Trifter

Deciding where to stay when visiting Disney World located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida is a difficult task. There are many varied and wonderful choices both on and off Disney property. One of my family’s favorites is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The atmosphere, price, location, and amenities are a few of the things that keep my family returning year after year.

Atmosphere

Disney can theme a resort like no one else. The Wilderness Lodge is no exception. From the moment you arrive at the hotel, you’ll notice that you no longer feel like you are in Florida. Instead, you feel like you have arrived at a grand lodge located in a National Park. From the woodsy feel of the grounds to the Lincoln Log style building. Every detail was put into place to make you feel as if you have been transported to the wilderness. Inside the resort is a large open lobby filled with comfortable seating areas, totem poles, rocking chairs in front of one of the biggest fireplaces that I have ever seen, and a bubbling creek with it’s own wooden bridge. One of the best features is the western themed music piped inside and outside of the building. The building surrounds a pool with a waterslide and a rock area with a creek. A geyser feature erupts every hour. There is a great beach area and a long dock so you can enjoy the lake area. There are plenty of ducks, rabbits, and birds of all kinds to be seen in the grassy areas. The wildlife seems to love it just as much as the guests do.

Location

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has an unbeatable location. It is located a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom. From the dock, there is boat transportation to go across the lake to the Contemporary Hotel where you can eat at Chef Mickey’s or catch a monorail to the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, or the Transportation Center. Fort Wilderness Campground can be reached via a walkway or by boat. My family and I have taken the boat on many occassions to enjoy the campground’s free movie with Chip and Dale at night. The kids really enjoy roasting marshmallows by the firepits there. Fort Wilderness also boasts a great dinner show named Hoop De-Doo Revue. Bus transportation is available a short walk from the lobby. Busses will take you to Epcot, Downtown Disney, the water parks, Animal Kingdom, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Amenities

The rooms at the Wilderness lodge continue with the western theme. Our families favorite rooms are the ones with the bunkbeds. In these rooms, there is one queen bed and a set of bunk beds. The hotel has three restaurants. A quick short order restaurant named Roaring Forks, a fun interactive restaurant named Whispering Canyon that serves outstanding breakfast skillets and BBQ skillets for dinners, and a high end classy restaurant named Artist Point. A full service bar is located just off the lobby and by the pool. The pool area has plenty of seating, towels, a waterslide, and a good sized hot tub.

The Wilderness Lodge is the lowest priced resort in Disney’s Deluxe category. The atmosphere , amenities, and location all add to the relaxing atmosphere. I hope you give the Wilderness Lodge a try on your next Disney trip.