It’s gonna be May? How about, it’s gonna be them?
In the latest battle of the boy bands (not really!), the only competition here is who grabs the first tube at Great Wolf Lodge’s waterpark.
*NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean are joining forces to help fans and families save on a trip to the resort this summer. And all in the name of meme culture.
The deal helps guests save up to 51% on a future Great Wolf Lodge stay using promo code “BEMAY,” valid only on Friday, May 1. Those taking advantage of the deal can book stays from April 28 through Aug. 13.
While this is Fatone’s third year taking part of the campaign inspired by the viral “It’s Gonna Be May” meme, this is McLean’s first time a part of the pack. In an interview with the USA TODAY Network-Florida, Fatone and McLean’s partnership shone through, further highlighting how fun this campaign is.
“Obviously, Joey now finally did it with his real best friend, which is me,” McLean joked, poking fun at *NSYNC’s Lance Bass, who joined the campaign last year. “He finally had his dreams come true.”
Great Wolf Lodge is a family-friendly resort with an indoor water park and a variety of activities suitable for all ages. It opened its first resort in Southwest Florida in October 2024.
Joey Fatone, AJ McLean team up with Great Wolf Lodge for ‘It’s Gonna Be May’
Flashback to three years ago, Fatone says Great Wolf Lodge reached out to him about doing a special promo inspired by the viral *NSYNC meme, and it just “made sense.”
“(After they approached me in 2024), I was like ‘This is cheesy, it’s right up my alley!'” Fatone joked. “It was really funny, the way at first I was like ‘I don’t want to do that,’ and then reading it … it’s like ‘oh my gosh, this is perfect!'”
He also highlighted that he and his family are huge theme park fans, so that was a major perk. A sentiment shared by his new promo partner.
McLean says his daughters are huge fans of the resort and were pretty jealous of their father’s latest collaboration, which brought McLean and Fatone together last month at Florida’s resort.
“I had a blast. I’m a big kid, just like Joey,” McLean said, who joked he at first felt “weird” at visiting the resort without his kids. “It’s just so much fun. I mean, I honestly could have stayed there for a whole week and probably still not done everything.”
But the heart of the campaign is family, they both advised. The collaboration made sense to them because they are family-oriented and want their fans to feel that the resort is a great place to bring their own families.
“Let’s be real here, obviously, we’re kids at heart, we have families, you want to bring all of them, and this is the kind of place to do something that’s affordable for everybody to do,” Fatone added. “And especially around this time … it’s just fun. It’s a great place to bring your family.”
Oh, and they both agree on this tip: don’t skip out on the food at Great Wolf Lodge. McLean said he has become a pizza connoisseur and heavily hyped up the resort’s slices.
What it means to have *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys members team up
This isn’t the first time McLean and Fatone have worked together, bridging their boy band power over the years. So, teaming up for Great Wolf Lodge was a no-brainer.
“Everybody’s always asked for a Backstreet-*NSYNC tour or something together, and it’s just never happened, so this is the best of both worlds,” McLean said. “You get the two biggest goofballs to get together and to have fun with it. It’s something for both sets of fans, and we’re just trying to spread the love and just show that this is a great place for families to go.”
They even came up with a “Backstreet spin” on the promo, which highlights the “It’s Gonna Be May” meme.
“In the commercials we’ve been doing, you’ll hear all the little liners, like ‘Tell me why, it’s gonna be May,'” Fatone revealed.
Fatone expressed he wished they had done these collaborations at the start of their careers, poking fun at the friendly rivalry between their bands back in the day. But now, they’ve certainly taken advantage of their strong friendship to give fans these meaningful collaborations and experiences.
As for now, both men say they are already looking forward to their next trip to the resort with their families.
“Now that I know what to expect, I’m like, ‘let’s go. I got my trucks ready,'” McLean said. “I am ready to go. It’s indoors, which is great, so there’s no chance of a sunburn.”
Fatone, McLean have several ties to Florida, which opened first GWL location in 2024
McLean is a native Floridian from West Palm Beach, while Fatone is a longtime Orlando resident. Beyond their personal lives, the Sunshine State was the backdrop for several moments in their careers.
Bringing a deal like this “home” to Florida means a lot, McLean said.
“I grew up in Florida, and I’ve never been (to Naples), and it was absolutely breathtaking. It was gorgeous. Beautiful, beautiful city, and I would go back tomorrow, to be honest with you,” McLean said. “I think that’s what’s cool about Great Wolf Lodge, no matter what state you go to, it’s gonna feel like home.”
How to book reservations at Naples Great Wolf Lodge
The website features a “Book Your Stay” button on its homepage. Guests can either book online or call 866-462-9653.
To take advantage of the deal, use promo code “BEMAY.” It is valid only on Friday, May 1. Those taking advantage of the deal can book stays from April 28 through Aug. 13.
Where is Florida’s Great Wolf Lodge resort located?
Florida’s Great Wolf Lodge is located at 3900 City Gate Boulevard in Naples.
Beyond Naples, there are 22 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the country.
Where are the Great Wolf Lodges located?
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Joey Fatone, AJ McLean team up on Great Wolf Lodge ‘It’s Gonna Be May’ deal
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
