we go there quite often as it's just through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel for us and my 12 y/o daughter loves it. She's had a few birthday parties there. I'm a bit less of a fan I guess because my OCD kicks in and walking around on a warm, wet floor with hundreds of other kids and grownups ain't my thing. But I go and ride all the rides with her because I'm a good Dad. It's a relatively small park. After a day you're going to want a break. They over-chlorinate everything and your eyes will begin to water just from the air. I'd suggest taking a break and going into Williamsburg for part of a day. There's a lot to do in Williamsburg. GWL is well-maintained and the rooms are very nice. There's some kind of magic game the kids play with wands. My daughter gets sucked into it every time we go. It's massively over-priced but they'll have fun running around the floors trying to capture all the prizes. Bring your own beer and keep it in the fridge. they gouge you for drinks and food there. Kind of like any other park in the regard. The kids will love it. Enjoy!
and Jamestown Settlement are both very cool. For kids that age, I wouldn't go to Historic Jamestown (the actual site), but they would probably like Jamestown Settlement. Yorktown Battlefield is a must see if you are into that sort of thing (and it's nice to have lunch on the water in Yorktown). If you don't mind driving a little bit, the Mariners' Museum is awesome. The same goes for the Virginia Living Museum (although I have never been there in the winter). Avoid - Ripley's Believe It or Not in Williamsburg.
Only went to the one in Pennsylvania but think highly of it. For your kid's age, I think they'll love it. (Mine are 2 and 5) From a cost perspective water park/hotel, I think it is a very good deal. (of course I go during the week in April). There are two things that I do to keep the cost down however. We don't eat at the park. Checkin is around lunch time so we grab lunch before we go in. We'll also go out for dinner. The next day, we'll bring breakfast food and then usually leave around early noon and grab something on the way home. There are a lot of add-ons like interactive games that kids walk around the hotel. My kids are young enough where we can divert them and keep them focused on the water park and at the end of the night they are pretty wiped out.
My children still talk about it today - they were 10, 8, 5, & 3 at the time. The 3 year old still asks to go back every couple months.
Obviously the slides etc. were fun - but at the one in TX they had some kind of "wizard" game where they could make wands and then go through "quests" throughout the hotel. Honestly they had a blast - it was pretty creative and well done. If they have it where you are going, I'd highly recommend it. Also bring some comfortable shoes as you'll be getting a workout up and down the stairs. :)
Obviously the slides etc. were fun - but at the one in TX they had some kind of "wizard" game where they could make wands and then go through "quests" throughout the hotel. Honestly they had a blast - it was pretty creative and well done. If they have it where you are going, I'd highly recommend it. Also bring some comfortable shoes as you'll be getting a workout up and down the stairs. :)