Disney's Wilderness Lodge - my favorite!
I've been traveling heavily for the last few weeks and haven't had the time to write. Since I'm finally home, and since it's a cool, crisp, fall Sunday here in Pennsylvania, I'm inspired to write about my favorite resort in all of Walt Disney World -- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. It would be lovely to be sitting by one of their fireplaces today!
The Lodge was built to look like the great lodges of the Pacific Northwest. It opened in 1994, and is the perfect destination for those who want to be close to the action of the parks, without being right in the middle of them.
The lobby is magnificent. It is breathtaking, and when you walk in and gaze up at all of the wooden beams and the 82-foot tall fireplace, you will be struck not only by its grand beauty, but by how homey it feels. The comfy couches, rocking chairs, wonderful smells, and totem poles make you feel as though you could stay there forever!
The Lodge is at its most beautiful at Christmastime. The giant tree goes up mid-November and stays through the New Year. If you can, plan a visit then!
Inside the Wilderness Lodge, you’ll find a terrific cocktail lounge, the Territory Lounge, a signature restaurant, Artist Point, a rousing table service restaurant, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and a quick-service restaurant, Roaring Fork.
These are the kids' Chocolate Mickey waffles - my youngest daughter's favorite meal at WDW! They recently took them off the menu at Roaring Fork, but will make them if you ask!
Starting on December 16, 2018, Artist Point will replace their Pacific Northwest menu to host Storybook Dining with Snow White each evening. That menu looks terrific, too!
Outside, there are two pools, hot tubs, a spa/salon and health club, bicycle rentals, boat rentals, outdoor games, a waterfront bar and grill called Geyser Point, and 120 foot geyser that spouts off every hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. They also roast marshmallows each night, and show movies outside under the stars.
Transportation to the Magic Kingdom is by bus or boat; the ride across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon is my favorite part of each day! Transportation to the other parks is by bus (or Minnie Van!)
One of my family’s favorite activities at the Wilderness Lodge is watching the Electrical Water Pageant that stops in front of the resort each evening. It is a Disney classic and should not be missed. Put on your pjs, fill your mug with cocoa, and sit out to watch the parade!
My family also loves exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Lodge. My oldest daughter curls up with a book in front of one of the many fireplaces and reads for hours. We also enjoy hopping on bikes and biking to Fort Wilderness Campground to look at all of the campsites, visit the horse stables, and play some games at the Trading Post.
My daughters have grown up here and it feels like home, especially because the staff gets to know its repeat visitors and is always very welcoming to all guests.
A staple of the Wilderness Lodge is Ranger Jack! Be sure to ask Guest Services about taking his complimentary Secrets of the Lodge Architectural Lodge tour - it is fascinating!
Though my family spends a good part of our Disney vacations just enjoying the Lodge, those who put in lots of park time enjoy it just as much. It is a comfy place to return to that feels like home.
If you want to contact me for more information about this terrific resort, you can do so at Outside the Lines Travel. I enjoying helping those who want to plan a trip to Walt Disney World, but are just feeling overwhelmed with the plethora of information on the internet. If you choose to spend your Walt Disney World time at a different hotel or resort, be sure to stop by the Wilderness Lodge just to see it!
The Lodge was built to look like the great lodges of the Pacific Northwest. It opened in 1994, and is the perfect destination for those who want to be close to the action of the parks, without being right in the middle of them.
The lobby is magnificent. It is breathtaking, and when you walk in and gaze up at all of the wooden beams and the 82-foot tall fireplace, you will be struck not only by its grand beauty, but by how homey it feels. The comfy couches, rocking chairs, wonderful smells, and totem poles make you feel as though you could stay there forever!
The Lodge is at its most beautiful at Christmastime. The giant tree goes up mid-November and stays through the New Year. If you can, plan a visit then!
Inside the Wilderness Lodge, you’ll find a terrific cocktail lounge, the Territory Lounge, a signature restaurant, Artist Point, a rousing table service restaurant, Whispering Canyon Cafe, and a quick-service restaurant, Roaring Fork.
These are the kids' Chocolate Mickey waffles - my youngest daughter's favorite meal at WDW! They recently took them off the menu at Roaring Fork, but will make them if you ask!
Starting on December 16, 2018, Artist Point will replace their Pacific Northwest menu to host Storybook Dining with Snow White each evening. That menu looks terrific, too!
Outside, there are two pools, hot tubs, a spa/salon and health club, bicycle rentals, boat rentals, outdoor games, a waterfront bar and grill called Geyser Point, and 120 foot geyser that spouts off every hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. They also roast marshmallows each night, and show movies outside under the stars.
Transportation to the Magic Kingdom is by bus or boat; the ride across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon is my favorite part of each day! Transportation to the other parks is by bus (or Minnie Van!)
One of my family’s favorite activities at the Wilderness Lodge is watching the Electrical Water Pageant that stops in front of the resort each evening. It is a Disney classic and should not be missed. Put on your pjs, fill your mug with cocoa, and sit out to watch the parade!
My family also loves exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Lodge. My oldest daughter curls up with a book in front of one of the many fireplaces and reads for hours. We also enjoy hopping on bikes and biking to Fort Wilderness Campground to look at all of the campsites, visit the horse stables, and play some games at the Trading Post.
My daughters have grown up here and it feels like home, especially because the staff gets to know its repeat visitors and is always very welcoming to all guests.
A staple of the Wilderness Lodge is Ranger Jack! Be sure to ask Guest Services about taking his complimentary Secrets of the Lodge Architectural Lodge tour - it is fascinating!
If you want to contact me for more information about this terrific resort, you can do so at Outside the Lines Travel. I enjoying helping those who want to plan a trip to Walt Disney World, but are just feeling overwhelmed with the plethora of information on the internet. If you choose to spend your Walt Disney World time at a different hotel or resort, be sure to stop by the Wilderness Lodge just to see it!
Comments
Post a Comment