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Disney Wilderness Lodge Resort Guide and Review

disney wilderness lodge

With amazing views, activities, on property restaurants, and easy boat transportation to Magic Kingdom there are lots of reasons to stay at the Disney Wilderness Lodge Resort. So, if you’re looking for a Pacific Northwest getaway with more amenities than you’ll find in the forest, pull up a tree stump and settle in, for our Disney Wilderness Lodge Resort review! We’re sharing everything you need to know about this Disney Deluxe Hotel, from the rooms, restaurants, and activities to staying concierge level. Here are all the details.

Disney Wilderness Lodge Grounds

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Details

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a deluxe resort, located on Bay Lake. Wilderness Lodge boasts a Pacific Northwest theme, with inspiration drawn from National Parks lodges. It’s cozy and rustic and has a lobby that will make you swoon. This resort almost makes you feel like you’re not even at Walt Disney World! It’s close to Magic Kingdom, offering boat transportation straight to to the front gates, so it’s perfect for those looking to spend a lot of time there! Let’s take a look at all that this resort has to offer. Featuring standard rooms, club level rooms, villas and cabins, there are plenty of ways to stay here. 

  • Check in: 3 PM
  • Check out: 11 AM
  • Address: 901 Timberline Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
  • Transportation: Disney Bus, Boat Transportation to Magic Kingdom
  • Category: Deluxe Resort
  • Club Level Concierge: Yes, Old Faithful Club
Wilderness Lodge Trails at Disney

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Grounds

Visiting Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is like stepping into a grand resort area in the the pacific northwest. Except you’re in Florida, of course. The grounds are peaceful and rustic, much like the lodge itself. You can find waterfalls, rock formations and hidden pathways throughout. We love see the Fire Rock Geyser shoot water sky high, and feeling like we’re in a national park somewhere. The geyser here goes off once an hour, at the top of the hour and can be seen from a pathway that goes behind the pools. If you choose to watch this, don’t be surprised if you get wet, as this geyser spouts water 120 feet in the air.

Wilderness Lodge Geyser

It’s a fun experience that’s unique to Wilderness Lodge and we recommend trying to see it once during your stay! The grounds surrounding the resort are very wilderness-y and feel like you’re on adventure somewhere a little woodsier than Walt Disney World.

Wilderness Lodge Resort Rooms

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Rooms

As a Disney Deluxe Resort, Wilderness Lodge has several room options. Standard guest rooms, Club Level Rooms, DVC studios and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas are all here. And if you’re looking for a real wilderness adventure, there are even cabins to stay in too, that look like little log cabins, lining the waterfront.

Remember that Wilderness Lodge offers the Copper Creek Villas, Copper Creek Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas as DVC ( Disney Vacation Club) properties. Anyone can book any of these types of rooms and you don’t need to be a DVC member to book them.

Standard Room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Club Level

We stayed in a standard room and loved the small Disney touches. Bambi and Chip and Dale can be found in small doses here. And we loved how cozy the rooms are! Since we stayed club level, we had an enclosed balcony which was great for privacy. And the water sounds from down below were the perfect background for our stay.  You can pick from a variety of room types and views. But ours was a standard club level with two queen beds. 

Wilderness Lodge Bathroom

Disney Wilderness Lodge Room Amenities

 Bathrooms in the rooms have the vanity outside of the bathroom, with double sinks. And we had a rainfall showerhead along with a regular showerhead in our shower. These rooms also come with a Keurig and coffee and a beverage cooler. As well as a large dresser, closet, television, and robes!

Wilderness Lodge Club Level

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Club Level 

Concierge level at Wilderness Lodge is known to have one of the best clubs at Walt Disney World. We were recently lucky enough to stay club level at this resort and it was fantastic. he Club Room is cozy and welcoming, with couches, tables, games, and a television and there are plenty of food options throughout the day. The upcharge for club level can vary but is generally about an additional $270-$350 per night.

Laundry Facilities at Wilderness Lodge Resort 

If you’re staying a little longer at Wilderness Lodge Resort Laundry Facilities are open 24/7 to guests and can be found on the first floor near Roaring Fork. It costs $3 to wash and $3 to dry. And guests can also purchase soap and dryer sheets for $1 each.  In addition, guests staying in 1-, 2- and 3- bedroom villas will have a washer and dryer in their room. And guests staying in a DVC studio will have access to a laundry room that won’t cost you anything extra. 

Wilderness Lodge Disney

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Pools

There are two pools at Wilderness Lodge. The main pool is located right behind the main building and is called Copper Creek Springs. Copper Creek Springs has a 67-foot waterslide, along with hot and cold whirlpool spas. A splash area for little ones can also be found here.  In the Boulder Ridge area, a calmer pool area can be found for those looking for a more serene atmosphere. Both pools require you to scan in with your magic band or magic mobile, so it is important to note that this pool area is for guests of the resort only. 

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Map

Get a lay of the land on where you can find everything at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Map, from the boat dock to Magic Kingdom to the Shady Point seating area where you can watch the electrical water pageant parade. 

Wilderness Lodge Map
Roaring Fork Cafe Food

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Restaurants

We visit Wilderness Lodge every time we visit Disney World, even when we’re not staying there. The calm atmosphere and great food options, make this one of our favorite places on busy days at Disney World. You can find a great lineup of both table service and quick serve restaurants as well as lounges here. From the s’mores coffee at Roaring Fork, to quick pastries, and multi-course meals, there really are a ton of food options here worth trying.

Roaring Fork Cafe

By far one of the Best Disney Quick Service Restaurants at Resorts, you can grab a variety of burgers, salads, sides, coffees and desserts at Roaring Fork Cafe, resort’s main dining food court. You can also mobile order here which is such a bonus on busy days. Plus, you can also get specialty coffees, regular coffee and refill your resort mug. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer cozy menu items like chicken and waffles, sandwiches and smoked barbeque. They also have an amazing S’mores Latte which of course we had to recreate in a copycat recipe

Geyser Point Grill Restaurant

Geyser Point Bar and Grill

One of our favorite waterside dining places at Disney World the Geyser Point restaurant is a bar and grill located right on the water. You can head to the bar or grab a table, inside or outside, and eve order your food to go. There’s sometimes a wait, but you can usually join the walk-up list on the Disney app when available.  They serve lunch, dinner and into the late-night hours. You can find wings, burgers, chicken and salads here, as well as specialty cocktails, wine and beer. If you’re dining here at night, you can even see the Electrical Water Pageant Parade on the water from the restaurant.

Territory Lounge Menu Disney Restaurant

Territory Lounge

Since Wilderness Lodge is one of the better Disney Resorts for Adults, it’s no surprise that they would have a lounge. And this one sends you back in time a bit to old America. Territory Lounge is slightly hidden, meaning it’s generally pretty quiet. Its entrance is located directly behind the entrance for Story Book Dining at Artist Point. Cozy, rustic, and slightly secluded, this lounge offers specialty cocktails, beers, and small bites. We grabbed some drinks, and the pretzel bread here which was great for what we needed. And perfect for an evening after a hectic day in the Parks.

Whispering Canyon Cafe Wilderness Lodge

Whispering Canyon Cafe 

Whispering Canyon is the resort’s silliest restaurant. Serving skillet meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, this restaurant is known for their shenanigans. And if you’re staying here in the main building, you’re sure to hear them! You can find the full menu for Whispering Canyon here. This restaurant tends to be a fan favorite and for good reason. The food is good, the prices aren’t too bad for Disney standards and there’s always lots of laughs. Just don’t forget to ask for ketchup 😉

Story Book Dining Disney World

Snow White Story Book Dining at Artist Point 

One of the toughest Disney Dining Reservations to get, Story Book Dining at Artist Point is a must do. As a Disney Character Dining experience, you can see Dopey, Grumpy and Snow White during this fun, interactive dinner. And an opportunity to meet and greet with the Evil Queen if you dare. Story Book Dining features a wilderness themed multi-course dinner, including meats, tortellini, wild mushrooms, soups, and even a surprise popcorn dessert at the end. Check out the Storybook Dining full menu here.

Wilderness Lodge Fishing Recreation

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Recreation

Wilderness Lodge offers nightly campfires with roasting marshmallows and s’mores kits that are available for extra purchase. They also have movies under the stars, which vary by night but can viewed between Geyser Point and the marina. There is also an arcade here, as well as a health club. You can find jogging trails throughout the resort for those looking to get their run or morning walk in. 

The Electrical Water Pageant Parade can also be viewed each night from Wilderness Lodge and generally is best viewed from the marina, or near Geyser Point. We always love this activity and try to watch it whenever we are staying at a resort that offers it! You can find the times in the Disney app or at the front desk. You can also rent a boat for fishing while staying here. For a full list of all recreation at Wilderness Lodge, see this page!

Disney Bus Walt Disney World Transportation

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Transportation

The transportation options at Disney Wilderness Lodge includes complimentary Disney Bus Transportation and Disney Boat transportation to and from Magic Kingdom. There is also a little boat that can bring you back and forth to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, which is nearby and offers trails, restaurants, and a gift shop too.

Wilderness Lodge Pools

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Cost

As a Disney Deluxe Resort, the prices at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are some of the most expensive at Disney World. However, cost can vary a lot at this resort, as many things influence the price of this resort including availability and demand, season and what room type you choose to stay in.

The prices at Wilderness Lodge tend to be highest during the holidays and spring break. Typically, $380- $582 per night for a standard room, rooms can go well over $1000 per night depending on the room type, and season. While we always recommend grabbing a Disney Vacation Package that includes tickets and a room, so that you can take advantage of special offers, you can also check current Disney Wilderness Lodge Room Rates to get a handle on your per night cost. 

Disney Wilderness Lodge FAQ

Is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Good for Kids?

We think this resort is great for kids. While not over the top Disney like Art of Animation, there are definitely enough kid friendly aspects to this resort. We think kids will love the Electrical Water Pageant and the boat transportation is always a fun way to get around. But for a deluxe resort, this is pretty on par decor wise, so I think it’s just as good as most deluxe resorts for kids. We also love that you can tackle the Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt here. Just grab a hint sheet from the front desk, and see which Hidden Mickey’s you can find. If your kiddos prefer a more Disney vibe, Art of Animation, the Princess Rooms at Riverside and All-Star Movies are all great options! 

Is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Good for Adults?

Absolutely! Wilderness Lodge is a great choice for adults looking to vacation at Walt Disney World. With great food and drink options and a more laid-back atmosphere, this resort is perfect for an adult only trip. We really enjoyed the calm atmosphere of Territory Lounge and the fact that we could get specialty coffees at Roaring Fork Cafe. If you can afford Club Level you also get alcohol included with your food options there. And outdoor grill atmosphere of the Geyser Point Bar and Grill is a favorite. 

Is Disney Wilderness Lodge the Best Disney Deluxe Resort?

As much as we love Wilderness Lodge, we wish it had a more convenient transportation situation. Sure, it’s not as convenient as the Boardwalk area resorts, or the monorail resorts. But when compared to Animal Kingdom Lodge or Saratoga Springs, we do realize that it’s really not that bad. It’s not the most expensive and it’s also not the least expensive but falls somewhere in the middle in terms of cost. Except of course at Christmastime when the demand skyrockets. The vibe there is really one of our favorites, but we realize this is also a matter of personal preference.  Comparatively, we do think Wilderness Lodge is one of the best deluxe resorts you can stay at!

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree

Does Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort do anything for Christmas?

If you’re visiting Disney World for the Holidays, then Christmastime is when Wilderness Lodge really shines! This resort is beautiful all year round, but it really can’t be beat at Christmas. With a towering Christmas tree in the lobby, and its warm cozy ambiance, this resort was made for holiday decor. Grab a cocoa from Roaring Fork, sit by the fireplace and take it all in. 

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Review

We love the welcoming atmosphere and coziness of the Disney Wilderness Lodge. The rooms are comfortable, and so nestled in nature, we actually felt like we were on vacation. We also really enjoyed the fact that you don’t need to leave the resort to find great food. And it would be easy to spend a full day or two here just taking it all in and enjoying what the resort has to offer. 

The limited transportation options are a pain point for us. But, we think this is a perfect place to stay if you plan to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, or are attending the seasonal parties offered at the park. Concierge level at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is one of our favorites, for the laid back feel and gorgeous views. As a result this resort remains at the top of our list at Walt Disney World and is one of our favorites! We hope this review of Wilderness Lodge has helped you decide if this resort is right for you!

 

Melanie Renee
Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she’s not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip

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