One of my favorite resorts to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort is the next resort in our in-depth look at it. That resort is Disney's Wilderness Lodge, which opened on May 28, 1994. The 728-room resort is modeled after the historic Old Faithful Lodge circa 1904 in Yellowstone National Park. It is one of the best themed hotels on property because you really get that nostalgic feel as soon as you walk through the doors. The lobby of this hotel is just amazing from the 80-foot tall fireplace to the details in the carvings in the totem poles around the lobby, it is just an amazing resort. This Magic Kingdom resort allows you to be to close to the park but enjoy a nice and relaxing feel while staying there. Here is the simple overview from Disney World's website:
Escape to the rustic majesty of America’s Great Northwest. Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates American craftsmanship and honors the beauty of the untamed wilderness. Soak in the splendor of the great outdoors, from nature trails through pine forests to rocking chairs that overlook a murmuring creek. Inside, discover towering totem poles, headdresses and more, and sink into a plush leather armchair in front of the roaring fireplace.
Room Types & Rates:
While this resort is probably one of the cheapest deluxe resorts to stay at, you won't feel any different then if you stayed at any of the others. This resort is a deluxe resort for a reason and that is why many people say that Disney's Wilderness Lodge is one of their favorite resorts to stay at. Amenities for your basic rooms include: a hair dryer, in-room safe, coffee maker, pack n' play crib, internet with free wi-fi service, telephone with voice mail, and an iron and ironing board. So of these rooms have bunk beds which is something you really don't see at any of the other resorts.
As pictured above a Standard View room is $289/night with views of service areas, rooftop, or parking areas. The room sleeps up to 4 adults and has a choice of 2 queen beds or a king bed. A Woods View room is $335/night with views of Woodlands or the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. It also sleeps up to 4 adults with the choice of 2 queen beds or a king bed as well. A Courtyard View room is $340/night with views of the Courtyard, the pool, the waterfall, or Bay Lake. Again the room sleeps up to 4 adults and has the choice of 2 queen beds or a king bed.
As stated above some of the rooms available at Disney's Wilderness Lodge have the choice of bunk beds. The Courtyard View with bunk bed (pictured above) is $365/night and has the same choice of views as your standard Courtyard View room. It sleeps up to 4 adults and has a queen bed and a bunk bed. The Woods View with bunk bed is $374/night and has views of either the woodlands or the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. As per the other rooms it sleeps up to 4 adults and has a queen bed and a bunk bed.
Disney's Wilderness Lodge also has rooms and suites with club level services. These rooms have these amenities: evening turndown, complimentary fax assistance, complimentary health club access, complimentary newspapers in the club level lounge, secured key access to the club level lounge which serves drinks from 7 am to 10 pm, pre-arrival Walt Disney World Resort itinerary planning, as well as all the standard room amenities plus a dvd player.
A Standard Room at Club Level is $495/night with views of either the woodlands, courtyard, pool, waterfall, or Bay Lake. It sleeps up to 4 adults and gives you the choice of a queen bed and bunk bed or 2 queen beds. The Deluxe Room with Club Level Access (pictured above) is $654/night and has views of either Bay Lake, woodlands, or the interior courtyard. It sleeps up to 6 adults and has 2 queen beds and a queen-size sleeper sofa.
Dining:
As described on Disney World's website dining at Disney's Wilderness Lodge allows you to indulge in seasonal specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner amid rustic yet elegant, turn-of-the-century in a Pacific Northwest setting. Dining options vary at Disney's Wilderness Lodge from fine/signature dining, unique/themed dining, quick service, lounge, and in-room dining. At Disney's Artist Point (pictured below) you get to experience fine dining that celebrates the culinary heritage of the Pacific Northwest with season specialties, such as buffalo, and stunning waterfront views of Silver Creek Falls.
For a unique and rowdy good time an experience you won't forget at Disney' Wilderness Lodge is dining at Whispering Canyon Cafe. The Whispering Canyon Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving western specialties. The meal however isn't the experience as the servers are the treat to your whole experience. Shenanigans usually breaks out during your meal there and there are many things that may cause your waiter/waitress to make you laugh out loud. Be careful what you wish for, especially if you ask for ketchup or say that you went a theme park other than Disney.
For a quick bite to eat whether its breakfast, lunch, or dinner your best spot for that is Roaring Fork. Also the Trout Pass Pool Bar is open for specialty cocktails, draft and bottled beer, as well as wine. At the Territory Lounge you have a full bar with specialty cocktails and beers. For room service at Disney's Wilderness Lodge service is available from 6:30 am to 11:30 am and 4 pm till midnight.
Recreation and Amenities at Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
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| Silver Creek Falls is a sight to see at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. |
Recreation at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is plentiful at this deluxe resort. From the pool where you may just get a visit from playful ducks who swim in the pool from time to time. Also don't forget to see the 120' geyser spouts which go off every hour on the hour from 7 am to 10 pm daily. Here is a list of other recreational activities happening at Disney's Wilderness Lodge:
- Pool the starts in the Resort lobby and runs into Silver Creek Falls before finally leading into the larger pool
- Bike rentals
- Surrey bike rentals
- Cub's Den for preschoolers ages 0-5 and kids ages 6-9
- Motorized boat rentals
- Sailboat rentals
- Fishing
- Movies under the stars
- Jogging Trails
- Playground for children ages (5-12)
- Buttons and Bells Arcade
- Pools at The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Wilderness Lodge Campfire activities
- Backstage Magic (park tours for kids (6-9) tweens (10-13) and teens (14-17)
Amenities at Disney's Wilderness Lodge include:
- Disney watercraft and bus transportation to the parks
- Complimentary use of Disney's Magical Express
- Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access
- Complimentary Parking
- Valet Parking
- Online Check-in
- Resort Airline Check-in
- Use of 24-hour ATM as well as Banking for foreign exchanges
- Designated Smoking Areas
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Services
- Locker Rentals
- Mail Service
- Merchandise Delivery and Pickup
- Resort Concierge
- Sturdy Branches Health Club
- Spa & Fitness
As you can see Disney's Wilderness Lodges offers everything you need for a deluxe resort all while being affordable for your family. It truly is an experience that not many other resorts offer at the Walt Disney World Resort. I said earlier it is one of my favorite resorts to stay at and I hope that if you do choose to stay there you will understand why many say it is a favorite. That's it for our in-depth look of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, next up is Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.
