Nestled in the trees, just across the lake in the Magic Kingdom area, is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This beautiful, quiet, retreat from the theme parks houses Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas, and Copper Creek Villas and Cabins.
This Deluxe Walt Disney World Resort is a beautiful escape from the parks. Why would your family enjoy this resort? Today, I am going to share all the details on this Walt Disney World Resort property, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort.
Where is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort located?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is located in the Magic Kingdom area. You cannot see it – you may catch a glimpse of the green rooftops – from anywhere on property. It is hidden in the trees, mimicking the beautiful forests and state parks of the Western part of the United States. It is nestled along the banks of Bay Lake.
It is considered a “Magic Kingdom” area resort, even though it is not on the monorail. However, guests at Wilderness Lodge can take a boat to the neighboring resorts. This opens up a wide variety of dining options for guests! Also, guests who want to visit the Magic Kingdom can take the water taxi to and from the resort. It is SO convenient!
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What is the difference between Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas, and Copper Creek Villas and Cabins?
First, they are all on the same property, use the same transportation, amenities, and pools. The difference comes in the “location” and the room type.
Wilderness Lodge is the main lodge building. Inside, you will find “standard” rooms with 2-queen beds in them. These are your standard rooms, that sleep 4 guests, or up to 5 when one of them is under the age of 3. These rooms have subtle Chip and Dale and Bambi theming in them. Guests who book Club Level will also be in one of these room types.
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You will also find the “Copper Creek” Villas and Cabins inside the main lodge as well. These are DVC properties. They are studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, or three bedroom Grand Villa set ups. These house amenities such as kitchens, larger living areas, washer/dryer, and space for a larger family. They are like small condos-giving guests most if not all the amenities of home. These are former “standard” rooms that were recently refurbished and expanded into villas.
The Copper Creek Cabins are located along the banks of the water, separate from the main lodge. These are upscale, very nicely appointed, cabins along the water. These are their own separate two bedroom units. They sleep up to 8 guests. They are gorgeous, with cathedral ceilings lined with timber, private screened in porches, and a jacuzzi tub on the porch.
Who would enjoy Disney’s Wilderness Lodge?
Guests who want a quiet retreat, with good dining options, would enjoy this resort. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, while it houses multiple buildings and room types, is small compared to other Deluxe Resorts.
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Families who need a larger room set up will enjoy Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek Villas and Cabins. The Boulder Ridge area is so quiet. It is next to the main lodge, and has its own lobby area, and is near a quiet pool. The Boulder Ridge Villas also price nicely, for the amount of room and amenities guests have when staying in one of these studio or villas. Boulder Ridge definitely has its own rustic charm!
Wilderness Lodge is a great option for those who want the proximity to Magic Kingdom with a more reasonable price tag. Also, Wilderness Lodge is the most popular resort to book over the holidays. The decorations are stunning, the lobby is cozy, and it’s simply beautiful.
What are my dining options at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge?
All of the dining options are located in the main building. So if guests are in the Boulder Ridge Villas or the Cabins, they do need to walk over to the main Wilderness Lodge building for meals.
On the Wilderness Lodge property, guests will find four dining locations.
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First, Roaring Fork is the Quick Service location. This is where you can enjoy three meals a day (menus here), get a quick grab and go snack or meal, and fill your resort refillable mug. It is your basic Quick Service location, and for a Deluxe Resort, it does have a fairly wide variety on the menu.
For guests who want a more solid meal, you can find that at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Located right inside the main lobby, this is one of the best, yet a hidden gem, restaurants on Walt Disney World property. Here you will find breakfast, lunch, and dinner (menus here) served every day, and it does require an Advanced Dining Reservation. I personally love that it is completely open to the main lobby, so I can soak in the gorgeous lobby of this resort while I eat! Whispering Canyon Cafe serves guests family style skillets heaped with BBQ favorites.
Geyser Point is another solid option for a good menu and fantastic food. This is the newest addition to the Wilderness Lodge dining options. Geyser Point is located on Bay Lake, with open air seating and a beautiful view. Guests have their choice of a sit down experience or a lounge area for their food and drinks. Geyser Point is considered “Quick Service”, and does not accept Advanced Dining Reservations. Did you know you can find a Bison Burger on the menu?
The fourth option is Artist Point. Formerly, this location was a signature dining experience for guests. However, a few years ago, Disney turned it into a character dining experience. Pre reopening, it featured Snow White, the Evil Queen, Dopey, and Grumpy. This is a wildly popular dining location, and does require Advanced Dining Reservations (check out the menu here).
What activities can my family enjoy at Wilderness Lodge?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is home to several unique experiences. First, guests can view the Electric Water Pageant as it passes by nightly. Some guests can even see it from their rooms!
Disney’s Widerness Lodge is home to two different pools. The Copper Creek pool is the main, feature pool. This is where you will find the pool slide, a splash play area for younger children, as well as poolside activities and games led by the Cast Members.
Did you know the stream from inside the lobby of Wilderness Lodge flows into the pool? This is one of the prettiest pools on property, surrounded by gardens, boulders, and even a small geyser!
The Boulder Ridge Pool is considered the “quiet” pool on this Disney property. So that means no water slide, no activities, and it is not staffed by lifeguards. However, it does have a nice zero entry area, which makes it perfect when you have young children.
The Boulder Ridge Pool also has a few padded loungers and cabanas. These are not booked ahead of time, but are on a first come, first serve basis. The Boulder Ridge Pool is really a nice area to enjoy some food from Geyser Point or enjoy a drink in this quiet area.
Overall, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is an amazing resort, that is budget friendly in comparison to some of its Deluxe Resort counterparts. The location and proximity to Magic Kingdom cannot be beat for the price.
This is one of the most uniquely themed Disney resorts, and provides a perfect backdrop for any family who wants to relax on vacation. If you want to be immersed in your resort and the magic of Disney, Wilderness Lodge
