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One of our favorite Disney World Resorts is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. This Magic Kingdom Resort is one of the least expensive Disney Deluxe Resorts in Orlando, Florida.
It is also the sister property to the popular Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort is themed after the Pacific Northwest. There is so much to love about Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
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Story of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
Did you know that Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the only Walt Disney World Resort with a backstory? That’s right!
Wilderness Lodge has a backstory about how it originated. Early on, guests would get a Silver Creek newspaper that told the story of Silver Creek, the geyser, and other stories about the resort.
“The history of Silver Creek Springs, a valley of exquisite beauty and amazing natural wonders, located in America‘s great Northwest, can be traced back to one rugged individual who embodied the frontier spirit of that long ago time. Colonel Ezekiel Moreland first discovered this majestic landscape in the early part of the 19th century, and then later, along with his daughter Genevieve, and soon to be renowned artist Frederich Alonzo Gustaf, returned to settle the area and make it their new home.”
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The backstory and all the intricate details of Wilderness Lodge (did you know the lobby fireplace was modeled after the layers of the Grand Canyon and Disney even brought in a paleontologist to get it right), along with the Western theme of the resort make this one of our favorite Disney Resorts.
The backstory and all the intricate details of Wilderness Lodge (did you know the lobby fireplace was modeled after the layers of the Grand Canyon and Disney even brought in a paleontologist to get it right?), along with the Western theme of the resort make this one of our favorite Disney Resorts. As you walk through the lobby, you will see spectacular totem poles.
In addition to the beauty and intricacies, Wilderness Lodge lies just off the Monorail track for the Magic Kingdom. This means it’s just a short boat or bus ride to the Kingdom, without paying for an “on Monorail” resort.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge also features a beautiful pool, DVC Villas, and now, the Copper Creek cabins!
There’s also plenty of Disney dining options at this Disney Deluxe Resort. You can enjoy quick service options, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and the signature table service restaurant, Artist’s Point Character Dinner. There is so much for the whole family at this resort. This is why it is one of our favorite resort hotels at Disney World.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Rooms
Disney modeled Wilderness Lodge after the lodges at Yellowstone National Park, so walking into the rooms immediately transports you to a Western lodge with lots of wood and wildlife. These rooms have been recently renovated and they are beautiful.
The rooms can feature Queen Beds or a Queen Bed and Bunkbeds. The rooms feature Standard View (parking lot) and Courtyard Views. Our favorite view is the Courtyard View that overlooks the resort, pool, and Bay Lake from your balcony. We also like the higher floors at this resort, so you get a better veiw.
You can book Standard Rooms or upgrade to Concierge. All of the rooms feature wifi, which is perfect to share your pictures from your Disney World vacation.
Entry into Rooms
You can gain access into your room with MagicBands, My Disney Experience App, or key card that you get from the front desk. The MagicBands make it super easy to just tap your band to gain entrance into your room.
If you want to use the My Disney Experience App, be sure you download the app before you arrive. You can then add your reservation number. Once you check in, you will be able to use the APP to gain access to your room.
Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Cabins and Copper Creek Villas offer the newest option from Disney Vacation Club. The Villas are located on the side of the main lodge. Our favorite is the Copper Creek Cabins.
These amazing cabins sit on Bay Lake. You can wake up and have your coffee on the porch. You can the beautiful view and even listen to the frogs.
With the fully equipped kitchen, we love baking cookies with the kids and then catching an afternoon movie. This is a nice break from the Disney Theme Parks.
You can even hop in the hot tub and watch the Electrical Water Pageant, right from your cabin. The Copper Creek Cabins are one of our favorite rooms at Disney World.
Wilderness Lodge Pool
Remember that backstory about the town of Silver Creek? Well, that creek (Copper Creek) flows out of the Lodge and creates the main pool at Wilderness Lodge.
The main pool is called Copper Creek Springs. This pool features a 67-foot water slide and hot or cool hot tubs with a view of Bay Lake. The pool also has a newly added children’s play area.
You can also enjoy the salon right by the Copper Creek Springs pool if you would like a manicure or pedicure during your relaxation time by the pool.
One of our favorite parts of the pool area is the Fire Rock Geyser that goes off every hour. This geyser reminds me of Old Faithful in Yellowstone.
In the Boulder Ridge Villas, you can find the Boulder Ridge Cove pool. This is a better pool for older kids and adults.
If you get hungry from all the swimming, you can stop by the Geyser Point Bar & Grill for some eats.
You can also take a walk around the pool and Bay Lake on the beautiful boardwalk at Wilderness Lodge.
Wilderness Lodge Recreation
Bike Rentals
One of our favorite family activities at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is renting bikes. You can ride all of the way to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort on trails. When you arrive to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, you can explore the stables, take a pony ride, or ride down to the lake.
Hidden Mickey Hunt
Once you check in, pop over to Guest Services. You can pick up a free Hidden Mickey Hunt. Your kids will love wandering around the lobby looking for Mickey Mouse hidden throughout the resort.
Marina
Our kids love renting the water sprites (aka mice) at the Disney Resorts. These little boats seat two people. You can boat around the lake next to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or take the canals over to the Seven Seas Lagoon with views of Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle. It is amazing!
Disney Recreation
Disney offers recreation during the day and evening for your whole family. You may find Disney Recreation by the pool playing trivia or pool side games. In the evening hours, you may find them with Movies Under the Stars or by the campfire making S’mores.
You will receive a list of activities at the resort at check in. That way you can pick out your favorite activities during your vacation.
Buttons and Bells Arcade
Kids love gaming! They can spend a few hours in Button and Belles Arcade inside the lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Bass Fishing
If you want an adventure at Disney World, how about a BASS fishing excursion. Your family can head out on a boat on Bay Lake. You will catch a ton of fish for this catch and release program.
Transportation at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort offers bus transportation to the Disney Theme Parks (including Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Water Parks) and Disney Springs. You can also hop on a boat to Magic Kingdom. They also provide boat transportation to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
Wilderness Lodge Dining
Wilderness Lodge offers several dining options, including a Signature Table Service option.
Roaring Fork
The Roaring Fork provides the standard quick-service Disney fare of burgers, sandwiches, and drinks. Of course, you can also get those iconic Mickey waffles at Roaring Fork in the morning.
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Want a fun-filled meal? Look no further than Whispering Canyon Cafe. Need some ketchup? Ask away and every bottle in the restaurant will be on your table. Just one of the unique experiences at this sit-down Disney dining offering.
We enjoy one of Whispering Canyon’s bottomless platter offerings, for dinner.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
Meet Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy for dinner at Artist Point. Enjoy dinner while admiring panoramic views of Bay Lake and Copper Creek Falls with your favorite Snow White friends.
Before dinner, you may want to stop by Territory Lounge for a drink.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill
For a more relaxing lunch or dinner, stop by Geyser Point Bar & Grill. This outdoor restaurant sits right on the lake with a beautiful view. This is a relaxing way to enjoy an evening sunset or watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the couches.
Besides all of the resort amenities, we also love the location of this hotel. It is considered a Magic Kingdom Resort, so you are a quick boat ride or bus ride away from the Disney Parks. What do you think of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World? Is this is good resort for your family vacation?
