We created our original review of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in 2017. However, we recently stayed at the resort and thought it was time to bring our review up to date. Also, we have created a brand new video tour of the resort featuring many of the Wilderness Lodge highlights we discovered for the first time in 2019.
You can see our original 2017 video at the bottom of this post. The two videos actually compliment each other as they show slightly different things.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opened on May 28th, 1984, and is in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. Wilderness Lodge is reminiscent of Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone Park. This is a deluxe resort but is usually slightly cheaper than the other Magic Kingdom resorts.
An 82-foot-tall stone fireplace is the centerpiece of the impressive 8-story lobby. A bubbling hot spring in the lobby expands outside the building into a roaring waterfall flowing into the swimming area. Also, the lobby features teepee-topped chandeliers & totem poles. The lobby is awe-inspiring, and there is a good selection of eateries and shops around the lobby.
A geothermal “geyser” erupts hourly at the edge of Bay Lake. Wilderness Lodge certainly has some of the most impressive theming across Walt Disney World. The grounds are some of the best at Walt Disney World, and our latest video shows many of the highlights including the geyser.
In total there are 727 guest rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. In addition, there are also 2 Disney Vacation Club properties on-site Boulder Ridge Villas & Copper Creek Villas. Copper Creek Villas is the newest property and opened in 2017. Despite the additions, the resort usually did not feel too crowded, and it was rare not to get a seat on buses.
Located on the 6th floor are the resort’s Club Level Rooms. Club-level guests have access to the club lounge, also known as the Old Faithful Club.
We did note that Wilderness Lodge did appear a bit tired in some areas. Many of the main guest areas have become a bit neglected in recent years with the DVC expansions, and it unfortunately showed. Bedrooms are comfortable, but they are starting to look a little dated. However, this will change in 2020 as a refurbishment program has been announced. All rooms are expected to be updated, and the Old Faithful Club Lounge has temporarily closed.
Theme Parks are reached by busses or watercraft. The ferry to the Magic Kingdom takes about 10 minutes and runs every 8-12 minutes. There is no monorail stop for Wilderness Lodge, but we do not think this matters.
Recreation and amenities include bike and boat rentals, swimming, playground, free wifi, laundry, game room, and on-site child care.
Dining options include Artist Point, Whispering Canyon Café, and Roaring Fork Snacks and Arcade. Restaurants located in Wilderness Lodge are some of the very best in Disney World. However, we were a little disappointed with the changes to Artist Point. While the restaurant now offers one of the best character meals at Walt Disney World, the food is poor.
Our Opinion
In our opinion, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge represents the very best of Disney World. The resort is luxurious, with fantastic theming, excellent facilities and close to The Magic Kingdom. Once the refurbishment is complete, it is hard to think of a better resort at Walt Disney World.
Also, the slightly cheaper rates than the other Magic Kingdom Resorts is an extra positive.
Her is our original Wilderness Lodge video.
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