So here’s the thing, there are 30 Disney Resorts at the Walt Disney Resort and figuring out what is best for you can be slightly daunting.
The task at hand is to find what is best for you.
Our resort spotlight assists with JUST that!
Today’s spotlight is on Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort!
This happens to be one of my very favorite resorts in all of Walt Disney World. This is a deluxe resort, meaning it has all of the deluxe resort amenities. It’s actually the very first resort we chose to stay at as a family when our oldest daughter was just 4 years old.
Walking into this resort makes you feel as if you are walking into a gorgeous cabin somewhere in Northwestern forest area. The feeling of grandeur overtakes you as you make your way through the front doors, past the “Welcome Home” sign.
As you stand in the lobby, you’ll notice that everything here feels “big.” The back of the lobby is made up entirely of windows. Eight stories of windows! The lobby is also almost completely made from lodge-pole pine imported from the forest or Oregon. To add to your already overloaded senses, there is a beautiful stream that flows from the outside in. You can hear the gentle flow of that stream as you head over to the counter to check yourself in for your visit.
This resort in itself is extremely peaceful, calming and serene. After a long day at the parks, this resort provides the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle, even though that very same hustle and bustle is just outside the door.
Cool facts about Wilderness Lodge:
There are two 55 foot totem poles that were commissioned by Disney from one of the world’s most preeminent Native American historians and totem pole artists. These totems took over a year to complete! Did you know that these totems are known around the Lodge as the Eagle and the Raven totems? Can you figure out which is which?
The Fire Rock Geyser: Check out the Fire Rock Geyser between the Silver Creek Springs Pool and Bay Lake. This geyser was designed to imitate Old Faithful! Fire Rock actually shoots water 120-feet into the air every hour, on the hour until 10pm.
Be sure to check out the totem pole near the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. You may see some familiar faces including Humphrey Bear, Donald Duck, Goofy and of course, the Mouse himself. Pro-tip: legend has it that if you rub Humphrey the Bear’s nose when you first arrive at Wilderness Lodge, your trip will be filled with magic and pixie dust!
Flag Family – be sure to ask about being the flag family when you check in! If you time it right, you just might get the opportunity to visit the roof of the resort and raise the flag. We happened to have this amazing privilege one year and it was quite honestly one of the best experiences we’ve ever had! We could literally see ALL of Walt Disney World and basically all of Orlando — it was breathtaking in the early hours of the morning.
Types of transportation: Wilderness Lodge offers boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. You can also utilize the bus transportation as well.
Restaurants: Two table service locations and two quick service:
Table Service:
Whispering Canyon: A hearty smoked BBQ that includes lots of fun with the servers! Noisy, intrusive, interactive and an all around great time with good food!
Artist Point: Signature Meal that is beautifully appointed with a flavorful contemporary fare from the Pacific Northwest. Try the Cedar-Plank salmon, their signature dish!
Quick Service/Bar:
Geyser point: The newest addition to Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of the feature pool area. Lots of outdoor seating, an open air feel with a bar and counter to order whatever you would like.
Roaring Fork: Quick Service location that is open all day, with a small seating area. Soups, sandwiches, flatbreads and burger are the typical fare here.
There are just so many more great things about Wilderness Lodge that cannot be conveyed here! You just have to experience it for yourself! From the architecture, the dining, the amazing resort amenities…it’s all here!
Have you stayed at Wilderness Lodge? What is your favorite part? Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts!
XO
Steph
