Get ready to celebrate! Next year, 2021, will mark the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!! Package bookings for 2021 should open up in mid-June. From now until then, we will be revisiting our 5 Reasons to Love series about WDW resorts to help you decide where to stay next year. from, the Walking Down Main Street team
What's changed - Wilderness Lodge was undergoing a room refurbishment at the time of the WDW closure in March.
The first time I visited Walt Disney World was as an adult. I had the distinct pleasure of staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and to say that I fell in love is an understatement. I am here today, and always to sing its praises and tell you why you’ll love it too!
Location, Location, Location!
While it’s not on the Monorail, it is just a short bus ride away from the Magic Kingdom. The boat is relaxing and I love being on the open water with the Copper Creek Cabins and Disney’s Contemporary Resort in clear view. The boat also gets you straight to the front of the Magic Kingdom!
There’s a second boat which loops between Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, and Disney's Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower. This boat is convenient for getting to a meal at Chef Mickey’s, The Wave or California Grill at the Contemporary or Hoop Dee Doo Review, Trail’s End or a visit to the nightly campfire at Fort Wilderness.
The Scenery
Inside and out, Wilderness Lodge is breathtaking! The craftsman style architecture is modeled after the great lodges that still exist to this day at many of our national parks. The towering lobby welcomes you home and invites you to sit in front of a roaring fire or near a babbling brook. Outside, you’ll find towering pine trees, the backside of the brook that runs into the lobby, and even an active geyser which erupts on the hour.
The Spirit of the Holiday Season
The holidays are truly magical at Wilderness Lodge. The Christmas tree that is placed in the lobby each year goes all the way up to the ceiling and is truly magical. You’ll want to curl up by the fire and grab a cup of hot chocolate as you listen to rustic holiday music. It’s a cozy escape from the parks that everyone should take time to visit.
Food
If you’re looking for unique dining experiences, you can find them at Wilderness Lodge.
Guests looking for a casual and rowdy meal can enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Whispering Canyon Café. (My personal favorite is breakfast!) All meals offer a la carte options, as well as an all you care to eat skillet that can be shared by your entire family.
For a truly enchanting dinner, guests can enjoy Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and The Evil Queen at Storybook Dining. The menu includes three delicious appetizers, your choice of entrée and three mini desserts. For guests looking for something beyond chicken fingers (although they do have them available for hard to please guests) this is a fantastic option.
Cast Members
I have encountered some of the most passionate and kind cast members during my visits to Wilderness Lodge. Some of them have remained on staff for years, simply because they love working here. Whether it’s helping with luggage or helping with dining reservations, the Cast Members at Wilderness Lodge seem to have an extra splash of pixie dust scattered upon them.
I highly recommend visiting my personal favorite resort sometime. Even if you aren't staying there, I promise you won’t regret your visit!
Stephanie McNulty is a Vacation Planner with Coasters and Castles Travel. When not at Walt Disney World, she is dreaming about the smell of the Wilderness Lodge Lobby (If you visit, you’ll know what she’s talking about!) You can contact her at smcnulty@coastersandcastlestravel.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram by searching her user name: @magicaltravelwithsteph
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