No, don't actually go into the great lake - stop when you hear the tell-tale bell. Then, whatever you do, don't look up.

Swimming season, no matter what the calendar says, is about to hit like a July cloudburst.

This is how Great Wolf Lodge here welcomes its guests - with a cascading 1,000-gallon introduction to the 83-degree waters that flow throughout the state's largest indoor waterpark.

The bell is attached to an immense wooden bucket five stories above the center of Great Wolf's 33,000-square-foot water play area. Every few minutes, when the bucket is close to being filled , the bell sounds its alarm. Kids and other daredevils hurry into position and - voila! - you have a high-intensity shower for you and 100 of your closest friends.

Great Wolf's centerpiece is bursting with every variety of attraction in vogue in the world of waterparks. Its nine waterslides range in intensity from tepid to tubes that twist and turn through the whole five stories of air space.

Around its perimeter are a 3,000-square-foot lazy river, a 25-foot-tall aqua rock climbing wall and several pools devoted to activities such as shooting basketball or lily-pad hopping. Within the last year, they've added a toddler-friendly water-play area, complete with mini-tree house.

"We like to call it wild, weather-proof fun," says Julie Stokes, Great Wolf's director of sales and marketing. "Some people have taken to calling it 'vacation insurance.' "

Great Wolf can serve as a hub for a family vacation. Cedar Point is only a few miles away, as are the many recreational activities associated with the Lake Erie shoreline.

The Great Lakes Companies operate seven lodges with waterparks under the Great Wolf name. Negotiations were reported this summer about possibly building a Great Wolf Lodge near Kings Island, but no firm plans have been announced.

The waterpark is only open to guests staying at the lodge, and rates start at $259 a night.

All 271 suites are set up to cater to kids. Several of the seven layouts feature log cabin-style private sections with bunk beds. The loft fireplace suites can accommodate up to eight people, that means the $369 rate conceivably can be split between two families.

Season Special

Halloween special: A swimming holiday this month can take an unusual turn, as Great Wolf Lodge taps into Halloween fun with a "Howl-O-Ween at the Wolf" celebration. Running through next Sunday, young guests are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes when visiting the lodge. A special Trick-or-Treat Trail has been set up. Room rates have been reduced through the celebration to as little as $169 Sunday-Thursday and $199 Friday-Saturday. Info: ohio.greatwolflodge.com.