REVISION OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Effect of Correction on Company Consolidated Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	8 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statement of Income
Selling, general and administrative	$ 13,376	$ 18,502	$ 37,492	$ 52,976
Total operating expenses	42,965	63,869	129,985	178,637
Total expenses	46,572	70,088	142,303	194,236
Net operating income	1,492	8,674	18,630	12,950
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(5,022)	(792)	(1,470)	(12,471)
Net loss from continuing operations	(5,280)	(364)	(1,210)	(14,140)
Net loss	(5,273)	(364)	(1,210)	(14,131)
Net loss attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	(5,262)	(364)	(1,210)	(14,048)
Consolidated Statement of Equity
Net loss attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.	(5,262)	(364)	(1,210)	(14,048)
Accumulated deficit		(15,258)	(15,258)	(14,048)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
Net loss	(5,273)	(364)	(1,210)	(14,131)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(882)		1,689	2,046
As Previously Reported [Member]
Consolidated Statement of Income
Selling, general and administrative				51,930
Total operating expenses				177,591
Total expenses				193,190
Net operating income				13,996
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes				(11,425)
Net loss from continuing operations				(13,094)
Net loss				(13,085)
Net loss attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.				(13,002)
Consolidated Statement of Equity
Net loss attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.				(13,002)
Accumulated deficit				(13,002)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
Net loss				(13,085)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities				1,000
Adjustment [Member]
Consolidated Statement of Income
Selling, general and administrative				1,046
Total operating expenses				1,046
Total expenses				1,046
Net operating income				(1,046)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes				(1,046)
Net loss from continuing operations				(1,046)
Net loss				(1,046)
Net loss attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.				(1,046)
Consolidated Statement of Equity
Net loss attributable to Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.				(1,046)
Accumulated deficit				(1,046)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
Net loss				(1,046)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities				$ 1,046