We’ve had our radar on Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for a while now. It’s cozy, it’s inviting, and it’s a perfect escape from some of the craziness that is Walt Disney World. This has always been one of our favorite resorts to visit, especially at Christmastime, but we’ve never had the chance to stay here until now! Let’s dive into our Wilderness Lodge Resort review!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Overview
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, 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.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Rooms
Guests have lots of options here! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has several room types, including standard guest rooms as well as DVC studios and villas. Choose from standard rooms with varying views, deluxe studios, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas as well as the coveted Copper Creek Cabins.
If looking for a DVC room, Wilderness Lodge is home to Copper Creek Villas, Copper Creek Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas. Many guests tend to prefer the Copper Creek rooms if booking DVC, however Disney has just announced that they will be renovating the Boulder Ridge rooms, so hopefully this a change for the better! Anyone can book any of these types of rooms. You don’t need to be a DVC member to book a DVC room!
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. 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.
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. The space is cozy and welcoming 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. If you are able to grab it at a discount, there are often rooms available for Annual Passholder discounts as well as the Disney+ Subscriber deals that Disney has been offering lately. This can save you a lot! So if this is a perk you’d like to take advantage of, we always recommend checking those discounts first.
We will be sharing our full review of Club Level at Wilderness Lodge soon, so stay tuned!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Transportation
Unfortunately, the transportation options here is a bit limited. Guests can take a boat to get to and from Magic Kingdom. They can also use this boat to get to the monorail that will take you to the TTC which will then take you to EPCOT. This is a little bit of a hassle, but when compared to some deluxe resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge or Old Key West, we know it could be worse. So while it doesn’t have the benefit of the monorail resorts, it’s still better than some deluxe resort options. To get to the other Parks and Disney Springs, bus transportation is the only option.
There is also transportation to Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. But unfortunately, it’s not as convenient as it used to be. Boats used to go between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge but currently that is not the case. You can technically take the boat to Fort Wilderness but it’s not direct. You’d have to get on the boat to Magic Kingdom. And then take the boat to Fort Wilderness Campground.
There’s a walking path that goes between these two resorts, but it’s been closed since 2019 for construction of a resort that we aren’t really sure is still happening.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Pools and Grounds
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.
The grounds are peaceful and rustic, much like the lodge itself. You can find waterfalls, rock formations and hidden pathways throughout. And guests tend to love seeing Fire Rock Geyser spout! It happened 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! This geyser spouts 120 feet in the air. 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.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Restaurants
Many people venture out to Wilderness Lodge for its restaurants! They have a great lineup of both table service and quick serve restaurants as well as lounges. It’s easy to spend an entire day here because they really have everything you need. For quick service, Roaring Fork is the resort’s main dining area. You can mobile order here, and 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 is a bar and grill located right on the water. You can be seated here or grab your items 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 looking for a place to relax before dinner, or any time, try out Territory Lounge. Territory Lounge is slightly hidden, meaning it’s generally pretty quiet. Its entrance is located directly behind the entrance for Story Book Dining. And some people even mistake its entry for that restaurant. Cozy, rustic, and slightly secluded, this lounge offers specialty cocktails, beers, and small bites. Perfect for an evening after a hectic day in the Parks.
Table Service Restaurants at Wilderness Lodge
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 at Artist Point is back! This is one of the most popular character meals at Walt Disney World. Which means you need to book early! Dining windows open up for the duration of your trip 60 days before your first travel date. Guests 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 is only open for dinner, and you can find the full menu here.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Things to Do
There’s plenty to do at Wilderness Lodge! 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 Pageant 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’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Map
Looking for a map of Wilderness Lodge? Look no further!
Laundry Facilities at Wilderness Lodge Resort
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.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Cost
Cost can vary a lot at this resort. 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 this resort tend to get highest during the holidays and spring break. And prices start at around $400 per night and can go well over $1000 per night depending on the room type.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Review
Wilderness Lodge has been one of our favorite resorts for a while. Staying there just made us love it even more! The rustic vibe may not be for everyone, just like the fancy vibe of the Grand Floridian may not be for everyone. But for us, it’s perfect! We love the welcoming atmosphere; the rooms were comfortable, and we actually felt like we were on vacation. Which can sometimes be a small feat at Walt Disney World! 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 not our favorite, but at least they have more than just busses. We think this is a perfect place to stay if you plan to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom or want semi-convenient transportation to EPCOT.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is at the top of our list for resorts at Walt Disney World and remains one of our favorites!
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. If your kiddos prefer a more Disney vibe, Art of Animation, the Princess Rooms at Riverside and All-Star Movies are all great options! 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.
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.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort for Christmas
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.
How does Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort compare to other Disney Deluxe Resorts?
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!
We hope this review of Wilderness Lodge has helped you decide if this resort is right for you! We do hope to stay here again in the future, and we hope you are able to stay here one day as well!
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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