It’s my job to review Disney World hotels for YouTube videos so I know a lot about where you should and should not stay.
One of my favorite hotels in Disney World is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort — in fact, it even ranked number ONE on our ranking of the deluxe category Disney World hotels! So, let’s talk a little bit about what makes a stay at this somewhat pricy resort worth it!
Before we get into it, you can check out my full tour of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort right here!
So, should you stay at Wilderness Lodge?
The Theming
The first thing that makes Wilderness Lodge worth the spend is its theming! This hotel is one of the most immaculately themed in Disney World with a theme that focuses on the beauty and grandeur of the Pacific Northwest. The architecture is inspired by national park lodges and the natural world.
The lobby at Wilderness Lodge is breathtaking with a multi-story fireplace and beautiful wood features. You can also see totem poles and bubbling springs in and outside of the hotel. The only two hotels with lobbies quite as grand as this are Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort in my opinion.
And the theming doesn’t stop in the main lobby. The entire hotel is beautifully and thoroughly themed from the working geyser near the pool to the subtle and comfortable theme in the updated guest rooms.
Location
Wilderness Lodge sits on the banks of Bay Lake in the Magic Kingdom resort area. It may not have direct access to the monorail but it is very centrally located to the rest of Disney World and a super easy jaunt over to Magic Kingdom.
It feels like it is off in the woods offering a serene escape from the hustle of the theme parks but keeps you close to the action. There is even boat transportation directly to Magic Kingdom and the other parks are just a bus ride away.
Rooms and Amenities
Wilderness Lodge offers a wide variety of rooms including some of the most affordable deluxe rooms in Disney World. Standard rooms can be as low as $458 per night where the nearby Contemporary Resort starts at $550. Wilderness Lodge offers timeshare options for Disney Vacation Club and guests can book standard rooms or multi-room villas.
The rooms also have varying views, and some will even offer views of the spires of Cinderella Castle and the fireworks at night. When I stayed, I had an amazing view of the boats passing by, the cabins, the monorail, and Cinderella Castle. And yes, there are even luxury cabins! These are pricing Disney Vacation Club offerings but add to the variety of this hotel.
Amenities-wise, guests have access to two amazing pools, the Silver Creek Springs Pool and the Boulder Ridge Cove Pool. I especially enjoy the wooded walking trails that sprawl around the hotel.
Dining Options
As a deluxe hotel, Wilderness Lodge has some amazing dining. Whispering Canyon Cafe is an antics-filled restaurant with all-you-can-eat skillets, Storybook Dining at Artist Point is a Snow White character meal, and there’s even one of my favorite lounges at Geyser Point Bar & Grill (right on the water!).
The food is excellent quality even down to the quick service. Plus, it has a cozy theme and many options have a northwest flair. The dining helps to contribute to the deluxe feel and beautiful theme of the hotel.
Recreation and Activities
Another thing you’ll often find at deluxe hotels is extensive recreation options. Wilderness Lodge has jogging trails, bike rentals, campfires, and movies under the stars. Always remember to ask at the front desk when you check in to learn what kind of activities could be happening during your stay!
Bonus! Because Wilderness Lodge is on the water, there’s a marina where guests can rent boats and enjoy fishing and more on Bay Lake.
Overall, Wilderness Lodge is a great option for anyone who wants the amenities and beauty of a deluxe Disney World hotel without shelling out a ton of money per night. It’s expensive, sure, but its offerings make the price feel worth it in many cases.
Click here to learn about the nearby Fort Wilderness!
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What do you think of Wilderness Lodge? Tell us in the comments!
We also love Wilderness Lodge. We took our Grandaughter, my son,and daughter in law there for my granddaughter’s third b’day. She celebrated Halloween in her Olaf costume and there were lots of special activities that night.
It is the perfect place for family visits….something for everyone.
Cheers!
Always wanted to stay at the Wilderness Lodge.
From the pictures it appeals to me so much.
But for most people it is off the charts unaffordable.
If I won a contest I would love to stay there and give a superb review of the place.
Hope this helps.
Stayed several years ago for $180/night (no charge for parking.) last year I looked to stay
again and the same type room was $455/night plus $25/night for parking. I canceled the trip.
The Wilderness Lodge is my favorite Disney resort! I’ve stayed there 17 times since it opened in 1994. Even if I were to receive a free stay at any of Disney’s other deluxe resorts I’d still prefer The Wilderness Lodge. The theming is magnificent, the pools are spectacular, and the restaurants are awesome! I LOVE the Mercantile gift shop. Not a single detail has been overlooked and the cast members here
are second to none. President Teddy Roosevelt would have been right at home here – there’s even an Old Faithful geyser! If you are looking for a relaxing resort that is close to all the action, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will not disappoint!