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Disney's Wilderness Lodge Review
by Randall Alberts

Have you ever woke up one morning and found a river starting in your den? I don’t mean a sink overrunning. I mean have you ever had the chance to spend the night at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The lodge is located on the shores of Bay Lake and just a boat stop from the Magic Kingdom. One of Disney’s deluxe resorts, this resort is located in the Magic Kingdom area of the property, but looks like you could be located in the high mountains of America’s west.

Just driving up and arriving at the hotel is an experience. As you turn into the resort, you are quickly surrounded by tall trees that carry you away to the national forest miles away from Florida. You pass under the very large log sign welcoming you to the lodge and quickly see bear crossing signs at the turns. The lodge itself resembles the large log style resorts located at the western national parks.

My best advice is to take a deep breath before entering the lobby because the lobby itself is breath taking. As you enter the lobby you will find a five story log lobby filled with tepee chandeliers and a fireplace crowded with rockers and reaching to the sky. The large log columns supporting the ceiling are logs that have been carved to look like animals at the top. Each side of the lobby has a large totem pole that greets visiting guests. The floor of the lobby is a rich hardwood and there is plenty of Mission Style furniture so that guests can just sit back and try to take it all in. The fireplace is massive. Its rock is layered to represent the layers of the Grand Canyon. And of course always be on the lookout for the Hidden Mickey or two located on the fireplace.

Next to the Elevator lobby, you will find something very unique to this hotel, a hot springs color pool. The spring looks very natural sitting there in the lobby bubbling up water. You can stand on the bridge and watch as water begins it journey under the wall where is becomes Silver Creek. As you follow the creek through the luscious gardens of the resort it quickly becomes a waterfall at Overlook Point, one of the best places to snap those vacation memories to show the people back home. From the waterfalls, the water then grows to become the resort swimming hole. Appearing to be cut out of the rock, the swimming hole is a perfect place to relax from running around any of the four theme parks or shopping at Downtown Disney. From the pool the water streams past the hot and cold tubs and into bay lake.

Also next to Bay Lake, and on the way to the docks, is Fire Rock geyser. Make sure that you save some time to watch this faithful geyser as it erupts every hour on the hour from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. While you are at the docks you can quickly grab a water taxi to the Magic Kingdom, or hop on over to Teton Boat and Bike Rental. Here you can rent water craft so that you can take a spin around the Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake. Or you may want to rent a bike so that you can take a peaceful ride along the trails to the Fort Wilderness campgrounds where you can visit the petting farm or horse ranch.

For those people who want a more rigorous workout, then you may want to visit the Sturdy Branches Health Club. Located in the main lodge, the club offers the latest fitness equipment to get your heart pumping. If you are more interested in getting your heart pumping as you blast space aliens, then you only have to go as far as the Buttons and Bell Arcade located off the main lobby. And for the little ones, ages 4 – 12, they may want to take in the evening at the Cub’s Den. This area is designed especially for the little ones and includes arts and crafts as well as games movies and dinner.

Speaking of dinner, the Wilderness has some of the best eating joints for the family. Just off the lobby and behind the fireplace you will find Whispering Canyon Café. If you are going to eat there, make sure to make your reservations and come hungry. This restaurant is known for its Bar-be-que and is fun for the whole family. The specialty is the meat platter filled with all you can eat ribs, bar-be-que pork, chicken, sausage, baked beans, coleslaw, corn and cornbread. If you like tea, then ask for a large, but be ware of asking for catsup. When someone asks for catsup then every kid in the restaurant gets up and carries every known bottle in the restaurant to the table. There is never a problem with not being able to find enough. And did I mention the horse races around the restaurant? Several times an evening the Wispering Canyon wooden horses are brought out and kids race them around the restaurant while diners wave their napkins over their heads.

If you are more interested in more romantic dining, then be sure to check out Artist Point. With a selection of fine dining and great wines this restaurant is a great place to drive away from it all and enjoy a selection from the Pacific Northwest. The restaurant has a brilliant view of Bay Lake and Silver Creek Falls. The landscape painting that adorn the restaurant truly make this restaurant live up to the name.

If you are more interested in catching a beer or drink, or perhaps an appetizer, then you should check out the Territory Lounge. Located off of the lounge, this friendly bar is one of two on the hotel property. Of course if you visit, pay attention to the territory map hanging on the wall as you never know where a hidden Mickey may show up. The other bar at the hotel is the Trout Pass Pool Bar. With it’s selections of drinks, smoothies, snacks and cocktails, this outside bar is the place to be if you want a view of the scenery.

If you are looking for a quick bite for the day, then you may want to check out the Roaring Fork Snack Bar. The Roaring Fork offers a selection of hot and cold items served throughout the day. If you are staying at the hotel for a period of time, then you probably want to pick up a Wilderness Lodge souvenir mug. Once purchased, it can be refilled as often as you like at the Roaring Fork.

Of course what Disney property would be complete without a gift shop? The Wilderness Lodge Mercantile is located just across from the elevator lobby and offers a wide variety of items for its guests. Everything from that must have Disney plush to the small grocery items needed for a restful stay at the lodge. The Mercantile carries several items specific to the Wilderness Lodge including logo items and bear carvings. Of course, there is always the scrapbook and t-shirts that are a staple to any Disney shop around the resort. Of course my best advice in purchasing souvenirs is to buy the item when you see it. If you are staying at one of the Disney hotels, then the park will have the item delivered to your room so that you do not have to carry it around the parks with you. The parks also offer package pick up where you can have the purchased item delivered to the front of the park so that you can pick it up as you drag your kids out of the park.

So if you for your next vacation you are torn between a trip to the Pacific Northwest and a trip to Walt Disney World, you may want to compromise and pay a visit to the Wilderness Lodge at the Walt Disney World Resort. With the feel of the great Northwest and all of the excitement of the Disney parks, it is sure to be an experience that you will not soon forget.

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