When thinking about your first, or your next, Walt Disney World vacation, it's a common thought to say "I want to stay on the 'monorail loop'." While is always magical to stay at one of those resorts, it's important to not forget another deluxe Disney resort that sits just outside the monorail bubble, Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Parks lodges, the Wilderness Lodge celebrates the beauty of nature and "untamed wilderness." That's why we've dedicated this blog to the adventure your family can experience with just a simple boat ride from Disney's Magic Kingdom!
Resort Breakdown
Disney's Wilderness Lodge is a special place at the Walt Disney World Resort. When you look at this resort as a whole, it can actually be broken into THREE smaller resorts. That's because the Wilderness Lodge is also home to Disney Vacation Club's Boulder Ridge Villas and the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. One of the great things about this setup is that no matter the size and scope of your travel party, this resort has you covered. Ranging in occupancies of 2 to 12 people, you'll have plenty of rooms and categories to choose from. So, let's take a closer look at some of those options!
Located inside the traditional section of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, you'll find categories like Standard View, Nature View, Courtyard View, and Nature Fireworks View. You'll also find a few categories of Club Level options as well. Non-Club Level rooms offer options that sleep 2-4 adults and Club Level Access options sleep 2-6 adults depending on room category.
Photos Courtesy of Walt Disney Travel Company
Hopping over to Disney's Boulder Ridge Villas which feature Deluxe Studios that sleep 4-5 adults as well as 1 and 2 Bedroom Villas that sleep 4-8 adults.
At Disney's Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, you'll find Deluxe Studios that sleep 4-5 adults, 1, 2, and 3 Bedroom Villas that sleep 4-12 adults... and the "gem" of this resort, the Cabins, which sleep up to 8 adults.
Regardless of which room category your family or friends decide on, you'll be sure to have a comfy "lodge" to bunk in for the night.
Photos Courtesy of Walt Disney Travel Company
Dining Onsite at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
If you're looking for a quick meal Roaring Fork is the place to go. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can expect to find things like burgers and sandwiches, along with some fun desserts. And if a resort refillable mug is on your must-have list, you can snag that here as well. Need to be extra quick? Just open your My Disney Experience App and mobile order ahead of time, so that you can hop in and hop out on your way to the parks.
Another great option that is easy to pop inside, or in this case outside, and grab a bite is Geyser Point Bar & Grill. It's open for lunch and dinner, is host to a full bar, and offers the perfect view of the water surrounding the property.
Disney's Wilderness Lodge is also home to two fan-favorite dining options. These are Whispering Canyon Cafe and Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White.
Whispering Canyon Cafe is hard to miss located just inside Disney's Wilderness Lodge's lobby... and if it doesn't visually catch your attention as you were walking through, the antics of the restaurant definitely will. You'll be in for a rootin' tootin' good time here with all-you-can-eat BBQ skillet options and individual BBQ-inspired plates. On top of delicious food, you can expect some shenanigans along the way from your server. We don't want to give too much of the fun away, but you'll definitely want to ask for more Ketchup. If "silly" isn't your idea of a good meal on vacation, don't worry. When dining here you will always have the option to opt out! **Advanced Dining Reservation Recommended**
Sliding around the corner from Whispering Canyon Cafe is Artist Point, which is home to Story Book Dining with Snow White. If you're a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fan, this restaurant is a must-see and must-do for your next vacation! Not only is the setting quite magical, but the food is everything you, a member of Disney royalty, could ask for. This prix-fixe (or flat-rate) dining menu allows guests to enjoy shared appetizers, an entree of their choice, but most importantly, the cutest desserts you can imagine. There are themed cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks that will make you feel like you're part of the story. You'll also be greeted during your meal by a few familiar faces. Not only does Snow White greet her guests, but she's also joined by her good friends Dopey and Grumpy. Just keep your guard up though because the Evil Queen is always watching. She'll be sure to grace you with her presence while you enjoy your meal. **Advanced Dining Reservations HIGHLY Recommended**
Here's a look at some of the fun our agents have experienced here:
Onsite Fun
Be sure to pack your swimsuit and get ready for a dip because you'll want to make your way down to one of the two pools at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Copper Creek Springs Pool is a great place for the family. It's home to a 67-food waterslide, whirlpool spas, and an activity area for the kids. If you're looking for a calmer experience dip into the Boulder Ridge Cove Pool. This zero-entry pool also offers first-come, first-serve shaded areas for guests to relax under.
On top of the pools, you can also enjoy campfire activities, fishing excursion rentals, and take part in Disney's standard onsite resort activities like Movies Under the Stars or craft time.
Fun Facts about Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort
Did you know that the Wilderness Lodge has a mascot? Yep, it sure does! It's Humphrey the Bear. This loveable guy first appeared in cartoon shorts in the 1950s and became the face of this "wild" resort when it was built. He can be found at the base of the totem outside of the Mercantile (lobby gift shop), hidden on signage throughout the resort, and featured in resort merchandise and specialty events (like the gingerbread house at Christmas).
Speaking of Christmas, there's no better place to experience the magic of the holiday season than at this resort. Disney's Wilderness Lodge perfectly captures that warm and fuzzy feeling guests have grown to expect when visiting Walt Disney World. Did we mention the 60-foot tree that "greets guests" inside the lobby each year? It's quite stunning. So, if you're visiting during the holiday season, be sure to stop inside to take a look.
Getting around Walt Disney World is easy from Disney's Wilderness Lodge. For most destinations, you'll want to take a bus that picks you up out front at the depot. But, if you're looking to head to the Magic Kingdom, you'll take the boats via the boat docks located in the back of the resort. With the Magic Kingdom being so close, this also means the Wilderness Lodge is a great place to catch the nightly fireworks!
Another "can't miss" attraction is Disney's Wilderness Lodge 82-foot fireplace inside the lobby. Not only will it warm you on one of the three cold days you may experience in Florida, but it's also a sight to take in. One thing you may not know about this fireplace is that the rocks used to build it actually represent and mimic the layers of rock that make up the Grand Canyon.
Oh and we can't forget that Disney's Wilderness Lodge is home to a geyser! That's right! The Fire Rock Geyser can be found on the backside of the resort. It shoots up 120 feet into the air and is active during average park hours.
And, if you're looking to take in some of the fun things over at the neighbor resort, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, there's a walking path that will take you straight there.
Agent fun and things you could see around the resort:
