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In true Disney style, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers guests an escape to the grandeur of National Park Lodges at the turn of the century. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opened it’s doors to guests to May 28, 1994, and has become a favorite vacation destination with it’s welcoming feel and rustic designs. Designed by architect Peter Dominick, who also designed Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Grand Californian Resort at Disneyland Resort, this rustic eight-story split-log lodge is modeled after the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park and boasts natural elements and Native American decor.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge transports guests to America’s Great northwest from the moment they walk through the door. The grand lobby features Lodgepole pine imported from Montana and Oregon, exquisite hardwood floors with patterns of Pine, Brazilian Cherry and Bird’s Eye Maple and an 82-foot towering fireplace that reflects the natural designs and geologic layout of the rock strata at the Grand Canyon.
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The focal points of the grand lobby are the towering 55-foot authentic totem poles crafted from Native American historians and totem pole artists. Taking over a year to complete, the totem poles are known as the Raven Totem and Eagle Totem and are adorned with animals representing legends and myths of the Raven and Eagle clans.
The grand lobby also features a rustic wooden bridge that hovers over a beautifully landscaped hot spring known as the headwaters of Silver Creek, which appears to flow to Silver Creek Falls, into the Silver Creek Springs Pool, down to the Fire Rock Geyser and into Bay Lake.
During the holiday season, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge exhibits one of the grandest Christmas Trees and decor on all of the property. Before guests even walk through the doors of the main lobby, they are greeted by a massive wreath that looms over the porte-cochère. The main lobby displays a tremendous Christmas tree adorned with Native American ornaments and red plaid ribbons throughout. The rocking chairs facing the fireplace offer a wonderful respite place to take in the warmth of a crackling fire and savor the elaborate holiday decor, including the playful wooden bear family that merrily greet guests nearby.
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Wilderness Lodge Resort Rooms
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers 728 warmly decorated and welcoming rooms with Standard, Deluxe and Club Level accommodations. The rooms are approximately 340 square feet and are decorated with rustic carved furnishings, woodland-designed carpeting and textiles of rustic browns, green and blue hues. Standard rooms include two queen beds, 1 king bed or 1 queen and bunk beds – perfectly sized for families. Each room offers a small refrigerator, armoire, table and two chairs, an open closet area, wall safe and a vanity area separate from the bathroom. Standard rooms are approximately 340 square frets and the various suites offer guests the luxury of more space, as well as a kitchen and a living room.
Guests can choose from:
- Standard, Woods and Courtyard View Room
- Standard, Woods and Courtyard View King Room
- Standard Bunk Bed Room
- Honeymoon Room
- Junior Suites
- Yosemite Vice Presidential Suite
- Presidential Suite
Guests staying at Club Level receive evening turndown, access to the club-level lounge that serves refreshments 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, pre-arrival Walt Disney World Resort itinerary planning, complimentary health club access, access to Concierge service, personalized Front Desk and Guest Services and complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge.
The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The Villas at Wilderness Lodge offer a cozy retreat away from the rest of the fast-paced world. The Villas are one of several Disney Vacation Club properties but you don’t have to be a member to stay here. With studio, one and two-bedroom accommodations each offering full kitchens and larger accommodations than standard guest rooms, guests feel as if they have stepped into a rustic lodge with luxury appointments including full kitchens, living rooms and jacuzzi tubs.
The Wilderness Lodge will soon welcome the addition of 26 waterfront bungalows to their Disney Vacation Club accommodations. Similar to the new bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the bungalows will be tucked amongst the pines along the shoreline of the luxurious resort. While a completion date is unknown at this time, the forthcoming bungalows are raising a lot excitement around the resort.
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Dining
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers several wonderful dining choices, and one of the most entertaining ones on the property. With several popular eateries found at this deluxe resort, it is not uncommon for guests not staying at the resort to venture here just for the wonderful and entertaining dining options.
Whispering Canyon Cafe: Join in the fun for a rootin’ tootin’ good time, wild west style! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets and menu offerings are served up with a side order of good old-fashioned fun as well as a few fun pranks. Don’t believe it… ask for ketchup or a fork and watch the hilarity that will ensue! Make sure you say hello to our friend, Jeffro, who has been with the Whispering Canyon Cafe for more than 20 years. He is the best!
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Artist’s Point: Artist Point is one of Disney’s top signature and fine dining experiences offering the exquisite tastes of the Pacific Northwest’s meats, game and seafood offerings such as the kitchen’s signature dish, cedar plank-roasted salmon. The warm ambiance offers a relaxing escape found in dining rooms of National Park Lodges of the past while the spirit of the American Frontier lives on with massive timber columns and artistic murals in an upscale setting. Dress casual attire is required and reservations are strongly recommended.
Territory Lounge: Located adjacent to Artist Point, Territory Lounge is a great place to relax and unwind after a long day or the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail. With welcoming furnishings of dark wood and leather and a beautiful interpretation of the map of Lewis and Clark’s expedition, you can journey into the frontier in comfort. Guest can sample a wide variety of nibbles as well as the extensive wine list from Oregon and Washington State offered at Artist Point.
Roaring Fork – Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, this quick service restaurant is located down the ramp from the main lobby and towards the Silver Creek Springs Pool and offers hot breakfast from the grill and a variety salads, sandwiches and pizzas. Indoor seating is available as well as outdoor seating overlooking the Silver Creek Springs Pool.
Trout Pass Bar – Located in the Silver Spring Creek Pool area, this poolside bar serves up specialty cocktails from the quaint little waterside cabin.
Amenities
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Pools – The main pool, the Silver Creek Springs Pool, is located in the lavish courtyard of the Wilderness Lodge surrounded by boulders and pines reflecting American northwest scenery. In addition to the heated pool, there are also two jacuzzi hot tubs – one hot and one “cool”, a 67-foot water slide built into the rock decor and a perfect view of Fire Rock Geyser that erupts hourly from 7 am to 10 pm.
The quiet pool at the resort, the Hidden Springs Pool, is nestled amongst the pines in the Wilderness Lodge Villas area. This leisure pool also has a whirlpool spa for a relaxing soak.
Beaches – Lounge chairs resting on white sand beaches offer a relaxing place to enjoy the sun and various water crafts sailing by during day or a place take in the Electrical Water Pageant, a classic Disney favorite, performed each night along the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Sturdy Branches Health Club – Sturdy Branches is located in the Wilderness Lodge Villas area and features cardiovascular and strength training equipment, as well as three televisions to entertain during your workout. While Sturdy Branches is only open from 6 am to 9 pm, guests of the Wilderness Lodge can obtain a 24-hour key card at the front desk. Guests can also enjoy the on-site sauna and massage and facial services by appointment. However, during the current enhancement of the Wilderness Lodge, the spa will remain closed through February 7, 2016.
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Jogging Trail – Enjoy a scenic run or walk amongst pine woodlands and beautiful meadows on the 3/4 mile path that runs from the Wilderness Lodge to the Ft. Wilderness Campground. Maps of the jogging trails are available in the main lobby at the Concierge desk.
Bicycle Rentals – Guests can rent bicycles at the Teton Boat and Bike Rentals from 8 am to 5 pm. Enjoy a leisurely bike outing along the 3/4 mile path from the Wilderness Lodge to the Ft. Wilderness Campground and back again. Both adult and children’s bikes are available – even bikes with training wheels. Bikes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and helmets and child seats are complimentary with bike rentals. During the current renovations, Teton Boat and Bike Rentals will be closed and bicycles can be rented at the Cub’s Den.
Surrey Bike Rentals – Ride a bike the whole family can enjoy. Guests can rent a 2-person, 4-person or 6-person surrey bike and pedal around the woodland trail. Surrey bikes rentals are also available at the Teton Boat and Bike Rentals.
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Marina – Take a cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon with a wide variety of motorized boat rentals for families wanting aquatic activities. Pontoon boats, Sea Raycers, 12-foot sailboats, pedal boats and kayaks rentals are available.
Wilderness Lodge Campfire Activities – Gather ’round the campfire with your entire family for roasted marshmallows and stories around the cracklin’ campfire.
Movies Under the Stars – Cozy up under the stars for a complimentary nighttime movie outdoors on the beautiful shores of Bay Lake.
Fishing Excursions – Guests can take advantage of bass fishing on one of Disney’s guided catch and release excursions.
Buttons and Bells Arcade: Offers state-of-the-art video games and air hockey for kids’ enjoyment. The games require a Game Card that can be obtained at the kiosk in the arcade, are rechargeable and can be used at other Disney resorts.
Cub’s Den: The Cub’s Den is a kid’s club offering dining, entertainment and fun for kids ages 3 to 12 while parents enjoy time to themselves. Kids will enjoy movies, imaginative play, video and board games, western-themed arts and crafts and other nightly themed activities. The Cub’s Den is located near the Mercantile and is open nightly from 4:30 to midnight and does carry a small fee of $15 per child.
Flag Family of the Day: Every day, the Wilderness Lodge chooses one family to be the “Flag Family.” The chosen family accompanies the Wilderness Lodge Ranger to the rooftop to help raise the five flags that fly high over the resort. Guest wishing to participate in this activity should inquire at check-in if there are any spots available during the length of their stay.
The Electric Water Pageant: Every evening on Bay Lake, Disney’s longest running show, the Electrical Water Pageant takes place. The 14 illuminated floats boasting Disney music glide across Bay Lake with optimal viewing from the beach area of the resort. Guests staying in a room with a courtyard view are able to see it from the comfort of their balconies.
Carolwood Pacific Room: Located in the Villas building of the Wilderness Lodge, the Carolwood Pacific Room offers a glimpse into Walt Disney’s fascination with railroading and steam trains. A museum of sort, guests can enjoy artifacts, replicas and photographs representing Walt’s favorite hobby. Guests visiting the Carolwood Pacific Room have the opportunity to see two train cars donated by Walt’s daughter, Diane, that were once part of the backyard railroad Walt had in his California home. These two cars were pulled behind his very own American 4-4-0 engine named the “Lilly Belle” after his wife, Lillian Disney.
Wonders of the Lodge Tour – Offered Wednesday – Saturday at 9 am, guests can take a tour of the Lodge to gain insight on the architecture, landscaping, various artwork and Totem Poles found throughout the resort.
Hidden Mickey Hunt: One of the only resorts that offers this scavenger hunt, the Wilderness Lodge is full of the famous three circles known as Hidden Mickey. Guests can stop by the front desk to obtain a paper chock full of clues to find all of the Hidden Mickeys at the Lodge. This is a perfect rainy day activity for guests of all ages!
Shopping
Wilderness Lodge Mercantile: Located in the main lobby area, the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile is the main shop for the resort. Guests are greeted by a Disney character Totem Pole which makes for a great family photo opportunity. The Mercantile offers a nicely selected array Northwestern and Wilderness Lodge themed merchandise as well as jewelry, MagicBand accessories, Disney character apparel, collectible pins, souvenirs and home decor. You can also find grocery items, beverages, magazines, books and other general sundries. The Wilderness Lodge Mercantile is open from 7:30 am to 11 pm daily.
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Transportion
Watercraft Transportation – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is considered a Magic Kingdom Resort and is just a short cruise to the park across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. While it is not located on the Monorail loop, Disney’s Watercraft Transportation offers one tranquil and convenient cruise directly to the gates of Magic Kingdom Park or another water launch that stops at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Bus Transportation – Walt Disney World Resort buses run continuously from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, as well as Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Blizzard Beach Water Park. The bus stop is located just outside of the grand lobby with buses departing approximately every 20 minutes and are available 45 minutes before parks opening and 2 hours prior to parks closing times.
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