Walt Disney World’s Mountain Retreat: A Guide to Wilderness Lodge Resort
Located directly on-site at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is one of Disney’s “Deluxe Resort” category hotels, providing an extensive array of amenities and a premium experience.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a AAA Four-Diamond hotel which opened for guests in May 1994. Located along the shores of Bay Lake just a short distance to the Magic Kingdom, the resort features 729 rooms and suites to go along with two separate Disney Vacation Club resorts (The Bolder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
The resort building is extensively themed after the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park and includes at replica of a geyser at the rear of the property behind the pool area. There are number of totem polls, Native American artifacts and an 82-foot fireplace in the main lobby.
Guests will find that hotel amenities are extensive and include two resort style pools, fishing boat rentals, numerous organized activities, a fitness center, complimentary resort wide transportation and a number of food & beverage options. There is also direct water taxi service to the Magic Kingdom as well as view of the nightly floating Electrical Water Pageant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hotel rates at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
Since the Wilderness Lodge Resort is one of Disney’s “Deluxe Resorts”, prices are among the highest of any at the Walt Disney World Resort. Typically, nightly rates range from around than $400 per night to more than $900 per night depending on the time of year and the room type. See our price chart below for rates during specific nights.
Does Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort provide transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort offers complimentary water taxi transportation to the Magic Kingdom as well bus transportation throughout Walt Disney World including the other theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.
Whiles just a short distance to the Magic Kingdom, guests stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge not able to walk to the Magic Kingdom, the Transportation & Ticket Center or Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Is there free transportation from the Orlando International Airport to Disney’s Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort no longer provides complimentary bus transportation from the Orlando International Airport via Disney’s Magical Express. Mears Connect provides fee based transportation service from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World.
Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
There are no Resort Fees or Parking Charges at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. Valet parking is available for $33.00 per night.
How many pools are there at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
There are two pools at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. The main Copper Creek Springs Pool located behind the main lobby and features a 67-foot waterslide. The adjacent Boulder Ridge Cove Pool is located near the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and is a zero-entry pool.
Contrary to rumors circulating on the internet, Disney does not allow hotel guests to “pool hop”. However, there are a few exceptions when staying at DVC resorts (owners only), Disney’s All-Star Resorts and Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts.
What are the food & beverage options at the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort features a number of dining options which range from grab-and-go / quick service, to upscale and resort casual dining. See a complete list of food & beverage options below.
What is the check-in and check-out time at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
The check in-time at the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is 4:00 pm and check out time is at 11:00 am.
What is the pet policy at the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort?
With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. However, Disney has an ongoing pilot program that allows pets at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort.
About Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort originally opened in October 1994 and features 729 rooms and suites. The resort is themed after the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park and features an eight-story atrium with authentic totem poles and an 82-foot tall fireplace.
In addition to the lodge there are two different vacation club properties. These include The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort and the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The Villas were originally opened in 2000 and feature 181 rooms while the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins opened in 2017 and feature 185 rooms.
This resort hotel is located on-site within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida near the northern end of the property at the end of World Drive Drive. Access to the area is provided by the Osceola Parkway or Epcot Center Drives which connects to Interstate 4 just a few miles to the southeast.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
901 Timberline Drive | Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
407.824.3200
It will take about 30 minutes to get to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort from the Orlando International Airport. Guests can either take SR-528 (Beach Line Expressway) to Interstate 4, west to Osceola Parkway or SR-417 west to the Osceola Parkway. Both routes are similar in mileage and fairly easy to navigate for out-of-area travelers.
From Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, the time / distance to the visitor toll plazas at the Disney theme parks are as follows (per Google Maps):
- Magic Kingdom Park: Less than one mile, approximately 10 minutes via water taxi
- Epcot: Less than miles, approximately 10 to 15 minutes
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: approximately 10 to 15 minutes
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: approximately 10 to 15 minutes
- Disney Springs (Orange Parking Garage) approximately 10 to 15 minutes
The time / distance to other popular Orlando area attractions is as follows:
- SeaWorld Orlando: approximately 15 to 20 minutes
- Universal Orlando Resort: approximately 35 minutes.
- Downtown Orlando: approximately 30 to 40 minutes
- Orange County Convention Center: approximately 20 minutes
- The Mall at Millenia: approximately 25 to 30 minutes
Amenities at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is one of the premier hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. This resort hotel features an extensive amount of amenities and recreational offerings.
Resort Pool Areas
There are two separate pool areas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. The main pool is the Copper Creek Springs Pool which features a 67-foot long waterslide as well as hot & cold whirlpool spas. This pool is adjacent to the Geyser Point Bar & Grill poolside restaurant.
In addition to the Copper Creek Springs Pool is the Boulder Ridge Cove Pool which is the the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This zero-entry pool area features six shaded seating areas that are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Resort Wide Transportation
Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom have access to water taxi service which is available for arrival / departure just behind the resort on Bay Lake. For guests visiting other areas of the Walt Disney World Resort, bus transportation is provided and accessible at the front of the hotel.
Organized Activities
The Wilderness Lodge offers a number of organized activities including guided fishing excursions, Disney movies under the stars and family campfires where guests can roast marshmallows.
Every evening guests will enjoy watching the Electrical Water Pageant right from the beach along Bay Lake. This pageant features a number of lighted sea creatures and patriotic displays that are set to your favorite electronic Disney music.
Other Amenities
- Jogging Trails
- Sturdy Branches Health Club
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
- Resort Concierge
- Buttons and Bells Arcade
- Merchandise Pickup and Delivery
Dining Options at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
Dining options at the Wilderness Lodge are fairly extensive and range from quick service to upscale dining.
- Whispering Canyon Cafe’: Serving American fare in all-you-can-eat skillets (or standard entrees), in a western themed environment. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this restaurant is located right in the main lobby. Click here to see the menu at the Whispering Canyon Cafe’.
- Story Book Dining at Artist Point: Dine with characters from the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs while enjoying American fare in a price fixed menu. Price for dinner service is $60 per adult and $39 per child. Click here to see the menu at Story Book Dining at Artist Point.
- Roaring Fork: Guests will enjoy American fare at this quick service dining restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Roaring Fork serves a wide variety of foods including Mickey waffles and roast beef hash for breakfast to cheeseburgers and sandwiches for lunch & dinner. Click here to see the menu at Roaring Fork.
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill: Enjoy a cold beer, wine or specialty cocktail as well as a sandwich or snack while enjoying views of Bay Lake. This quick service restaurant is open lunch and dinner (until 11:00 PM). Click here to see the menu at the Geyser Point Bar & Grill.
- Territory Lounge: Grab a coffee, beer or specialty cocktail while enjoying small plates like Artisanal cheeses & charcuterie, BBQ glazed ribs or Oregon Chardonnay fondue. Click here to see the menu at the Territory Lounge.
The Rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Village Resort
There are a number of different room types at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort which are listed below. All rooms feature free wireless internet service, a coffee maker, iron / ironing board, in-room safe, telephone with voicemail, hairdryer and bathroom products.
- Nature View – King Room
- Nature View Room – 2 Queen Room
- Nature Fireworks View – King Room
- Nature Fireworks View – 2 Queen Room
- Standard View – King Room
- Standard View – 2 Queen Room
- Courtyard View – King Room
- Courtyard View – 2 Queen Room
- Club Level Service Rooms
- Deluxe Studios (Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins)
- One-Bedroom Villas (Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins)
- Two-Bedroom Villas (Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins)
- Three-Bedroom Grand Villas (Copper Creek Villas & Cabins)
- Cabins (Copper Creek Villas & Cabins)
The Wilderness Lodge offers a club level rooms and suites which offers secure key access to the club lounge which is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Guests enjoy complimentary refreshments, free health club access and personalized front desk / guest services.
Like most hotels in the greater Orlando area, rates at Disney’s Wilderness Resort are highly seasonal and we have found that rates and availability do vary quite considerably throughout the year.
Nightly rates at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge typically range from around than $400 per night to more than $900 per night. There is a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax. There are no resort parking charges.
Disney is constantly running special offers and there are always discounts for annual passholders and Florida Residents.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort – Vacation Club
In 2000 the resort was expanded to include The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort which added 181 villas to resort’s offering. In 2017 Disney added the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins which include 185 individual villas as well as cabins which run along Bay Lake.
The lake front cabins are a highly unique hotel experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort. These cabins offer approximately 1,700 square feet of space with multiple bedrooms, living areas, full kitchens, large patios and fireplaces.
The Cabins at Disney’s Copper Creek Villas & Cabins easily exceed $2,000 per night and as much as $4,500 per night during peak times.
What We Liked about Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
There are a number of things to like about Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. Following are some of the highlights:
- Excellent location near the Magic Kingdom
- Amazing design and theming
- Complimentary Disney resort wide transportation
- Great view of the Bay Lake and the Electrical Light Pageant
What We Did Not Like about Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
There are a few things about the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort we do not like which include:
- Very expensive nightly hotel rates
- $25 per day self-parking fee
- Limited availability due to high demand (forget about last minute trips here)
What We Think Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is Perfect For
We were very happy with our stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort and find that it is perfect for:
- Guests seeking a premium Disney vacation experience
- Families spending time at the Magic Kingdom
Our Thoughts
As Florida residents as well as Disney annual passholders, we try to take advantage of special offers for any on-site hotels including the Deluxe Resorts like the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. Unfortunately we have found at this time availability has been limited during times we travel and nightly rates far exceed that we find at luxury off-site resorts like the Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott Bonnet Creek and the Ritz-Carlton Orlando.
However, if we find a nightly rate under $500.00 during a weekend, we definitely feel the cost is worth it for the location and the Disney experience.