Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Serene Luxury

Photo by Disney

Nestled on the shores of Bay Lake, amidst towering pines and beds of wildflowers, sits one of Walt Disney World’s most breathtaking resorts, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. A deluxe resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge provides ample amenities and exceptional service.

Atmosphere:
Upon approach, guests are immediately immersed in the theme of a National Park lodge of America’s Great Northwest. From the welcome sign at the entrance featuring buffalo, to the gorgeous topiaries, every detail is beautifully crafted.

The lobby has to be one of the most impressive I’ve seen. Grand totem poles, a massive fireplace, comfortable leather furniture and even a creek round out the many features. Sitting in the lobby, reading a book, sipping a drink and people watching, was one of my activities to pass time while the boys napped and my husband caught up on work.

Outside is serenity. The sound of the gurgling creek, the birds in the pines and the smell of flowers, creates calm and peace. Rocking chairs abound and there is nothing like watching the Fire Rock Geyser.

Photo by Disney

Accommodations
The rooms are spacious and well appointed. Guests may choose rooms with a king bed, 2 queens or a bunk bed and queen bed combo. Views include the courtyard, woods or a standard view.

For complete luxury, guests may opt to stay in a Club-Level room or suite, which includes evening turndown service, complimentary refreshments and a morning newspaper, among other great perks. I’ve heard the cobbler in the Old Faithful Club is scrumptious.

Photo by Disney

Recreation and Amenities
There is so much to see and do at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge that a week simply flies by! There are two pools, Hidden Springs (the quiet pool located at the Villas) and the Silver Creek Springs pool that comes with a 67-foot water slide and even a kiddie pool. My kiddos loved the Hidden Springs pool and thought the bubbles were awesome (Silver Creek was being refurbished).   The adjacent hot tub was fabulous for sore muscles at the end of the day.

Along with swimming, there are walking trails, a fitness club, bike and boat rentals, fishing, an arcade, a campfire and movie under the stars. For the ultimate pampering, Sturdy Branches Health Club offers spa services including massages and facials. Lastly, there is the Cubs Den for parents with potty-trained children who would like to enjoy a date night.

Dining
There are five dining options ranging from signature (Artist Point) to quick service (Roaring Fork). There is also the fantastic Territory Lounge where one can grab a drink and a bite of the yummy cobbler. Those seeking a lively and playful dining experience will have a blast at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Kids can embrace their Wild West Side as they race around on hobbyhorses, play games and have a little fun with ketchup. The hearty food has a wonderfully smoky and rustic flavor. My kids liked it so much we ate there twice!

Transportation
Hands down, one of the greatest perks at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the proximity to Magic Kingdom Park. Guests arrive at the front gates with only a five-minute bus ride or a ten-minute boat ride. Additionally, buses are provided for the other theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney.

Summary
We absolutely loved our stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The cast members went out of their way to make us feel at home. We had so much fun pin trading in the lobby and browsing in the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile.

One of our favorite activities was grabbing drinks from Territory Lounge and heading down to the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes nighttime spectacular.

If you are looking for a fabulous resort to unwind and relax, look no further than Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!