Travel over 100 years to the Pacific Northwest! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is reminiscent of the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park. The resort opened on May 28, 1994 and remains one of Disney’s most popular (and my favorite) resorts. The Pacific Northwest theme features natural and Native American elements, and even includes a geyser that erupts every hour from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm The 8-story log-frame Wilderness Lodge is located near the Magic Kingdom and is located along the shores of Bay Lake. There are 729 rooms, including 37 King Rooms, 25 Junior Suites, 4 Honeymoon Suites, 1 Yosemite Suite, and 1 Yellowstone Suite. Disney’s Wilderness Villas, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, is located just steps from the main building. WLV guests can take advantage of all the wonderful amenities in the main building. Guests can ride boats to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. To get to the other theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney, hop on a bus for a quick ride!
As you enter Wilderness Lodge’s majestic foyer, the first thing you’ll see is the beautiful centerpiece: the 82-foot stone fireplace. There’s nothing better than walking into this beautiful foyer to see a roaring fire (even in summer) and snuggle up in one of the many vintage wooden rocking chairs near the fireplace. Guests of Wilderness Lodge and Wilderness Lodge Villas check in at the resort’s main desk in the grand lobby. A concierge is also available. Guests on the seventh floor concierge level can participate in the Old Faithful Club where they can enjoy complimentary continental breakfasts as well as cheese and wine tastings.
Regular rooms at Wilderness Lodge are 340 square feet. Most have 2 queen beds, but there are a few rooms with king beds and some even have bunk beds (along with a queen bed). Views consist of Standard View, Forest View, Lodge View (owned by DVC) and Courtyard View. The rooms contain a desk and 3 chairs, a wardrobe with a TV and a safe that works with a small key to keep your valuables safe. In the bathroom, you will find a hair dryer and two mirrored sinks in a separate vanity area. For those people who can’t get away from their computer, they will find high-speed Internet access. On request you can get bed boards, rails and cribs (Pak-n-Play type). The rooms are on the small side, but well-appointed and all have a small balcony or patio.
Recreation at Wilderness Lodge! Kids and parents alike will love the Silver Creek Springs Pool. You will find daily recreational water activities in the afternoon. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and the pool is open from 7:00 am to midnight. Your little ones will love the rock water slide and the little ones will splash around in the kiddie pool! There are also two spas, and the pool is heated to 82 degrees in cooler weather. You will find a sandy beach on the shores of Bay Lake (no swimming) with sun loungers and a children’s playground. Water lovers can rent boats such as water “mice”, canopy boats or pontoon boats. There are also fishing charters available for both adults and children. Bikes are available for rent and there is a 3/4 mile trail that starts at Disney’s Teton Boat and Bike Rentals and runs between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground. There is also a game room and a beach volleyball court. Tours are also available at the Wilderness Lodge; ask about the Hidden Mickey Hunt List and guided tours of the resort. The lucky families will be chosen to be a Flag Family. Find out about this at check-in and be the daily lucky family that goes up to the Wilderness Lodge rooftop at 7:00am to raise the day’s flag. What a view!!
Wilderness Lodge guests are fortunate to have wonderful dining options at their disposal. Whispering Canyon is just off the lobby and is a great place for some good old fashioned family fun. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available. All-you-can-eat skillet breakfasts are served, as well as a la carte items. Lunch hours are from noon to 3 p.m. An a la carte menu including sandwiches and salads is also available at lunchtime. Dinner hours are 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm Offering an all-you-can-eat family skillet dinner including grilled beef, chicken, spare ribs, sausage and smoked turkey. The meats are smoked on the premises. Priority seating is recommended. And be sure to ask for ketchup!
The signature dining experience at Wilderness Lodge is Artist Point. The food here is prepared American Northwest style and includes items like cedar plank salmon, grilled buffalo, and berry cobbler. You can dine overlooking the waterfall that leads to the pool area.
The quick-service option at Wilderness Lodge is Roaring Fork, where you’ll find breakfast items, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. This is where you’ll find the resort’s refillable cups, as well as self-serve desserts and ice cream.
For Walt Disney World memorabilia, sundries, snacks and Wilderness Lodge souvenirs, head to Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. This is a great store, and one of my favorite resort stores. Wilderness Lodge also offers a kids’ club called The Cubs Den. The Cubs Den is for potty trained children ages 4 and up. Reservations are required to take advantage of The Cubs Den. In the lobby, you’ll also find an extremely talented cartoonist, as well as a pin cart for all you pin dealers out there.
Wilderness Lodge is a perfect community for everyone! There is always something going on, and the hostel itself is absolutely stunning. The last time we were there, we saw ducks, rabbits, deer, and baby armadillos. The children were in awe of the beautiful setting! I highly recommend that you book your next trip to Walt Disney World and stay at the Wilderness Lodge! Contact Magical Mousecapades for more information!