In the eighth of my series on Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort (WDW), I’m covering the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.  Boulder Ridge Villas recall the 1860’s railroad hotels of the American West and nicely complement the rustic beauty of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.  Being a DVC member gives my family the flexibility to stay in deluxe villas at different resorts at Walt Disney World (and beyond). I have covered Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa,  Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Villas at Disney’ Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, and Disney’s Boardwalk Villas.

1. New Additions

First, you may have noticed the new name – Boulder Ridge Villas.  Disney Vacation Club announced the new name in May 2016 to deepen Disney’s storytelling for the Resort.  In addition to the name change, Disney is also deep into the construction of new villas, including cabins located on the lakefront, to be named Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.  From the DVC website:

“The Resort’s new name – Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – gives that rustic community a more distinctive identity and allows Walt Disney Imagineers to bring the community’s story to life in new ways, including through the re-imagined (and soon to be renamed) Hidden Springs Pool area.”

2. Location

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a nice, relaxing boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom Park.  You can take a watercraft across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon direct to the Magic Kingdom.  There is another launch that will take you to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  This makes it easy to resort-hop and enjoy the dining options and other amenities at these resorts.

3. Dining

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers signature dining at Artist Point.  Artist Point offers an amazing menu inspired by the wonders of nature and offers stunning waterfront views.  In addition, there is dining at the Whispering Canyon Cafe (be sure to ask for ketchup).   For quick service options, there is the Roaring Fork as well as the Trout Pass Pool Bar.  If you are looking for a frosty beverage, stop by the Territory Lounge.  As stated above, you can also take a watercraft and easily dine at other Magic Kingdom Resort area restaurants.

Photo by Gary Bogdon / Disney

4.  Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Lobby

The lobby  features grand totem poles, a massive fireplace, comfortable leather furniture, and even a creek (which flows into the hotel’s feature pool).   Be sure to enjoy my favorite part of the lobby – the rocking chairs.  Take a seat in a rocking chair and just take it all in!  You will feel like you are in a National Park lodge of America’s Great Northwest.

Photo by Disney

5. Pools

Last but definitely not least, Silver Creek Springs is the main pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and features a sparkling 15-foot waterfall that begins as a quiet creek in the lobby of the resort. The creek flows under the lobby’s window wall and feeds into Silver Creek Springs. Additionally, there are hot and cold whirlpool spas as well as a kiddie pool.  Located near the Boulder Ridge Villas, the Hidden Springs Pool is currently undergoing renovation.

DIStracted Tip: The Hidden Springs Pool, beach, marina and playground at Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are currently closed for refurbishment.  They are scheduled to reopen in 2017.

Photo by Disney