So you’ve decided to plan an amazing Walt Disney World vacation; now what? Choosing your resort is one of the most important decisions you make, and who wouldn’t love being transported to the rustic, outdoorsy feel of the American West? Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will draw you in with its grand lobby, cozy ambiance, and large wood burning fireplace-but you’ll find yourself wanting to stay for the amazing dining & amenities. Read below to learn more about this beautiful resort that offers wilderness magic right alongside the expected Disney hospitality.
Pros and Cons
Table of Contents
Pros:
- Water taxi option to get to Magic Kingdom
- Breathtaking theming
- View of Electric Water Pageant
- Wide variety of room type (standard, suites, & cabins)
- Some room options are great for large groups/families traveling together
Cons:
- Shared buses; potential long wait times
- Standard rooms cannot accommodate 5 people unless the 5th person is under the age of 3
Resort Overview
Location Benefits
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers a range of location benefits that will enhance your overall experience. Situated just a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom, it provides convenient access to one of Disney’s most popular parks while allowing guests to escape the hustle and bustle afterward. The resort is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, including Bay Lake and lush woodlands, perfect for leisurely walks and outdoor activities.
Its proximity to Fort Wilderness Resort offers additional recreational opportunities, such as horseback riding and canoeing. With tranquil surroundings, guests can enjoy a peaceful retreat after a day of park adventures. Plus, the resort’s transportation options, including buses to other Disney parks and Disney Springs, ensure easy travel throughout the property. Overall, Wilderness Lodge blends accessibility with the beauty of nature, making it a uniquely appealing destination.
Resort Category: Deluxe
Resort Area: Magic Kingdom
Guest Rooms
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers a range of room types, accommodating 2-8 adults, depending on your selection. You’ll feel you are in the majestic lodges of the American West!
Standard Amenities in each room include:
- Hairdryer
- TV
- Free WiFi
- Keurig coffee maker
- In-room beverage cooler or minifridge
- Telephone
- In-room safe
- Iron & ironing board
- Outlets and USB ports are scattered throughout the rooms for your convenience
- Ample storage space; closets, drawers, bathroom counter space, & under the bed storage.
It’s worth noting that the vanity/sink area is separated by a door from the shower & toilet. A wall separates the bathroom area from the bedroom area, providing privacy.
Room Types
The Wilderness Lodge offers various room types to suit your preferences & party size, including standard rooms, Deluxe Studios, & Bungalows:
Rooms & Suites
- Water View: Views of Pool, Waterfall, Bay Lake or Copper Creek
- Resort View: Views of Landscape, Trees, Rooftop or Parking Areas
- Fireworks View: Views of Landscape or Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Partial View of Magic Kingdom Fireworks
All Views offer:
- 2 Queen Beds OR
- 1 King Bed
- Sleeps up to 4 Adults (you may add a 5th person if they are under the age of 3)
- Beverage cooler, coffee and tea station, and a patio or balcony.
Deluxe Studios
Deluxe Studio (walk in shower)- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins:
- 1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- Sleeps up to 4 adults
- Views of Pool, Bay Lake, Woodlands, Courtyard, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Includes a kitchenette with small fridge and microwave, and a porch or balcony.
Deluxe Studio – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins:
- 1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- Sleeps up to 4 adults
- Views of Pool, Bay Lake, Woodlands, Courtyard, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Includes a kitchenette with small fridge and microwave, and a porch or balcony.
Deluxe Studio – Boulder Ridge Villas:
- 1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen-Size Pull-Down Bed and 1 Single Pull Down Bed OR 1 Queen Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Single Pull Down Bed
- Sleeps up to 5 adults
- Views of Pool, Woodlands, Courtyard, or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Hotel
- Includes a kitchenette with small fridge and microwave, and a porch or balcony.
Villas
1 Bedroom Villa – Boulder Ridge Villas:
- Sleeps up to 4 adults
- Includes a full kitchen, living/dining area, washer/dryer, and a porch or balcony.
2 Bedroom Villa – Boulder Ridge Villas:
- 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Pull-Down Bed OR 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 2 full bathrooms
- Sleeps up to 8 adults
- Views of Pool, Woodlands, Courtyard, or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort Hotel
- Includes a full kitchen, living/dining area, washer/dryer, and a porch or balcony.
1 Bedroom Villa – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins:
- 1 full bathrooms with 2 sink areas
- Sleeps up to 4 adults
- Includes a full kitchen, living/dining area, washer/dryer, and a porch or balcony.
2 Bedroom Villa – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins:
- 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 2 full bathrooms
- Sleeps up to 8 adults
- Views of Pool, Bay Lake, Woodlands, Courtyard, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Includes a full kitchen, living/dining area, washer/dryer, and a porch or balcony.
3 Bedroom Grand Villa – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins:
- 3 full bathrooms
- Sleeps up to 12 adults
- Includes a full kitchen, living/dining area, washer/dryer, and a porch or balcony.
Cabins
2 Bedroom Cabin – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins:
- 2 full bathrooms
- Sleeps up to 8 adults
- Includes a full kitchen, living/dining area, washer/dryer, and a porch or balcony.
Club-Level Service
Certain rooms and suites at The Wilderness Lodge come with Club-Level Service, which includes perks such as evening turndown, secured key access to the club-level lounge, complimentary fax assistance, continental breakfast, midday snacks, evening wine, cheese, cordials, dessert, access to Concierge service at the Old Faithful Club, complimentary health club access, complimentary newspapers in the Club Level lounge, and personalized Front Desk and Guest Services. Who wouldn’t love all of these amazing amenities?!
Rooms and Suites with Club Level Service
Resort View – Club Level: Views of Woodlands, Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake
- 2 Queen Beds
- Sleeps up to 4 Adults
- Includes a beverage cooler, coffee and tea station, patio or balcony and Personalized Guest Services. Plus, enjoy access to the Old Faithful Club.
Resort View – Club Level: Views of Woodlands, Courtyard, Pool, Waterfall or Bay Lake
- 1 King Bed
- Sleeps up to 2 Adults
- Includes a beverage cooler, coffee and tea station, patio or balcony and Personalized Guest Services. Plus, enjoy access to the Old Faithful Club.
Deluxe Room – Club Level: Views of Bay Lake, Woodlands or Interior Courtyard
- 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- Sleeps up to 6 Adults
- Larger than a standard room
- Includes a beverage cooler, coffee and tea station, patio or balcony and Personalized Guest Services. Plus, enjoy access to the Old Faithful Club.
Checking In and Out
There are multiple ways to check in for your stay; all being very easy. You can use the front desk, check-in online through the official Walt Disney World website, or utilize the My Disney Experience app.
After online check-in, you’ll receive a room-ready notification and can use your MagicBand or the digital key feature in the app to unlock your room door.
Using the app tends to be the quickest way to check in; it means you never have to wait in line to check in at the front desk. The MDE app can also be used virtually to chat with a cast member should you need any assistance.
Guests will be automatically checked out of their rooms upon completion of their stay. Any unresolved charges will be put on the credit card on file & a final statement will be emailed to you. You may also visit the front desk if you wish.
Should you need assistance with your bags you’ll call bell services from your room phone and they will come to your room to assist you with your luggage.
Resort Shops
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers a large mercantile for your enjoyment. This is where you can pick up snacks and souvenirs. In select shops you may also find wine, drinks, medications, and other small grocery/sundry type items.
- Wilderness Lodge Mercantile: A shop with apparel, accessories, pins, gifts, snacks, home goods, and other supplies.
Amenities
- Laundry Services: A 24-hour self-service laundry facility is available near Roaring Fork.
- Parking: Complimentary parking is available to guests. Valet parking is available at a nightly rate.
- “Hey Disney!”: Stay up to date on daily park info, play games, make requests in your resort with your in-room virtual assistant.
- Dry Cleaning Services: Offers dry cleaning and valet laundry services.
- Movies Under the Stars: Enjoy complimentary Disney movies on select nights between the marina and Geyser Point Bar & Grill.
- Salon By The Springs: Located near the pool, stop by for nail & hair services.
- Sturdy Branches Health Club: Full service health club.
- Childcare Services: In-room babysitting for children aged 6 months to 12 years old.
Lounges & Entertainment
Territory Lounge: Snuggle down in this log cabin themed lounge & grab a specialty coffee, craft beer, or imported wine.
Dining Options
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers a range of dining options. Whether you want a character sit-down experience or to grab a treat while strolling through the tree lined property, you’ll easily find something to enjoy.
Table Service
Disney World’s Table Service restaurants offer a magical dining experience, allowing guests to sit back and enjoy a delicious meal in a themed setting. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance and are highly recommended. Table Service options cater to a variety of tastes. Use the Mobile Dine Check-In feature via the My Disney Experience app, and make checking in for your reservation is a breeze.
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White: Dinner dining presented family-style alongside appearances of your favorite & believed Snow White characters.
- Whispering Canyon Cafe: Craving an all-you-can-eat-skillet? Mosey on over and grab some tasty “western fare”. Offering hearty breakfasts, lunches, & dinners.
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill: Relax at this poolside restaurant & grab a bite to eat and your favorite drink.
Quick Service
Disney World’s Quick Service restaurants provide a convenient and efficient dining option for guests on the go. Perfect for a quick bite between attractions, these restaurants offer diverse menus, from an afternoon sweet treat to an on theme small plate.
No reservations are needed; simply order at the counter or on your My Disney Experience app and find a seat. Mobile Ordering through the My Disney Experience app lets you skip lines and customize your meal in advance. Quick Service options ensure you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the magic of Disney.
- Roaring Fork: A quick-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Start your day with Mickey Waffles and wrap up your day with some house-smoked BBQ.
Recreation
For guests wanting to feel like they are truly escaping into nature, The Wilderness Lodge offers a selection of recreational activities:
- Swimming: Take a soak in the beautiful Copper Creek Springs Pool; relax in the whirlpool or take an exciting trip down the 67 ft water slide. Boulder Ridge Cove Pool offers a more laid back watery oasis at Boulder Ridge Villas. The little ones will be sure to enjoy the 48” and under splash pad play area.
- Wilderness Lodge Campfire Activities: Gather around for a nightly campfire near Geyser Point bar & Grill between 6:30-7:30.
- Fishing: Enjoy being out on the water on a guided fishing expedition.
- Electrical Water Pageant: Once the sun goes down, head down to the water to enjoy this nightly floating spectacular; watch as the large sparkling displays float by to your favorite Disney songs.
- Buttons and Bells Arcade: Take a break with classic & contemporary games for the whole family.
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Review: Snag a reservation & head on over the the campgrounds for this spirited musical review & enjoy a large feast the entire time!
Transportation
Getting around WDW Property from Wilderness Lodge is a breeze with several transportation options:
- Water Transportation: Be transported across Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, & The Contemporary Resort.
- Buses: Disney buses are available for transportation to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs.
How to get from Fort Wilderness to anywhere at Disney World
- Magic Kingdom – Take a water taxi, resort bus, or Minnie Van to Magic Kingdom.
- Epcot – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Epcot.
- Hollywood Studios – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Animal Kingdom. Uber/Lyft is also an option, however you will not be dropped off at the main entrance anymore.
- Animal Kingdom – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Animal Kingdom. Uber/Lyft is also a good option as you’ll be dropped off near the main gate.
- Disney Springs – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Disney Springs. Uber/Lyft are an option but they will drop you off at the far end of Disney Springs close to the Rain Forest Cafe area. It can be a long walk to more central locations. The bus and Minnie Van will drop you off in a central location.
Resorts
Magic Kingdom Area Resorts – including Grand Floridian The Polynesian, Contemporary, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West
- Take a bus to Magic Kingdom
- Use Magic Kingdom transportation to the resort of choice
- Water Taxi to Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary
- Bus to all resorts
- Minnie Van or Uber/Lyft are the fastest transportation from Wilderness Lodge to any Magic Kingdom area resort
Epcot Area Resorts – including Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin and Swan Reserve
- Take a bus to Magic Kingdom
- Take the bus from Magic Kingdom to the resort of choice
- Minnie Van or Uber/Lyft are the fastest transportation Wilderness Lodge to any Epcot area resort
Hollywood Studios Area Resorts – including Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and Riviera Resort
- Take a bus to Magic Kingdom
- Take the resort bus from Magic Kingdom to the resort of your choice
- Minnie Van or Uber/Lyft are the fastest transportation from Wilderness Lodge to any Hollywood Studios area resort
Animal Kingdom Area Resorts – including Animal Kingdom Lodge, All Stars – Movie, Music and Sports and Coronado Springs
- Take a bus to Magic Kingdom
- Take the resort bus from Magic Kingdom to the resort of your choice
- Minnie Van or Uber/Lyft are the fastest transportation from Wilderness Lodge to any Animal Kingdom area resort
Water Parks
- Typhoon Lagoon – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Typhoon Lagoon. Uber/Lyft is also a good option as you’ll be dropped off near the main gate. Note that you will take a resort bus to Disney Springs and transfer to the Typhoon Lagoon bus there.
- Blizzard Beach – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Blizzard Beach. Uber/Lyft is also a good option as you’ll be dropped off near the main gate. Note that you will take a resort bus to Animal Kingdom and transfer to the Blizzard Beach bus there.
Mini Golf
- Winter Summerland – Take a resort bus or Minnie Van to Blizzard Beach. Uber/Lyft is also a good option as you’ll be dropped off near the main gate of Blizzard Beach. Winter Summerland is next to Blizzard Beach.
- Fantasia Gardens – Take a resort bus to Hollywood Studios and walk to Fantasia Gardens. Fantasia Gardens is next to the Swan Reserve. Uber/Lyft is also a good option as you’ll be dropped off at Fantasia Gardens.
Tips for Your Stay
- Make Dining Reservations Early: You’ll want to make dining reservations at the ever-popular Polynesian establishments or other Disney restaurants 60 days prior to arrival, especially for character dining experiences. Table service dining does fill up and it’s not recommended to try to walk up to your favorite restaurant the day of. Instructions on how to use the My Disney Experience app are here.
- Enjoy the Beachfront Viewings: Take advantage of the beachfront views of the the Electrical Water Pageant.
- Use Mobile Ordering: To save time and avoid lines, use the My Disney Experience app’s mobile ordering feature for quick-service meals. Best tips on mobile ordering and some of our favorites can be found here.
- Watch Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the Resort: You can also view Magic Kingdom fireworks from a distance at Geyser Point Bar & Grill with music piped in. Be sure to check the schedule and plan to watch from the resort or ask about rooms with theme park views, known as “Fireworks View” rooms.
- Plan for Rainy Days: Pack ponchos or umbrellas, as Florida weather can be unpredictable. Fortunately, there are plenty of indoor activities at the resort to keep you entertained.
- Use the Disney Transportation System: Take advantage of the complimentary Disney transportation options to access all the parks and Disney Springs with ease.
The Wilderness Lodge Address & Phone Number
901 Timberline Dr.
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8426
(407) 824-3200
Conclusion
Staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers a unique blend of natural beauty, immersive theming, and exceptional hospitality, creating an unforgettable vacation experience. With its stunning architecture inspired by the great American national parks, guests can unwind in a serene environment while enjoying modern amenities and easy access to the magic of the Disney parks. The cozy atmosphere, combined with dining options that celebrate the flavors of the Pacific Northwest, makes for a truly memorable stay. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, exploring the beautiful grounds, or taking advantage onsite character dining, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge provides the perfect retreat for families and Disney enthusiasts alike, ensuring that every moment is filled with joy and adventure!
Request a free, no-obligation quote from the Love of the Magic Vacations team here.
