Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Teddy Roosevelt would exclaim “bully” to Disney’s dramatic depiction of an early 1900s national park lodge, an atmosphere that simply can’t be beat. I challenge you to keep your jaw from dropping open on your first encounter with its awesome eight-story lobby. A marvel of timber, sheer walls of lodgepole pine logs and rugged rock surround the huge, open expanse filled with oversized leather chairs and Native American crafts of beaded moccasins, feathered headdresses, textiles, and drums. Relax in old-fashioned rockers fronting the massive, 82-foot-tall fireplace composed of rockwork replicating the diverse strata of the Grand Canyon. Two authentic 55-foot Pacific Northwest totem poles overlook rustic stone and hardwood floors topped with Native American rugs, teepee chandeliers, and a bevy of “park ranger” staff who roam the lodge attending to guests. Quiet and seductive nooks and crannies on the floors above the lobby offer hours of privacy, and rows of back porch rockers facing the resort grounds look out to a serene scene of natural beauty.
Seven floors of guestrooms are found above the lobby and in two, six-story wings composed of quarry stone, chunky logs, and green tin rooftops surrounded by a breathtaking scene of roaring waterfalls, rushing creeks, and towering pines. What begins in the lobby as a bubbling hot spring turns into Silver Creek that widens to become a sparkling waterfall emptying into the boulder-lined, hot springs–style swimming pool, one of Disney’s best. The chirping of crickets is heard beneath the bridges and along the meandering pathways lined with natural grasses, junipers, sotols, and wild flowers, and on the shore of Bay Lake, the resort’s very own geyser, surrounded by a steaming expanse of geothermal activity, erupts hourly from early morning to late night. After dark when the waterfall is lit, it’s even more spectacular.
728 rooms. 901 Timberline Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830; 407-824-3200; Fax 407-824-3232. Check-in 3 p.m.; Check-out 11 a.m.
Accommodations
Guestrooms
Those who have experienced other deluxe Disney resorts may be surprised at the smallish guest rooms here, measuring only 340 square feet. Though pleasant, they don’t leave room for a sitting area. Bedding is either two queen-size beds, a king-size bed (wheelchair-accessible rooms), or a queen-size bed and a set of bunk beds (an extremely popular choice with the kids). You’ll find bedspreads in a Native American quilted print with rich blue dust ruffles, gold/green carpeting in a pine cone motif, and a built-in, 32-inch flat-panel TV. Two-poster beds have padded leather headboards accented with a carved woodland scene, triple-sheeted linens with nice downy pillows, and a not-so-comfortable mattress. All rooms come with a table and two chairs, under-counter refrigerator, keyed safe, IPOD clock radio, and coffeemaker.
Bathrooms, a few feet smaller than other deluxe resorts, have attractive black/gold granite countertops in the separate vanity area holding two sinks and a hair dryer—an adjoining bathtub/commode area is embellished with white-and-gold tiles and wallpaper in an etched leaf print. There’s no makeup mirror, but the full-length mirror, curved shower curtain, and rain shower–style shower head are a plus. Other room amenities include a small keyed safe, iron and ironing board, and daily newspaper.
Room view choices include a standard view with a look at either the parking lot or rooftops; a lodge view of either the forested area facing the Magic Kingdom (views of the park and the fireworks are mostly obscured by the trees except from some rooms on the top floors) or the next-door Villas at Wilderness Lodge; or a picturesque courtyard view of the pool and Bay Lake. Sixth-floor rooms in the outer wings closer to the lake come with dormer balconies that require standing for a view.
Concierge Rooms
Concierge rooms on the seventh floor include standard rooms with a variety of views, four Honeymoon Suites, and the Vice Presidential and Presidential Suites. Guests receive the services of a private concierge staff and access to the Old Faithful Club. Plenty of tables set up around the balcony overlooking the lobby, a sizeable serving room, and an accommodating staff add to the appeal. Breakfast consists of fresh fruit, juice, yogurt, pastries, cereal, oatmeal, mini muffins, croissants, and bagels, and afternoon snacks are goldfish crackers, fruit, pretzels, gummy bears, sugar and chocolate chip cookies. Evenings bring hearty food catered from either Whispering Canyon Café or Artist Point where the spread includes tomato basil dip, tapenade, fruit, crudités, cheese, and PB&J sandwiches, accompanied by one soup such as corn chowder, vegetable, tomato basil, and potato cheese, along with one hot dish such as chicken and pesto pasta, pork loin with Artist Point macaroni and cheese, sausage and peppers, beef stroganoff, beef stir-fry, pulled pork, or grilled chicken with mashed potatoes.
Wine offerings are King Estate Oregon Pinot Gris, Washington State 14 Hands Merlot, Columbia Crest Cabernet, and Kenwood Zinfandel. There’s also a self-service cappuccino machine. After dinner wine and cordials are served with scrumptious hot cobbler along with an assortment of yummy homemade cookies, brownies, and rightly famous Magic Bars. Extra concierge amenities include DVD players, robes, and nightly turndown service. All concierge rooms have dormer balconies that require standing for a view.
Although they’re the same size as a standard room, the Honeymoon Suites surrounding the lobby feel larger because they come with only one king-size bed, leaving more room to walk around. Their claim to fame is a large chocolate-brown marble whirlpool tub perfect for romance. Rooms also hold a table with two chairs and clothes bureau with built-in flat-panel TV. Remember, they come with dormer balconies, so you must stand for a view—two of the suites offer a not-so-great look at the rooftops and the Villas at Wilderness Lodge in the distance, while the other two enjoy a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, and the top of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Suites
If a larger room is more to your liking, consider a Deluxe Suite sleeping six. At 500 square feet, these offer a comfortable but not huge balconied parlor area holding a charcoal gray, queen-size leather sofa bed, two easy chairs, coffee table, two-person table and chairs, a flat-panel TV, wet bar, coffeemaker, and small refrigerator. The crowded bedroom, separated by curtained French doors from the parlor, has two queen-size beds, TV, and a stand-up balcony. The double-sinked bathroom with separate commode and shower area can be accessed from either the bedroom or the foyer. Deluxe Suites come with some sort of a view of the water (some rooms are nicely obstructed with trees). Although they are not located on the club level seventh floor, they do come with concierge privileges.
The 885-square-foot Vice Presidential Suite (also known as the Yosemite) is outfitted in upscale cowboy style featuring rawhide curtains, branding-iron towel bars, wood-paneled walls, Native American artwork, and lodgepole trim. The living area offers a distressed leather sleeper sofa, two leather easy chairs, oversized desk, Remington-style lamp, Southwestern rug, and an armoire with a flat-panel TV, DVD player, and stereo. A wooden walk-in bar is complete with swinging doors, microwave, under counter refrigerator, sink, toaster, blender, coffeemaker, and two leather barstools. The small dining room has hardwood flooring with a circular, six-person table with rustic twig chairs. An amazing balcony, actually better than the resort’s Presidential Suite because of its deepness, wraps the suite with marvelous views of the resort’s pool and geyser as well as sparkling Bay Lake. In the bedroom is a king bed with western-style bedding and leather throw pillows, drum lamps, an armoire with flat-panel TV, and leather easy chair and ottoman. Off the entry hall is a half bath with single sink. The only disappointing aspect of the suite is the master bath’s ultra-sensitive, automatic motion-detector vent fan that turns on whenever entering the bath for irritating 30-second intervals causing quite a problem during the night for someone trying to sleep. There’s also the earth-toned mosaic tile that needs a good grout job, and lack of good lighting and a makeup mirror. Its pluses are the oversized, oval whirlpool tub, double sinks, and giant separate shower. But the Yosemite Suite is one of the better priced V.P. suites at the Disney Deluxe properties and certainly one to consider for a nice upgrade.
On the opposite side of the courtyard is the 1,000-square-foot Presidential Suite (also known as the Yellowstone), a Teddy Roosevelt delight with shiny hardwood flooring, an elk-horn chandelier, and balconies running the length of the corner suite overlooking Bay Lake and the pool. The living area comes with a leather/chenille sleeper sofa, coffee table, three easy chairs (one leather), and wet bar with sink, under-counter refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, and dishes. A rustic dining table, separated from the living room by a granite buffet/bar, seats eight. Off the foyer is a half bath as well as a cozy office with a balcony overlooking the courtyard. The bedroom is outfitted with twig-style furnishings and a leather easy chair and ottoman. An attractive chocolate and black marble bathroom has two sink areas, a commode and bidet in a separate room, vanity, large stand-alone shower, and a fantastic whirlpool tub.
You’ll find complete information on dining, recreation, services, and transportation at Disney's Wilderness Lodge in The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World® Resort.
