and beverage			4,255				7,297
Other			5,158				9,411
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			7,779				13,150
Property operating costs			4,094				7,109
Depreciation and amortization			7,993				9,927
Loss on disposition of assets			330				151		1,347
Total other operating expenses			33,263				53,342
Other expenses from managed properties							0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total operating expenses			33,263				53,342
Net operating (loss) income			3,536				5,531
Investment income - affiliates			(220)
Interest income			(2)				(4)
Interest expense			3,747				5,882
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			11				10
Income tax (benefit) expense			63				181
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax			101				264		653
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			49				(435)
Discontinued operations, net of tax			22				(9)
Net (loss) income			27				(426)		1,187
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax			18				(25)
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.			9				(401)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Predecessor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative							0
Consolidation Adjustments [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms	0					0			0
Food and beverage	0					0			0
Other	0					0			0
Management and other fees	(6,216)					(7,672)			(16,497)
Management and other fees - affiliates	0					0			0
Subtotal revenue	(6,216)					(7,672)			(16,497)
Other revenue from managed properties	0					0			0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total revenues	(6,216)					(7,672)			(16,497)
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms	(1,047)					(1,279)			(2,756)
Food and beverage	0					0			0
Other	0					0			0
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(5,169)					(6,393)			(13,657)
Property operating costs	0					0			0
Depreciation and amortization	0					0			0
Loss on disposition of assets	0					0	0		0
Total other operating expenses	(6,216)					(7,672)			(16,413)
Other expenses from managed properties	0					0			0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates	0					0			0
Total operating expenses	(6,216)					(7,672)			(16,413)
Net operating (loss) income	0					0			(84)
Investment income - affiliates	0					0			0
Interest income	0					0			0
Interest expense	0					0			0
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	0					0			(84)
Income tax (benefit) expense	0					0			0
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(22,959)					1,712	(19,821)		19,900
Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax						1,712
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	(22,959)					(1,712)			(19,984)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0					0			(84)
Net (loss) income	(22,959)					(1,712)	(19,970)		(19,900)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	0					0			0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	(22,959)					(1,712)			(19,900)
Consolidation Adjustments [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	0
Consolidation Adjustments [Member] | Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rooms							0
Food and beverage							0
Other							0
Management and other fees			(5,965)				(9,621)
Management and other fees - affiliates							0
Subtotal revenue			(5,965)				(9,621)
Other revenue from managed properties							0
Other revenue from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total revenues			(5,965)				(9,621)
Operating expenses by department:
Rooms			(1,009)				(1,610)
Food and beverage							0
Other							0
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative			(5,040)				(8,011)
Property operating costs							0
Depreciation and amortization							0
Loss on disposition of assets							0
Total other operating expenses			(6,049)				(9,621)
Other expenses from managed properties							0
Other expenses from managed properties - affiliates							0
Total operating expenses			(6,049)				(9,621)
Net operating (loss) income			84				0
Investment income - affiliates							0
Interest income							0
Interest expense							0
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates			84				0
Income tax (benefit) expense							0
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax			(13,608)				19,970		(19,900)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations			(13,524)				(19,970)
Discontinued operations, net of tax			83				0
Net (loss) income			(13,607)				(19,970)		(19,900)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax							0
Net (loss) income attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.			(13,607)				(19,970)
Consolidation Adjustments [Member] | Predecessor [Member] | Affiliate [Member]
Other operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative							$ 0